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pre-World War 1 to 2008 - Casualty Lists of the Royal Navy and Dominion Navies
Researched & compiled by Don Kindell (c) 2008, all rights reserved

 

ROYAL & DOMINION NAVY CASUALTIES - INDEX and BACKGROUND NOTES

 

Edited by Gordon Smith, Naval-History.Net


see also U.S. Navy, Coast Guard & Marine Corps casualties

World War 1

World War 2
Able Seaman Thomas Hall, lost overboard from HMS Veteran in  the Atlantic, 12 November 1940 (Brian Atkinson, click to enlarge)  
 
The Casualty Researches of Don Kindell

From the Introduction written in May 2009 for his published volumes

"Christopher Page, Naval Historical Branch (MOD), Portsmouth (Captain, R.N. Rtd)

"When I took over as Head of the Naval Historical Branch of the Royal Navy nearly ten years ago, I was very surprised to learn that RN casualties for both World Wars had not been fully documented. Every casualty search entailed a look through some or all of the documents in the National Archive; casualty lists of the time, some of which were still retained under the Data Protection Act; a trawl through the data base of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission; or research into the various War Memorial books. Even then, a researcher could not be sure that he had covered every source.

I quickly discovered, however, that a US researcher was some way down the track in listing all RN casualties, staring with World Wars One and Two, but moving on to cover all RN dead from 1914 virtually up to the present. In this task he was assisted principally by the indefatigable, greatly missed, Arnold Hague, and my staff, particularly Mike McAloon. The painstaking work and attention to detail of Don and Arnold have been absolutely crucial to the eventual fruition of this major and invaluable record.

Don Kindell’s contribution to Royal Navy history has been enormous over a very long period. An American, he became fascinated by the RN over 40 years ago and has devoted a large part of his life to this work. All has been done with meticulous attention to detail and accuracy. This labour of love had daunted all others by its sheer scale. The task involved the detailed investigation of the records of more than 120,000 individuals, and has formed an authoritative data base that is daily of invaluable use by the Naval Historical Branch, the Casualty Section, and Veterans’ Departments of the Ministry of Defence. It also provides a priceless permanent record for all naval researchers, and is often used by the Imperial War Museum and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

I would add that Don Kindell’s huge achievement is, however, only part of a much wider contribution to British maritime history that includes a comprehensive catalogue of naval events and actions up to the middle of the Second World War. Work is continuing to complete this huge undertaking. In addition, he is in the process of compiling a complete list of RN prisoners of war for World War Two.

This astonishing corpus of work had been achieved over decades and is material that will have lasting benefits. All of this was undertaken with absolutely no thought of personal gain, or expectation of recognition. Indeed most of the substantial financial costs have been borne by himself. For all his self-effacement and reticence, he is known and highly respected around the world for his knowledge and application. I am delighted and honoured to have been asked to write this short Foreword to an invaluable source of reference."

Contents





INDEX OF CASUALTIES by NAME and by DATE


 

pre-World War 1

 

 

Submarines and Submarine Depot Ships by Date

   


   

 

WORLD WAR 1, 1914-18

 

Badges of Rank for Officers, Men and Boys

 

by NAME

Abbey-Anwar, Apperley-Azzopardi, Baba-Blyton, Boag-Bythway, Cabble-Clynes, Coady-Cuzner, Da Costa-Dyter, Eachus-Eyres, Facer-Fysh, Gabbat-Glynn, Goad-Gyllenship, Habgood-Heyworth, Hibberd-Hyssett, Ibbetson-Jutsum, Kadwell-Kyte, Labram-Leyland, Lia-Lyttle, Mabberley-Mazonowicz, McAdam-Mizen, Moar-Mytton, Nadin-Nyhan, Oades-Oyston, Pace-Peyman, Phair-Pynn, Quail-Quy, Raby-Rixton, Roach-Ryman, Sabberton-Shyer - Sibbald-Smyth-Osbourne, Snaden-Szulezewski, Taaffe-Thyer, Tibbey-Tytler, Uden-Vyvyan, Wackett-Weyman, Whaite-Wysthoff, Xerri-Zeithing

   

 

   

by DATE & SHIP/UNIT - Month-by-Month

1914

January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - Battle of Coronel - December

 

 

1915

January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December

 

 

1916

January - February - March - April - May - Battle of Jutland - June - July - August - September - October - November - December

   

1917

January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December

   

1918

January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November




Addendum - selected ships, wounded and survivors, 1914-1918

 


   

 

INTER-WAR, 1918-1939

 




return to inter-war, 1918-1939

 

by NAME

Abbas-Byron, Cadagan-Eyres, Fahey-Izzard, Jackett-Myers, Nancarrow-Ryder, Sabiston-Zammit

