DEMS gunner losses

I envy you - I will have a field day at Kew, if I ever make it down.
Regards
Hugh

 

Thursday 20th November 1941

EVANS, William G, Gunner, RA (3/2 Maritime Regt), 3970659, killed [PoM]
SMITH, Douglas A, Gunner, RA (3/2 Maritime Regt), 2049759, killed [PoM]

It seems one gunner each, was lost onboard Aruba and Waldinge when both ships were sunk by S-Boot attacks. Any ideas which?

Regards,

Steve

 

Hi Steve,
As I can't at this stage identify the gunners supposedly lost on ARUBA and WALDINGE, I am going to suggest the crew agreement route at the moment.

WALDINGE/145649 for 1941 held at Kew in piece BT 381/1419.
ARUBA/161043 for 1941 held at Kew in piece BT 381/1544.

I will say that I do have both gunners lost aboard a completely different ship between 20-22 Nov and I would rather not post the name in case it is completely incorrect and I want to be sure of my source.

Regards
Hugh

 

Hi Hugh,

I've added them to the Kew list. Looking at my future work/travel plans, I might be able to pop in to TNA at the end of April.

Regards,

Steve

 

Saturday 29th November 1941

CAROLAN, Joseph H, Gunner, RA (4/2 Maritime Regt), 3772884, killed [PoM]
TYRER, William, Gunner, RA (4/2 Maritime Regt), 3775848, killed [PoM]

Both missing and remembered on the Portsmouth Memorial, so presumably lost with a ship.

The only losses I can see on this date are Aspirity (10 crew lost and 2 crew and 2 gunners survived), Cormarah (all survived) and Thornliebank (70 crew and 10 gunners lost, even if Lloyd's says 66 crew and 9 gunners). I have identified the four RN and six Army gunners lost with Thornliebank, so can not see where Gunner's Carolan and Tyrer were lost. Any ideas?

Regards

Steve

 

Hi Steve,
I have them among a total of 8 British Army gunners lost on THORNLIEBANK. However my other sources, including my copy of the Deaths at Sea Register do not account for Carolan or Tyrer which is strange but not unusual. All the other sources I have, and have seen, don't mention them either but I would suggest they were probably aboard. Maybe need to keep an open mind but try if you have time - BT 381/1649 - last crew agreement for THORNLIEBANK/165963 for 1941.
Regards
Hugh

 

Tuesday 2nd December 1941

JENKINS, Sydney, Gunner, RA (6/3 Maritime Regt), 5189673 [ELERCH (ST. PETER) CHURCHYARD]

No obvious shipping incident and a shore burial, so I believe an accidental/illness related death. Any ideas?

Regards,

Steve

 

Concur, Steve, I have no other information on him.
Regards
Hugh