Trafford

Born during the March quarter 1921 in the Manchester R.D. - ref: 8d/469,
the son of Alfred & Marie Cannon (nee O'Neill).

Married - Ethel Wilson during the September quarter 1942 in the Barton upon
Irwell R.D. - ref: 8c/1311.

H.M. Submarine Thunderbolt was originally H.M. Submarine Thetis that was
ignominiously sunk during her sea trials in Liverpool Bay, 13 miles off
Great Ormes Head in Llandudno, North Wales.    She sank  with the loss of
99 men, plus a salvage diver whilst trying to raise her. 

When Thetis was raised after delayed and failed rescue attempts, she was
returned to her home at Cammel Laird - Birkenhead, for refitting, but was
by then just a battered hull.    She was stripped completely and all traces
of the boats previous identity were erased.    In November 1939 she joined
the 3rd Submarine Flotilla bearing a new name - Thunderbolt.   Every man on
board was a volunteer, and all knew she was the old Thetis. 

It is believed that on the night of 12th March 1943, off Capo San Vito,
Sicily, Thunderbolt sighted a large convoy escorted by a single Italian
sloop.  Picking out the largest freighter in the group they made a torpedo
attack.  Minutes later the target - the steamer Esterel was sinking
rapidly, Thunderbolt turned away to escape the attentions of the pursuing
sloop - the Cicogna, commanded by Capitano di Corvetta Augusto Migliorini,
an ex-submariner, he had the ability to predict the movements of his
quarry.     After locating his quarry, he dropped 24 depth charges and
Thunderbolt went to the bottom for the second and final time.    Her entire
crew of 62 were lost.

The above version has not yet been proven, as the wreck has never been
found, it is possible that she was sunk by Libra, or perhaps mined, so the
date that the submarine first became overdue - the 28th March 1943 is
regarded as the official date of its loss.