Some time back I communicated with you via e-mail concerning the demise of HMS Sturdy when she was wrecked during a severe gale on the coast of Tiree on the night of 30th October 1940. My quest was to locate the graves of the five crew members who were drowned when the sea boat was smashed after an attempted launch. I am glad to report that I have now located the graves of the casualties and with considerable help from the good people of Tiree have arranged a small tribute and obtained photographs which might possibly be of interest to any relatives if they can be found.

If I may relate the story again, I am the son of E. J. A. Gibson, who was the Engineer Officer of Sturdy. As a boy I was quite well known to the ships crew. HMS Sturdy was on passage on the night of the 30th October 1940 to meet an incoming convoy, when she ran into severe gale force conditions which drove her several miles off course and onto the west coast of the island of Tiree. During the gale my father was caught by a wave that smashed him against one of the engine room ventilators, breaking his knee. This was to affect circumstances later.

The ship was driven onto the rocks and broke in two. I believe that an attempt to launch the sea boat was made. This resulted in its immediate destruction, sadly with the loss of its crew who were drowned. I am told that on shore the event was noted and a Merchant Navy Captain, on leave and living nearby, managed to communicate with the ship by morse light advising the crew not to attempt to leave the ship until daylight. This advice was followed. Alas there was another later tragedy, the MN Captain was lost on his next convoy.

I understand that the crew of Sturdy were picked up by another destroyer, leaving behind a destoring party. Meanwhile my father was taken to Oban cottage hospital from where my mother received word of what had happened.

The outcome was that my mother and I set off for Oban. We arrived there on the day that another inbound convoy was attacked, with I believe several casualties. We were staying at a hotel overlooking the port. When news of the attack reached the hotel all the staff took off, so say to the hills! We were left to our own devices for 24hrs. A somewhat traumatic introduction to Scotland. When normality settled in there was much hospital visiting to be done. Apart from a fractured knee cap, my father was in good order. As a relatively prolonged stay was indicated I was dispatched to Tiree to see if I could recover any of my father’s belongings. All very adventurous for a school boy!

It is a long time ago now and memory dims. I do remember the hospitality and consideration that I received. I was treated as a guest, put up at the local hotel and transported out to the wreck site. An indication of the force of the gale was that the bows of the front section of the ship were actually in the grass on the shore. The stern section was about 40 yards off shore and only accessable by breeches buoy. The salvage party were pleased to see me and looked after me well. I recall some people who lived in a nearby cottage who had collected all the personal belongings that they could find and were holding them carefully against collection by the owners. I did collect some bits from them. I left Tiree with a great deal of respect for the considerate and concerned hosts and pleasant memories after an other wise sombre visit.

My father has died and I am now a retired Lieut. Cdr. RN and RNR, having nearly 50 years overall service. The fate of the casualties has been on my mind for some years and with the arrival of the internet the possibility of locating their graves became likely. It would have been easier if I had known what to do, however I am happy to say that I have located the graves. They are at Soroby burial ground, Balemartine, Tiree.

With the assistance of Mrs. Catriona Hunter who is the archivist on Tiree and Mr. Gordon Scott who used to be the editor of the Tiree Times I now have a set of photos which I am enclosing. I made a small wreath which I sent up with an appropriate card. The pictures may give some comfort to any relatives that may still be around. The Commonwealth War Graves Commision appeared not to have full home addresses and only gave the home towns of three. I have tried to create interest in their local newspapers and I am awaiting possible replies.

In this period of remembrance HMS Sturdy, old and small as she was, is certainly not forgotten by the people of Tiree. I hope this story will be of interest to you.

HMS Sturdy as she appeared at the 1935 Fleet Review, minus her armament

(Editor’s Notes: HMS Sturdy was an Admiralty “S” Design destroyer completed in 1919. She was 1,075 tons displacement and armed with 3 x 4 inch guns and 4 x 21 inch torpedo tubes. At the time of her running aground, she was on the way to escort Halifax/UK convoy SC8. The five men who died were Leading Stoker A. Trahearn, Able Seaman P. R. Cornford, Stoker 1st Class T. W. Cowler, Able Seaman F. Greenshields and Ordinary Seaman J. H. Rivett.)