George Cole. Alexander Barr. William Alexander Dempster. John Wm Mills. W Walker. Ron D Williams. John Wilsdon.

28th61st

George Cole. Alexander Barr. William Alexander Dempster. John Wm Mills. W Walker. Ron D Williams. John Wilsdon.

Extended Description
Combined grave at Capuccini (Kalkara) Naval Cemetery, Malta Plot F Grave 89

F089 GEORGE COLE. Stoker 1st Class P/KX100038 Royal Navy on H.M.S. St Angelo shore base, Malta attached to Minesweeper HMS Abingdon. Born 23 February 1919 at Nailsea, Somerset. (Birth registered in the Registration District of Long Ashton, Somerset). Son of Theophilus and Harriet Amelia Cole nee Ball. Died in Malta 15th February 1942 aged 22 years during and air raid on the 15th.
His father fought and survived the Great War as Sapper 506097, Royal Engineers, formerly served with the 4th Somerset Light Infantry (Militia)


B089 WILLIAM ALEXANDER DEMPSTER. Leading Stoker C/JX79089 Royal Navy on H.M.S. Cleopatra. Born 16 January 1910 at Ballymacarron, Killyleagh County Down, Ireland to Frederick James Dempster and Eliza Jane Dempster. 1911 residing with his parents at 1 Pawle Island, Killyleagh, County Down. Died 15 February 1942 aged 32 years as the result of a direct hit on the ship by a 500kg bomb.
Commemorated on a War Memorial at Shirley Road, Killyleagh, Co Down.

Cruiser HMS Cleopatra and destroyer Fortune were attacked by JU 88 bombers as they headed towards Grand Harbour this morning. Cleopatra was hit by a 500kg bomb which passed through the forward structure and exploded, killing or mortally injuring twenty of the crew. The two ships had made a brave dash through the western Mediterranean via Gibraltar, bringing essential spares to Malta. Despite the bombing, both vessels made it in to harbour where Cleopatra was repaired.


B089 JOHN WILLIAM MILLS. Able Seaman C/SSX25096 Royal Navy on H.M.S. Cleopatra. Born 3 August 1920 at Walworth, London to Frederick Charles and Nellie Mills, nee Bonner of Southwark, London. Died in Valletta on board his ship 15 February 1942 aged 22 years from injuries received the same day as the result of a direct hit on the ship by a 500kg bomb while at sea.


B089 WILLIAM WALKER. Ordinary Seaman C/JX300193 Royal Navy on H.M.S. Cleopatra. Born 14 January 1921 at Plumstead, London to William John and Susan Walker nee Larman. Died in Valletta on board his ship 15 February 1942 aged 21 years from injuries received the same day as the result of a direct hit on the ship by a 500kg bomb while at sea.


B089 ALEXANDER BARR. Able Seaman D/JX188528, Royal Navy on H.M.S. Maori. Born 14 December 1923 at Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He was found dead on the 15th February 1942 aged 18 years as the result an explosion from enemy bombing on his ship. The destroyer was sunk in the Grand Harbour at Malta during an attack by German dive bombers on the night of February 11th, 1942. (Naval Records on Ancestry show Alexander ANDREW Barr).


B089 RONALD DAVID WILLIAMS. Boy 1st Class D/JX194757 Royal Navy on H.M.S. Maori. Born 18 December 1923 at Wakefield, Yorkshire to David and Florrie Williams, of Normanton, Yorkshire. 1939 he was residing with his parents at 267 Wakefield Road, Normanton, Yorkshire. Occupation, grocers errand boy. He was found dead on the 15 February 1942 aged 18 years as the result an explosion from enemy bombing on his ship. The destroyer was sunk in the Grand Harbour at Malta during an attack by German dive bombers on the night of 11 February 1942


B089 JOHN WALTER WILSDON. Boy 1st Class D/JX184686 Royal Navy on H.M.S. Maori. Born 16 April 1924 at Morcambe, Lancashire to Donald and Helen Kathleen Wilsdon, nee Sumner of Morecambe, Lancashire. He was found dead on the 15 February 1942 aged 17 years as the result an explosion from enemy bombing on his ship. The destroyer was sunk in the Grand Harbour at Malta during an attack by German dive bombers on the night of February 11th, 1942
His mother served in the Womens Royal Air Force. Enlisting aged 18 years on the 30 October 1918 as 36919. Employed at WRAF Old Sarum Airfield Salisbury, Wiltshire. Her residence was 62 Braunston Road, Morcambe.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Sarum_Airfield


The following credited to - https://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4425.html.

On 12th February 1942 at 0200hours, while anchored at Malta, HMS Maori was attacked from the air and a bomb found its way into her engine and gear room. The Tribal blew up and sank, still moored at the emergency destroyer buoy at the entrance to Dockyard Creek. Crews from other ships helped in the rescue work as blazing oil spread across the water. Since off-duty personnel customarily slept ashore in shelters while in Malta, only one man was killed in the attack. At daybreak, Maori's forepart still showed above the water and the wreck seriously interfered with shipping movements, but it was decided to leave her there for the time being. Her 'A' and 'B' guns were still in good order, so it was suggested that those guns be mounted on the Ricassoli Breakwater for the Army's use. Bombs still fell on Maori during succeeding air attacks.

Another Web site https://maltagc70.wordpress.com/tag/hms-maori/

11 February 1942: Three Ships Bombed – Destroyer Sunk in Harbour

DESTROYER SUNK IN GRAND HARBOUR

Overnight a single enemy bomber manages to hit the destroyer HMS Maori while she is lying at anchor in Grand Harbour. The bomb enters the engine and gear room and explodes, sinking the ship. Most of the crew are sleeping in on-shore accommodation. Further research found that were a token crew left aboard when the ship was moored up.

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CAPUCCINI NAVAL CEMETERY Malta
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