List of ships complement of HMS Hydra (A144)

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This is a list of the complement - the ship's company (or crew) - for HMS Hydra (A144) between 1980-1983. It is typical, however, of the Hecla class survey vessels (ocean survey ships) during normal peacetime surveying operations, enhanced to show additional medical and chaplaincy staff embarked for the Falklands War - Operation Corporate - in 1982.

From September 1981, HMS Hydra's (A144) ship's company, of about 120 officers and men, changed little for a year, with a few routine changes in March 1982 and, notably, the addition of four wartime medical staff in April 1982. All 129 of the ship's company involved in Operation Corporate in 1982 (marked with an ‡) are listed and all were awarded the South Atlantic Medal (see [1]), with rosette, engraved with their rank, name and ship's name. Thus the symbol ‡ shows all 129 of those who formed the ship's company from April to September 1982. Names in italics are officers qualified in Hydrographic surveying.

1 1980-83

[edit] 1980-83

[edit] Ship's Officers

Commanding Officer (CO) - Commander Richard J Campbell RN 28 Jan 80 to 13 Oct 82 ‡ (see portrait at [2])
Commanding Officer (CO) - Commander David C B Webb RN 14 Oct 82>
Executive Officer (XO) and First Lieutenant - Lieutenant-Commander Hugh P May RN Sep 80 to Sep 81 [later Capt]
Executive Officer (XO) and First Lieutenant - Lieutenant-Commander Stephen H G (Steve) Bennett RN Sep 81 to Feb 83 ‡ [later Cdr]
Executive Officer (XO) and First Lieutenant - Lieutenant-Commander Geoff(rey) J Geraghty RAN Feb 83> [later Cdre]
Marine Engineering Officer (MEO) - Lieutenant Michael E (Mike) George RN Jan 79 to Jun 81 [deceased - (1941-?)]
Marine Engineering Officer (MEO) - Lieutenant Ian Pile RN Jun 81> ‡ [later Lt Cdr]
Weapons Electrical Officer (WEO) - Lieutenant Fred(erick) Dugan RN Jan 79 to Feb 81
Weapons Electrical Officer (WEO) - Sub-Lieutenant John L Concannon RN Feb 81 to Apr 82 [later Lt Cdr now deceased - (1945-2004)]
Supply Officer and Flight Deck Officer (SO) - Lieutenant Michael C (Mike) Stringer RN <Aug 80 [later Cdr]
Supply Officer and Flight Deck Officer (SO) - Lieutenant Lester E May RN Aug 80 to Mar 83 ‡ [later Lt Cdr] (see [3], [4] and [5])
Supply Officer and Flight Deck Officer (SO) - Lieutenant A L Lowe RN Mar 83>

