Post by jnf on Aug 14, 2018 8:04:25 GMT 12
Hello
I have started a project to detail the service records of the 13 WW2 Kiwi servicemen (12 RNZAF and 1 RNZN) who were buried in the county of Cumbria, England. (During WW2 it consisted of whole or part of the counties of Cumberland, Westmorland and north Lancashire).
I am trying to trace the service record of Robert Thomas McMillan Royal New Zealand Navy (4044) who was killed when HMS Manners was sunk on 26th January 1945 off the Isle of Man.
The frigate HMS Manners (K568) sailed from Falmouth on 25 January 1945 bound for Gladstone Dock, Liverpool, under the command of Lt Dennis Jermain. U-boats were known to be operating in the Irish Sea and standing orders required the warship to stream foxers, zig-zag at speed and maintain ASDIC watch at all times.
On 26 January 1945 at 1042 some 20 miles from Skerries, Isle of Man HMS Manners was hit by an acoustic torpedo fired from U-1051. HMS Manners was shattered by the explosion, the epicentre at her stern, just under the crowded canteen. Within moments the flames had spread to Manners’ depth-charge rack and the secondary explosion which followed caused the already weakened stern to simply shear off and sink, taking forty-three men (including one civilian) down with it to the bed of the Irish Sea. In addition 15 others were injured. The forepart of the vessel was towed into Barrow in Furness and was declared a total loss.
The torpedo was fired by U-1051 which was subsequently sunk by ramming and depth charges from a counter-attack from the 4th and 5th Escort Group. (British frigates HMS Aylmer, HMS Calder, HMS Bentinck and HMS Manners). This resulted in 47 dead (all hands lost). Its position was 53.39N, 05.23W.
Robert is buried in Barrow in Furness (Thorncliffe) Cemetery and Crematorium
Does anyone have information on Robert or can give me information to point me in the right direction?
Thanks
NIGEL FLETCHER
I have started a project to detail the service records of the 13 WW2 Kiwi servicemen (12 RNZAF and 1 RNZN) who were buried in the county of Cumbria, England. (During WW2 it consisted of whole or part of the counties of Cumberland, Westmorland and north Lancashire).
I am trying to trace the service record of Robert Thomas McMillan Royal New Zealand Navy (4044) who was killed when HMS Manners was sunk on 26th January 1945 off the Isle of Man.
The frigate HMS Manners (K568) sailed from Falmouth on 25 January 1945 bound for Gladstone Dock, Liverpool, under the command of Lt Dennis Jermain. U-boats were known to be operating in the Irish Sea and standing orders required the warship to stream foxers, zig-zag at speed and maintain ASDIC watch at all times.
On 26 January 1945 at 1042 some 20 miles from Skerries, Isle of Man HMS Manners was hit by an acoustic torpedo fired from U-1051. HMS Manners was shattered by the explosion, the epicentre at her stern, just under the crowded canteen. Within moments the flames had spread to Manners’ depth-charge rack and the secondary explosion which followed caused the already weakened stern to simply shear off and sink, taking forty-three men (including one civilian) down with it to the bed of the Irish Sea. In addition 15 others were injured. The forepart of the vessel was towed into Barrow in Furness and was declared a total loss.
The torpedo was fired by U-1051 which was subsequently sunk by ramming and depth charges from a counter-attack from the 4th and 5th Escort Group. (British frigates HMS Aylmer, HMS Calder, HMS Bentinck and HMS Manners). This resulted in 47 dead (all hands lost). Its position was 53.39N, 05.23W.
Robert is buried in Barrow in Furness (Thorncliffe) Cemetery and Crematorium
Does anyone have information on Robert or can give me information to point me in the right direction?
Thanks
NIGEL FLETCHER
