The Crew of HMS Exeter at the Battle of the River Plate

Page updated 4th January 2012

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There is no definitive list of the crew of HMS Exeter, during the Battle of the River Plate in December 1939, in existence - this list of 403 crew was compiled by Jim Smith, who has kindly allowed its inclusion on Exeter Memories. An additional 18 crew members have since been added. The full complement for the Exeter was approximately 630. I have tried to interpret some of the abbreviations, but I am no expert – if you can add a name to the list, or add some biographical details or correct an entry, please email me.

With thanks to the British Council and TIME/IMAGE for the stills of the crew after the battle.

Notes - Names in BOLD killed in action or died of wounds – ¤ decorated for services during the battle. New additions listed at bottom of the page.

Surname - Forename - Rank - Decoration

ABRAHAMS Cyril, L Tel
ACKERMAN, R E, EA
ADAMS, Thomas W,
ADDYMAN A G, EA
AINGE Walter A, age 39, Chief Petty Officer
ALDER G T C, LTO
ALLEN R H, Pay Lieutenant
ALLEN, Musician Royal Marines Band
AMY Arthur, LSA
ANNAL Thomas George, unknown  18
ANSTEAD C,
ARNOLD E, Royal Marines
ATTWOOD Harry, Sgt Royal Marines
ATWILL Ron, Lieutenant
AUKENHURST K, Royal Marines
AYRES J, Tel

BACK Frederick E E, Engine Room Artificer 4th Class
BAGLEY Leonard C, Bandmaster 2 ¤ Mentioned in Despatches
BAKER F R, LTO
BALL Alfred J, Able Seaman ¤DSM
BALLANCE J H, Lieutenant, Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve
BECKFORD W G, Wt Mech
BELL F S, CAPTAIN ¤CB
BELL Stephen, L, Stoker
BERNTSEN Ernest Basil, age 24, Officers Steward
BETHELL Frank, age 19, Able Seaman
BETHELL Joseph, age 19, Able Seaman
BEVIS Vincent, Stoker Petty Officer 2
BIDGOOD L, Supply
BLACKMAN R,
BLACKMORE C G,
BLAKE A B,
BLANDFORD Bert, Royal Marines
BOILING R, ERA
BOND Frank L, Engine Room Artificer 4 ¤DSM
BONHAM,  Mentioned in Despatchess
BOOTHROYD,
BOWES Raymond M, OD
BOWMAN-MANIFOLD John, Lieutenant Commander (N)
BOWN E,
BRADBURY W, Stoker
BRAY G,
BRIGHT Daniel, Stoker Petty Officer
BRODERICK, ER, Able Seaman
ROOKS, ER, Able Seaman
BUCKLE, Musician Royal Marine Band
BUDGE,
BURN S,
BURNS G,
BURNS R, Officers Steward
BURRAS Stanley W, Stoker First Class
BUTCHER, Royal Marines
BUTLER R, Seaman

Sub-Lieutenant Causton with a broken leg

CAMERON Archibald, Midshipman ¤DSC
CAMPBELL Frederick P, Stoker 1
CARTER Albert H, Seaman
CARTER Sidney A, Master-At-Arms ¤DSM
CARTTES S,
CAULDWELL R,
CAUSTON J, Pay Sub Lieutenant, Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (pictured right)
CHALKLEY Herbert V, Acting Petty Officer ¤DSM
CHANDLER R, ERA
CHAPMAN T Cd Eng
CHEDGEY G LTO
CHEESEMAN,
CLARK Royal Marines
CLARKSON Richard Mortimer Roy, age 18,  Able Seaman
CLIFT MWM, EA
CLOAKE J,
CODMAN RW, Able Seaman
COGSWELL R J, Wt Elect
COLLARD F,
COLLIER, Musician Royal Marines Band
COLLINS Anthony C P, Chief Shipwright 2 ¤ Mentioned in Despatches - died 23rd December
COMLEY W, Royal Marines
CONYON J,
CONNOR F, Royal Marines
COOK A E, Dir Gnr
COOPER Horace Samuel, Able Seaman
CORMACK John T, Stoker Petty Officer  17
COWANS, ERA
CRITCHLEY M,
CROCKER George I, Chief Stoker ¤ Mentioned in Despatches
CROKER Alfred John, age 25, Marine Royal Marines
CROSS, Victor, Able Bodied Seaman 6
CROWE Thomas H, Seaman
CURNOW Frances John, Chief Engine Room Artificer
CUSSEN John, Surgeon Commander ¤ Mentioned in Despatches