Chaplain to the Survey Flotilla - Reverend Richard F Buckley RN Apr 82 to Sep 82 ‡
Flight Commander - Lieutenant-Commander Roger F Bryant RN Mar 82> ‡
Scientific Officer and Meteorological Officer (IO) - Lieutenant-Commander Raymond A Botten RN Feb 80 to Mar 82
Scientific Officer and Meteorological Officer (IO) - Lieutenant-Commander Graham T Reader RN Mar 82> ‡
Navigating Officer (NO) - Lieutenant-Commander Michael K (Mike) Barritt RN Oct 79 to Jun 81 [later Capt] (see [6])
Senior Watchkeeper - Lieutenant Geoffrey H Rayner RN Apr 82> ‡
Navigating Officer (NO) - Lieutenant John Partington RN Jun 81> ‡ [later Lt Cdr]
Quarterdeck Officer and Diving Officer - Lieutenant Ian G Shipway RN Sep 80 to Sep 82 ‡
Watchkeeping Officer - Lieutenant Anthony W J (Tony) Jenks RN Apr 81 to Dec 81 [later Lt Cdr]
Ship's Communications Officer (SCO) - Lieutenant Robert McA (Bob) Eadie RN Sep 81> ‡
Mate of the Upper Deck - Lieutenant Nicholas S (Nick) Warren RN Dec 81> ‡
Medical Officer (MO) - Surgeon Lieutenant Robert I (Doc) Johnson RN Dec 80 to Apr 82
Principal Medical Officer (PMO) - Surgeon Lieutenant Robert G (Doc) Jones RN Apr 82> ‡
Deputy Medical Officer (DMO) additional for Operation Corporate only - Surgeon Lieutenant Christopher M James RN Apr 82 to Sep 82 ‡
Flight Commander - Lieutenant J Scott Wilson RN Mar 79 to Mar 81
Flight Commander - Lieutenant Neil M Hughes RN Mar 81 to Mar 82
Watchkeeping Officer - Sub-Lieutenant Trevor K Horne RN Aug 81 to Oct 82 ‡ [later Cdr]
Ship's Communications Officer (SCO) - Lieutenant Gareth R Cann RN Nov 82>
Watchkeeping Officer - Lieutenant Barry C Curl RN Apr 79 to Apr 81
Ship's Communications Officer (SCO) - Sub-Lieutenant Stephen R (Steve) Horn RN Jan 80 to Aug 81
Mate of the Upper Deck - Sub-Lieutenant Christopher W (Chris) Jordan RN Jul 79 to May 81? [later Lt Cdr MBE]
Additional for hydrographic training - Sub-Lieutenant David R McLean RN Jul 81 to Mar 82
Additional for hydrographic training - Sub-Lieutenant Robert G (Bob) Stewart RN Apr 82 to Sep 82? ‡ [later Lt Cdr]
Additional for training and Diving Officer - Acting Sub-Lieutenant Stephen M (Steve) Marshall RN Apr 82> ‡
Additional on exchange service - Lieutenant Abraham T Lucose Indian Navy Jun 81 to Aug 81 [later Cdre]
Additional for training - Midshipman (Edwin) Lee Jensen RN Apr 82 to ? 82 ‡
Additional for hydrographic training - Sub-Lieutenant Jeffrey J Faulkner RN Dec 80 to May 81? [later Lt Cdr]
Additional for hydrographic training - Sub-Lieutenant Simon J Dewing RN Dec 82>
Additional for fleet training - Acting Sub-Lieutenant Paul A D Freeland RN Jan 81 to Apr 81
Additional for fleet training - Midshipman Michael C (Mike) Meachin RN Jan 81 to Apr 81 [later Chaplain RN]
Additional for fleet training - Midshipman Dan(iel) A Jago RN Apr 81 to Aug 81 (see [7])
Additional for fleet training (on loan from HMS Hecate) - Midshipman Tristan J R Howitt RN May 81 to Aug 81

Commander Campbell was awarded the OBE for his part in the Falklands War (New Year 1983); he was granted the honorary rank of Captain RN on retirement.

(On 28 June 1991, Lieutenant Steve Marshall was awarded the DSC (Distinguished Service Cross) for distinguished service with the Fleet Diving Unit in the Persian Gulf (see [8]). Midshipman Mike Meacher is now a Royal Navy Chaplain of the Free Church, Lieutenant-Commander Geoff Geraghty a Commodore in the Royal Australian Navy and Lieutenant Abraham Lucose a Commodore in the Indian Navy - see photo at [9]).

In his book The Bogus Surveyor or a Short History of a Peculiar People by Whitewash (1887), surveying assistant Lieutenant C H A Gleig writes, in chapter III, "The Idlers - the most miserable people on board a surveying vessel - are the Paymaster, the Doctor and the Chief Engineer. They have no interest in surveying, and consequently dislike the isolated life which they are compelled to lead for about nine months in the year. Their growls, both loud and deep, resound through the after part of the ship; "like Rachel weeping for her children" they cannot possibly be comforted. If only a fourth Idler were carried, the case would be less hopeless, as they might wile away the weary hours by playing whist, but such is seldom the case; and then again seeing so much of each other, deadly quarrels are no uncommon thing. We see no reason, however, why whist should not be resorted to even under these painful circumstances, if only there were a fourth party, but there's the rub: On no account should the young surveyor allow himself to be made use of to supply the missing link, such a course would be absolutely fatal to his future prospects; he might as well take to playing the fiddle or even pitch and toss ...". Lieutenant Gleig was heard of no more after he left HMS Rambler, a short time after his book was published! (From The Admiralty Chart: British naval hydrography in the nineteenth century by G S Ritchie (Hollis & Carter, 1967)).

