William CORNISH (1844?- )

1 William Henry CORNISH (1844?- ) [1818], son of Mary A UNKNOWN (1824?- ) [1838].

Born 1844 (cal), Otterhampton, Somerset, England. ¹ Otterhampton, Somerset, England. Marr Mary HADDOCK 1867.

Sp. Mary HADDOCK (1849?- ) [1819].

1.1 Arthur Haddock CORNISH (1868?- ) [1820].

Born 1868 (cal), Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, England. ^1,2 Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, England.

1.2 Robert Haddock CORNISH (1870- ) [1816].

Born 1870, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, England. ³ Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, England.

Sp. Ellen Louisa SADDLER (1873?- ) [1790].

1.2.1 William Edwin CORNISH (1891?- ) [1791].

Born 1891 (cal), Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales. ^4,5 Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales.

1.2.2 Ernest Saddler CORNISH (1895?- ) [1792].

Born 1895 (cal), Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales. ⁵ Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales.

1.2.3 Robert Arthur CORNISH (1897-1948) [1793].

Born 13 Jun 1897, Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales. ⁵ Cardiff, Glamorgan,. Wales. Died 29 Jul 1948, Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales. Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales.

Played rugby for Cardiff and Wales, captaining his country on two occasions, once in 1925 and once in 1926.

Test debut England v Wales at Twickenham, 20 Jan 1923

Last Test France v Wales at Colombes, 5 Apr 1926

Played 10 international matches scoring seven points.

Sp. Dorothy HOLCOMBE (1897-1978) [1817].

1.2.4 Albert Richard CORNISH (1899?-1959) [1734].

Born 1899 (cal), Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales. ⁶ Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales. Marr Elsie Margaret FROST 1918, Sculcoates, Hull, Yorkshire, England. ⁷ Sculcoates, Hull, Yorkshire, England. Died 6 Nov 1959, Holderness, Yorkshire, England. ⁸ Holderness, Yorkshire, England.

KINGSTON ONYX -Northern Patrol, Iceland, Nore Command

Greetings - Im researching the KINGSTON ONYX and am looking for a photo of the trawler. Also I am looking for details of her duties during 1940 - specifically 1) where and when as an Armed Boarding Vessel on the Northern Patrol 2) details of her duties during the Occupation of Iceland 3) details of her duties and patrols with the Nore Command during the threat of German invasion ( May-July). Any information will help-Many Thanx, John

PS my outline of her WW2 career is as follows:

KINGSTON ONYX Off. No 160057 Reg No. H365.

1928: Built for Kingston Steam Trawler Company, 1928 by Cook, Welton & Gemmill (Beverley, U.K.) Yard # 488

1939: Requistioned and converted to ABV 8/39 Commissoned 10/27/39

11/23/39 German merchant ship BORKUM (3670grt), which had departed Montevideo on 9 October, was captured by armed merchant cruiser CALIFORNIA on 18 November in the Denmark Strait. Under a prize crew commanded by Lt Cdr B Moloney RNR, BORKUM headed for Greenock via Kirkwall, but on the 23rd was attacked by U-33 and damaged by torpedo and gunfire near the Orkneys in 59_33N, 03_57W. Four German crew members were killed, but the rest of the Germans and British were rescued by armed boarding vessels KINGSTON BERYL and KINGSTON ONYX. The steamer was abandoned, drifted ashore in Papa Sound on the 25th and refloated on 18 August 1940, but as a total loss. She was taken to Rosyth and scrapped.

1940: 1/11/1940 Cruiser COLOMBO escorted German freighter BERGENSFJORD to Kirkwall after it had been intercepted by HM Trawler KINGSTON ONYX.

KINGSTON ONYX was listed in February 1940 as an Armed Boarding Vessels and part of the Northern Patrol.

7 April 1940: Orkneys and Shetlands Command, Kirkwal, Armed Boarding Trawlers: AQUAMARINE, KINGSTON BERYL, KINGSTON JACINTH, KINGSTON ONYX, KINGSTON PERIDOT, KINGSTON SAPPHIRE, KINGSTON TOPAZ, KINGSTON TURQUOISE, NORTHERN CHIEF, NORTHERN DUKE, NORTHERN FOAM, NORTHERN GIFT, NORTHERN ISLES, NORTHERN PRINCESS, NORTHERN REWARD, NORTHERN SKY, NORTHERN SUN. (17 vessels)

9 April 40 KINGSTON ONYX at Aberdeen with KINGSTON JACINTH, also KINGSTON TURQUOISE and NORTHERN FOAM completed refit April 10.

On April 18 the KINGSTON ONXY and her sister ship the KINGSTON TURQUOISE received orders to the West Faroes where the Swedish ship HAMMAREN had been intercepted. They were to either place an armed guard aboard the ship and she would proceed to the inspection port or if conditions didnt permit they were to escort her to Kirkwall to be more throughly inspected. 4/18/40 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: "ST0850/18.4 from F.O.C.N.P.:- 'K.O.' and KINGSTON TURQUOISE move to West Faeroes forthwith. 1 trawler take over Swedish Ship HAMMAREN at rendezvous and if armed guards cannot be placed on board escort to Kirkwall.”

