Cyril Nix

CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL 39, 2.

HMS Whirlwind

HMS Whirlwind was a W-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy that saw service during World War I and World War II. Whirlwind was built by Swan Hunter and was launched on 15 December 1917. In September 1939 was part of the 11th Destroyer Flotilla which was reformed in 1939 and attached to the Plymouth Command until 1940 when its ships were dispersed among various escort groups.

At 18.26 hours on 5 July 1940, HMS Whirlwind was hit underneath the bridge by one G7e torpedo from U-34 under the command of Wilhelm Rollmann about 120 miles west of Land’s End. The U-boat had spotted the destroyer at 15.30 hours and missed her with two torpedoes at 17.13 hours.

Whirlwind immediately lost her forepart while the rest remained afloat and was later scuttled by HMS Westcott after picking up the survivors. 56 crew members were lost including Assistant Cook Cyril Nix from Nottingham and one died of wounds the following day. (Wikipedia and Uboat.net)

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