HMS Cornwall

HMS Cornwall, Kent Class cruiser of the Royal Navy. HMS Cornwall built at Devonport Dockyard, Plymouth and launched 11th March 1926. HMS Cornwall was sunk on 5th April 1942.
HMS CORNWALL. Built at Devonport Dockyard, Plymouth she was laid down on the 9th October 1924, launched on the 11th March 1926 and completed 23rd January 1928. HMS Cornwall was reconstructed in 1935 and 1939 with a 4.5 inch cemented armour belt being increased for 6 feet below the waterline. a a 4-inch internal armour was added to the fan compartments to the boiler rooms. during reconstruction the ship also has its 2 pdr pompoms replaced by 2 octuples pompoms. She served in the East Indies 1939. South Atlantic 1940 -1941 and East Indies 1941 - 1942 and eastern Fleet 1942. She was sunk by Japanese air attack by nine hits from 250 and 550 lb bombs, she sank in 12 minutes. west of Ceylon Displacement: 9,750 tons Speed: 31.5kt Complement: 679 increasing to 710 as Flagship. Armament: Eight 8 inch guns in pairs. Eight 4 inch anti-aircraft guns in pairs and eight 2pdr anti-aircraft guns in pairs plus eight 0.5 machine guns in pairs. Sixteen 21 inch torpedo tubes. 4 aircraft
HMS Cornwall	11th March 1926		Sunk 5th April 1942.
HMS Cornwall, May 1938. A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available. Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder. A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25. Order photograph here Order Code XMP1244 Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size). Price £5 Click here to order. Order Code MP1244
HMS Cornwall, May 1938. A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available. Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder. A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25. Order photograph here Order Code XMP1245 Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size). Price £5 Click here to order. Order Code MP1245		HMS Cornwall, June 1938. A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available. Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder. A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25. Order photograph here Order Code XMP1246 Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size). Price £5 Click here to order. Order Code MP1246
HMS Cornwall, 1938. Original Perkins Post card Price £18. Order Code PHC388		HMS Cornwall. c.1930s A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available. Order photograph here © Walker Archive. Order Code PHC408
HMS Cornwall, July 1936. Original 10" x 8" photograph published by Wright & Logan 1960's/ 70's. One copy only. Price £20 plus £5 post. Click here to order. Order Code BIG09		This picture has been sent in by Patrick Hill whose Grandfather Mne or Cpl W Hill RMA served on HMS Cornwall. He survived the torpedo attack and sinking on 28th October 1942 and was picked up by MV Tasmania. She was torpedoed three days later and Cpl Hill was lost at sea.
HMS Cornwall sinking, 5th April 1942. Contributed by Nick Wood.
We wish to thank Jason Adams for sending the pictures below, many of them feature his grandfather Percy Daguiar.
HMS Cornwall		Percy and some of the crew from HMS Cornwall
Percy Daguiar				Percy Daguiar
Percy Daguiar and Joseph Sussmes.		Some of HMS Cornwall's ships company.
My name is Jason Adams, I was born here (and have returned) but grew up in South Africa where my Grandfather joined the S.A. Navy to serve on the Cornwall for a year or two before and up to its sinking. His name was Percy Daguiar and he survived the sinking, unfortunately he suffered from the inhalation of the fumes and whatever else he inhaled during the sinking and later on in life suffered from an illness which doctor's could not put their finger on, But it was something to do with his lungs. I personally believe it was damage done during the sinking. He died in Cape Town in 1969 at the age of 52. I do know that my aunt who lives in Simon's town close to the naval base in Cape Town does still have his ribbon and lifejacket which reeks heavily of oil. I thought I would send you some pictures which I discovered recently. I have been researching the HMS Cornwall and am desperately trying to find more pictures about life on board the Cornwall just before its sinking and also its course it took and what ports it used on its voyages. The only information I have is what I have gathered from the images and from the internet, which is very vague and basic. if you can supply any further information Contact Jason at Ablaze@truthmail.com
The following information and photographs were sent in by John Andrews. My Uncle Dennis G Andrews served on HMS Cornwall and was on board when she was torpedoed. He was in the sea for 36 hours before being rescued. He was posted to HMS Firedrake later that year and went down with the Firedrake in Dec 17th 1942.I have attached details of my Uncle, if you can make use of them please do. He was married in 1942.