DAKIN Eric ¤DSM
DALLAWAY Stanley J, Gnr ¤ Mentioned in Despatches
DANCE S T, Musician Royal Marines Band
DANN H, Sub Lieutenant, Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve
DAVEY A,
DAVIES F,
DAVIES Gilbert L, Able Seaman
DAVIES Stanley, Able Seaman
DAY E, Seaman
DAY H, Seaman
DAY Percy George, signalman 9
DEAR H,
DINGLE K,
DON Robert W D,  Mentioned in Despatchess ¤DSO
DOVE Gilbert H, Acting Petty Office
DOUST Ernest A, Snr Master ¤ Mentioned in Despatches
DRAKE,
DURHAM R , Seaman
DYER Frederick W G, Shipwright 3

EARP H,
EAST R D, MA Tempy. Instr Lieutenant
EDDEY W, EA
EDWARDS A, Petty Officer
EDWARDS, Royal Marines
EMBLETON Chas James, Stoker
EMMETT, Steven Anthony , Stoker 8
ENGLAND Philip A, EA 1 ¤ Mentioned in Despatches
EVANS D G , Seaman
EVANS R M, Stoker PO

FARTHING F C, LTO
FLOWERS W, Seaman
FOGWILL Reginald Albert, Seaman
FOWLER George CW, Lieutenant Cdr (O)
FRANCIS H W, Seaman
FREDERICKS JT, Seaman
FRENCH Frederick T, Able Seaman
FRENCH, Boy
FULLERTON Roy G, age 29, Seaman 7
FUTCHER, Tel

CPO Harold E Newman, PO Nemo of HMS Ajax and PO J Green in Capetown.

GARDNER LH, Corporal Royal Marines Band
GARRARD J S,
GARRETT V,
GASKELL J L, Ck
GEORGE Evan I, Leading Stoker - died 15th December
GIBSON Stanley C, Able Seaman
GIBSON, Musician Royal Marines Band
GILPIN L, Ck
GLEADELL Owen, Stoker
GOODE T, EA
GOODHALL F, Tel
GOODWIN Horace, Stoker First Class 11
GOURD C, Chief Petty Officer Wtr
GRAHAM R,
GRAHAM R R, Cdr DSO
GREEN J, Petty Officer - Chief Quartermaster
GREEN William E, Chief Quarter Master ¤DSM for steering ship while wounded
GREEN L, Seaman
GROVES G, Padre
GWILLIAM W G , Seaman ¤CGM

HALLAS Charles F, Petty Officer ¤DSM
HAMBLIN Victor A, Seaman
HARDING, Royal Marines
HARRINGTON Stanley P, Marine Royal Marines
HARRIS C,
HARRIS David, Stoker PO
HARRIS Hugh, Petty Officer Telegraphist
HARRIS S T, Sig
HATTON J,
HEARSON G, Cdr (E)
HEENAN R L, Lieutenant, Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve Met
HEGGIE R M, Surgeon Lieutenant, Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve
HICKS A, LSA
HIGGINBOTTOM Alan, Chief Yeoman of Signals
HILL Leonard C, Able Seaman - died 14th December
HILL Ronald B, Boy Bugler RM
HINDLE F,
HOARE D J,
HOARE E,
HOCKINGS Henry Herbert, Corporal Royal Marines
HOGG Donald, Stoker
HONEY Leslie F L, Leading Signalman
HOOPER S J, Elec Artif
HOUGHTON F,
HOWARD Horace, Stoker
HOWELL Bernard L, Photographer
HUXSON, Royal Marines
HUNT, Royal Marines
HURLEY,
HUTTON J, Torpedoman

IVEY W G, Stoker 2

JACKSON E, Corporal Royal Marines Band
JAMES Thomas L, Steward
JAMIESON, Musician Royal Marines Band
JEFFERY W,
JEFFERY W J, Seaman
JEFFREY A D, OA
JENNINGS Richard B, Lieutenant Commander (G) ¤DSC
JOHN J (E?) L, Seaman
JOHN Henry B, MBE Pay Cdr ¤ Mentioned in Despatches
JOHNS R,
JOHNS William, E Ch OA 1 ¤ Mentioned in Despatches
JOHNSON L,
JONES Albert S, Stoker Petty Officer ¤ Mentioned in Despatches
JONES C J, Seaman
JONES Edward (Ted), Musician Royal Marines Band 1
JONES J H, Royal Marines
JONES R M, Rev
JOPLIN Walter, Stoker

KAVANAGH Michael T, Telegraphist
KEARS William Norman, Able Seaman 15
KELLY Albert E, Stoker 1
KEMBALL HNE, Lieutenant
KENT W H, Royal Marines
KENWARD, Musician Royal Marines Band
KING D,
KNIGHT Frederick, Joiner 3 Petty Officer ¤DSM

Stoker Lewis with a broken neck after the battle.