5/12/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: "T1555/12.5 from F.O.C.N.P.:- Rendezvous with CALIFORNIA in position 065°16'N, 012° 56'W at 1800 14/5 and act under her orders. Object to investigate all trawlers met also to visit Fjord between Ripey and Langannoes on E. Coast of Iceland."

5/14/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: "T2130/14.5 from CALIFORNIA:- 'K.O.' visit Seidis Fiord first, others visited."

5/17/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: "T1050/17.5 from FOCN/P:- Probably you will be required to remain in East Icelandic waters until p.m. 22/5."

5/17/40 KINGSTON ONYX at Iceland with KINGSTON TURQUOISE

5/21/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: Leave Iceland," orders for Kirkwall".

5/26/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: Depart Kirkwall

5/29/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: Arrive Sheerness

Report of Proceedings of Northern Patrol 15-31 May 1940: " 3. orders received 24 May that three N.P. trawlers be sent to Sheerness... NORTHERN REWARD, KINGSTON ONYX, KINGSTON BERYL arrive Sheerness 29 May...4. 12 days of fog."

Report of Proceedings of Northern Patrol 1 - 15 July 1940: " KINGSTON ONYX arrived at West Hartlepool July 9 from Sheerness for refit and fitting ASDICS. ...."

7/14/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: Arrive Southend. 7/14/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: "T1257/ 14.7 from C. in C. Nore:- Request O i/c Sheerness will sail 'K.O.' for Southend forthwith for onward passage to W. Hartlepool." Movement sheet: Depart Sheerness

7/15/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: Depart Southend

7/16/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: Arrive Hartlepool

Report of Proceedings of Northern Patrol 1 - 15 July 1940: " KINGSTON ONYX arrived at West Hartlepool July 9 from Sheerness for refit and fitting ASDICS. ... On 7/15 CIC The Nore was ordered to sail the trawlers ASAP to rejoin the N.P. ...

7/18/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: "ST 17.7 (?) S. of D. 18.7 Taken in hand 17.7. Refit and fitting A/S D.U."

7/29/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: "T1418/29.7 from N.O.I/C Hartlepool:- Completes 13.8 Sails 16/8.

8/6/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: "ST1015/6.8 from F.O.C.N.A.:- 'K.O. should be sailed for Kirkwall when ready."

KINGSTON ONYX Converted from Armed Boarding Vessel to A/S, then had terrible ballasting problem. Rumored that skipper went out of his mind and was a mental case for the rest of the war. see Lund & Ludlum: TRAWERS GO TO WAR, p86

8/16/1940 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: Depart Hartlepool for Kirkwall

28.11.1940-(02.)1941 Lt. Richard Walgate RNR assigned to HMS Kingston Onyx (anti-submarine trawler)

1/6/1941 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: "T0135/6.1 from S.O.N.T.:- Proceed with all dispatch to position 59°09'N 14°40'W to assistance of S.S. EMPIRE THUNDER with survivors."

[At 11.37 hours on 6 Jan, 1941, EMPIRE THUNDER (Master William Dowell), a straggler from convoy OB-269 due to an engine breakdown, was torpedoed and sunk by U-124 north-northeast of Rockall. Nine crew members were lost. The master and 29 crew members were picked up by the British armed boarding vessel HMS KINGSTON ONYX (Lt R. Walgate) and landed at Stornoway, Hebrides on 8 January. see uboat.net]

1/7/1941 ADM 199/397 War Diaries Orkeys & Shetlands Jan 1 - Dec 31 1941: S.S. EMPIRE THUNDER torpedoed by U-Boat 59°14'N 12°43'W at 1036/6 KINGSTON ONYX picked up 30 survivors from 3 boats but 4th sunk by torpedo 9 of crew missing. K.O. proceeded to Kirkwall.

1/8/1941 H.M. Trawler KINGSTON ONYX Movement Sheet: Arrive Stornoway.[Outer Hebrides]

…

1944: Sept 1944 returned to owners in September, 10/9/1945 renamed MOORSOM (GY.119) Parkholme Trawlers, Grimsby.

1945: Renamed WESTHOPE (H.590), owners JC Llewellin, Milford Haven.

1949: New owners St Andrews Steam Fishing Co Ltd., Hull

1956: Broken up at Dunston

Awards:

CORNISH ALBERT RICHARD . HMT KINGSTON ONYX . Skipper 1945 War Service - Tried to ram U Boat twice with his vessel ( Kingston Onyx ? ) ( Bill )

McMILLAN JOHN . HMT KINGSTON ONYX . Seaman 1945 War Service

The Medal of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, for Meritorious Service:

Seaman John McMillan, D/X.i96i9A, R.N.R., H.M.S. Kingston Onyx.

