Arthur Pike
Prior to enlistment, Pike worked at Raleigh.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
He was the son of George and Fanny Ruston and the brother of Elsie, Dorothy and Kenneth Pike of 27, Brussels Terrace, Bunbury Street, Meadows, Nottingham
CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL 8, 1.
HMS Cleopatra
Cleopatra went out to Gibraltar early in 1942, and on 9 February she sailed for Malta, where she was immediately damaged by a bomb. After repair, she was transferred to Alexandria in early March for the 15th Cruiser Squadron. She was Admiral Philip Vian's flagship during the Second Battle of Sirte, when his group of four light cruisers and 17 destroyers held off an Italian force which included the battleship Littorio, two heavy cruisers, a light cruiser and 10 destroyers, which had all been sent to intercept their convoy to Malta.
During the engagement, Cleopatra's radar and wireless stations were wrecked by a 6" round fired by the Italian light cruiser Giovanni delle Bande Nere. Other reports state that Cleopatra's after turrets were also damaged. 13 men were killed aboard Cleopatra during this battle including Arthur Pike. A further 20 sailors were lost on HMS Havoc, Kelvin, Kingston and President III. (Wikipedia + CWGC Debt of Honour Register)
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Photo of Arthur Pike