 

by DATE & SHIP/UNIT - Year-by-Year

post-Armistice 1918 - 1919 - 1920 - 1921 - 1922 - 1923 - 1924 - 1925 - 1926 - 1927 - 1928 - 1929 - 1930 - 1931 - 1932 - 1933 - 1934 - 1935 - 1936 - 1937 - 1938 - 1939


 

 


   

 

WORLD WAR 2, 1939-1945

 

 

Ranks, Professions & Badges of Rank

 

by NAME

Aall-Azzopardi, Baatstoe-Bearder, Beardmore-Boddington, Boddy-Brougham, Broughton-Byworth, Cabban-Chutter, Ciappara-Cooney, Cooper-Czeruy, Dabb-Dickens, Dickenson-Dyson, Eachus-Ezard, Faal-Fyvie, Gaal-Goodlip, Goodman-Gyss, Haag-Hawkridge, Hawksby-Hollands, Hollett-Hyslop, Iago-Justice, Kai-Kyte, La Barre-Lewington, Lewis-Lyver, M Nasu-Matten, Matthew-Mills, Millson-Myram, Na-Nye, Oakden-Ozon, Pace-Pettitt, Pettman-Pywell, Qadir-Quy, Rabbitt-Roach, Roan-Ryrie, Sa’at-Simm, Simmance-Spiller, Spillett-Szymalski, Taafe-Thorley, Thorn-Tyte, Udai-Vyner, Wackett- Webster, Wedderburn-Williams, Williamson-Wythes, Xerri-Zurek  

   

 

return to World War 2, 1939-1945

 or:

Links to Main World War 2 Pages:
- Royal Navy Organisation
- Casualties - killed, died, missing
- 1,000 Warship Service Histories
- Convoy Escort Movements
- Battles, Major Warship Losses
- Naval & Military Campaigns
- Navies Daily, 1939-42
- Admiralty War Diaries
 

by DATE & SHIP/UNIT - Month-by-Month

1939

January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December

 

 

1940

January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December

 

 

1941

January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December

 

 

1942

January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December

 

 

1943

January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December

 

 

1944

January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December

 

 

1945

January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August/September



Dominion and Allied Navies

Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Indian Navy, Royal New Zealand NavySouth African Naval Force -  all 1939-47; Royal Norwegian Navy 1940-45


   

 

 

POST-WAR, 1945-2008

 

Commonwealth casualties are included for a number of years after the end of World War 2

return to post-war, 1945 on

 

by NAME

Abbott-Byron, Caddick-EytonJones, Facer-Ivey, Jack-Myers, Nagle-Ryves, Sackville-Zanelli 

 

by DATE & SHIP/UNIT - Year-by-Year

India  - Malaya - Palestine - China - Cold War - Korea - Canal Zone - Kenya - Aden/Radfan - Cyprus
1945 - 1946 - 1947 - 1948 - 1949 - 1950 - 1951 - 1952 - 1953 - 1954 - 1955

Malaya - Aden/Radfan - Cyprus -  Borneo/Indonesia - Vietnam - Northern Ireland - Oman Dhofar - Falklands - Kuwait/First Gulf War - Bosnia - Kosova - Sierra Leone - Afghanistan - Iraq
1956-59 - 1960-62 - 1963-65 - 1966-69 - 1970-75 - 1976-79 - 1980-89 - 1990-99 - 2000-present

 


ROYAL NAVY CASUALTIES - MONTHLY and YEARLY TOTALS


 

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Total

                           

prewar

1939

19

15

26

23

12

113

23

21

-

-

-

252


WORLD WAR 2


1939

643

931

373

380

2327

1940

416

376

115

771

670

2476

655

563

650

689

822

787

8981

1941

693

687

618

1249

3780

667

421

564

356

715

2292

3102

15114

1942

1102

1288

2081

1358

752

830

513

960

1074

1053

2269

1711

14991

1943

585

782

1225

686

382

252

522

564

970

1398

603

603

8572

1944

746

1308

892

399

444

1650

835

1247

344

463

985

644

9957

1945

657

608

676

687

374

238

353

252

3845

Total

includes Royal Marines and DEMS (Note: average of 885 lives each month; 3 highest months in bold)

63787

                           

postwar 1945

 -

145

167

129

149

590





Background
by Don Kindell, Ohio, USA

This data base of Royal Navy personnel killed or died began in the same way as my naval events chronology, as a very specific, narrow project.  The known and published Admiralty Communiqués detailed the names, ranks or ratings and ship of larger HM ships sunk during the war.  However, my interest was to expand my 1940 Norwegian campaign information which included many smaller ships.  Through David Brown of the Naval Historical Branch and naval researcher Arnold Hague, we decided to use the Admiralty Miscellaneous Communiqués which listed names of those killed or died in smaller ships that were sunk and in all ships that were damaged.  Through the war, 76 of these Miscellaneous Communiqués were issued, which also gave the same information on wounded and prisoners of war, but this latter material is for another project.

