Visit to Kim Duddridge Bristol area
Co-ordinator for the Support Our Soldiers Charity
Hi There
Just read your site re scorpion
My father was on this ship during its engagement with the Sharnhorst in the battle of the north cape .He was a forward gunner, and helped rescue some of the german sailors from that ship after it had sunk.He stole one of the sailors caps and although my father died some years ago ,the cap is still in our family.
He served on the scorpion for several years and made many trips to Murmansk and Arkangel.
Regards
Steve Christopher
Broadsheet 2007 A year in focus. Broadsword veterans page 57.
My Father did his National Service on Scorpion, and often mentions that his Skipper was an ex-submariner, which made Scorpion a ‘must sink’ exercise target for all his Skipper’s former colleagues still on subs. Dad spent most of his time aboard as Jimmy The Ones Flunky, and after the Weapon class failed to prove its worth as an anti-submarine class in major exercises, had a very nice tour up the coast of the UK stopping off at holiday resorts and showing the flag. Is there any way I can put him in touch with any of his former shipmates?
Ray Vincent.
03/03/2008
In reply to Nancy Anderson re the visit of HMS Scorpion to Trabzon 1962-63. I was an Electrical Mechanic on the Scorpion at that time and although I only have a vague recollection of the hat swapping incident, I can certainly confirm that we tried very hard to drink the US base dry on our evening visits, and I would like to express our gratitude to the Americans' for being such good hosts at that time. Indeed Trabzon seemed to be at the back of nowhere and only important for playing host to the US base and it's early warning system installed up a mountain above the town. The base personnel were kind enough to send the ships company an open invitation and provide buses to transport our thirsty off duty crew up the mountain and back to the ship each evening of our short visit; and I guess we made the best of a most welcoming reception from personnel at the base club. Many of us were young, on our first ship and good at enjoyment, ( I was about 19 or 20 ). The Scorpion was probably the first British war ship to visit Trabzon in modern history?? or ever even!, but I feel sure that all the crew will recall being there, and all the US personnel will recall the occasion with some mirth.
Regards
Ray Wyatt
PM 982879
Dear Sir,
My uncle Able Seaman Robert Paddock served on HMS Broadsword during 1949. Previous to that date, he was serving aboard HMS Virago in Palestine where he received a Mentioned in Despatches.
My mother, Roberts younger sister and I are interested in leaning more about his service in the Royal Navy.
We are wondering, if any member of your association or the associations records have any information on my uncle.
Regards
Gordon Bushell
18/01/2008
My partners grandfather served on the HMS Scorpion during the war and wanted to know if any crew had survived his name is Eric Turner
Hi Broadsword Webmaster.
I served on HMS Scorpion during Exercise Mariner (1953) as a Radio electrical Mechanic. My memories of her include the attempted rescue of the crew of a fishing trawler name of "Hasset" (unsuccessful being almost joining the trawler on the rocks) We put in at Stonehaven afterwards & were treated very well by the public of the town. During Exercise Mariner Scorpion was rolled on her side by a huge wave & reported sunk. HMS Diamond was in collision with the cruiser Swiftsure (32 casualties). We were confined to hammocks unless on duty for three days. Scorpion attempted a R.A.S. from the American Battleship Iowa but the fuel hose became detached from Scorpion's deck fitting with disastrous results. Scorpion struck an iceberg & damaged her asdic dome, it was said that we struck the worst weather that many three badge AB's had ever seen. HMS Eagle was dipping her bows. This was my first time ever aboard a Destroyer but certanly not the last. I hope this information is of interest.
Denis Broadbent. P/mx
2004
Memories, dreams, reflections - A personal view 22 years after the Falklands war.
By Neil Douglas Allen, ex- Radio Operator, HMS Broadsword.
