HMS Galatea – ship with superb war record sank in three minutes

HMS Galatea was sunk northwest of Alexandria on 14/12/1941 by the German submarine U-557. 469 men including at least 12 from Northern Ireland, were killed. Captain Sim died with 21 of his officers and 447 ratings. About 100 survivors were picked up by the destroyers Griffin and Hotspur.

HMS GALATEA
ROLL OF HONOUR

ALEXANDER, Abraham Neill
RN. Stoker 1st Class. D/SKX 33. HMS Galatea. Died 15/12/1941. Age 20. Son of Joseph Alexander and Jane Elizabeth Alexander, Belfast. Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 52

BOYD, Hugh Rock
RN. Able Seaman. D/JX 162143. HMS Galatea. Died 15/12/1941. Age 19. Son of Hugh Rock Boyd and Florence Kathleen Boyd, Randalstown. Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 50

CLOUGHER, Richard George
RN. Petty Officer. D/JX 138937. HMS Galatea. Died 15/12/1941. Age 24. Son of Henry Clougher, and of Lilian May Clougher, Woodview, Co. Armagh. Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 45

DENNISON, Samuel
RN. Leading Seaman. D/JX 151069. Date of Death:15/12/1941. Age: 25. H.M.S. Galatea. Son of William Benjamin and Mary Dennison, of Belfast; husband of Margaret Dennison, Belfast. Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 45

FISHER, Robert
RN. AB. D/JX 150152. Died 15/12/141. Age 21. HMS Galatea. Son of Robert and Sarah Fisher, Scarva. Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 96

HUGHEY, James
RN. Ordinary Seaman. D/JX 162742. Date of Death: 15/12/1941. Age: 21. HMS Galatea. Son of John and Catherine Hughey, Strabane. Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 49

JACKSON, James
RN. Stoker 1st Class. D/KX 93097. Date of Death:15/12/1941. Age:25. HMS Galatea. His brother William was killed in action in HMS Dorsetshire. B Longshot, Ballyclare. Son of Peter and Eliza A. Jackson, Ballyclare. Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 53

MATCHETT, Vivian ‘Twinem’
RN. Able Seaman. D/JX 184764. Date of Death: 15/12/1941. Age: 20. H.M.S. Galatea. Son of Frances Ernest and Mary Elizabeth Matchett, of Hillsborough. He was one of 12 siblings, and was interested in pigeon racing. Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 47

McHERRIE, John
RN. Stoker 1st Class. D/SKX 38. Date of Death: 15/12/1941. Age: 21. H.M.S. Galatea. Adopted son of Margaret Harris, Banbridge. Seapatrick Parish WM. Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 53

McLAUGHLIN, Thomas
A.B. D/JX 144906. HMS Galatea. Died 15/12/1941. Age 20 years. Mediterranean. Son of Barney and Ruth McLaughlin of Limavady. Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 47

MOORE, Hamilton Johnston Leader
RM. Private. PLY/X 3263. HMS Galatea. Died 15/12/1941. Belfast.

STINSON, Frederick Albert
RN. Leading signalman. D/JX 153410. Died 15/12/1941. Age 20. HMS Galatea. Son of Samuel Robert and Daisy Kathleen Stinson, Clonavon Place North, Ballymena. Plymouth Naval Memorial. Panel 50. Ballymena WM

Feature on the ship, its crew and war record – CLICK HERE – AA REMNI GALATEA 14-12-1941