Dear Mac - last Saturday I added a piece to what I have already said about the Voltaire and mentioned that I had
the full crew listing at the time of the loss. I can paste that in here now and maybe you can re-position it to
wherever it is likely to be of most use.
Regards - Simon Templer
THE ROLL OF HONOUR - H.M.S. VOLTAIRE (ARMED MERCHANT CRUISER)
OFFICERS
Killed
1. Bradfield, T First Radio Officer
2. Davies, W Temporary Lieutenant-Commander, RNR
3. Downes, A.E Temporary Sub-Lieutenant (E), RNR
4. Fraser, A.S Second Radio Officer
5. Howard, P.L Acting Sub-Lieutenant, RNR
6. McKeith, A.G Supply Engineer
7. McLaughlin, J.F Temporary Acting Sub-Lieutenant (E), RNVR
8. Smith, G.H Junior Engineer
9. Sutton, F.W Gnr. RN (Gunner?)
10. Taggart, H.W Lieutenant-Commander, RNR
11. Wood, J.R Refrigeration Engineer
Died of Wounds
1. Jackson, W.B Temporary Lieutenant, RNR
2. Roberts, B.B Midshipman, RNR
Prisoners of War
1. Blackburn, J.A.P Acting Captain, DSC, RN (in command)
2. Bevin, W.R Temporary Lieutenant, RNR
3. Burgoyne, N.A Temporary Sub-Lieutenant (E), RNR
4. Costelloe, E Temporary Sub-Lieutenant (E), RNR
5. Cross, H.S Temporary Acting Sub-Lieutenant (E), RNVR
6. Devine, G Junior Engineer
7. Duckett, J.E Temporary Paymaster Lieutenant-Commander, RNR
8. Edwards, N Temporary Paymaster Lieutenant, RNR
9. Evans, J.H.E Temporary Lieutenant, RNR
10. Fisher, C.M T/Acting Surgeon Lieutenant-Commander, RCNVR
11. Hoggard, J.W Sub-Lieutenant,
RNR
12. Hunter, A.C Radio Officer
13. McClelland, J.R.A Electrician
14. Mackenzie, G.O P/Midshipman, RNR
15. Mercer, R Lieutenant-Commander, RNR
16. Miller, N.G Junior Engineer
17. Muir, J.M Temporary Lieutenant-Commander (E), RNR
18. Pearce, D.S Chief Steward
19. Price, F.H Temporary Paymaster Sub-Lieutenant, RNR
20. Templer, J.T A/Commander, RN-(probably RNR, second in command)
21. Thompson, J.V Temporary Commander (E), RNR
R.N.RATINGS
Killed
1. Adair, W Carpenter
2. Altman, H Ship's Clerk
3. Angus, T Able Bodied Seaman
4. Atkinson, E Ordinary Seaman
5. Barnard, F Chief Petty Officer
6. Biles, A.A.C Acting Leading Seaman RFR
7. Bowles, W.C Acting Petty Officer
8. Brown, H.G Reg. Petty Officer
9. Caine, H.J Sculln (?)
10. Cairns, J Assistant Steward
11. Cairy, W Pantryman
12. Chapman, L.E Ordinary Seaman
13. Cochrane, A Able Bodied Seaman, RNVR
14. Cooley, W Able Bodied Seaman
15. Coulter, A.T Ordinary Seaman, RNVR
16. Crowe, G.F Ordinary Seaman
17. Cullen, P Assistant Steward
18. Cunningham, H.R.W Ordinary Seaman
19. Davies, A.J Acting Leading Seaman
20. Doe, D.S.A Ordinary Signalman
21. Finnigan, J Able Bodied Seaman, RNVR
22. French, W.E Seaman, RNR
