Page 31 - WW1 - 1914

Redditch Local History Society Remembering Redditch Residents & WW1

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The Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Redditch Messenger – Saturday 3 October
1914

Submarined – Redditch Sailor’s Exciting Experience – A Redditch man,
named Albert Darwell, a first-class stoker, who was on the Hogue at the time it was
torpedoed, related that he was on watch at the stoke-hole when the order was given to get
up steam in preparation for battle. Prior to that news had been received that the Aboukir
had been struck in the bows. The Hogue was struck by two torpedoes, but he felt no shock.
Subsequently the ship heeled over on the starboard side, and the order was given for every
man to look out for himself. He dived into the water, and got hold of a mess table, but had
to relinquish it owing to so many hanging on. While he was in the water, the Cressy fired at
a submarine. He was in the water a considerable time, and was eventually picked up by a
launch. He with others afterwards saw smoke on the horizon, which proved to be the
Lowestoft with a fleet of destroyers, but during rescue operations a periscope of a submarine
appeared, and the Lowestoft had to steam away in a diagonal direction to avoid injury.
Eventually the Lowestoft picked them up, and they were taken to Harwich and treated
splendidly at Shotley Hospital.
(On the 1901 census Albert was in the Royal navy, in Gibraltar, and in Port on “The Minerva”)
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(Shortly after the start of the first world war in August 1914 The Hogue was assigned to the 7 Cruiser
Squadron.

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HMS Hogue, HMS Aboukir and HMS Cressy were all sunk on the 22 September 1914.)

© RLHS 2014 Page: 31