The inscription on the grave states:

SHIPS OFF SHEERNESS AND LIE BURIED HERE

Commemoration plaque at base of war memorial in Sheerness opposite railway station

 London  Morning   Post

 Feb 1^st 1915

 Startling New Theory in England about the blowing up of the Bulwark and Formidable.

 Some strange stories which are going the rounds in England concerning the real explanation of the sinking, of the British battleships Formidable and Bulwark, were brought here by a passenger arriving on the Franconia yesterday. Many of these are wild tales, but no doubt attaches to the fact the British authorities are considerably concerned over the result of official inquiries into the causes of the two disasters. Owing to the similarity of the circumstances surrounding the destruction of vessels, secret inquiries were said to have been ordered by Lord Fisher himself, in addition to the ordinary official inquiries. Some strange facts from i these investigations were brought to light. Sheerness is a coaling station on the east coast, and the majority of the North Sea squadron and Channel fleet rascal here. The Bulwark had Just finished or was just finishing coaling when she was blown up in Sheerness harbour. Following her usual custom, the Formidable coaled at  Sheerness too, and it was only a matter of a day after leaving the harbour that she sank in the channel off Torbay.  Official explanations that a submarine sank her were given out, but, according to the privately expressed views of a responsible official of the Navy Department, the real explanation is much more startling. Private investigations, it was said, showed that the explosion in both cases occurred in the coal bunkers, and circumstances pointed to the possibility that the disasters might have been caused by infernal machines. Going still further, it was discovered that the actual work of coaling the two battleships was carried out by the same gang of coalers. Upon this discovery suspicions, of course, were only natural, and the coaling gang was at once rounded up and placed under detention. Investigations are still proceeding on the assumption of the presence of spies, but have been allowed to be published in the English papers of the course of events, owing to the fact that the British authorities do not desire the Germans to have knowledge of the trend of the inquiries. In these circumstances the German acquiescence in the submarine story as the cause of the disasters is obvious, for if any such plot as is suspected is in existence, the German plan would naturally be to divert attention from the real facts. Since this startling discovery the authorities have ordered strict watch kept on all coaling ports, conditions of coaling, and the personnel of the gangs engaged in the work.

Another danger from the sea for Sheerness

The explosions of HMS Irene and HMS Bulwark are well known to many of the residents of Sheerness. Equally well known is the possible damage which some claim would be caused if the explosives on the SS Richard Montgomery, known locally as just the wreck, blew up. See the site re Richard Mongomery

Not so well known is the possible danger which might have been caused in July 1940 by the Royal Fleet auxiliary tanker The War African which was involved with others in a strange attempt to destroy the German invasion fleet. 

 THE   story is told by Chief Petty Officer Ronald Apps in the book Forgotten voices of the Blitz and the Battle of Britain

    In it he tells how he joined the War African in 1940 that was anchored off Sheerness for an idea that he has always assumed was thought up by Churchill. She was filled with fuel oil and there were mines and detonators down in the tanks. The idea was that the crew would run over to Boulogne and about five or six miles out from the harbour they would set the controls and lash them with the boilers going full bore. They would let them run into Boulogne harbour and let them blow up to destroy the German invasion fleet. It was called operation Lucid and the crews spent four weeks preparing for it. They practised setting the controls and evacuating the ship with speedboats alongside. The idea was that at the blowing of a whistle the crew had to rush down, get into the speedboats and away. The four weeks were, according to CPO Apps, a bit hairy because the tanker was full of fuel oil and it was primed and ready to explode and there were air raids during the night. . He said �When you�re in this tanker and the Germans are coming over and dropping bombs, it�s not very �.shall I say sleep inspiring. It�s one of those things you either get used to or you don�t sleep. I got round the idea that I had to sleep or I wouldn�t be able to walk around the next day. In the end it was decided the operation was too risky and we would be blown up as well and the whole thing was cancelled.�

Details and history of  RFA Tanker War African

 Gross tonnage 5218 Length 410 ft Beam 52.30ft Shipping Controller, managers A. Weir & Co, London. 
1919 Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Co, London; 
1921 ABSIA, same owner; 
1927 N.V.Petroleum Mij 'La Corona', The Hague; 
1927 SALSAAS, Skibs. A/S Nanset, Larvik, Norway; 
1937 OAKFIELD, Finchley SS Co. London; 
1940 taken over by MOWT (Hunting & Son, manager); 
1946 Oak Shipping Co, London; 
1951 Finchley SS Co, London; 
1955 scrapped Emden.

