Stanley Claude LANE. Ordinary Seaman P/JX321114 Royal Navy on HMS Curacoa. Son of Frederick and Hannah Lane, nee Barker of Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. 1939 he was residing with his parents and siblings at 47 Church Street, Stoke on Trent. Occupation a china pottery placer. Died at sea 2 October 1942
On 2 October 1942, 30 miles north of the coast of Ireland HMS CURACOA was escorting the ocean liner RMS QUEEN MARY who was carrying 10,000 American troops of the 29th Infantry Division to join the Allied forces in Europe.
RMS QUEEN MARY was steaming at 28 knots in an evasive zig-zagging course, but HMS CURACOA with her ageing engines, could not keep to the same zigzag pattern and was following a straight course. At 2:15 PM QUEEN MARY rammed HMS CURACOA, striking her amidships and cutting her in two.
HMS CURACOA sank in six minutes, about 100 yards from the Queen Mary. Due to the risk of U-boat attacks, the QUEEN MARY did not assist in rescue operations and instead steamed onward with a damaged bow.
Hours later, the convoy's lead escort, consisting of HMS BRAMHAM (L51) returned to rescue 99 survivors from the HMS CURACOA's crew of 338, including her captain John W. Boutwood.
Read more at wrecksite:
https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?63210
Wills and Admin, Ancestry. Stanley Claude Lane of 83 Church Street, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent died of date stated as sea. His father, grocer, received his effects.
Commemorated on a Poppy Cross Memorial, at Werrington War Memorial, Staffordshire November 2018
