On March 27th 1943 HMS Dasher, a hastily converted aircraft carrier, mysteriously exploded and sank within eight minutes in the Clyde. Of the 528 men on board, only 149 survived. 379 lives were lost. Of the 379 who perished, only 23 were given an official burial. However many more bodies – either brought ashore or washed up on local beaches and possibly burned beyond recognition, lie in unmarked plots. To this day, no acknowledgement has been made of the number or the whereabouts of these unmarked graves. The lasting and callous secrecy has left hundreds of families not knowing what happened to their sons, brothers, relatives or loved ones and most went to their graves still not knowing.
An official Board of Enquiry was hastily convened and within just two days they concluded that the Dasher had sunk due to an internal petrol explosion. However, several key witnesses were not called to give evidence. The official cause of her sinking is still doubtful. It could have been a mine or even possibly sabotage but it could also have been one of the first cases of friendly fire. The findings of the Board of Enquiry were never released until 1972 and even now information is being witheld. This is just part of a veil of secrecy which has surrounded HMS Dasher ever since. Rescuers, survivors and witnesses – everyone with any knowledge of what befell the Dasher in these waters – all were sworn to secrecy.
An important new piece of information may explain the Governments reticence to release all of their records. There is a strong possibility that one of the bodies from the Dasher was used in Operation Mincemeat to dupe the Germans about a possible invasion of Greece at a crucial time of the war in 1943. The loss of HMS Dasher and 379 young lives is still not fully understood by those affected. Mystery still surrounds the sinking, the burial graves and the true identity of the Operation Mincemeat body. Perhaps when all the facts have been revealed, they can be finally laid to rest.
Running time 54 minutes Narrated by Sean Barrett Produced by PR Productions Directed by Peter Rowlands ‘
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Pat McPhee says
I understand that my husband’s uncle was on HMS Dasher at the time of the sinking. His name was James Graham (although I am vague about his first name). I cannot find his name in the list of those lost. Any suggestions as to how I could find out more?
Ray Comber says
Pat, you could try Ron Marston of the HMS Dasher 1943 Association for more info.
Hazel Lawrence says
I am interested also where to find any info ,even to find any names of those aboard, I am doing family tree and I remember my poor aunt (in Cornwall) telling me of her 1st husband, a young newly ,married girl expecting there first child .Then out of the blue the door bell rings and couple (maybe one not sure)a person told her ,husband is in an accident and no survivers ,sorry. That was it. What a shock huh. I mean no one to help her . Sad story and i think it is terrible how people were treated. regards Hazel Lawrence Thank you fro your time , sure would loike to give her some news when I go to U.K in April 1011.
A Heath says
Very good short video.
It’s a shame the truth behind HMS Dashers loss was never reported correctly.
After the accident where many died abandoning ship as a result of the plane crash the ship was actually beached on Ardrossan North beach for a week and was later taken out into the Clyde and scuttled.
The reports that she sank within minutes of the accident are a result of the news coverage at the time censoring news and major military accidents and Whitley inaccurate.
It’s such a shame the incorrect sequence of events has been quoted in years past and many fiction books including this one written on the topic which will largely be taken into the future and laudably believed.
Lest the truth or lives lost on the Dasher be forgotten.
Mark Shepherd says
A friend of mine through church (David Bell), served on HMS Dasher. I also served in the fleet air arm (HMS Hermes 1980 – 1982). We have swapped many a sea story over the years! David will be celebrating his 95th birthday on Wed 20th Feb 2019. I will be making an HMS Dasher style birthday card for him. If anyone knew or remembers David and would like to send a message, please contact me (Mark Shepherd 07508634513 or markshepr12@gmail.com)
many thanks
Shep
Colin mcluckie says
Is there any photos of the dasher under the sea??
Margaret Herrington says
My Husband’s then young Uncle Raymond perished aboard the Dasher. Terribly tragic loss.
Gastón nanpla says
terribles las mentiras y secretos de la Corona Británica en Toda su Historia…El HMS Dasher …y también el HMS Invincible…que quedó Fuera de Combate en Malvinas…y recién aparecio Pintado a Nuevo Y Reparado en Inglaterra a unos 6 meses de Terminada la Guerra…Una historia llena de mentiras y Aliados y usurpaciones ilegales la de la Corona Inglesa….
Paul Russell says
I am interested in A Heaths account of what happened.
I spoke to Fred Plank in person at one of the memorials, and this is not what he described at all.
What is the source for A Heaths account?
Paul Russell, film-maker.