 More Spying 

   Reading "A Book of Trials" by the Rt Hon;Sir Travers Humpreys,I found this,which might enthuse someone with an interest in the world of Subtefuge & spying;the tale of 41 Year Old;[140771?]WO George Charles Parrott;in charge of the Rifle Ranges @ Sheerness,Kent;who in 1912 had gone to Ostend,on the pretext of visting "A Lady",but in fact was meeting up with Members of the Imperial German Navy & selling secrets @ £5.0s.0d a time,his Bank Account showed many deposits of £5.0s.0d & £35.0s.0d in Gold was found in his Rooms,caught with his fingers in the Till Parrott maintained the money borrowed was a loan being repaid by the German Family,that he had lied about "A Lady" [who didnt exist!} as he didnt want Mrs Parrott to find out about Her & that was his reason for going to Ostend.
For going abroad without permission he was discharged from the Royal Navy,as he had been reported by the Authorities who were watching him keenly,without causing him to stop,allowing the spooks to follow & trap him.He was sentenced {somewhat lightly} to 4 years Hard Labour.
I note that a Record of Service of a 140771 George Charles Parrott b.5 April 1871 Cheltenham Gloucs.is listed on the NA,if it is his it should make interesting reading!

                                  Even more spying                               

Mutiny in Sheerness and other dockyards before 2^nd world war

The following is an abstract of the paper of David Turner, who wrote his PhD thesis on the Communist Party of Great Britain  in the Medway towns and who wrote a joint article on the topic of the  sabotage with Kenneth Lunn of the University of Portsmouth  

                        The Dockyard and Sabotage Scare, 1933-37

Between 1933 and 1936 there occurred nine incidents of apparently deliberate damage to Royal Navy vessels in British Dockyards: four were at Devonport, three at Chatham, one at Sheerness and one at Portsmouth. There was also an incident in a private yard, at Barrow-in-Furness. The Admiralty arrived at the conclusion that as many as six of these could be attributed to politically-motivated sabotage, rather than malicious damage.

In February 1936 John Salisbury was dismissed from Devonport Dockyard 'services no longer required' ('SNLR'). He was identified by MI5 as the communist ringleader in the Yard, but there was no evidence to show he was a saboteur. Subsequently, 'positive vetting' (active investigation of personal backgrounds) was introduced for prospective Dockyard employees and a new purge procedure was agreed by the Cabinet, without reference to Parliament. In September 1936 Harold Easthope, a casual worker at Devonport, whose son was allegedly a Communist, was dismissed. In January 1937 four workers from Devonport Dockyard (Francis Carne, Alfred Durston, Henry Lovejoy and Edward Trebilcock) and one from  Sheerness Dockyard (Henry Law) were dismissed the service after MI5 identified them as Communists. None of these men could be proved to have carried out any act of sabotage; they were not prosecuted, not informed of the case against them and not allowed the opportunity to defend themselves

At least they were not hanged like Richard Parker

Another spy Theodore Schurch

Lt. Bromage RN.was the captain of HM Submarine Sahib which in November 1942 sank the Italian cargo vessel Scillin carrying some 800 British and allied prisoners of war including Sgt. BF. Dummott (11HAC) RHA Only approximately 35 were rescued. Sgt Dummott was among those lost. His name is on the war memorial at El Alemein There is more information in Sheppey families past and present. Lt Bromage was later a witness for the prosecution in a spy trial

 Introduction

T/61711 Private Theodore John William Schurch, RASC, attached to RASC Woolwich Depot, was tried by General Court Martial (GCM) held at Duke of York�s HQ, Chelsea SW3. The court was convened by Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Loyd, KCB, DSO, MC, commanding London District, Leconfield House, Curzon Street, London W1 on 10 September 1945.

Court Members

The courtï's members when they first met on 12 September 1945, starting at 10.30 am were:

When Schurch was asked by the President if he objected to any of the court�s members, Schurch asked the courts members to state their religion. In turn the court�s members gave the following replies: Colvin, Bushman, Holmand, Egerton and Harbinson all stated that they were Church of England, Martin was Presbyterian and that Holland was Jewish. Schurch objected to the Jewish member. After a short adjournment, the court agreed to the objection and Major F.A. Holland was replaced on the panel by the Waiting Member Major M.H. Harbinson, RA.

