Freda AIREY

Freda AIREY. Sister 260226 QAIMNS Reserve. Commissioned [Emergency Commission] on the 8 February 1943.
Born 01 May 1920 at Kendal to Charles Edward and Elizabeth May Airey, nee Brocklebank.
1939 Probationary Nurse. Residing with her parents at Sea View Storth, near Milnthorpe.
Killed at sea on the 12th February 1944 aged 23 whilst on the SS Khedive Ismail en route to Colombo. The troopship departed on the 6 February 1944 from Kilindini Harbour at Mombasa, Kenya to Colombo, Ceylon in Convoy KR-8. It was attacked and sunk by two torpedoes fired from a B1 type Japanese submarine in the Indian Ocean, 1,297 perished. Commemorated on Brookwood 1939-1945 Memorial, Brookwood, Surrey and the Arnside Memorial, Westmorland.
Wills and Admin, Ancestry.
Freda Airey of Sea View Storth near Milnthorpe, Westmorland, spinster died 12 February 1944 on war service. Her effects went to Charles Airey, oak basket maker.

Bradford Observer - Thursday 06 April 1944
‘MOST LOVED’ NURSE DIES.
Bradford Hears of Sea Tragedy.
Bradford Royal Infirmary staff and friends have been shocked to learn that one of their most loved and admired nursing sister Miss Freda Airey, 24 id presumed to have been killed in action at sea according to a War Office announcement from Ceylon.
Miss Airey’s home address was Sea View, Storth near Milnthorpe, Westmorland and she was educated at Kendal Girls’ High School. She is the only child of Mr and Mrs C Airey. She received all her nursing training at Bradford Infirmary where she came in March 1938 and ended her training in April 1941. Miss A.E. Merry. Lady superintendent of the Infirmary, said last night that the whole staff was very sorry to hear of the loss of the ship in which Miss Airey was a passenger. “It is terrible thing”, said Miss Merry. “Miss Airey was only 18 when she came to us. She had a very happy disposition and was extremely conscientious. When she completed her training she became a staff nurse in the operating theatre”