 

The primary concern of the original computer database, which in its entirety originally covered 1914 to 1982,  was to collect together the Naval personnel into a form where they could be studied by date, ship, or person's name.  Much of the information is contained in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site, but in a form accessible only by the person's name or by a search of cemeteries.  However, there is independent and updated information, not contained in CWGC, which has been obtained from the death ledgers prepared by the Admiralty for officers and ratings.

 

The lists now include over 125,000 names, presented both in alphabetical order and by date and ship/unit

 

No longer do I have to search for those officers and men killed in the bombing of HMS PELICAN in April 1940, nor do you. Please note:

1. If a casualty was seen by witnesses to have died or been killed, he or she is described as such. If the person was never seen again, they are described as Missing Presumed Killed (MPK) in wartime or Missing Presumed Dead (MPD) in peacetime. 

 

2. Although officers and men of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary are not members of the Royal Navy, they are being add to the lists.

 

3. For enquiries about access to and working with the original database files, please contact dkindell1@woh.rr.com.




 

 

Note on Sources

by Gordon Smith

I was recently asked about the accuracy of the research on www.naval-history.net by a representative of an online encyclopaedia as some of their editors felt unable to quote Naval-History.Net as a reliable source.

Excerpts from my reply follow:

"...... there is a difference between a site like yours which has tens of thousands of contributors, few of whom will be known by the editors, and sites like Naval-History.Net with few contributors, but who have built-up some sort of reputation over the years for using reliable sources and for their accuracy and attention to detail.

..... all of Don Kindell's casualty, RN Day by Day and convoy information is either from primary government sources or from such well-known researchers as Arnold Hague, a personal friend. He worked closely for many years with the Naval History Branch of the MOD, and his casualty books have prefaces by the recently-retired head of the Branch. I have copied this email to him so he can comment on sources. His work is highly regarded and used by such organisations as the Imperial War Museum, National Maritime Museum, MOD, Commonwealth War Graves etc. Also one of his first casualty volumes has been shortlisted for the 2010 Mountbatten Literary Award of the Maritime Foundation.

I think it is fair to say that Don (an ex-policeman) .... in his private studies over the years, never considered having to prove his accuracy to the public and so would not have thought to necessary to add their sources.

To convert Naval-History.Net into articles with every fact justified would be a totally impossible task, and really against our ethos of trust. However I hope my comments plus any others from Don would confirm that we take every effort to ensure accuracy to an academic standard."

And from Don Kindell:

"..... my histories are all primary source documents; whether Admiralty Ledgers, Reports of Proceedings, War Diaries, Official Summaries, etc, etc.

I have worked the last 20 years with the Naval Historical Branch, late of London, now of Portsmouth.  Researching very closely with David Brown, Head of Branch until his health forced retirement and death, and his successor, Christopher Page.  Both were very demanding, but extremely nurturing and supportive.  I cannot omit Arnold Hague, who as a close, dear friend, did so much to mentor and guide me and develop my various projects.  David Brown, Chris Page, and Arnold Hague are all well known and respected naval historians and authors of many books.

At one time when David Brown and Arnold Hague were still alive, a bibliography and footnote sections were discussed for my Royal Navy Day by Day.  We were soon convinced such an undertaking was going to produce a tome exceeding the size of the original document.

If any fact is questioned, I can supply the reference as to its source.  The Rosyth War Diary, Home Fleet War Diary, and Home Fleet Destroyer Home Diary were essential for the early part of the war.  The Rosyth War Diary was not begun until the end of the first week of November 1939 and the Home Fleet and Home Fleet Destroyers not until the beginning of March 1940.  For any information prior to the beginning of the War Diaries mentioned, Admiralty War Diaries, Reports of Proceedings, Ledgers, and Narratives were used.

There were also War Diaries for all other commands as well:  Northern Patrol, Western Approaches, Dover, North Atlantic (Gibraltar), Malta, Alexandria, Far East, Indian Ocean, etc, etc. 

One terrible tripping block is the destruction of WW II destroyer logs in the 1980s for the sake of space.  A fall back here is the "Movement Books", an Admiralty Ledger of some 35 volumes of ledger size paper.  This gives the arrival and departure of all warships.

Finally, touching on Arnold Hague's convoy work, he also used exclusively Admiralty records and supplemented them with Lloyds Shipping Record cards, maintained by Lloyds. 

I am always available and eager to give further specific information."


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revised 13/3/12