HMT Arctic Trapper & Luftwaffe attacks

[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.