Before the Bells Have Faded: The Sinking of HMS Formidable January 1, 1915 Paperback – Import, 19 October 2016

Considering how little information there is elsewhere on this event this book is probably the definitive account for the sinking. It’s a good read, albeit rather short, a good portion of the later half of the book is a list of all the crew and others involved. The description of the sinking itself seems somewhat brief, maybe due to a lack of accounts or survivors interviewed, instead most of the accounts of the sinking don’t go into great deal on the sinking itself, but go into more depth on the survivors night in the raging storm that tore through the channel on that night. Being more interested on the sinking of the vessel itself I would have liked to have more detail on the sinking, but I understand this may have not been possible. Also of note is a number of chapters taken from a book written by a crew member on his service on the Royal Navy. Of the chapters included here, it starts at the beginning of his memories to the burial of those who did not survive. However of all this writing, only one chapter actually covers the event itself, so the rest is mostly redundant information when it comes to the sinking. Overall it was a good read, short, but would like to read more on the other sinkings of British battleships, all of which are mentioned in the text, with some attention being given to her sister ships and a brief summary of the other RN battleships lost in the First World War

I was so pleased to find this book as a midshipman and my namesake aged 16 drowned when HMS Formidable was sunk in 1915. This well researched and well written book contains detailed accounts of the ordeals faced, and heroism shown by sailors before being rescued. It introduces us to the rescuers, from the fishermen in their boats to the residents of Lyme Regis. We hear their voices. It explores the history and the fate, not just of Formidable, but of the other ships in her group. This book ensures that they will not be forgotten.

My Great Uncle George King a stoker 1st class died on the Formidable.Such a sad story.

Excellent account of the sinking of a hospltal ship in the First World War.

My father was .saved. He came ashore it Lyme Regis.after being at sea for twenty three hours in a lifeboat.