Trafford

Born during the December quarter 1905 in the Barton on Irwell R.D - ref:
8c/634, the son of Thomas & Charlotte Hand (nee Goodier).

Married Mary Kearins during the June quarter 1934 in the Barton on Irwell
R.D. - ref: 8c/1403.

James had served in the RN for 23 years.

On the 27/02/42, H.M.S. "Exeter" was one of a force of 5 cruisers and 9
destroyers seeking to intercept Japanese troop convoys which were
over-running Borneo.  The force met 4 Japanese cruisers and 14 destroyers. 
 The "Exeter" was hit early on in the battle and was forced to retire to
Sourabaya.    As they attempted to break out of Sourabaya to Colombo, the
"Exeter" and 2 destroyers were intercepted at 10.00hrs on the 01/03/42 off
the Bawean Island in the Sea of Java by 4 Japanese heavy cruisers and 3
destroyers.  It was hit by the 8" gunfire of the Japanese cruisers "Nachi"
& "Haguro" and a torpedo from the destroyer "Ikazuchi" and sunk within an
hour and a half of engagement.   The Japanese rescued and took into
captivity 300 survivors.   H.M.S. "Exeter" was a 'York' class heavy cruiser
of which two were built between 1928 & 1930. They had a displacement of
8,300 tons and a complement of 600 personnel.    

He was the Torpedo Officer on the "Exeter", which was the third ship in
which he had been torpedoed whilst he was serving on them and for 18 months
his family had presumed him to have perished on that ship.

However, the 06/08/1943 edition of the local newspaper reported that his
wife Mary had received a message from the Red Cross to say that he had
survived the sinking of the "Exeter" and was a prisoner in a Japanese POW
camp.

The message read, "Darling Mary, I am fit and well, do not worry about me. 
 Take care of yourself and our two babies (a boy and a girl).    I still
love you as much as ever and I will be glad when we see other again. 
Please write.   Did you receive the £20 I sent you.   Give my love to
everyone.   All my love and kisses to our two babies".

He was twice blown up whilst on minelaying operations - the first time in
home waters, when he was badly injured and lost his memory for six months.

A letter received from a RN Officer held in the same POW Camp at Maccassa
said that Petty Officer Hand had died during an acute epidemic of dysentry
that had swept the camp between January and April.

Petty Officer Hand, quite remarkably survived over three years of Japanese
P.O.W. camp life, only to die the day after VE day.

Death reported in the 09/11/1945 edition of the Sale & Stretford Guardian.