Herbert Slee – Royal Navy, HMS Rawalpindi
Able Seaman Herbert Slee – Royal Navy, HMS Rawalpindi
Birth and Family Background
Herbert Slee
Herbert Slee was born in 1899 at Swansea.
He was the son of William Slee and Sarah Hart, who were married
in 1895 at the Parish Church of St Thomas, Swansea.William Slee and Sarah Hart
marriage certificate
Parish Church of St Thomas, Swansea
Early Life
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| 1901 Census |
At the time of the 1901 Census, the Slee family were living at 81 Fleet Street, Swansea. William Slee, aged 35 and born in Devon, was employed as a general labourer, while his wife Sarah, also Devon-born, was 28 years old. Their children were Reginald, 10; Violet, 4; Herbert, 2; and Edith, aged two months.
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| 1911 Census |
By the 1911 Census, the family had moved to 7 Prospect Terrace, Norton, West Cross. William, now 44, was working as a stone breaker, and Sarah, aged 38, undertook household duties. Their children were Violet, 14; Herbert, 13; and Reuben, 7, all attending school, together with Gladys, 5; Elsie, 3; and Maisie, 1 year old.
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| 1921 Census |
The 1921 Census again records the family at 7 Prospect Terrace, Norton, West Cross. William Slee, aged 54, was a general labourer, formerly employed by Mr Banfield, builder, but recorded as out of work. Sarah, 48, undertook household duties. Their children included Herbert, 22, a collier’s helper formerly employed by the Swansea Navigation Company Colliery Proprietors, but out of work; Violet, 25, undertaking household duties; Reuben, 17, also a collier’s helper with the same employer; together with Gladys, 15; Elsie, 13; Maisie, 11; Harold, 7; and Arthur, 5, the younger children attending school.
Naval Service
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| Naval Records |
In September 1938, Herbert re-enlisted in the
Royal Navy and served until October 1938, when he was again demobilised
from Drake I & II, holding the rank of Able Seaman.
Marriage and Residence
In 1923, Herbert married Mary Evans at Swansea.
By the outbreak of the Second World War, the Slee family were living at 51
Overland Road, Mumbles.
Second World War Service
With the outbreak of war, Herbert returned to service as an Able
Seaman in the Royal Navy. He was posted to HMS Rawalpindi, an armed
merchant cruiser employed on patrol and interception duties in the North
Atlantic.
The Sinking of HMS Rawalpindi – 23rd November 1939
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| HMS Rawalpindi |
While on patrol north of the Faroe Islands, Rawalpindi
encountered the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau,
which were operating as commerce raiders in the Atlantic. Despite being
hopelessly outgunned, Rawalpindi refused to surrender. Her
commanding officer, Captain Edward Kennedy, ordered the ship to engage
and simultaneously transmitted a radio warning to alert the Admiralty to
the presence of the enemy ships.
The German battleships opened fire at long range, quickly
setting Rawalpindi ablaze. She was hit repeatedly, suffering
catastrophic damage, and after a brief but courageous engagement, exploded
and sank with heavy loss of life.
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| British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records |
Of the ship’s complement of approximately 276 officers and men, over 260 were killed. Only a small number survived, rescued later from the freezing waters of the Atlantic. Able Seaman Herbert Slee was among those who lost their lives. His death is formally recorded in the British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, confirming the date and circumstances of his loss.
Reporting and Commemoration
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| South Wales Daily Post |
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| South Wales Daily Post |
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| Herbert Slee Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon credit - findagrave |
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