Ordinary Seaman D/JX 421649 Stanley Alfred Jones

Family details:
Son of Sidney and Catherine Jones, of St. Helens, Lancashire.

Census details:
1939 Register. Unfortunately Stanley A and two other members of the household are redacted. Father Sidney Jones born 06/08/1892 a Decorator & Painter and mother Catherine Jones born 14/01/1897 an Unpaid Domestic are living at Elm Cottage, Knowsley Road, St Helens. Also at the address is widowed Edward Halsall born Apr 1854 a Coal Miner (Retired Pensioner).

[pic]imgs/S1PWHYAOTV/HMS_Charybdis_zps9a51ddea.jpg[/pic][caption]H.M.S. CHARYBDIS[/caption] [b]HMS [i]Charybdis[/i][/b] was a DIDO Class Cruiser of the Royal Navy. She served during the Second World War and was sunk with heavy loss of life by German torpedo boats in an action in the English Channel in October 1943. Specifications: - 5200 tons. 62500 h.p. Mean draft 18' aft 16' 6" forward Commissioned 15th November 1941. Adopted by Birkenhead town Blessed by the Right Rev. Lord Bishop of Chester November 1941. November-March 1942 - working up trials. Joined Fleet 13th March 1942. [b]Honours & Service History.[/b] March-April 1942 Minelaying operations Northern Approaches 18th April 1942 Joined Western Mediterranean Fleet. April - Dec. 1942 - Frequent operations escorting aircraft carriers carrying fighter aircraft for Malta's defence, Malta convoys (Operation Pedestal) North African landing (Algiers contingent) followed by post landing patrols Dec. 1942 Returned to U.K. for refit March 1943 Rejoined Fleet at Scapa Flow. Escorted R.M.S "Queen Mary" with Sir Winston Churchill to U.S.A. Bay of Biscay & Mediterranean patrols Salerno beach head landing carrying C in C Allied Forces General Eisenhower Oct. 1943 Home Waters headed destroyer squadron to intercept enemy shipping off French coastal waters (Operation Tunnel 22/23rd Oct 1943) 'Charybdis' & destroyer 'Limbourne' sunk in this action. The Sinking:- In late 1943, the British authorities were aware of the approach of the German blockade runner, [i]Munsterland[/i], which was carrying an important cargo of latex and strategic metals. The Germans had a well-rehearsed procedure for escorting such vessels. The British reacted by executing Operation Tunnel, a standard operation whereby available ships would attempt to intercept. [i]Charybdis[/i] was assigned to the operation on 20 October, and on 22 October the British force put to sea. With [i]Charybdis[/i] were the fleet destroyers HMS Grenville and Rocket and four Hunt Class destroyers; HMS Limbourne, Wensleydale, Talybont and Stevenstone. The [i]Munsterland[/i]'s escorts consisted of five Elbing Class Torpedo Boats, comprising the 4th Torpedo Boat Flotilla, commanded by Franz Kohlauf. [i]Charybdis[/i] was hit on the port side by two torpedoes fired by the German torpedo boats [i]T-23[/i], under the command of Fredrich-Karl Paul, and [i]T-27[/i]. HMS [i]Limbourne[/i] was also hit during this action and was later scuttled by HMS [i]Rocket[/i]. The German force escaped unharmed. [i]Charybdis[/i] sank within half an hour, the loss of over 400 men. Four officers and 103 ratings survived. The [i]Munsterland[/i] was eventually forced ashore and destroyed west of Cap Blanc Nez by fire from British coastal artillery, on 21 January 1944. Soon after the sinking, the bodies of 21 Royal Navy and Royal Marine men were washed up on the island of Guernsey. The German occupation authorities buried them with full military honours. The local Islanders laid over 900 Wreaths to their memory. [center][pic2 width=300]imgs/S1PWHYAOTV/Jones_Plymouth_zps78cdca90.jpg[/pic2][center][caption]The panel on the Plymouth Naval Memorial bearing the name of Ordinary Seaman Stanley Alfred Jones[/caption]