DUTCH SUBMARINE Hr.Ms. O13

Three British sailers as liaison team on the O13

The Royal Navy wanted to be sure there would not be any miscommunication with the submarines of the Dundee based 9th submarine flotilla. Therefore all subs from abroad had special Royal Navy liaison teams of 3 British sailors on board mainly for telegraphic and signalling duties. Also the Dutch submarine Hr. Ms. O13 (onderzeeboot 13) had three British sailors on board when it vanished near the south west coast of Norway.
These three men not only left their homes to serve their country in the least comfortable boat the Navy used, but also as part of a foreign crew of 31 dutch sailors they hardly knew. These three brave British sailors were:

- Lieutenant Brian Ernest Greswell (age 22)
- Leading Telegraphist Hugh Phimster McDonald (age 26)
- Signalman James Henry Spettigue (age 29)

Following is some information related to these men that could be found on the internet. Would you know more about one of these men then please contact me by mail.

Lieutenant Brian Ernest Greswell

Brian Ernest Greswell - KiA Age 22 - son of Ernest Arthur and Grace Lilian Greswell, of Oxford. There is more information to be found on the internet about Brian Ernest then of the other 2 sailors, possibly because of his rank (officer). The naval career of Ian, as he was called, can be found here.
He started his Naval career as cadet on HMS Frobisher (cadet training cruiser) in 1935. After having been posted on several cruisers he specialized in submarine duties on a submarine course at Portsmouth on HMS Dolphin from januari to may 1939. Before joining the O13 crew as British Naval Liaison Officer he was Lt on the minelaying submarine "HMS Cachalot" from september 1939 untill april 1940. So he was used to living on board of a sub.

On the site "Tatham family history" most of his family relations can be found. He was born in 1918 possibly in India and had an older brother Dick and a younger sister Joan. His brother was an officer in the army stationed in Nigeria from 1940 onwards.
On the same site a BBC News article, dated 31 August 2012, has been reproduced titled "Dutch Navy to search for Dundee-based submarine lost in WWII".

Leading Telegraphist Hugh Phimster McDonald

Hugh Phimster McDonald - KiA Age 26 - son of John William and Maggie McDonald, of Fareham, Hampshire; husband of Winifred Dorothy. This information can also be found on this page on Martin's website. Hugh's name is also on the "Roll of Honour" as part of the Hampshire Fareham War Memorial as can be seen here ...

Signalman James Henry Spettigue

James Henry Spettigue - KiA Age 29 - son of James and Lucy Spettigue and husband of L.M.H. Spettigue, of Devonport. James was born in March 1912 in Birmingham.
On MyHeritage one can find the family tree of the Spettigue Family. James was the youngest son and had one older sister and two older brothers.

According "BoxRec" and several other sites Jimmy, as he was called in his youth, had a boxing fight on 10 November 1934. He went KO against Willy Nankervis in round 5 of an 8 rounds fight.
He also seemed to like dancing. As his sister in law Audrey Spettigue was cited in a newspaper, even during the early war months Jimmy used to go out to the Palais du Dance in Ladywood, Birmingham. To read the complete story continue here ....
On the forum of Silent Hunter one can read about Jimmy in following post titled "Dutch submarine Onderzeeboot 13 (O13) which disappeared with British personnel on board".

All three men are remembered with Honour

All three men are remembered with Honour on Naval Memorials in Plymouth or in Portsmouth. The commemorations of the War Graves Commissions in certificates and on panels with the engraved names of the sailors, are reproduced (with thanks) below. (hover the panels for information about panel and row numbers)