William Richard (Tubby) Salter
Place of birth: Battersea, London, England
Parents: George and Charlotte Salter
Wife: Letitia Salter
Previous occupation: Exmouth Training Ship Boy
Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Able Seaman
Service Number: J21469
Joined Hood: 1920s
Left Hood: 1920s
Biographical Information:
William Richard "Tubby" Salter was a member of Hood's first crew. Special thanks to his nephew, Ray Casey, for sending this biography to us.
William Richard Salter (my uncle) was born on 21st. April 1897 at Battersea, London. He was the second son to George Grover and Charlotte Salter and spent most of his youth in and around the Battersea area.
My mother told me some years ago that Bill joined the navy as a young man and that he served on H.M.S. Hood and H.M.S. Gloucester, mother also told me that her brother was a 'wild un' especially when he came home on leave. He and his mates who were always (over) glad to see him, would make a large bonfire in the middle of the Street, partake of the "Wood's rum" then strip to their waists, and literally jump over the bonfire shouting their heads off.
Bill subsequently met and married Letitia (nee) Stannett on 26th. December 1920 at St. Faith's, Wandsworth during a spell of leave from H.M.S. Hood, they had one daughter Leticia whom later married and settled in Devon.
Bill eventually served on H.M.S. Gloucester where he was later known as 'Tubby' Salter, he was one of the 84 survivors that spent 24 hrs. In the water, when the 'Glorious Gloucester' was sunk at the battle of Crete in 1941. The survivors were picked up by the Germans (not the British) and were sent to POW camps in Germany, Austria and Salonica, Tubby was taken to Germany where he remained until the end of hostilities in 1945.
While in fear of the advancing Russian forces the Germans left the camp unattended, most of the POW's left the camp marching proudly in formation. Unfortunately for Tubby he was not well enough to march with the other lads, helped by his mate Bert Ham, they joined a column of refugees walking along a country lane. Sadly there emerged a Russian fighter plane (whom were our allies) it strafed the column and poor Tubby was hit, later dying of his wounds, Bert Ham buried our "Tubby".
If anyone knew "Tubby" Salter: any information from any source will be appreciated.
History of ships served in and ratings held:
Date From | Date to | Ship | Rating | Source |
28th November 1912 | 26th May 1913 | Impregnable | Boy 2nd Class | ADM188/689 |
27th May 1913 | 27th May 1913 | Impregnable | Boy 1st Class | ADM188/689 |
28th May 1913 | 15th September 1913 | Theseus | Boy 1st Class | ADM188/689 |
16th September 1913 | 15th October 1913 | Vivid I | Boy 1st Class | ADM188/689 |
16th October 1913 | 20th April 1915 | Ajax | Boy 1st Class | ADM188/689 |
21st April 1915 | 13th October 1916 | Ajax | Ordinary Seaman | ADM188/689 |
14th October 1916 | 16th May 1918 | Ajax | Able Seaman | ADM188/689 |
17th May 1918 | 9th June 1918 | Vivid I | Able Seaman | ADM188/689 |
10th June 1918 | 17th October 1918 | Attentive II | Able Seaman | ADM188/689 |
18th October 1918 | 18th June 1919 | Vivid I | Able Seaman | ADM188/689 |
19th June 1919 | 31st October 1919 | Leander (Vanoc) | Able Seaman | ADM188/689 |
1st November 1919 | 29th February 1920 | Columbine (Vanoc) | Able Seaman | ADM188/689 |
1st March 1920 | 31st March 1920 | Crescent (Hood) | Able Seaman | ADM188/689 |
1st April 1920 | 13th June 1922 | Hood | Able Seaman | ADM188/689 |
14th June 1922 | 7th October 1923 | Vivid I | Able Seaman | ADM188/689 |
8th October 1923 | 31st March 1924 | Dilligence (Wren) | Able Seaman | ADM188/689 |
1st April 1924 | 19th February 1925 | Sandhurst (Wren) | Able Seaman | ADM188/689 |
20th February 1925 | 19th April 1925 | Sandhurst (Wolsey) | Able Seaman | ADM188/689 |
20th April 1925 | 31st October 1925 | Sandhurst (Wren) | Able Seaman | ADM188/689 |
1st November 1925 | 15th March 1926 | Egmont II (Wren) | Able Seaman | ADM188/689 |
16th March 1926 | 31st March 1926 | Vivid II (Wren) | Able Seaman | ADM188/689 |
1st April 1926 | 20th April 1927 | Vivid I | Able Seaman | ADM188/689 |
21st April 1927 | Joined RFR | Able Seaman | ADM188/689 |
Additional Photographs
None at this time.
No known memorials
Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
'Register of Deaths of Naval Ratings' (data extracted by Director of Naval Personnel (Disclosure Cell), Navy Command HQ, 2009)