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    © Imperial War Museums 2026

    Memorial

    HMS Thetis

    Memorial to those lost on H.M.S. THETIS in Mynwent Maeshyfryd Cemetery, Holyhead. (2019)

    Source: Copyright Martin Briscoe

    1/19

    Current Location

    Large cemetery on the West side of Holyhead, one of the gateways leads directly to the memorial., Mynwent Maeshyfryd Cemetery, Treseifion Road, Holyhead, Anglesey, Gwynedd, LL65 2AP, Wales

    OS Grid Reference

    SH 24395 81773

    View location on Google Maps

    Names listed on this memorial

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    © WMR-37027

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    Type of Memorial
    Composite
    WMR Reference Number
    37027
    Description
    Plinth surmounted by tapering column. at the foot of the column are large slate slabs placed flat on a raised base. inscription has been carved on the slabs. Fouled anchor carved in relief at the foot of the column and sword going into the sea carved on the face of the column. 44 are buried in a communal grave under the memorial, 55 elsewhere. There were four survivors also.
    Inscription
    TO THE MEMORY OF THE OFFICERS AND MEN / OF THE ROYAL NAVY AND OF THE CIVILIANS WHO / LOST THEIR LIVES IN HMS THETIS ON 3RD JUNE 1939 BURIED HERE / (NAMES) BURIED ELSEWHERE/ (NAMES) Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee / Thou saidst fear not
    War
    Military Service
    Number Commemorated
    98
    Died
    98
    Information shown
    surname, forename, rank, place of burial, age of death
    Order of names
    place of burial, surname, forename
    Additional Information
    Able Seaman Stanley Crombleholme has been incorrectly named on the memorial Cromblesholme
    Maker(s)
    • Cross designed by Mr. R. L. Gapper, well known Welsh sculptor and lecturer at the University College, Aberystwyth and Mr. ap Griffith, an Admiraltyy architect., Designer

    • Mr ap Griffith, an Admiralty architect, Designer

    Ceremonies

    Unveiled

    7 November 1947

    Com. C.A.N. Chatwin represented the Commander-in-Chief Plymouth (Adml. Sir H.D. Pridham-Wippell). HMS Maidstone, submarines of 2nd and 5th Flotillas, relatives and dependents of those killed.

    Dedicated

    7 November 1947

    The Dean of Liverpool (Rev. F. W. Dwelly), as Dean of the Cathedral of the Western Approaches.

    Components

    Cross

    Made from: Granite - Welsh


    Condition: Good


    Tablets

    Made from: Slate - Welsh


    Condition: Good


    • Liverpool Echo - Thursday 21 February 1946 https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000271/19460221/091/0003 "THETIS" MEMORIAL WELSH GRANITE CROSS FOR HOLYHEAD GRAVE A memorial cross, hewn out of the grey.blue granite rocks at Trevor. South Caernarvonahire. .........
    • Aberdeen Press and Journal - Friday 24 October 1947 https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000578/19471024/011/0001 Thetis Memorial A thirteen-feet memorial hewn out of Caernarvonshire stone will be unveiled at Holyhead on November 7 in memory of the ninety-nine men who lost their lives in the submarine Thetis eight years ago.
    • Western Morning News - Wednesday 08 October 1947 https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000329/19471008/011/0002 THETIS MEMORIAL Submarines Will Attend Holyhead Ceremony The memorial at Holyhead over the grave of the 99 victims of the submarine Thetis, which sank in Liverpool Bay 1939, is to be unveiled on Nov. 7. Ceremony will coincide with the visit to Holyhead of H.M.S. Maidstone and submarines of the 2nd and 5th Flotillas. Relatives and dependents of the victims are being invited attend.
    • Aberdeen Press and Journal - Saturday 08 November 1947 https://memorials.iwm.org.uk/memorials/edit/37027/reference Thetis Crew Memorial Vice-Admiral J. M. Mansfield, Flag Offlcer, Submarines, unveiled at Holyhead yesterday the memoral to the ninety-nine victims who died in the submarine Thetis which sank while undergoing trials ln Liverpool Bay in 1939. Of the four who survived three were present at the unveiling.
    • Western Morning News - Saturday 08 November 1947 https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000329/19471108/040/0003 99 THETIS MEN REMEMBERED Holyhead Dedication RECALLS LIVERPOOL BAY TRAGEDY
    • H.M.S. Thetis Sinking - The Memorial in Holyhead http://www.anglesey.info/holyhead-hms-thetis-memorial.htm List of names