In Memory of
Boy 1st Class ANDREW FINDLEY CHRISTIE MIDDLETON
Boy 1st Class P/JX157019 Andrew Findley Christie Middleton, H.M.S. Royal Oak, Royal Navy, 1939
At this time of year, we honour the memories of relations and friends, who gave their lives for their Country, especially during the Wars of 1914-1919 and 1939-1945. Young men and women, many of whom are resting in countries far from their homes, and also those who have no known graves. On Brechin War Memorial are recorded the names of many whom I knew well and lived near my home in Montrose Street, Brechin. Some had wives and families whom they never returned to, others who were only in their teens. Young men who had only been left school for a few years and I knew as pals, and family.
The youngest and the first young serviceman from Brechin to give his life for his country during World War 2, was only sixteen years of age, and serving in The Royal Navy when he died. I remember well when the news came through that Boy 1st Class, Andrew Findley Christie Middleton, P/JX 157019, had lost his life as a result of the torpedo attack on his ship H.M.S. Royal Oak, while berthed in Scapa Flow Bay in the Orkney Islands, north of the Scottish mainland, as a result of the daring attack by the German U-Boat U47, commanded by Kapitan Leutnant Gunther Prien of the German Navy. The news went round Brechin and people who knew Andy and lived near him and his family in Montrose Street were saddened and shocked. Andy's mother, Jessie Middleton and his brothers and sisters were broken hearted.
Andy was well known in Brechin, especially for his sporting prowess, and his happy go lucky manner. He was a member of Brechin Amateur Athletic Club, and a talented swimmer, wrestler and weight trainer. His major sporting talent was boxing, at which he excelled. Andy trained at Brechin Amateur Athletic Club in their premises which was a former part of the old Brechin Paper Mill, beside the River Southesk. Chairman of the Club was Mr. A.W. Duke, a local manufacturer. Secretary was Mr. Sandy Young, another businessman, and a referee with a great love for Boxing. Club Doctor was Dr.N.M.Lang, a popular local Medical Practitioner who had a great interest in the Club. The young Andy Middleton trained alongside well known Brechin boxers such as Cardo Gallacio, Chic Barclay, Danny MgHee the Denoon Brothers, Bob, Ron, and Dave, and Bob Keir, a really tough fighter. Andy's main mentor was Willie Morton, known for his skill and hard hitting. I remember Willie telling me that being short in stature " I had to hit fast and hard" and Willie certainly did that, and put many men on the canvas. Andy won many fights and medals at Brechin and elsewhere, as the records show.
Andy decided in 1937 to enlist in the Royal Navy as a Boy Seaman and was posted for training at the well known H.M.S. Ganges at Shotley Peninsula, near Ipswich in England. "Ganges" was well known for it's iron discipline and strict training, turning British boys into the finest sailors in the world. Discipline was hard and punishment severe for the least mistake or infringement. The young Andrew Middleton was more than able to cope and after passing his period of training, was posted to the Fleet for further training as a Stoker Mechanic. During his service Andy won many boxing trophies and titles, one being British Navy Boy Champion. His medals are with his family, who are rightly very proud of them.
I last saw Andy in Spring 1939. He was home on leave and was in the fish and chip shop next to Brechin East End Cooperative Store in Montrose Street. Andy was waiting to be served and having a laugh with the staff and customers. He spoke to me and I asked him how he was getting on in the Navy. "Great, Eric" he said, and told me he was enjoying the life. He was cheery and laughing and looking very fit, dressed in his navy blue uniform and white cap with its gold letters showing H.M.S. Ganges. Little did I know that this was the last time I would see Andy again.
He was posted for training on one of Great Britain's most famous battleships, H.M.S. Royal Oak, and after leave he sailed on a summer training cruise along with a large compliment of Boy Seamen plus the ship's regular crew. On 3rd September of the same year,1939, war was declared between Nazi Germany and Great Britain after negotiations to prevent hostilities had failed.