Chris Roche says
The real Man who never was for operation mincemeat was confirmed some years ago as Welshman Glyndwr Michael was born in 1909, son of a coal miner who died when Glyn was sixteen. Further impoverished by the Great Depression, he, his mother, and two sisters struggled to survive. Glyn was not drafted, suggesting unfitness for military service. When Glyn’s mother died in 1940, Glyn moved to London. On Jan. 26, 1943, in an abandoned warehouse near King’s Cross, whether by accident or intent Glyn ate some rat poison. He was found and taken to St. Pancras. Two days later, thirty-four-year-old Glyndwr Michael died.
Thus no connection with HMS Dasher at all
Regards
Chris R
Mark Roberts says
Firstly to address rumours of a link to Major William Martin RM, the man who never was. As already stated here, there is no link, the body has been definitively identified as Glyndwr Michael from surviving documents when they were released from the public archive. I would refer you to Ben Macintyre’s excellent book, Operation Mincemeat.
In terms of Dasher herself rumours of friendly fire etc are most unlikely. A mine is possible but the official conclusion of an internal fuel explosion is by far the most likely. I would refer you to Cdr Mike Crossley’s also excellent book “They gave me a Seafire”. Crossley served on Dasher’s sister ship HMS Biter and operated alongside & from Dasher for much of his career. His squadron was due to embark on Dasher when she exploded. His account does not make comfortable reading and may in some part account for any veil of secrecy.
The engines in the Avenger class ships were never really fit for purpose and apparently if they were stopped for any reason on restarting internal explosions were the inevitable result . Usually & with good engineering this was manageable. However there appear to have been significant issues with engineering aboard HMS Dasher. Crossley devotes an extensive appendix to the problems with HMS Dasher & includes an extensive account by her Chief Engineer of the problems he suffered with his engines & unfortunately his team.
I cannot want the Admiralty wanting rumours that the engines were likely to explode circulating among those serving on the other ships of this class, particularly at a time when every escort carrier was needed, hence possibly the secrecy.
Paul Holborn says
This is a link to recorded casualties I believe.
https://www.wrecksite.eu/peopleView.aspx?wU3jdZz8wFDbv8ZSnTjqug==
Julia Hickey Somerville says
My father was on flying ops that day. It’s interesting to read that the Captain had shut down flying ops in the late afternoon. Jeremiah Hickey- mechanic. He always told me about hearing of the explosion while he was still in the air. Dad died 10 years ago …so much more information is now available to us and I sure wish I could talk to him about it. He would have loved to see what can be found online.
Still have a picture of him in Iceland on the failed mission.
Vivian Rose says
In 2004 John Melville who had been on HMS Dasher was identified as the body used in Operation Mincemeat.
Michael hall says
My father in law was a survivor of the Dasher and was convinced until the day he past away that they were hit by a torpedo ,his name is Robert Watts ,he always thought it was a big cover up
Alastair macneil says
Every time I sail over the wreck, my depth alarm goes off, no one can explain this to me, and it doesn’t happen to anyone else, I had Dutch woman aboard, who panicked, and believed we were going aground, I switched off depth sounder, does it every time.
Lee Goodwin says
I understand the need for secrecy in these wartime rouges. And there is no doubt Glyn was a real person as was RM Martin and HMS Dasher. But also were the mysterious and subversive manner of times they happened, the country had many double and triple agents who survived to survive a rogue party in Germany and many Germans who wanted Adolf out as they feared for the future.
and Maybe Dasher was another story connected but well never connected
but whatever happened my Uncle Survived the Operation Husky assault in Sicily.
Many subversive events even lead to the Normandy invasion in June 1944
So mincemeat is a mystery far too many open ends far to may counter stories false paths and tales.
But the operation was a success
Raymond Sweetman says
Over the past couple of years I have been collating material for my wider family military history and have confirmed that my 4th cousin, Cuthbert Benjamin Sweetnam (note: that branch of my family used a ‘nam’ ending to the surname) was one of those who perished in the Dasher disaster. His rank was Leading Stores Assistant and was one of the many with no known grave. However, a couple of weeks ago I found him on the Royal Naval Memorial in Plymouth which affords a measure of dignity. Just to note that my research is still ongoing but anyone with a research interest is welcome to contact me for further details. Thank you.
Anna says
My grandfather died that day my grandmother was pregnant with my mum who sadly didn’t not get to see her father so sad Arthur Charles Lawrence ..
Anna says
My grandfather died that day Arthur Charles Lawrence .. my grandmother was pregnant with my mum sadly she never got to meet her father so sad …