HMS Pheasant, 1st March 1917, Rora Head, Hoy #Orkney
theorkneynews
On 1st March 1917 whilst on regular patrol the M-Class Destroyer HMS Pheasant, struck a mine off Rora Head, Hoy. A mix up and delay in going to her rescue resulted in all men lost. Only one body was ever recovered, that of Midshipman Reginald Cotter. He is buried in Lyness Naval Cemetery Hoy.
The grave of Midshipman Reginald Cotter, age 20, Lyness Naval Cemetery Hoy
The 89 men who lost their lives in the cold deep waters off Orkney will be remembered today, Saturday 1 March between 2 and 3 pm at a talk in the Friends Room of St Magnus Centre, Kirkwall.
HMS Pheasant 1917: Who were the lost men and boys? Illustrated talk by Fiona Grahame. Friends Room, St Magnus Centre, Kirkwall, Saturday 1st March 2025, 2-3pm.
Researcher and author Fiona Grahame will present some of the stories of the men who served on HMS Pheasant and the communities they came from. Her book ‘HMS Pheasant 1917, who were the lost men and boys?’, will be on sale. If you cannot make the talk, Fiona will be there till 4pm for anyone who wishes to drop by. The talk will be filmed and made available free to view on The Orkney News YouTube Channel.
The book is available, RRP £19.99 from all good booksellers worldwide.
Ordinary Seaman Michael McLoughlin Able Seaman Samuel Haworth, age 23Ordinary Seaman Ivor Weaver, age 21 (possibly younger)Ordinary Seaman Harry (Henry) Martin, age 22Petty Office James Atcheson, age 36Able Seaman James Hamilton, age 25Gunner Sydney Herlihy, age 41Ordinary Seaman Frederick Edworthy, age 20Leading Seaman Cyril Grebbell, age 26Able Seaman Angus McDonald, age 32Ordinary Seaman Arthur Merton Fisher, age 24Signalman David Davies, age 28Able Seaman Henry (Harry) Hollowood, age 23Leading Seaman Harry Sultan, age 24Chief Stoker William Bowen, age 38 Able Seaman Percy William Searle, age 20Stoker Chas Neale, age 23Able Seaman William Porter, age 20Able Seaman Tom Howarth, age 22 (or younger) Lieutenant Hubert William Douglas Griffith. Courtesy of D. MagorisEngineer Lieutenant Commander Henry Charles Nathaniel Simes. courtesy of Penelope Forster
