SIMON’S TOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
FOUNDED IN 1960
TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT OUR HERITAGE
REGISTERED AS A CONSERVATION BODY
Copyright © Simon’s Town Historical Society
In late 2007 an observant bulldozer operator Attie Martiens, working on a building site in Dolphin Way, Simon’s Kloof, noticed that a very large boulder he was moving had an inscription on its sea-facing aspect. This proved to be the badge of HMS Cornwall, expertly sculpted by a stone mason (APJ) in 1946. It had weathered well but only traces of the original colours remain.
Despite numerous enquiries and letters to the Press the Simon’s Town Historical Society have been unable to find any definitive information about this carved stone.
HMS Cornwall entered Simon's Town dry dock in February 1940. She was sunk on Easter Sunday 1942 by Japanese dive-bombers off Ceylon (Sri-Lanka). The stone was only sculpted six years later.
One suggestion is that a survivor from the Cornwall carved the Crest in memory of his comrades. The Cape Times of 16 April 1942 published a list of the South African survivors after HMS Cornwall was sunk off Ceylon. Listed was Jack PA – initials PAJ. The initials engraved on the stone are APJ. Could there be a connection? Hopefully some senior citizen who lived in Simon's Town in the late 1940’s will remember seeing this skilfully carved and coloured crest.
Incidentally one of the survivors of the Cornwall was Surgeon Lieut. Commander Glyn-Rees, later a well-known gynaecologist in Cape Town. The present HMS Cornwall was involved in the present war in Iraq
HMS Cornwall entered Simon's Town dry dock in February 1940. She was sunk on Easter Sunday 1942 by Japanese dive-
Incidentally one of the survivors of the Cornwall was Surgeon Lieut. Commander Glyn-
If anyone has any information on the origin of the stone and would like to pass it on to the Society you can contact the Webmaster .
The HMS Cornwall Mystery Stone
By Boet Dommisse
Attie Martiens with the stone
Close up of the crest
The 15 circles representing the 15 gold coins can be clearly seen. On the stone these circles were inlaid with “mother of pearl” some of which still remain
Close up of the crown
Two versions of the crest, the one on the left was painted on the dry dock wall in Simon’s Town. The other is from a badge supplier
