HMS Martin (G44)
Ordinary
Seaman Thomas Cusack, C/JX317671,
MIA 10th November 1942
| Navy: | Royal Navy |
| Type: | Destroyer |
| Class: | M |
| Pennant: | G 44 |
| Built by: |
M-Class Fleet Destroyer ordered from Vickers Armstrong at Newcastle on 3rd September 1939 under the 1939 Build Programme. The ship was laid down on 23rd October 1039 and was launched on 12th December 1940 as the twelfth ship to carry this name first used in 1651. Build was completed on 4th April 1942 at a cost of £457,512. In March 1942 this destroyer had been adopted in March 1942 by the civil community of Bury, Lancashire after a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign. |
| Ordered: | 3 Sept. 1939 |
| Laid down: | 23 Oct, 1939 |
| Launched: | 12 Dec, 1940 |
| Commissioned: | 4 Apr, 1942 |
| Complement: | 190 |
| Lost: | 10 Nov, 1942 (Cdr. C.R.P. Thomson, RN., DSO) (37-53'N, 03-57'E). was hit with three torpedoes and sunk by the German submarine U-431 (Dommes). Northeast of Algiers, in above position.161 Officers and men went down with the ship. There were 63 survivors. |
| History: |
B a t t l e H o n o u r s
ARCTIC 1942 - NORTH AFRICA 1942
Details of War Service
1 9 4 2
March Contractors trials
April Commissioned for service. 4th Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials.
On
completion of trials and stores took .passage to
Work-up with Home Fleet before joining the 17th Destroyer Flotilla. 28th Deployed with destroyer screen for Home Fleet ships providing 'Distant Cover' for Russian Convoy PQ15 and the returning Convoy from
May 7th Detached from QP11 after arrival at Rekjavik was deployed with Home Fleet. 23rd Joined Russian Convoy PQ16 26th Convoy under air and submarine attacks. Sustained damage from near misses. 30th Detached from PQ16 on arrival at Kola Inlet
June Independent passage to
6th Under repair. On completion rejoined Home Fleet
major Fleet units including
'Distant Cover' passage of Russian Convoy PQ17.
July 4th Remained in area with Fleet units after PQ17 scattered in order to provide cover of the return Convoy QP13.
7th Resumed Home Fleet duties NW Approaches after arrival of QP13 at
20th Detached with HM Destroyers MARNE, MIDDLETON and BLANKNEY to take ammunition and essential stores to replenish stocks in Escorts from Convoy PQ17 which were needed before return passage. Sailed
from
Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker BLACK RANGER. 24th Arrived at Kola Inlet and returned independently.
August Deployment in NW Approaches in continuation. 13th Detached with HM Destroyer MARNE to meet US cruiser USS TUSCALOOSA and two US Navy destroyers USS RODMAN and USS EMMONS which were taking RAF personnel and medical stores to
15th
Escorted US Navy ships to
journey. 17th On arrival ships were not allowed to disembark personnel and stores. Returned to resume Home Fleet duties.
September 9th Joined Fighting Escort for Russian Convoy PQ18 as destroyer screen for HMS SCYLLA with other Home Fleet destroyers. 12th Detached from PQ18 with HM Destroyers MARNE, METEOR and MILNE to refuel at Lowe Sound, Spitzbergen . (Note: HMS SCYLLA also detached with destroyers.) 13th Rejoined PQ18 with same ships. 17th Joined returning Convoy QP14 to provide Fighting Escort for passage to Loch Ewe. 25th Detached from OP14 and resumed Home Fleet deployment in NW Approaches.
October
Nominated for duty in support of allied landings in
(0peration TORCH).Took passage to
November
1st On arrival deployed with HM Battleships DUKE OF
and RODNEY, HM Battle-cruiser RENOWN, HM Aircraft Carriers VICTORIOUS, AVENGER, BITER and DASHER, HM Cruisers
6th Part of screen for major units in Eastern Task Force to provide cover against any attack by Vichy French warships and to give naval gunfire support during landings. 7th Present during assault phase of landings at Algiers. 8th Deployment with screen for protection of major units in continuation. 10th Deployed as escort for military convoy during Build-up Phase of Operation TORCH.
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