Second World War Mediterranean “Fighting Tenth” Reconnaissance for the Operation Principal Chariot human torpedo attack on Taranto Submariner’s casualty group awarded to Able Seaman H.C. Hills, Royal Navy. From Tottenham, London, Hills was killed in action on or around 12 December 1942, the date his submarine H.M. Sub Traveller was reported as overdue. His submarine, which operated out of Malta with the “Fighting Tenth”, had carried out a reconnaissance of Taranto harbour for the Chariot human torpedo attack which was known as Operation Principal. Whilst she successfully carried out the reconnaissance, she is believed to have struck a mine in the Gulf of Taranto area on or around 4 December 1942, with all aboard her being lost. Hills and the crew of Traveller are officially listed as killed in action on 12 December 1942, this being the date the submarine was reported as overdue.
Group of 4: 1939-1945 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; War Medal.
Condition: Good Very Fine.
Together with the following:
Second World War Memorial Scroll, this issued in the name of: ‘Able Seaman H.C. Hills Royal Navy’, complete with its forwarding envelope addressed to: ‘Mrs C.E. Hills, 1, Devonshire Road, Tottenham, London. N.17.’
Certificate of Register of Birth, issued in the name of Horace Charles Hills, who was born on 29 April 1918 in East Tottenham, Edmonton, London.
The War Dead of the British Commonwealth and Empire book, Memorial Register 2, ‘1939-1945 Naval Memorials in the United Kingdom - Plymouth Part V’, together with another booklet, this being the ‘Introduction to the Registers’ and detailing Plymouth.
Horace Charles Hills was born on 29 April 1918 in East Tottenham, Edmonton, London, the son of Alfred James Hills and Caroline Eliza Hills.
During the Second World War he saw service as an Able Seaman (No.D/JX.199982) with the Royal Navy, and served in the Silent Service aboard Submarines. Hills was aboard the submarine H.M. Sub Traveller in the Mediterranean, where she was unsuccessful in most of her attacks, sinking the Italian merchantman Albachiara, but launching failed attacks against the Italian merchant ship Ezilda Croce, the Italian 'small light cruiser’ Cattaro (the former Yugoslavian Dalmacija), the Italian tanker Proserpina (the former French Beauce) and the Italian torpedo boats Castore and Ciclone. She also claimed to have attacked two so far unidentified submarines.
Traveller left Malta on 28 November 1942 for a patrol in the Gulf of Taranto. She carried out a reconnaissance of Taranto harbour for a Chariot human torpedo attack (Operation Principal). The submarine did not return from the operation and was reported overdue on 12 December. She probably struck an Italian mine on or about 4 December.
Hills was aboard her when she was lost, and is now officially confirmed as having been killed in action on 12 December 1942. Having no known grave, he is commemorated by name on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
