HMT Arctic Trapper & Luftwaffe attacks

[nicknobbyclark]

I am researching details on the armed trawler HMT ARCTIC TRAPPER.

Her Skipper was mentioned in Dispatches 12.11.1940 after his crew had shot down two German aircraft I believe off Ramsgate possibly just before September 1940? Can anyone give me more details on this?

Also HMT ARCTIC TRAPPER was later sunk by aircraft off Ramsgate, 3.2.1941 and I would like more details if possible such as numbers of survivors and which Axis planes were involved?

Any help much appreciated

Nick Clark

[nicknobbyclark]

I am updating with my own findings here and in a way answering my own question! However, I am doing this for the benefit of those that may be interested in this subject or in case someone would like to contribute further?

The following is the report from the Times, 26 Aug. 1940:

"Two Bombers shot down by trawler - others probably damaged

The following Admiralty communique was issued on Saturday:-
When HM Trawler Arctic Trapper (Skipper W Hilldrith RNR) was attacked by enemy aircraft this afternoon, she shot down two enemy bombers into the sea and probably damaged two others.
HM Trawler Arctic Trapper was machine gunned by German fighters which were escorting a force of bombers. The trawler opened fire on the bombers. The first shell burst between two of the enemy bombers and it is probable that both aircraft received damage. The second shell scored a direct hit on another bomber and this aircraft crashed into the sea. The third shell burst very close to another bomber and this machine was seen to turn over and come down into the sea.
There were no casualties in the Arctic Trapper"

Nick Clark

[Julian Saunders]

My grandfather took command of the Arctic Trapper in between the two events you cronicle. He was Louis Harvey, and he was one of three killed, but recovered, when it was lost off Ramsgate. The names of the unrecovered crew are listed on the memorial at Lowestoft, for seamen lost who crewed RNR vessels. You are welcome to contact me by email in the first instance, timbertricks@btinternet.com I would be interested in having pictures or plans even of the vessel, her position when lost, etc. Regards Julian Saunders

[Bruce Dennis]

Nick/Julian:
Are you aware of the file at the Public Records Office in Kew concerning this ship?

ADM 267/102 Arctic Trawler 1940-41

I haven't seen the file, but the ADM267 series covers bomb & shell damage to ships and sometimes includes an account of the action leading to the damage. If you are unable to visit Kew, email me.

Hope this helps,
Bruce

[rettopi]

Hi Guys.
Hope you are still on this site? Have just started to trace my fathers war service, and he was the Radio Operator on this trawler? All I know at the moment is that he was definitely on Ships Articles for the following dates - 04/12/1939 - GRIMSBY - to - 08//06/1940 - GRIMSBY & 08/06/1940 - to - 07/09/1940 - RAMSGATE.
I presume by the 1st dates that he was still fishing out of GRIMSBY (where I still live) after the outbreak of war, and that the ship was taken over by the Admiralty for war service?
Any information as to her movements during the above dates would be gratefully appreciated.
Ian

[nickclark]

Ian
I'm still here but under a different username.

HMT Arctic Trapper
Launched 1928
Built at Selby by Cochrane
Owned by Shire Trawlers of London
Requisitioned by the RN in May1940 and converted to an Armed Patrol Vessel.
Based at Grimsby
Lost off Ramsgate 3 2 1940

The dates and locations fit with what you have and where she operated. Requisitioned in May 1940 so war service from that date.

What was your father's name and do you have his service record?

There are documents concerning WW2 warship movements in The National Archives Reference files numbers ADM199/2545 to ADM199/2577 in Alphabetical order.

Further details on HMT Arctic Trapper:

Officers (In command)

Temporary Skipper William Hilldrift RNR prior to 23.10.1940
Mention in Despatches (MID) 12.11.1940 attack by enemy aircraft, 2 brought down (see Times article below)

Temporary Skipper Louis Martin Harvey RNR from 23.10.1940 - 03.02.1941
Died See casualty list) age 39 Haltemprice (Anlaby Tranby Lane) Cemetery, Yorkshire, grave 211

The Times, Monday, Aug 26, 1940

"Two Bombers shot down by trawler - others probably damaged
The following Admiralty communique was issued on Saturday:- When HM Trawler Arctic Trapper (Skipper W Hilldrith RNR) was attacked by enemy aircraft this afternoon, she shot down two enemy bombers into the sea and probably damaged two others.
HM Trawler Arctic Trapper was machine gunned by German fighters which were escorting a force of bombers. The trawler opened fire on the bombers. The first shell burst between two of the enemy bombers and it is probable that both aircraft received damage. The second shell scored a direct hit on another bomber and this aircraft crashed into the sea. The third shell burst very close to another bomber and this machine was seen to turn over and come down into the sea.

The casualty list :

Officers killed:
T/ Skipper Louis Martin Harvey RNR (in command)
Officers, missing, presumed killed:
T/A/ Lieut R S Meirick RNVR
Ratings, killed:
Bradley, E E Seaman
Ratings, Missing believed killed:
Ainsworth, J E Engineman
Brackley A T Second hand
Butler S A Seaman
Cowie W Seaman
Crawley E H Seaman
Cunnington A L Stoker
Davies A H Stoker
Davies S Stoker
Gordon H Ldg Seaman
Griffiths C ordinary seaman/steward
Hilton S stoker
Innes A engineman
Mayfield B E telegraphist
Williams H J able seaman
wounded:
Aitchison T ord. seaman
Kirk W J seaman
Uren H seaman

Hope this helps

Nick

PS Feel free to join the RNPS forum on my site too.

[rettopi]

Hi Nick
Thanks for the reply. I have managed to find out some more info about ARCTIC TRAPPER and also have found a "outline drawing" of her, will send all of this to you via email as well!

Original Name - SPRAYFLOWER
Built - 1928
Builders - Cochrane and Son, SELBY
YN - 1012
Launched - 21/04/1928
Original Owners - Yorkshire Steam Fishing Co Ltd, HULL
ON - 160109
L = 140' 4" / B = 25' / D = 13' 3"
GRT = 352
NETT = 145
??/10/1939 - Sold To Shire Trawlers, GRIMSBY
GRIMSBY Port Reg No/. GY217

My Fathers name was ROBERT POTTER and he was 1st RADIO OFFICER onboard, I remember him telling me that he was on a ship that was attacked by German Aircraft, and a bomb went straight down the funnel! He went into the water and when he surfaced he was naked, his clothes had been sucked off him when the ship went down? I can only think that this was when the Trapper was sunk?
I have a copy of his service records held at KEW, have written to CARDIFF to see if they can shed anymore light on his movements during that time.
Thanks Once again
Ian

[rettopi]

Hi Nick
Have located a very poor copy of the article about the shooting down of the enemy aircraft, but the copy is so poor that you can't make out what the publication was or the date that it was printed! Am visiting my daughter who lives in London over easter, and intent going to Kew to check the records, if there's anything that you'd like me to look up for you, providing that I've got time I'll do it for you.
Ian

[rettopi]

Nick
Have got a copy of the war damage report for ARCTIC TRAPPER, can email it to anyone on here. Could anyone please tell me how to locate any particular vessel
during the war, and which pouch I need to get from KEW?
I will be going to KEW next month and if I finish finding what I'm looking for, am willing to look up items for anyone else.
Thanks

Ian