LAMB Geoffrey Silverwood, Lieutenant (Pilot) (killed in an accident in a Spitfire in 1942)
LANCASHIRE Roger W G, Surgeon Lieutenant ¤DSC
LANGMEAD E,
LANSDOWNE Cyril, H L Tel  Mentioned in Despatches
LARMOUR M, Shipt
LEGG Frank, Petty Officer Cook - died 16th December
LEWIS C G,
LEWIS D S G, Stoker 1 (pictured right with broken leg)
LLEWELLYN, Petty Officer Ck
LOCKER G,
LONDON S James , Stoker
LONSDALE Leonard H, Chief Mechanician 3
LOVELL A,
LUMSDEN Arthur R, Telegraphist
LYNN T J, Gnr (T)

MACLEOD William, age 25, Stoker 1st Class
MACNAMARA W,
MAGEE (McGee?), Musician Royal Marines Band
MANNING George, age 37, Stoker 1st Class
MANSON Tom, Corporal Royal Marines, on gunnery station during battle 12
MARSH William George Robert, age 21, Corporal Royal Marines
MARSHALL A S, Sig
MARTIN R B Commander (Staff Officer)
MASON,
MATHER James, Seaman
McAUSLAN,
McBARNET Donald T, Lieutenant RN ¤ Mentioned in Despatches
McDONNELL Francis, H Able Seaman
McEVOY James P, Marine Royal Marines
McGARRY Jans, Engine Room Artificer 2 ¤DSM
McGEE W,
McGINN Jock,
MEDLEY, Reginald Royal Marines
MELLOW G,
MICHAEL H,
MILEHILL H,
MILLS Edward, Marine Royal Marines
MILLS G,
MINHINETT John L, Stoker 1 ¤DSM
MITCHELL H B, Seaman
MOFFATT, James Andrew, Able Seaman 14
MOFFETT W, Stoker 2
MOLONEY J, Stoker 2
MONK L,
MONKS Christopher, Stoker 2
MORGAN John David, Marine 11277
MORSE Clyde AL, Acting Sub Lieutenant ¤ Mentioned in Despatches
MOTT John W, Sub Lieutenant (E) ¤ Mentioned in Despatches
MUDGE G, Petty Officer Ck
MULBERRY ME,
MULVENNY,

NAPIER John, Seaman
NAYLOR Thomas H, Able Seaman
NEWMAN Harold E, Chief Petty Officer Tel ¤ Mentioned in Despatches

NICHOLS S,
NOBLE R, Stoker
NODDER F,
NORTHCOTT Patrick, Seaman
NORTHCOTT W P, Royal Marines

O'BRIEN P, Stoker 1 ¤CGM
O'LEARY Patrick J, Stoker 1
O'NEIL L,
OSBORNE E, Stoker PO

PARRY David J, Telegraphist
PARSONS A W C, Sgt Royal Marines
PAYNE OD,
PEARCE L, Seaman
PEARSALL J K, Lieutenant
PEATE, John Henry ('Jacky'), Able Seaman  5
PENN-GASKELL I, de NW Pay  ¤Mentioned in Despatchess
PETTIT S, Royal Marines
PETT Bryan T, Stoker 1
PETT L A, Stoker
PHILLIPS Alfred V, Acting Leading Seaman - died 14th December
PHILLIPS Thomas G, Engine Room Artificer 3 ¤DSM
PIERCE L B, Seaman
PITMAN Harold H, PO
POINTON TCS, Lieutenant (E)
POPE C L, Sig
POPE Charles D, Sick Berth Chief Petty Officer ¤DSM
POSTLE L,
POWELL H M, Seaman
POWTON C,
POWTON Richard F, Chief Petty Officer Cook - died 17th December
PRIEST E L, Seaman
PUDDIFOOT George Welch, Sgt Royal Marines ¤ Mentioned in Despatches
PULLYLBANK L W L, Leading Supply Assistant, D/MX 50647
PUNCHARD E,

QUINCY Gordon J, Squadron Leader RAF (FAA)