The Charges

Schurch faced nine counts under the Army Act (section 12) in that he committed a civil offence that is to say treachery contrary to Section 1 of the Treachery Act 1940.

       In North Africa on or about 13 September 1942 obtained information from Allied POWs at Torbruk and communicated this information to the enemy.

     At Benghazi on or about 14 September 1942 obtained information from Allied POWs relating to Long Range Desert Group units, and communicated this information to the enemy.

In North Africa in or about October 1942, obtained information from members of His Majesty,s Forces relating to various operations, re-crossed enemy lines and communicated this information to the enemy.    

    In North Africa in or about November 1942, obtained information from members of His Majesty�s Forces relating to various operations, re-crossed enemy lines and communicated this information to the enemy.

       At Homs, in North Africa, in or about October to November 1942, obtained information from Allied POWs relating to the Special Air Service, and communicated this information to the enemy.

     At Rome, in or around February 1943, attempted to obtain information from Colonel David Stirling, Scots Guards, who was a prisoner-of-war, relating to the Special Air Service.

       At Rome, in or around April 1943, obtained information from Naval POWs in enemy hands, about the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean and communicated this information to the enemy.

     At Rome, in or around April 1943, obtained information from Naval POWs in enemy hands, about military operations in the Mediterranean and communicated this information to the enemy.

     At Rome, in or about May 1943, obtained information from a POW in enemy hands relating to operations in the Mediterranean, and communicated this information to the enemy.

In addition to these charges which carried a mandatory death sentence upon conviction, Schurch faced one count of Desertion (unlike the First World War, desertion during World War Two was not punishable with death).

     In that he in North Africa absented himself during October 1942 with intent to join the enemy.

Theodore Schurch pleaded not guilty to all ten charges.

The court then agreed an adjournment, as both the prosecution and defence stated that they had not had sufficient time to prepare their evidence. The President announced that the court would adjourn until 10.30 am on 17 September 1945.

When the court resumed five days later, the Prosecution was represented by Major Hillard and SQMS P.E. Girling, RASC, was the Shorthand Writer.

Prosecution Case

The Prosecution called the following people who confirmed their written statements, and identified Schurch as the person mentioned in their sworn statements.

Colonel David Stirling, Scots Guards.

Lieutenant John Henry Bromage, RN.

Lieutenant Archibald Hart, RNVR.

Captain A.G. Lascaris.

Lieutenant G.G. Hardy, RNVR.

14264926 CSM G.Y. Thompson, SIB, Northern Command stated to the court that he had witnessed the typed statement of the accused�s signed statement.

Defence Case

Schurch did not call any witnesses in his defence, but he did give evidence under oath and was examined by his legal representative. Schurch was also cross-examined by the Prosecutor.

The court adjourned at 12.55 pm. When the court resumed at 1.20 pm, the court President announced that their findings would be promulgated to the accused. If the court had found Schurch not guilty, he would have been informed immediately by the court. Consequently, Schurch knew that he had been found guilty. In fact the court found him guilty of all ten charges.

Schurch's Army Form B296 (Character & Particulars of Accuses Service) stated that he was entitled to the General Service Medal with Palestine clasp, and possibly the Africa Star. It also stated that Schurch had several previous offences: Stating a falsehood to a NCO, Absence from duty and two offences of being absent without leave. His age was given as 27 years 4 months.

The Sentence

Schurch was sentenced to death by hanging, and this was promulgated to Schurch, who was held at H.M.P. Pentonville, on 10 November 1945.

Theodore Schurch was hanged at Pentonville Prison on 4 January 1946; the day after the execution of William Joyce at Wandsworth Prison. The executioner, in both cases, was Albert Pierrepoint.

T/61711 Private Theodore John William Schurch, Royal Army Service Corps (RASC), is commemorated on the Brookwood Memorial. His entry is located on Panel 17, Column 3. The date of his death, which was obtained from the CWGC, is identical to the date of his execution at London's Pentonville Prison.

 Introduction

The following written statement was provided by Lieutenant Bromage for the court martial of Theodore Schurch.

The Statement

Statement of Lieutenant J.H. Bromage, RN.

Royal Naval Barracks,

Chatham.

