Every year the Scottish Branch of the Submariners Association would visit Rothesay on the Isle of Bute during their annual Dunoon Memorial Weekend.  This visit was initiated by the West of Scotland Branch of the Submariners Association to commemorate the accident with the X-Craft EX-11 in Loch Striven during WWII in which three crew members lost their lives and with two other crew members surviving, one of them being First. Lt. Bill Morrison, a member of the West of Scotland Branch of the SA.

Three years ago both Branches decided that the limited time available during the Dunoon to Lochranza trip was too short to do the commemoration of the crew of EX-11 and indeed the 12 Flotilla of X-Craft Submarines properly justice.  A new idea came up. In future a separate Service would be organised by Cdr. Chris Leggett MBE RN Ret. of the West of Scotland Branch on the first weekend in June of every year.

XE11 Tragedy:

Operation of the X-Craft was hazardous at best, but on March 5^th, 1945, even routine testing was to prove fatal. On this day, tree of the crew of XE11 were lost during a routine operational test dive, while calibrating their depth gauge. A two men crew would normally have been sufficient, but on this day, three extra crew members were being carried to gain more experience. Rising in 10 foot increments from a depth of 100 feet, the craft struck the keel of the boom defence vessel Norma, stationary and silent, just at the moment when her screws began to turn. The X Craft pressure hull was ruptured, and she sank to 210 feet. When the hatch was opened, two crew members were swept out by the escaping air and recovered on the surface. Sadly, the remaining three crew members were unable to escape. Their bodies were recovered by divers the next day, along with the craft, and laid to rest at Rothesay Cemetery.

At 210 feet, the event is listed in the Guinness Book of records as the deepest unaided ascent from a sunken submarine.

In 2005, a small memorial garden was opened during events on the island, marking the 60^th anniversary of VE Day. The ceremony was attended by the surviving crew member who related the story of escape, Bill Morison.

Those remembered:

Lieutenant Aubrey Staples South African Naval Forces (V) commanding officer

Able Seaman J J Carroll Royal Navy

Stoker 1^st Class E.W. Higgins Royal Navy

Those who survived:

First Lieutenant, Sub-Lt Bill Morrison RNVR

ERA Les Swatton Royal Navy

There are many historic successes of X-Craft Submarines such as the attack on the Tirpitz,  D Day landing operations, Far East operations damaging Japanese vessels and cutting of communication cables and any others.

A total of 39 men were killed while serving on these craft, and testimony to their bravery are 68 awards gained on active service, including four Victoria Crosses. A memorial record is displayed at St Ninian Church in Port Bannatyne.

Last Saturday 6^th May 2026 Members of the West of Scotland and Scottish Branch and including members of the Scottish Legion and local dignitaries carried out the annual Memorial Service for the crew members of XE11 and the brave men that served in the 12^th Flotilla at Rothesay Cemetery and the Memorial Garden in Port Bannatyne expertly led by local Rev. Douglas Allan.

Thank you to those that attended this year event and a serious message to those that could not attend to come and join us next time for this prestigious event to commemorate these brave men. Many thanks to Cdr. Chris Leggett to take the initiative and organise this event.

Author: Ronald Rietveld

Chairman/Secretary Scottish Branch