H.M.S Curocao

[mrs_tease]

I've just found out that my relative served aboard H.M.S Curocao in the early 1940's.
It would seem that the ship was lost when the Queen Mary ploughed into it during manovers. I'm told everyone on board was lost as the ship was cut in two, where would be the place to look for information on this?

I've been given the date of 2 October 1942 but I can't back that up yet.

[AnnB]

Try http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/13/a2733013.shtml

A search on Google for "HMS Curacao" brings up quite a lot of 'hits'.

Best wishes
Ann

[Geoffers]

Also try
http://www.world-war.co.uk/index.php3
move your cursor over 'RN'
Then 'Caledon Arethusa'
Then 'Ceres' and you'll see Curacao

There are photos of the ship and a description of her loss.

[mrs_tease]

thanks everyone!

[peter nicholl]

I've just found out that my relative served aboard H.M.S Curocao in the early 1940's.
I've been given the date of 2 October 1942 but I can't back that up yet.
A quick tip for the future, using the above as an example: If your relative died on board the Curocao and you know his name, then if you go to the Commonwealth War Graves site and search by name and Royal Navy, it should come up with date of death. Not everybody dies immediately, but in the case of lost at sea, they probably do.
Peter

[Peter_uk_can]

Queen Mary and the Cruiser

ISBN 1557506981

I first heard of this story over 50 years ago by a sailor who was on escort duty on another ship. I have read the book, and it gives an excellent account of the incident. I can't be 100% sure but it may even list the crew members.


Google :queen mary and the curacoa and go to the books option for a list of publications.


I know that one of the lost sailors is buried on a remote Scottish Isle, if I can find the details I will post it.

I came across this photo today, of the "Queen Mary", with what maybe the final work on repairs to her bow. Part of her "dazzle" camouflage paintwork can be seen.

http://http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg251/phlawford/QueenMaryCuracoa.jpg

[Ellie Ryan]

My Grandfather Russell Henry Brown died on the curacao and I am trying to locate his grave. x

[Pam Downes]

Hello Ellie,

Welcome to British-Genealogy. :smile5:

Your grandfather is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, and I suspect that this indicates that his body was never found.
Wikipadia says that the men who survived but died later, or whose bodies were found, were buried either at Chatham or Arisaig, and for people who were buried there is usually a link to the cemetery.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Curacoa_(D41)

I've just checked out someone else who I know was lost at sea, and there are no grave details, just a link to the Runnymede Memorial where he is commemorated.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission website https://www.cwgc.org/

Pam