H.M.S. Royal Oak sailed for the sanctuary of the largest fleet harbour in Britain and prepared for war at sea. Scapa Flow in The Orkney Islands, North of Britain, was considered to be impregnable from attack by sea and its seven entrances were protected by booms and well guarded - only one way was possible, perhaps.
Kapitan Leutnant Gunther Prien, Commander of the German Navy U-Boat 47 was briefed by his superiors, and a plan subsequently formed to sail the submarine into the British Naval Harbour of Scapa Flow. Pointing to charts, past the Island of Baray and the Orkney Mainland, up the Holm Sound, through Kirk Sound and into the Main Waters of Scapa Flow, Kapitan Leutnant Gunther Prien studied his charts and decided he would take this daring risk. Setting off on 8th October 1939 and after a great feat of seamanship, U47 entered the large harbour at 1900 hrs on 13th October 1939 then laid his boat on the sea bed at 1900 hrs, and waited.
After airing the U47, and having the crew fed and rested, he slowly raised his boat from the sea bed. Kapitan Gunther Prien gave the order "Up Periscope". The sky was clearer than he thought it would be and the Northern Lights had added to the visibility. The silhouettes of two large ships were seen. One was identified, according to Kapitan Prien,s view through the periscope, as being the large warship H.M.S. Repulse and, to his delight, the mighty British Battleship, H.M.S. Royal Oak presented a perfect target. Deciding to attack The Repulse first, a torpedo was fired and struck the bows of The Repulse. U47 was manouvered into position to attack H.M.S. Royal Oak which presented a better target. Kapitan Prien's Gunnery Officer gave the order, "Tube, Fire", and in the early hours of Saturday 14th October 1939 at 1:00am a salvo of torpedoes sped towards the Royal Oak. A massive explosion occurred, setting off more explosions in the battleship, one after the other. Prien knew they had scored a direct hit on the battleship's magazine and the Royal Oak's ammunition had torn the mighty ship apart. According to German Navy reports, other torpedoes were fired and the ship turned on it's side and, after eleven minutes, quickly sank into the depths of Scapa Flow.
Over 800 men perished, some trapped within the boat as it keeled over. The small British Navy tug "Daisy" rescued nearly 440 men from the icy waters.
On 14th October, after U47 had regained the open sea, the following signal was sent to German Naval Headquarters, "BRITISH BATTLESHIP ROYAL OAK SUNK IN BAY OF SCAPA FLOW". Rear Admiral Donitz, Commander of Germany's U-Boat flotilla read Prien's message, "ONE ENEMY BATTLESHIP SUNK, ONE DAMAGED".
On his return to Berlin, Gunther Prien and his crew were driven to the Chancellery in Berlin to be guests of the Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler. Showing great pride in the newly promoted Korvetten-Kapitan Prien, he pinned the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on his uniform jacket and warmly shook his hand.
In May 1941 the German High Command made the following announcement, "U-BOAT COMMANDED BY KORVETTEN-KAPITAN GUNTHER PRIEN HAS FAILED TO RETURN FROM WAR PATROL AND IS PRESUMED LOST". Prien was further posthumously honoured by Hitler with the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
War illustrates man's inhumanity to man. This story of two lives wasted, one, a young sixteen year old Brechin boy with all to live for, the other a successful German Naval Officer illustrates the irony and futility of war.
In Memory of
Boy 1st Class ANDREW FINDLEY CHRISTIE MIDDLETON
H.M.S. Royal Oak, Royal Navy
who died aged 16 on Saturday, 14th October 1939.
Boy 1st Class MIDDLETON was the son of Jessie Middleton, of Brechin, Angus.
Remembered with honour
PORTSMOUTH ROYAL NAVAL MEMORIAL,
Southsea Common, Hampshire, United Kingdom.
In the perpetual care of
the Commonwealth War Graves Commission