[edit] Ship's Senior Ratings

(This is a complete list for Operation Corporate, with some others outside that time included - names in bold and dates of service on board in italics)

Weapons Engineering Officer (WEO) - Fleet Chief Weapons Engineering Mechanician (FCWEMN) John (Jim) Chadwick Apr 82> ‡ [deceased]
Weapon Engineering Mechanician (Radio) First Class Keith (Darby) Allen ‡ [deceased]
Chief Petty Officer (Surveyor) Ian Austin ‡ [later Lt MBE] (see [10])
Chief Marine Engineering Artificer (H) Steve Barker ‡
Air Engineering Mechanician (M) First Class P J (Brad) Bradbury‡
Petty Officer Steward Paddy J (Amos) Burke - Jan 83>
Marine Engineering Artificer (P) First Class G Charlie Burr ‡
Air Engineering Artificer (L) First Class Alan Chatfield ‡
Weapon Engineering Mechanician First Class (Control) John (Joe) Erskine ‡ (see [11])
Marine Engineering Artificer (P) First Class Ian Farquharson ‡
Chief Marine Engineering Mechanician (P) First Class M A (Freddy) Fox ‡
Weapon Engineering Artificer (Radio) First Class Ken J Francis ‡
Acting Chief Petty Officer Aircrewman Steve Huxley ‡
Marine Engineering Artificer (H) First Class Lennie G Monk ‡
Marine Engineering Mechanician (L) First Class Alan G Newman ‡ [deceased]
Marine Engineering Artificer (L) First Class Paul S Price ‡
Marine Engineering Artificer (M) First Class Dave K Quarmby ‡
Chief Petty Officer Writer Ian M (Robby) Robinson - >Apr 82
Marine Engineering Artificer (P) First Class Steve (Robbie) Robinson ‡
Acting Master-at-Arms Peter J (Jan) Spray ‡ (see [12])
NAAFI Canteen Manager - Mr Ray Swann - Oct 80 to Nov 82 ‡
Petty Officer Air Engineering Mechanic (M) Reg L A Bosanquet ‡
Petty Officer Stores Accountant P Cowling - Mar82> ‡
Petty Officer Cook Maurice H Dickson - Oct 80 to Nov 82 ‡
NAAFI Canteen Manager - Mr G Dodds - Nov 82>
Petty Officer Caterer Kevin Ebsworth - Jul 81 to Mar 83 ‡
Petty Officer Cook P R (Freddy) Fox - Nov 82>
Petty Officer (Missile) E (Frankie) Howard ‡
Petty Officer Caterer Steve E King - Oct 80 to May 81
Radio Supervisor Alan Langler ‡
Petty Officer Marine Engineering Mechanic (M) David (Dave) Lloyd ‡
Petty Officer Weapons Engineering Mechanic (R) Michael A (Mick) Pearce ‡
Petty Officer Stores Accountant A K Perry - Aug 81 to Dec 81
Petty Officer Marine Engineering Mechanic (M) George Psaila ‡
Petty Officer Stores Accountant C Ratcliffe - >Aug 81
Petty Officer Steward Carlos R E Scannura - Nov 80 to Jan 83 ‡
Acting Radio Supervisor R (Artie) Shaw ‡
Petty Officer Writer T Malcolm Townend - Apr 82> ‡ [later CPOWTR]

[edit] Ship's Junior Ratings

(This is a complete list for Operation Corporate, with some others from outside that time included - names in bold and dates of service on board in italics)