RAMSDON,
RANDLE Frank, Stoker PO
Raymond Angus Keith, Leading Airfitter (Airframe)  10
REAGAN, Tel
REAY F, Stoker
REMICK Tom, Chief Yeoman of Signals
RENDLE Charles E, Warrant Shipwright ¤DSC
RICHARDS Brynmor, Able Seaman
RICHARDS Glyndwr, Able Seaman
RICHARDSON A Duncan, Tel
RICHARDSON D A, Pay Sub Lieutenant, Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve
RICKORD John S, Midshipman, Mentioned in Despatchess
RIGLAR Arthur S, Telegraphist
ROBERTS R M, Stoker
ROBBINS J,
ROBINS I, Seaman
ROBINSON F, Seaman
ROBINSON S,
ROGERS C, StoPO ? NN 7/00
ROLFE J S, Seaman
ROOKE R,
ROOSKEY Joseph A, Chief Mechanician 2 ¤DSM
ROPE, Musician Royal Marines Band
ROSS A M, Captain Royal Marines
ROTHWELL Victor, Seaman
RUSE R, Ch ERA
RUSSELL A,
RUSSELL W A, Marine Royal Marines ¤CGM

SALMON,
SAMPSON E, Seaman
SARTAIN, Musician Royal Marines Band
SCANLAN C J, Seaman
SCHOFIELD N, Tel
SCOBLE Clifford J, SBPO ¤ Mentioned in Despatches
SCOTT, Able Seaman
SCOTT-KERR JHA,  Mentioned in Despatchess
SEFTON, Royal Marines
SERCOMBE,
SHANNON Eric, Ck
SHAW E, Stoker
SHEFFIELD C, ERA
SHOESMITH Eric A, Act LAmn ¤DSM
SHORTEN J, Cd Gnr
SILCOCKS, PO Ck
SIMMS CE, Cdr ¤DSO
SIMONS A,
SKERRY A E, Royal Marines
SMALL Richard J, Blacksmith 3
SMITH Charles J, Commander (T) ¤DSC
SMITH George E, Plumber 3 ¤DSM
SMITH H, Royal Marines
SMITH Joab, Able Seaman
SMITH Stephen J, Petty Officer ¤DSM
SMITH W,
SOLT W, Stoker PO
SOPER M, Stoker
SPARKS Martin H, Seaman
SPARKS W J, Seaman
SPENCER Harry, Able Seaman
SPIERS W R, PO
SPILLER, Corporal Royal Marines
SPLAINE S,
SQUIRE Ernest B, Boy 1
SQUIRES,
STABB Douglas Harold, Stoker 2 DKX/92833
STAVERS R,
STEELE Robert M, Stoker Petty Officer
STEPHENS A C, Engine Room Artificer 4th Class ¤DSM (Conception Earthquake Medal in Bronze)
STEVENSON, Cecil Robert, stoker 4
STILES E, Ck
STRIKE Daniel J, Wtr
STUBBS Agean, Marine Royal Marines
STURDEE ARB,  Mentioned in Despatchess
SUMMERLING L F, Steward
SWATTEN F, Royal Marines
SYMONS, Able Seaman

TAYLOR Robert, W Telegraphist
TEAGUE Samuel B P, Chief Petty Officer Stoker
TELFER,
THOMPSON James E, Stoker 1
TIMMS W, Canteen
TINDLE L, Stoker
TOASE Aiden E, Lieutenant Royal Marines ¤DSC
TOPE I, Seaman
TOVEY George E, Stoker Petty Officer
TOWELL W, Seaman
TREGIDGO Albert F, Chief Petty Officer  D/J 89888
TREGARTHEN, Tel
TREGLOYNE T, Musician Royal Marines Band
TREHANE G L, FAA
TRIM, Royal Marines
TROTT Basil, Seaman
TROUT,
TURNER T W, Seaman
TWEDDELL T, Seaman
TWITCHIN M, Torp
TYE, Sig
TYLER Donald H, Pay Sub Lieutenant

VAUGHAN, Musician Royal Marines Band
VENNING H C, Wt Eng

WADE W,
WAKEHAM C F, Seaman
WALFORD Albert, Seaman 13
WARDER Simeon Henry Harris, Leading Seaman
WARREN OD,
WATTS Joseph W, Chief Petty Officer Steward ¤ Mentioned in Despatches
WAY A,
WEAVER E,
WEEKS E, Stoker
WHITE R B,
WHITING D, Sig
WHITEHEAD A, Seaman
WHITEHEAD C, Seaman
WHITEMORE E, Royal Marines
WICKHAM D T, Lieutenant
WICKHAM K J, Lieutenant (E), Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve
WILDE Arthur B, Sergeant Royal Marines ¤DSM
WILKINS L W, Seaman
WILLIAMS E,
WILLIAMS J D, Sig
WILSON E, FAA
WILSON Patrick, Stoker 1
WINSTANLEY F,
WINTER, ERA
WRIGHT Willaim, Stoker 16
WOOD J S,
WOODS Humphrey RD, Captain Royal Marines
WOODWARD G G, ERA

YOUNG B, Ck

The following names are of those who served in Exeter during the commission December 1936 - August 1939, and were probably on board for the Battle of the River Plate in December 1939, but are not included in the main list above.

