Yesterday we announced that the long-lost British Submarine HMS P311 that fought during World War II has been found. It is thought that it still contains the remains of all 71 servicemen that were inside when the submarine went missing. P311 has been found by divers off the coast of Sardinia.
The wreckage was discovered by Genoa-based wreck-hunter, Massimo Domenico Bordone on Saturday. Bordone said: “Immediately I thought of the destiny of the men who met their deaths down there. It was a fate shared by so many men, submariners in particular, fighting on all both sides of the conflict.“
HMS P311, the only unnamed T-class boat, was due to have been named Tutenkhamen. Fitted to carry 2 human torpedoes (Chariots). P311 Left Scotland in November 1942 with sister-boats Thunderbolt and Trooper after addition of human torpedo deck-mounted watertight containers direct for Malta. From there, sailed with two Chariots for Operation Principle. Last signal on 31st of December. Probably sunk by Italian mines in the approaches to Maddalena. Lost with all hands on board.
Argunners Magazine received permission to publish the first images taken by Massimo Domenico Bordone of the wreckage. The wreckage of HMS P311 was identified by its pressure resistant hull welded on the deck.
Relatives of one of the lost seamen told Massimo: “Sir on behalf of the family of Able Seaman L Auty, I would like to thank you for finding HMS P311 and the care and respect that you have shown to those that perished. You have my grateful respect.”
Names of the perished seamen:
Able Seaman Alfred Stanley NEWTON D/SSX 13847 Petty Officer Telegraphist Andrew ADAMS D/JX 147935 Able Seaman Arthur KEY P/JX 275312 Chief Stoker Arthur James SQUIRE D/KX 75929 Chief Petty Officer Arthur Stephen Kingston LEE D S M P/J 113443 Able Seaman Bernard CROSS C/JX 157739 Able Seaman Bernard TREVETHAN P/JX 149522 Telegraphist Bernard George CHEESEMAN C/JX 236264 Leading Seaman Bertie George Sidney RICKWOOD P/SSX 25205 Lieutenant Cecil BUCKLEY Petty Officer Cecil Ernest CARR C/JX 144742 Able Seaman Cecil William EVANS P/JX 164117 Able Seaman Charles Edward William BROCK D/JX 138882 Leading Stoker Charles Henri VOKINS P/KX 85119 Petty Officer Christopher IDDIOLS C/J 100591 Able Seaman Clarence Howard RUDGE P/JX 276519 Chief Engine Room Artificer Cyril KIMBERLEY D/M 38795 Able Seaman Desmond Arthur Jack FELTHAM P/SSX 32278 Ordinary Seaman Donald Barry BENNETT D/JX 305625 ERA4 Edmund George HUNT C/MX 77300 Leading Cook (S) Geoffrey Leonard SKIPPON D/MX 69037 Able Seaman George LORD D/JX 287256 Lieutenant Guy STRETTON-SMITH Stoker 1st Class Harry Herbert BLACKWELL P/KX 132332 Leading Stoker Henry Charles SHORT P/KX 97695 Stoker 1st Class Henry Reginald FOXON P/KX 114941 Lieutenant Jack SARGENT Able Seaman James CLARK C/SSX 23951 Petty Officer Steward James Crisp KING MiD P/LX22336 Leading Telegraphist James Malcolm BROWN P/JX 139969 Leading Telegraphist Jim LORD D/JX 161659 Stoker 1st Class John GEE D/SKX 1266 Petty Officer Stoker John McCLURE P/KX 80404 Leading Telegraphist John MEYERHUBER P/JX 155251 Lieutenant (E) John Hudson GORDON Electrical Artificer 4th Class John Leslie LYTH P/MX 66284 Stoker 2nd Class John Norbert GRIFFITHS D/KX 144769 Petty Officer Stoker John Vernon MILLIGAN P/KX 86292 Leading Seaman John William REDMAN C/JX 132535 Able Seaman Leonard AUTY P/JX 237486 Stoker 1st Class Matthew QUINN D/SKX 1238 Petty Officer Stoker Patrick John DONOHUE P/KX 84220 Able Seaman Paul MAPPLEBECK R/JX 180968 ERA3 Percival Leo James DOWN D/MX 53618 ERA4 Reginald Charles William MARTIN P/MX 55884 Ordinary Seaman Richard RIBBANDS P/JX 338299 Commander Richard Douglas CAYLEY D S O and 2 bars Lieutenant Richard Hele Spencer SILVER Able Seaman Robert Warner CLARKE P/JX 321879 Able Seaman Robert William JOHNS D/SSX 21077 Stoker 1st Class Ronald William Buller PRIDHAM D/KX 145916 Yeoman of Signals Thomas Harold MOON D S M C/JX 133998 Stoker 1st Class Thomas Neil McSHANE P/KX 130669 Stoker 1st Class Thomas William BULFORD P/KX 88120 Stoker 1st Class Thomas William FRENCH C/KX 95964 Ordinary Seaman Walter McLEAN P/JX 362264 Stoker 1st Class Wilfred BRUCE C/KX 118719 Stoker 1st Class Wilfred FOUNDLING C/KX 132645 Able Seaman William COONEY D/SSX 28081 Petty Officer William Edward DYE C/JX 126605 Able Seaman William Frank SUTHERLAND C/SSX 23885 Able Seaman William Frederick NESBITT C/J 99511 Able Seaman William Henry BURTON P/SSX 22991 Lieutenant Ian Norman MACRAE
Seaman Robert ANDERSON D/X 18907