Leading Steward Andrew T (Andy) Allchurch - Nov 80 to Mar 82
Stores Accountant M Andrews - Sep 81> ‡
Able Seaman (S) Peter (Pete) Ashton ‡
Steward G M Austen - Dec 80 to Dec 82 ‡
Leading Stores Accountant John Barrie - Sep 80 to Dec 82 (Acting POSA Dec 81 to Mar 82) ‡
Able Seaman (Survey Recorder) A B Beech ‡
Leading Air Engineering Mechanic (R) J Beetson ‡
Leading Marine Engineering Mechanic (M) Joe J Bellingham ‡
Cook S W Benford - Apr 81 to Oct 82 ‡
Acting Leading Cook Terence A (Terry) Blown - Dec 82>
Steward A Bonner - Mar 82 to Dec 82 ‡
Radio Operator First Class (G) D G Brewster ‡
Leading Marine Engineering Mechanic (L) David J (Dave) Bungay ‡
Cook M A Cable - Nov 80 to May 81
Steward C A G Caddy - Nov 80 to Mar 81
Leading Radio Operator (Tactical) Gary V (Casper) Cardwell ‡ (see [13])
Steward A A Carthew - Nov 80 to Dec 82 ‡
Able Seaman (Radar) James N (Jim) Cassie - (Ship's Butcher Jan 82 to Jul 82) ‡
Cook R D Common - Sep 82>
Acting Leading Writer Lee D Cook - Jun 81 to Jan 83 ‡
Leading Seaman (Survey Recorder) S M Cope ‡
Acting Leading Steward R Craven - Mar 81 to Jul 82 ‡
Steward G Cunning - Oct 82>
Weapon Engineering Mechanic (R) Steve E Currer ‡
Marine Engineering Mechanic (M) First Class A Curtis ‡
Acting Leading Writer Kevin Dickinson - >Jun81
Steward Steve (Ted) Donnelly - Nov 80 to Oct 82 ‡
Able Seaman (Survey Recorder) Richard (Olly) Edwards ‡ [later Lt Cdr (X)(EW) now deceased - (1957-2006)]
Caterer M W Evans - Mar82> ‡
Leading Medical Asistant R H Evans - additional for Operation Corporate only ‡
Marine Engineering Mechanic (M) First Class J Fitzgerald ‡
Able Seaman (Survey Recorder) S R (Florrie) Ford ‡
Radio Operator Second Class (T) D Furse ‡
Medical Assistant P V Galvin - additional for Operation Corporate only ‡
Able Seaman (Survey Recorder) C M (Con) Geal ‡
Able Seaman (Survey Recorder) W J (Paddy) Gibson ‡
Leading Seaman (Survey Recorder) S Goodwin ‡
Able Seaman (M) C J Graham ‡
Able Seaman (Survey Recorder) I R (Hammy) Hamlet ‡
Marine Engineering Mechanic (M) First Class M A Hargreaves ‡
Acting Leading Stores Accountant Les Harper - Nov 80 to Apr 82
Marine Engineering Mechanic (M) Second Class J G Hawker ‡
Leading Seaman (S) Dave Herron ‡
Able Seaman (M) Martin J (Hoppy) Hopkinson ‡
Cook David C W Horobin - Nov 80 to Sep 82 ‡
Acting Leading Marine Engineering Mechanic (L) Robert C (Bob) Horscroft ‡
Able Seaman (S) C E (Spike) Hughes ‡
Marine Engineering Mechanic (M) First Class N A (Humphs) Humpherson ‡
Acting Radio Operator First Class (G) K D Husband ‡
Leading Medical Assistant G C Hymas - additional for Operation Corporate only ‡
Acting Leading Cook A S (Tony) Jack - Dec 80 to Dec 82 ‡
Weapon Engineering Mechanic (R) First Class P L Jackson ‡
Marine Engineering Mechanic (M) Second Class G Jefferies ‡
Able Seaman (M) D I Jones ‡
Able Seaman (R) G Jones ‡
Leading Marine Engineering Mechanic (M) P J Lang ‡
Marine Engineering Mechanic (M) First Class G A (Tansy) Lee ‡
Leading Steward Phil (Taff) Lewis - Apr 81 to Dec 82 ‡
Acting Radio Operator First Class (G) Keith D Littlebury ‡ (see [14] and [15])
Able Seaman (S) P J Lymath ‡
Marine Engineering Mechanic (M) First Class R (Paddy) McBride ‡
Marine Engineering Mechanic (L) Second Class James (Jim) McDade ‡ [deceased - late 1980s]
Weapon Engineering Mechanic (O) Iain ( Moggy) J Moggeridge ‡
Marine Engineering Mechanic (L) First Class T P (Rattler) Morgan ‡
Acting Leading Medical Assistant R J (Spud) Murphy ‡ (Now a Marine Scientist - see [16] and [17] and [18])
Able Seaman (M) L J Pearson ‡
Seaman (MW) C D Percy ‡
Stores Accountant S C Phillips - Apr 82 to Mar 83 ‡
Marine Engineering Mechanic (M) First Class Sid D Pysden ‡
Marine Engineering Mechanic (M) Second Class M Rafferty ‡
Marine Engineering Mechanic (L) First Class G Richardson ‡
Able Seaman (Survey Recorder) A W Roberts ‡
Acting Leading Weapon Engineering Mechanic (O) N S (Buck) Rodgers ‡
Able Seaman (R) P G Rodgers ‡
Cook R I Sadler - Mar 81 to Dec 82 ‡
Leading Cook Douglas E (Doug) Smith - Mar 82> ‡
Marine Engineering Mechanic (M) First Class P R Stonehouse ‡
Marine Engineering Mechanic (M) First Class G L Thirlby ‡
Able Seaman (S) R G Thomson ‡
Marine Engineering Mechanic (M) First Class Don M Veitch ‡
Able Seaman G S (Whisky) Walker - (Ship's Butcher Jul 82 to Nov 82) ‡
Able Seaman (R) E S Watton ‡
Writer Chris Weight - Jan 83>
Leading Cook I S W (Banjo) West - May 81 to Mar 82 [later CPOCK]
Marine Engineering Mechanic (M) Second Class A J (Bungy) Williams ‡
Able Seaman (R) Mark S (Bungy) Williams - (Ship's Butcher Jun 81 to Jan 82) ‡
Leading Aircraft Engineering Mechanic (M) R W D (Tug) Wilson ‡
Leading Seaman (Survey Recorder) Peter J Wooding - 1970 to 1985 ‡ [Deceased - (1925-2002)] - see [19]
Leading Airman (Photographer) John (John the Phot) Young ‡
Laundryman - Mr Sammy Lai ‡

