Gregory Cullen (1904 - 1943)

Husband of Elma Margaret (Cartwright) Cullen — married 1933 in New Zealand

Died 13 Jul 1943 at about age 39 in HMNZ Leander - Kolombangara, Pacific Ocean

Gregory Cullen is an Anzac who served in World War Two.

Biography

parents - Edward and Dorothy Cullen

spouse - Elma Margaret Cullen 10 Spring Street, Devonport

children - Nancy and Bernard

Gregory Cullen P/K61213

Petty Officer Stoker Royal Navy, HMNZS Leander

Leander, sister ship to Achilles, spent much of the early war years escorting troopship convoys. In mid-1940 she was on convoy duty around the gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

November 1940 - Leander sank the Italian commerce raider Ramb I in the Indian Ocean.

February 1942 - Leander and Achilles with Australian and U.S. ships were formed into the ANZAC Naval Force for escort duty in the Pacific.

July 1943 - fin company with ships of the United States navy, Leander was engaged in a night battle against Japanese ships in the Battle of Kolombangara. They were involved in destroying a Japanese cruiser, and then were very badly damaged themselves by a Japanese "Long Lance" torpedo, with the loss of 26 men including Stoker Gregory Cullen. With another 15 wounded, the crew managed to save their ship and withdraw to Tulaghi, in the Solomans.

Gregory Cullen was buried at sea in traditional Naval fashion as Leander limped toward Tulagi after the action at Kolombangara, sewn into his hammock with a shot of lead at his feet to carry his body deep into the sea.

Leander came onto Devonport, Auckland for repairs; but unable to effect full repairs at Devonport, she eventually sailed to America for repair and refitting.

Sources

• N.Z. MARRIAGES - 1933/7907 - Elma Margaret Cartwright & Gregory Cullen
• N.Z. Death registration - 1945/51936 - Cullen Gregory aged 39 years
• New Zealand History - HMS Leander [1]
• New Zealand History - Burial at sea after Kolombangara [2]
• Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph [3]
• New Zealand War Graves Project [4]

See Also

• Youtube - HMS Leander in the Middle East [5]
• Auckland Star 13th July 1944 [6] IN MEMORIUM - A large number of notices from family and friends of those who lost their lives in Leander during the battle of Kolombangara including three for Gregory Cullen.