ARBERRY, Seaman
BLACKBURN, Boy
ELSTON,  L Stoker
FAULKNER, Seaman
GILL, Stoker
HICKS, LSA
HIGMAN, OA
HOCKINGS, Seaman
LANGUARD, Leading Stoker
LOVESAY, Leading Steward
LOWTHER, Stoker PO
LUKEHURST, RM
MOORCROFT, Leading Seaman
MORGAN, Leading Stoker
MOUNTJOY, Leading Stoker
NORTHEY, Stokerr at HMS Drake. He was killed
PICKERING, Stoker
ROBINS, Petty Officer
SHELTON, Stoker
SOADY, Stoker
EMMOTT, J Able Seaman
FLEMING, J P, Able Seaman
HAYES, F W, Petty Officer
JOHN, J E, Petty Officer
LDGS G O PULLAR
RAVENSCROFT,  J T, Stoker PO
ROBERTS, LF,  Able Seaman
SNOWDEN, C,  Able Seaman
WILSON, G B, Leading Seaman

NEW ADDITIONS

1 Edward Jones - lives in Adelaide, Australia (2009) - name added by Bill Hartland (H M S Gambia) 
2 Vincent Bevis - lived in Bournemouth - named added by his great nephew Mark Bevis
3 Leonard H Lonsdale -  he went on to serve on HMS Charybdis, HMS Kenya, HMS Abdiel and HMS Orion - name added by his son Larry Lonsdale
4 Cecil Robert Stevenson - he was on bucket duty during the battle. He retired from the navy in 1948 as a CPO and worked on ambulances and later as a winding engineer in a colliery. He died in 1982 - name added by his son Robert Stevenson.
5 John Henry ('Jacky') Peate, Able Seaman - badly injured during the battle he recuperated in the Falklands with the Reid family - name added by his daughter Julie Peate.
6 Victor Cross - joined Exeter for the 1936 South American cruise. After the battle, he rose to Petty Office at HMS Drake. He was killed in a gunnery accident at Wembury on 23rd September 1948 - name added by his nephew, Colin Cross.
7 Roy G Fullerton - joined Exeter for the 1936 South American cruise. He was presented with a medal by his home town, Alloa, Scotland after the battle. He died in 1988. Name added by his son Bert Fullerton.
8 Steven Anthony Emmett - he was also in the crew when Exeter was sunk on the 2nd March 1942 and held as a Japanese POW. Name added by his son Mark Hernandez.
9 Percy George Day - originally from Swindon, he was a signalman on Exeter - submitted by his grandson Dave Mitchell who believes he can be seen in the newsreel of Exeter returning to Plymouth, February 1940.
10 Angus Keith Raymond - Leading Air Fitter (Airframe) Service No FX 75879 Served 24 Aug 1939 to 28 Feb 1940 - submitted by June Goddard (nee Raymond) daughter.
11 Horace Goodwin - Stoker, First Class NoKX92154 Served 21st April 1938 to 29th Feb 1940 - submitted by his son Roy Goodwin.
12 Tom Manson - Royal Marine Corporal who served on Exeter between 24th September 1938 to 14th March 1940 - submitted by his son Ray Manson.
13 Albert Walford - an Able Seaman, Albert lost an eye in the battle, and was treated at the Falklands hospital - submitted by his proud grandson, Chris Walford.
14 James Andrew Moffatt - an Able Seaman from Swarland in Northumbria, he manned one of the guns during the battle - submitted by his daughter, Sarah Clark.
15 William Norman Kears - his son says that he helped push the ships aircraft over the side during the battle - submitted by his son, Robert Kears.
16 William Wright - was a stoker on the ship during the battle - submitted by his son, Phillip Wright.
17 John T Cormack - Stoker, Petty Officer, his number was D/KX.9223. He died in Australia in1973 - submitted by his daughter, Helen Cormack.
18 Thomas George Annal - served on HMS Rodney until 1939, then HMS Exeter from 1939 and later on the Russian convoys - submitted by his grandson James Thomas Annal.

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