23. Friel, C Ordinary Seaman
24. Goodman, C.C Chief Engine Room Artificer (ERA)
25. Grocott, W. Able Bodied Seaman
26. Houston, F Signalman, RNR
27. Joyce, P Ordinary Seaman
28. Keatings, J Assistant Ck (clerk or cook)
29. King, G.T Able Bodied Seaman
30. Knott, A.J Leading Seaman
31. Lewthwaite, A Acting Leading Seaman
32. Lowery, J Leading Sick Bay Attendant
33. McCoy, T Diesel Greaser
34. McGeehan, J.J Fireman
35. McGregor, G Able Bodied Seaman, RNVR
36. McKinnes, E Ordinary Seaman,RNVR
37. McNeir, J.E Chief Petty Officer
38. Martin, F.W Seaman, RNR
39. Murray, J.S Able bodied Seaman, RNVR
40. Musgrave, W Ordinary Seaman, RNVR
41. Nash, F Able Bodied Seaman, RFR
42. Oakley, G.R Leading Seaman
43. Oliver, S.J Able Bodied Seaman
44. Parke, T.W Seaman, RNR
45. Paton, N.G Ordinary Seaman, RNVR
46. Paton, T Seaman, RNR
47. Price, T Ordinary Seaman
48. Reid, T Greaser
49. Robson, A Ordinary Seaman
50. Roche, W. P Sculln (?)
51. Ross, D.A Seaman, RNR
52. Ryan, M Greaser
53. Scott, R Ordinary Seaman
54. Skinner, G Carpenter's Mate
55. Smillie Able Bodied Seaman, RNVR
56. Snell, R.W Ordinary Seaman
57. Stamp, G.C SB, Chief Petty Officer (?)
58. Sutcliffe, C Ordinary Seaman
59. Thomas, H Able Bodied Seaman
60. Tweedie, J.A Acting Leading Seaman, RNR
61. Waters, R.D.F Able Bodied Seaman
62. Wilson, H.R Able Bodied Seaman
Died
1. Harris, M.E.J Able Bodied Seaman
Prisoners of War
1. Abraham, D.C Assistant Steward
2. Aitken, J.C Ordinary Seaman, RNVR
3. Alcock, J Ordinary Seaman
4. Alexander, J.S Ordinary Seaman
5. Alexander, J Seaman, RNR
6. Alsopp, E Ordinary Seaman
7. Anderson, C.W Seaman, RNR
8. Anderson, W Ordinary Seaman
9. Andrews, E Greaser
10. Andrews, F.C Assistant Steward
11. Armstrong, R Leading Seaman, RNVR
12. Baker, J Trmr (?)
13. Barnham, T Able Bodied Seaman
14. Barney, G.H Ordinary Seaman
15. Bascombe, W.F Bosun
16. Bateson, B Assistant Steward
17. Beale, E Seaman, RNR
18. Bell, A.W Assistant Steward
19. Black, G Fireman
20. Bookless, T.W 2nd Steward
21. Boyce, T Carpenter's Mate
22. Brown, S Assistant Steward
23. Bryden, J Ordinary Seaman, RNVR
24. Burchfield, H.F Ordinary Seaman
25. Bushell, J.H Ordinary Seaman
26. Caffyn, A.E Assistant Baker
27. Canniff, J Fireman
28. Carr, J Ordinary Seaman
29. Carter, A.J Ordinary Seaman
30. Cassidy, T Seaman, RNR
31. Challenger, F.C Greaser
32. Champion, R.M Acting Petty Officer
33. Charman, L Acting Petty Officer
34. Chatterton, A Fireman
35. Christie, D Assistant Steward
36. Christie, J.S Ordinary Seaman
37. Clague, J.E Pantr (Painter?)
38. Coosner, M Greaser
39. Coward, R.V Ordinary Coder
(author of the book "Sailors in Cages")