Wedding photo of Dennis G Andrews, 1942.
A Telegram from a Commodore confirming Dennis Andrews survived the Cornwall.
Leonard George Keeble. LEONARD GEORGE KEEBLEMy uncle was Leonard George Keeble, I always heard him referred to as Lenny. Sadly he died on 5th April 1942 when the HMS Cornwall was sunk. He was only 17 or 18 when he died. His position on the ship was Boy Telegraphist, and apart from that I know no more. Contact Here .
Crew of HMS Cornwall - sent in by P. Grange. Message included with photo - My grandad Joseph Sussmes is in the middle of the photo. It has on the back of the photo Japan, June 23rd 1940. Joseph was on board HMS Cornwall from 15th March 1939 - 25th December 1941. He was made up to Stoker Petty Officer 4 days before this picture was taken on 19th June 1940. If anyone knows any of the other crew, please contact here

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Naval Historians, Crew & Family Noticeboard MESSAGES ALEC HAMBLY.. My name is Nick Wood, my Grandfather in Law was Lt Cdr (?) Alec Hambly who was aboard the Cornwall when she went down and survived. I write on behalf of my Father-in-Law who is very keen (as am I) to learn more about his father's service in the Navy and particularly on the Cornwall. Any photo's of life on board and of the ship on operations, along with any anecdotes relating to the ships company and particularly Alec Hambly would be greatly appreciated. Please contact me on the given e mail and I will forward to my father-in-law. Contact Here ALBERT RONALD HOWELLS.. My Uncle Albert Ronald Howells, is 85 still walking to the legion and was serving on board the HMS Cornwall for some years before it sunk. He survived the sinking and still proudly wears his badge on his blazer. He has always been very modest over the years about the event but I know he has a variety of photographs, a telegram stating he was alive, etc etc. He was an engine room rating and was aft on a fire damage party when they were sunk. If he can be of any assistance to you I will ask. Contact here PATRICK McGRATH.. My father, Patrick McGrath (now deceased), of Bell Island, Newfoundland served on the HMS Cornwall and survived the sinking in 1942. Have a book about the Cornwall, looking for photos, models of the Cornwall, Any help would be appreciated. Please e-mail me at bemcgra@rogers.com. FREDERICK WILLIAM JENKINS PALMER... I have just found a photograph of my great Uncle, Frederick William Jenkins Palmer and his bride, Ellen with the notation on the back "Jan. 6th, 1934" It shows Fred with the name HMS Cornwall on his seaman's hat (beret?) Would you like a copy? Any information that you have on Frederick would be appreciated. Fred died on the Hood, 24 May, 1941. His rating then was 'Petty Officer Regulating, serial number 40064.' Yours truly, C. Bjorkquist, Jasper, AB CANADA contact here FRED GRIMSTER... My name is Daniel Grimster Rogers, I am the Grandson of Fred Grimster. I was born in South Africa and have been living in London for the past 6 years. I would like to know more about the ship, it's crew and the history of the HMS Cornwall. I think my grandfather-in-law, who worked in the shipyards in Greenock at the time of its commissioning, might have had a part of its construction. He was a riveter. Is there any info about this time of the Cornwall. Or do I have the wrong information. Daniel G Roger danielrogers@summeroad.freeserve.co.uk ERIC PERCY JENNINGS... My father in law Eric Percy Jennings (sadly died 5 years ago) was aboard the Cornwall when it was sunk in the Indian Ocean. We'd love to find out more about that event and if there are any incidental or anecdotal stories about Eric. Peter Kenyon. kenyons@kenyons234.freeserve.co.uk WILLIAM (HARRY) HENRY: My father served on HMS Rodney and HMS Cornwall. and was on Cornwall when it was sunk in 19842. he died in 1952. I would be interested to hear form anyone who may have known him. Contact Peter Preston at prestons@psilink.co.uk I am looking for information on/ crew pictures of HMS Cornwall for the 2 years up to its sinking and information about the course she took. Contact Jason at jayskustom@yahoo.co.uk