Hi all,

My wife's Great great uncle, Alfred Edward Parfett (5131/ES) died/was killed on 7.11.18 serving on HALCYON II. He was an engineman and is buried at Lowestoft. I know that the ship was:

HALCYON II (hired 1917-1919)
Trawler, Auxiliary Patrol Depot Ship Lowestoft
Commissioned 15.03.1919 to 08.1919


1. Can anyone tell me what an Auxiliary Patrol Depot Ship did?
2. Suggest how I can find out how Alfred died?


Thanks
Peter Sloan

Hello Peter

Seems there is some minor errors in your G.G. Uncle's CWGC details. His surname is spelt Parfitt and he died before Halcyon 11 became the depot ship at Lowerstoft. See this previous thread LINK

My understanding is that a depot ship is the named official administration base for naval personel attached at a given Port / Base, but I'm sure someone will come up with a better explanation.

Cheers, Terry

Peter,

Halcyon II was requisitioned into the Fishery Reserve in 1917 and sailed from Hull. Halcyon II was also a Minesweeping Gunboat serving as Depot Ship at Lowestoft when she decommissioned the Halcyon II of the Fishery Reserve was commissioned as the seagoing ship March 1919(required for Discipline purposes) for the shore establishment.

Halcyon was a Ascot class Paddle Minesweeper.

Regards Charles