Those named below have been Commended for brave conduct when their ships encountered enemy ships, aircraft, submarines or mines. Gazette Issue 37219 published on the 10 August 1945

Albert Richard CORNISH, Esq., Skipper, s.t." Kingston Onyx " (Kingston SteamTrawling Company Ltd.).

Sp. Elsie Margaret FROST (1899?- ) [1733], dau. of Jacob Albert FROST (1863?- ) [1740] and Margaret Ann SWAIN (1865?- ) [1741].

1.2.5 George Henry CORNISH (1902?- ) [1855].

Born 1902 (cal), Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales. ⁹ Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales.

1.2.6 Frederick Robert Haddock CORNISH (1906?- ) [1856].

Born 1906 (cal), Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales. ⁹ Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales.

1.3 William H CORNISH (1875?- ) [1821].

Born 1875 (cal), Otterhampton, Somerset, England. ¹ Otterhampton, Somerset, England.

1.4 Frederick Henry CORNISH (1876-1940) [1807].

Born 1876, Bridgwater, Somerset, England. Died 27 Apr 1940, Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales.

Played rugby for Bridgwater and Wales.

Test debut Wales v England at Newport, 9 Jan 1897.

Last Test Wales v Ireland at Cardiff, 18 Mar 1899.

Played 4 international matches scoring zero points.

In August 1899 he switched to rugby league and joined Hul FC.

Sp. Sarah Helen UNKNOWN (1880?- ) [1890].

1.4.1 Thomas Redvers Dundonald CORNISH (1900?- ) [1891].

Born 1900 (cal), Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales. ¹⁰ Cardiff, Glamorgam, Wales.

1.4.2 Georgina Enid Alexandria CORNISH (1902?- ) [1892].

Born 1902 (cal), Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales. ¹⁰ Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales.

1.4.3 Olga Elsie Gwendoline CORNISH (1908?- ) [1893].

Born 1908 (cal), Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales. ¹⁰ Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales.

1.4.4 Henry Willie Southward CORNISH (1910?- ) [1894].

Born 1910 (cal), Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales. ¹⁰ Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales.

1.5 George Haddock CORNISH ¹¹ (1878?- ) [1822].

Born 1878 (cal), Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales. ^1,12 Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales.

1.6 Victoria B CORNISH (1880?- ) [1831].

Born 1880 (cal), Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales. ¹ Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales.

Sp. George BACON (1876?- ) [1835].

1.6.1 Albert I BACON (1900?- ) [1836].

Born 1900 (cal), Bristol, Gloucestershire, England. ⁵ Bristol, Gloucestershire, England.

1.7 Henry C CORNISH (1883?- ) [1832].

Born 1883 (cal), Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales. ¹³ Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales.

1.8 Gwendoline Mary CORNISH (1890?- ) [1833].

Born 1890 (cal), Cardiff, Wales. ¹³ Cardiff, Wales.

1.9 Albert Victor CORNISH (1892?- ) [1834].

Born 1892 (cal), Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales. ⁵ Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales.

Sources

1	"Census 1881 - England & Wales". Cit. Date: 3 April 1881. Assessment: Primary evidence. Research - Nicholas Drax

2	"GRO Index". Oct 1868, Sunderland, Vol 10a, Page 517. Cit. Date: 1868. Assessment: Primary evidence. Research - Nicholas Drax

3	Ibid. Apr 1870, Sunderland, Vol 10a, Page 587. Cit. Date: April 1870. Assessment: Primary evidence. Research - Nicholas Drax

4	Ibid. Oct 1891, Cardiff, Vol 11a, Page 339. Cit. Date: 1891. Assessment: Primary evidence. Research - Nicholas Drax

5	"Census 1901 - England & Wales". Cit. Date: 31 March 1901. Assessment: Primary evidence. Research - Nicholas Drax

6	"GRO Index". Jan 1899, Cardiff, Vol 11a, Page 404. Cit. Date: 1899. Assessment: Primary evidence. Research - Nicholas Drax

7	Ibid. Jul 1918, Sculcoates, Vol 9d, Page 495. Cit. Date: 1918. Assessment: Primary evidence. Research - Nicholas Drax

8	Ibid. Oct 1959, Holderness, Vol 2a, Page 72. Cit. Date: 1959. Assessment: Primary evidence. Research - Nicholas Drax

9	"Census 1911 - England & Wales". RG14PN32160 RG78PN1847 RD588 SD4 ED28 SN440. Cit. Date: 2 April 1911. Assessment: Primary evidence. Research - Nicholas Drax

10	Ibid. RG14PN32163 RG78PN1847 RD588 SD4 ED31 SN413. Cit. Date: 2 April 1911. Assessment: Primary evidence. Research - Nicholas Drax

11	"GRO Index".

12	Ibid. Oct 1878, Cardiff, Vol 11a, Page 288. Cit. Date: 1878. Assessment: Primary evidence. Research - Nicholas Drax

13	"Census 1891 - England & Wales". Cit. Date: 5 April 1891. Assessment: Primary evidence. Research - Nicholas Drax