Remembering today--Nov 1,1914 -- Battle of Coronel

[RCN]

THE FIRST CANADIAN CASUALTIES of the Great War –
Midshipmen Malcolm Cann, John Victor Hatheway, William Palmer, & Arthur Silver.

On Nov 1, 1914 these 4 cadets were serving in HMS Good Hope, Flagship of Vice Admiral Christopher Craddock’s Pacific squadron.

Here is a brief of their story:

When the RCN was officially sanctioned on 5 May 1910, provisions were made for the establishment of a Royal Naval College of Canada(RNCC) similar to that in the RN. There were originally 19 cadets enrolled in the first term class, Cadets Cann, Hathaway, Palmer & Silver among them.
Also in that class was another casualty, William Maitland-Dougall who was to be killed in March 1918 whilst in command of HM Sub D3.
The cadets had been examined in Nov 1910 & joined RNCC on 11 Jan 1911.

The first class graduated on 25 Jan 1913, were appointed Midshipmen in the RCN, & were drafted to HMS Berwick for training in the RN. They were later drafted to HMS Suffolk & whilst on her the 4 Midshipmen were selected to join HMS Good Hope when Vice Admiral Craddock shifted his flag to her in Halifax on 17 Aug 1914. Craddock was short 4 Midshipmen so he decided to take on 4 Canadians to complete his complement. Craddock selected Palmer as he was first in his class, & Silver as he was senior Cadet Captain. From the others, Cann & Hatheway were drawn by lot. Craddock’s task was to locate Admiral von Spee’s Pacific squadron & prevent it from returning to Germany, the German fleet then being off the coast of Chile.

The fleets met off Coronel on the evening of 1 Nov 1914. The fight was considerably uneven, Craddock’s ships being both outgunned (both Good Hope & Monmouth were virtually obsolete by 1914 & the German ships were more modern & had longer range guns) & as Craddock's ships were silhouetted by the setting sun did not have much of a chance of survival. However they gave a good account of themselves in an uneven fight, both Good Hope & Monmouth being sunk with all hands. There were over 900 casualties on board Good Hope & another 675 on Monmouth.
The four Canadian Midshipmen were all under 20 years of age & have no grave but the sea. Their names are commemorated on the Halifax memorial.

I have shown below several photos of the cadets, Adm Craddock, the Battle of Coronel action & an example of the Canadian memorial cross each of their mothers would have rec’d in 1919-20. Each would have also qualified for a 1914-15 star, British War & Victory medals as well as a Memorial plaque. Also the uniform tunic & waistcoat worn by Midshipman in the Great war period.
One of the Midshipman’s medals is displayed in the HMCS Naden museum.

As an aside, but interesting to know – The battle of Coronel was the first use of wireless on in battle by the RN.

Some photos taken from “The First To Die” (B. Elson) & Author’s collection.

RCN Bryan

[RCN]

The area in which the battle of Coronel was fought & the position of the ships...

& an artist's painting of the end of HMS Good Hope...

[RCN]

The Great war medals & Canadian Memorial cross that was awarded to their families after the war -

& an example of a period Midshipman's uniform tunic that they would have worn during their brief careers -

A photo of their names on the Halifax memorial - they are the only casualties for 1914.


MAY THEIR NAMES LIVETH FOREVERMORE!

RCN Bryan

[servicepub]

Thnx for sharing.

C

[RonArm]

Very nice tribute Bryan