23/11/2002
n the late 1950s HMS Scorpion was brought out of reserve along with her three sister ships and refurbished - the original midships torpedoes were replaced by a new mess for the radar specialists as part of a conversion to Radar Picket Destroyers with surface to air radar capable of 200 mile range. See photo of Crossbow who succeeded her in the Med in 1961. These ships were intended to operate 200 miles ahead of the main fleet thereby providing a maximum of 400 mile warning of impending air attack - assuming of course that they survived the first wave etc. In 1960-61 the "new and improved" Scorpion and Broadsword were stationed in Malta as part of the 7th Destroyer Squadron. Her skipper, a newly promoted Commander, was the junior skipper in the fleet and hence she was the canteen boat - a 33kt top speed in her speed trials also helped. During a jackstay transfer exercise with Captain "D's" destroyer while under the "watchful" eye of the Jimmy, Lt. Commander H. W. Drax, ( a relative -son or nephew? of another noted Drax of war time note) she failed to maintain station and proceeded to tear the Jackstay pillars out of the deck causing the loss of the other destroyer's jackstay equipment and lifelines as they were swept over the stern. In the November 1960 after completing her tour of duty in the Mediterranean she underwent a 3-month refit in Gibraltar followed by a "call to action" in the Cape Verde Islands in an international attempt to apprehend a group of hi-jackers (probably the first of the modern day hijacking trend) who had taken over a Portuguese cruise ship off the Caribbean. Along with a Spanish cruiser, three Portuguese destroyers and a British frigate she spent a pleasant two weeks at anchor in St. Vincent waiting for the pirates to reach the mid-point of the Atlantic. Fortunately the pirates surrendered to authorities and she went un-blooded als no medals awarded. This was followed by a brief visit to Alicante, Spain where unfortunately she lost a member of her crew due to an accident while preparing to give a film show to children of the local orphanage. She returned to Gibraltar overnight in an impressive 10 hours - check the distance. In the spring of 1961 she returned to Plymouth, her home port, and after the usual leave for her crew was assigned to the Icelandic Fishery Patrol duties approximately 35 days. She returned to Plymouth in April-May and decommissioned.
Hope this gives a little more information
Best regards
Stanley R. Bradshaw Scorpion 1960-061
Keith
I just thought I would write a short note to express my appreciation for all the hard work, organisation and effort which yourself and others put in to arranging the latest reunion. It was truly enjoyable to have the opportunity to renew old acquaintances again.
For the next reunion, I am totally in favour of the idea to propose an informal rendezvous in one of the pubs in Chester for the Friday evening - this would eliminate the mad rush to meet the coach, followed by the usual carousing on an empty stomach (no, I never learn and I am indebted to Wolfie Wier's wife for the headache pills...)
As for the proposal for the formal dinner, you can count on me as being in favour of that too.
As regards distribution of details of members, please feel free to pass on my address and telephone number to any other member of the association who requests it. Concerning any list of members which might be available more generally, I am perfectly happy to have my e-mail address appear, but not my telephone number or address.
Again, a big "thank you" for such a successful reunion, and I look forward to seeing you in two years time, if not before.
Sincerely
Darby Allen
Dear All
Firstly let me express my sincere apologies for my absence at this years reunion.
A new millennium is upon us and in my life it is not the only new arrival this year, my wife Melanie gave birth to our third child a baby girl on the 31st August this year Melanie's own birthday.
Phillipa a welcome addition to our family will be christened on Sunday 19 November 2000 and as good as I am, even I find it impossible to be in two places at once.
Melanie and I send you our love and best wishes and hope you all have a very successful weekend, we will be thinking of you.
I look forward to 2002 our 20th Anniversary meeting with a school boy like impatience. See you all then, in the meantime crack a tin for me.
Yours Sincerely
Charlie Cooke
November 2000
Dear Alan
Thank you for my members card received recently, unfortunately I
will not be able to attend the reunion at Chester.
I hope all goes as well as it did two years ago, I do know it is because you and
Tansy have kept a steady hand on the tiller that it will be supported this year.
The enclosed photo (original black and white) one of Broadsword entering Venice
on Monday 4th July 1960. We had just done a six week patrol around Cyprus so the
holiday atmosphere at Venice was much enjoyed by all during our four day stay.
I send my best wishes to all attending and hope I will be able to attend the
next reunion, be it at Chester or elsewhere.
Sincere regards
John Gunson EX MECH 1
P.S Sorry I could not frame the photo's [Johns photo added to the gallery]
Added by Joe Frazer ex RO1(T)