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Raymond Germany   R. Germany        Royal Navt     Raymond Germany - insignia

Surname Germany
Forename/s Raymond
Rank Able Seaman
Service Number P/SSX 24940
DOB 1921 in Tupton
Address  
Date & place of death/details 26/5/1941 age 20
Killed in action during the battle for Crete. HMS Numian was bombed in the stern killing 7 crew.
Regiment & Unit HMS Nubian. (Tribal class destroyer F36)
Service details Mediterranean
Military Awards?  
Married?               Children?  
Any photographs Yes - Derbyshire Times.
Derbyshire Times Obituary Yes
20/6/1941 (page 1)
Parents names Mr Archibald Gustavius & Mrs Lillian Kate Germany.  In the 1940’s the family home was at 62 Ward Street.
Parents address 62, ward Street, New Tupton
Grave location or   memoria location No grave.
Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Panel 48, Column 1
Living relatives?  
Any other information
Previously had worked at Williamthorpe Colliery.

Raymond joined the Royal Navy in 1937 at the age of 16.

Raymond was serving on HMS Nubian when he was killed. This was a ‘Tribal Class’ destroyer one of 23 built of this class/type. Being as Raymond was already with the Navy at the outbreak of WW2, plus his obituary mentions he was serving on a destroyer after his training, assuming that he was already posted to HMS Nubian.

In 1940 HMS Nubian was part of the British & French force which went to the assistance of Norway, when the Germans invaded. This operation was a failure with the Navy evacuating the troops and suffering heavy losses including an aircraft carrier and 2 cruisers.

HMS Nubian was then attached to the 14th Destroyer Flotilla and left Portsmouth on the 18th May 1940 to be based at Alexandria in the Mediterranean. She saw action at the battle of Calabria in July 1940 and Matapan in March 1941. At the battle of Matapan HMS Nubian delivered the final torpedoes to sink the stricken Italian cruiser ‘Pola’.

The next major action for HMS Nubian was the battle of Crete which started on the 20th May 1941. Following the German invasion, the Royal Navy attended in strength to support the British & Greek garrison. This would be a costly battle with the Germans successfully taking the island. The Royal Navy would lose 12 fleet ships & 7 auxiliary ships sunk with a further 22 damaged.

During the battle on the 26th May 1941 HMS Nubian was bombed by aircraft receiving a severe hit on the stern. Raymond Germany - stern damage7 crew were killed and 12 were wounded. Raymond was one of the 7 killed.

HMS Nubian was able to return to Alexandria and was then towed to Bombay for repair.

Having no grave Raymond is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Panel 48, Column 1

Portsmouth Naval MemorialRaymond GermanyPortsmouth Naval Memorial         
Campaign Medals
War Medal 1939-1945

1939-1945 War Meda;		 As with most Armed Forces Serving Personal during the conflict of World War Two, Raymond Germany was entitled to the War Medal 1939-1945. This medal was awarded to all full time service personnel who had completed 28 days service between 3rd September 1939 and the 2nd September 1945. Eligible personnel who had been “Mentioned In Despatches” during the War were entitled to wear a bronze oak leaf emblem on the ribbon. Those eligible for a campaign star, yet who had their service cut short by death, wounds or capture by the enemy, still qualified for this medal.
1939-45 Star

1939-45 Star		 Given the information available to us it is likely that Raymond Germany was awarded the 1939-45 Star for operational Service in the Second World War between 3rd September 1939, and 2nd September 1945.

Raymond Germany would have been awarded this star if their service period was terminated by their death or disability due to service. Also the award of a gallantry medal or “Mention In Despatches” also produced the award of this medal, regardless of their service duration.

Fighter Aircraft Crew who took part in the Battle of Britain (10 July to 31 October 1940) were awarded the "Battle of Britain" bar to this medal. In undress uniform, a silver-gilt rosette was worn on the medal ribbon to denote the award of this clasp.