[edit] Statistics - numbers by rank and rating and by department

These statistics refer only to the 129 ship's company on board during Operation Corporate in 1982, four of whom were additional medical staff. The ship's complement, or ship's company, of HMS Hydra was usually stated as being 115 officers and men; nevertheless, these statistics will provide a guide to the make up of the ship's company throughout her service in the Royal Navy, from 1966 to 1986, and also for the other three Hecla class survey vessels.

Ship's company of 18 officers, 109 ratings and 2 civilians:

Commanding Officer and Officers - 18 (including Chaplain, 1 additional Medical Officer and 3 additional for training)
Warrant Officer (WO) - 1
Chief Petty Officers (CPO) - 17 (including 1 NAAFI Canteen Manager)
Petty Officers (PO) - 12
Leading Ratings (LR) - 22
Able Ratings (AB) - 51 (including 1 Hong Kong Chinese Laundryman)
Ordinary Ratings (OD) - 8

Ship's company - numbers in each department:

Commanding Officer - 1 Commander and in charge of hydrographic surveying
Executive department - 47: First Lieutenant + 9 officers + 2 CPO + 3 PO + 5 LR + 25 AB + 2 OD (of which 7 were hydrographic surveying officers and 1 CPO + 3 LR + 7 AB were survey recorders)
Ship's Flight (415 Flight) - 7: Flight Commander + 2 CPO + 1 PO + 3 LR (including photographer)
Marine Engineering department - 34: Marine Engineering Officer + 9 CPO + 2 PO + 4 LR + 12 AB + 5 OD + 1 Laundryman
Weapons Engineering department - 9: 1 WO + 3 CPO + 1 PO + 1 LR + 2 AB + 1 OD
Supply department - 23: Supply Officer + 5 PO + 6 LR + 10 AB + 1 NAAFI Canteen Manager
Meteorological department - 1 Instructor Officer
Medical department - 6: 2 Medical Officers + 3 LR + 1 AB (1 MO + 2 LR + 1 AB additional for Operation Corporate)
Chaplain - 1 (the Hydrographic Flotilla Church of England Chaplain additional for Operation Corporate)