17 August 1945.

STATEMENT OF: Lieutenant John Henry BROMAGE, RN of HMS "Victory" Portsmouth. I was taken prisoner of war on 24 April 1943 after my submarine HMS SAHIB of which I was Commanding Officer had been depth charged in the Mediterranean.

On Easter Sunday 25 April 1943, I was taken to an interrogation Camp at Camp 50, Cavalry Barracks in Rome, where I met a South African Corporal, named "Jan", a Private in the Welsh Fusiliers or a Welsh Regiment and a Captain John Richards of the RASC. Richards was wearing British battledress with three pips.

At the very first meeting on the Easter Sunday I had a conversation which lasted a while with Richards. We discussed prisoner of war life. He told me he had been captured in February 1943 near Tripoli. At the time I was wearing, as were 5 other officers and about 20 ratings of my ships Company, Italian Convict white suits. Richards had gathered that I was formerly the Commanding Officer of H.M. Submarine Sahib.

Until Wednesday 28 April 1943, I was in solitary confinement and did not meet Richards again until that day. He had his meals with us and in fact everybody at this camp was very closely associated as there was not much room to move about.

While I was at the camp I had conversations with Lieutenant Hardy, formerly Navigating Officer of H.M. Submarine Splendid, on various matters concerning submarines and details of our capture. During these conversations we may well have mentioned "Ben" Bryants name. Conversations I had with Hardy may have been overheard by Richards, but it is so long ago that I have no clear recollection of my discussions with Hardy.

Four or five days afterwards, about Monday 3 May 1943, Richards asked if he could have a private interview with me. I agreed and saw him alone. He then told me in confidence that he was not an officer, but Corporal Schurch, Official No. 16711, I think, and he had been captured in the first push at Benghazi, I believe. He told me his Father was Head Night Porter at the Savoy Hotel, London, and he himself had been born in London where he had lived and also has a sister there. After his capture he said that he had been sent to a transit camp as an ordinary prisoner, but had later been sent for by the Italians who had learned of his German parentage and had threatened that unless he co-operated with the Italians, they would "frame" his parents in London. Schurch said he agreed to work for the Italians and had since done so in Transit Camp as in North Africa, and had passed inaccurate information back to the Italians, using his discretion as to when to give true information, in order to deceive the Italian Authorities. He explained he had been acting as a "Stooge" and had told two or three other officers before telling me. He asked me what he should do when he was recaptured by our own forces, when I advised him to apply for Court-Martial when he could state his case.

Two or three days afterward, SCHURCH saw me again privately and produced a document in English on which were typed about ten questions relating to the armament of the modern submarine including RDF. I gave him a number of wrong answers to some of the questions and told him to say that to the remaining questions he could get no answer.

After my release from solitary confinement, SCHURCH shared a room with HARDY, Lieutenant PEYTON-JONES, RN formerly of the "Sahib" and myself.

I was told by my Coxswain, Chief Petty Officer FLACK, on the first day or two that I was at the Camp that Captain Richards had warned him and other members of my ship's Company to be very wary of "stooges" in the camp, saying jocularly that he may be one himself.

I remained at the Camp for three weeks altogether and SCHURCH stayed there as well. He was still there when I left on Monday 17 May 1943, for Camp 39 at Padula where I made a verbal report regarding SCHURCH otherwise Richards to the late Commander Scurfield, RN.

I could identify "Captain John Richards" again.

I feel I ought to state that he was in a highly nervous condition and very seedy during the whole period at the Camp in Rome.

This statement has been read over to me and is true.

Sgd. J.H. BROMAGE,

Lieutenant Royal Navy.

Statement taken by me in the presence of Mr. L.J. BURT, read over and signature witnessed by me.

Sgd. P.A. EDWARDS.

Commander Scurfield

Following the sinking of HMS Bedouin in the Mediterranean by Italian aircraft during the afternoon of 15 June 1942, Commander Scurfield and 208 survivors were picked up by Italian ships. They spent the rest of the war as German Prisoners-of-War.

On 11 April 1945, shortly before the termination of hostilities, the POW camp was evacuated. The prisoners being marched along the road were mistaken for German troops and machined-gunned by British aircraft. Commander Scurfield was one of those POWs killed, and is now buried in Becklingen War Cemetery in Germany.

See details of Lt Cdr. J H Bromage R.N DSC on page HM Sub Sahib SS Scillin

A major spy story concerning

 Losel,a German

 photographer

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