Warrant Officer James Shanks served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Known as Jim, he was the eldest son of Matthew Shanks and the late Elizabeth Shanks of 7 Green Square, Whiteabbey, Co. Antrim. The family also lived at 70 Mervue Street, Belfast.
Jim had 19 years’ service in the Royal Navy at his time of death, including time spent in China. His father Matthew Shanks was a member of the Royal Navy during The Great War, and younger brother George Shanks also served on the seas.
Jim died on 27th April 1941 aged 35 years old when a Luftwaffe attack sank HMS Diamond. The previous evening, HMS Diamond, and 2 other Destroyers, HMS Hotspur and HMS Isis began evacuating Allied troops from Nauplia (Nafplion), Greece. Alongside Cruisers, HMS Calcutta, and HMS Orion, they embarked around 2,500 troops. Dutch Ocean Liner Slamat continued to board troops and delayed the progress of the convoy. It departed for Crete at 0415hrs on 27th April 1941.
Between 0645hrs and 0715hrs, 9 Junkers JU-88 dive-bombers from Sturzkampfgeschwader 77 attacked the convoy. Slamat caught fire and HMS Diamond pulled alongside to begin rescuing survivors. At 0815hrs, HMS Diamond continued the rescue mission while the rest of the convoy sailed on to Crete. In a coup de grace, HMS Diamond torpedoed the hulk of the burning Slamat. HMS Wryneck joined HMS Diamond in the rescue attempt and with most troops from Slamat on board, the Destroyers made for Souda Bay, Crete.
At around 1315hrs, Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Junkers JU-88 bombers sank both destroyers within minutes. HMS Diamond launched 3 Carley Floats. There were few survivors from HMS Diamond, HMS Wryneck, or Slamat.
James Shanks has no known grave. His name is on Panel 45, Column 1 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Plymouth, Devon.