40. Cowie, L.H Greaser
41. Cox, P.E Ordinary Seaman
42. Craig, J Assistant Steward
43. Cusins, G.L Able Bodied Seaman, RNVR
44. Cuthell, A Fireman
45. Dailly, C Able Bodied Seaman, RNVR
46. Davis, F Assistant Steward
47. Deer, H.W Able Bodied Seaman
48. Devine, A Leading Seaman, RNR
49. Dixon, J Storekeeper, (Assistant)
50. Downton, H.T Able Bodied Seaman
51. Doyle, J.P.R Able Bodied Seaman, RNR
52. Duke, H.J Ordinary Seaman
53. Ede, A.T Able Bodied Seaman
54. Fearnley, J Ordinary Seaman
55. Fitzjohn, T.G Petty Officer
56. Foley, R Fireman
57. Foley, T Fireman
58. Freeman, W.H Ordinary Seaman
59. Gates, D.G Ordinary Coder
60. Goddard, R.B Acting Petty Officer
61. Gosson, T.J 2nd Cook
62. Groucott, E Ordinary Seaman
63. Hamill, J 1st Class Storekeeper
64. Hancock, F.B Ordinary Seaman
65. Hannaway, S Assistant Steward
66. Harbottle, R.E.T Acting Leading Seaman
67. Hardie, J Assistant Ck (Clerk or Cook?)
68. Harding, H.C Chief Petty Officer
69. Hartless, W.H Fireman
70. Hayes, N Ordinary Coder
71. Hazell, A.W Able Bodied Seaman
72. Heath, W.H Smn (Signalman ?), RNR
73. Hibbert, J.P Able Bodied Seaman
74. Hiller, L.A Ordinary Seaman, RNVR
75. Holden, D Ordinary Seaman
76. Howell, G Seaman, RNR
77. Hoy, T.T Able Bodied Seaman, RNVR
78. Hughes, D.J Carpenter
79. Hughes, M Petty Officer, RNR
80. Hurst, P.D Ordinary Seaman
81. Instone, J.E Ordinary Seaman
82. Joel. O.A Fireman
83. Jones, A Chief Butcher
84. Kane, L.J 2nd Writer
85. Kearn, A.J Signalman
86. Kent, J Carpenter's Mate
87. Lait, S.J Petty Officer
88. Lancaster, E Ordinary Seaman
89. Lane, C Signalman, RNR
90. Lawson, R.T Ordinary Signalman. RNVR
91. Leitch, W.A Able Bodied Seaman, RNVR
92. Lewins, R Able Bodied Seaman
93. Lloyd, P Ordinary Seaman
94. Lyle, J.R 2nd Writer
95. Macdonald, A Able Bodied Seaman
96. McFarlane, J Able Bodied Seaman, RNVR
97. McGowan, F Carpenter's Mate
98. McIntosh, J.W Acting Leading Seaman, RNR
99. Mackay, R.P.M Able Bodied Seaman, RNVR
100. McKenzie, A.F Ordinary Seaman
101. McLaren, J.H Able Bodied Seaman, RNVR
102. McLean, D Ordinary Seaman, RNVR
103. Maltman, R.B Plumber
104. Manning (?), J.P Greaser
105. Mapston, F.W Ordinary Seaman
106. Middleton, W.C Signalman, RFR
107. Milne, J.N Able Bodied Seaman, RNVR
108. Money, D.A Ordinary Seaman, RNVR
109. Moran, J Able Bodied Seaman, RNVR
110. Moran, M Fireman
111. Mullone, M.L Acting Leading Seaman
112. Murie, A Carpenter's Mate
113. Murphy, S Petty Officer
114. Murray, A Donkeyman
115. Murray, T Greaser
116. Nichols, F Greaser
117. Nightingale, W.C Ordinary Seaman
118. Nobbs, R.J Chief Baker
119. Nutt, J Ordinary Seaman
120. Ogilvie, G.E Acting Petty Officer, RNR
121. Palmer, W Carpenter's Mate
122. Pattison, J Ordinary Seaman
123. Peters, J.F Greaser
124. Pickstock, E Assistant Ck (cook or clerk?)
125. Piper, E.T Acting Leading Seaman
126. Puttock, W.D Acting Petty Officer
127. Ralph, J Signalman, RNR
128. Randall, E.G Fireman
129. Ransome, A Petty Officer
130. Reed, H.F Fireman
131. Reid, J Fireman
132. Reilly, J Able Bodied Seaman, RNVR
133. Riley, A.J Assistant Ck (cook or clerk?)
134. Robertson, J.P Able Bodied Seaman, RNVR
135. Robertson, W.F Able Bodied Seaman, RNVR
136. Rooney, P Able Bodied Seaman, RNVR
137. Rose, E Able Bodied Seaman
138. Rosenthall, I.J Chef
139. Russell, J.G Ordinary Seaman
140. Shaw, A Ordinary Seaman
141. Shenker, H.J Assistant Storekeeper
142. Simmons, W Acting Leading Seaman, RNR
143. Skeats, P.R Fireman
144. Smallbone, N.H Fireman
145. Smart, P Fireman
146. Smith, T Able Bodied Seaman, RNVR
147. Smith, W.M 2nd Butcher
148. Stonehouse, R.J Acting Leading Seaman, RNR
149. Taylor, D Assistant Ck (cook or clerk?)
150. Thompson, R.W Able Bodied Seaman
151. Thornson , P Petty Officer, RNR
152. Thwaites,G Signalman, RNR
153. Thwaites, W Signalman, RNR
154. Tidbury, G Able Bodied Seaman, RNVR
155. Tinsley, H Assistant Steward
156. Tolly, H Ordinary Seaman
157. Wallace, J.H.A Assistant Steward
158. Walsh, J.F Assistant Steward
159. Watson, W.J Signalman, RNR
160. Whine, R.W Petty Officer
161. Wilson, A.W Ordinary Seaman,RNVR
162. Worlock, A.R Chief Yeoman of Signals
163. Wright, C Ordinary Signalman
164. Wyeth, A.H Able Bodied Seaman
165. Young, H Donkeyman
166. Young, N Assistant Steward
South African Rating
1. Gunn, H.J Ordinary Signalman, RNVR
NAAFI Staff
1. Cashia, S Canteen Manager
Simon,
Thank you for all your trouble, it will be a great addition to our Volitaire pages, and I am sure all those who have an interest in that ship will be delighted to find through your generosity we can list her full crew. With kindest regards and best wishes for 2006.
Mac.
Hi Mac.
After another search of The Times for Voltaire, I found one more name for the Roll of Honour:
risoner of war, Pearson, W., T. 124 X.
I've attached the article, dated 12 Aug 1942, entitled Naval Casualties, General Hazards of War (the Roll of Honour that Simon provided was published in The Times 21 Aug 1941).
regards,
Martin Elliget
London
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