大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Chris Comer of Stockport Libraries on behalf of John Cookson and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

John Cookson was serving on the Fiji when it was sunk and witnessed Kit Tanner's bravery and wanted to commemorate it. This is the story in John's own words:

"I joined the cruiser HMS Fiji in January 1941. I was in the Royal Marine detachment on the ship. I am writing this because I want to inform you of one of the many unsung heroes of WWII. He was the ships Padre and gave his life in his efforts in saving some 30 men.
The Fiji was one of the many British warships which were sunk at the Battle of Crete. HMS Gloucester had been bombed and sunk and we went to pick up their survivors. We released some of our life rafts but we had to leave because we were being attacked by dive bombers.
Later on at about 7pm we were attacked and sunk by the dive bombers. We had some life rafts but not enough for all the survivors. Whilst we were in the water the Padre, Kit Tanner, was cheering us up and urging us to keep going and tending to the wounded. The destroyer Kandahar came to pick us up but had to leave because she was under attack. Their captain shouted for us to keep together and that they would come back for us after dark. After about 4 hours the destroyer returned to pick us up. They put scrambling nets over the side so that we could climb up.
Many of the men were exhausted and some were wounded and did not have the strength to climb the nets. Kit Tanner repeatedly jumped overboard to help these people climb aboard. He saved about 30 men by helping them climb aboard. The effort became too great for him . He came aboard and collapsed and died. He gave his life for the men.
Greater love has no man than this. I knew because I was there"

The story of Kit Tanners bravery was reported in a moving article in the Daily Express which we think was published in July 1941.

If anyone, particularly old comrades of John Cookson, would like to contact John - please contact Chris Comer at Stockport Libaries on 0161 474 2251.

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