Trafford

Born Alfred Alfred Clarke during the December quarter 1904 in the Chorlton
R.D. - ref: 8c/935, the son of Alfred & Violet Ethel Clarke (nee Chadwick).
 Which makes him aged 39, not 44 ?!!!

Married Elizabeth Woodier during the September quarter 1934 in the
Manchester South R.D. - ref: 8d/323.

The Frigate HMS Blackwood was sunk by U-764 off Portland.

The 3rd Escort Groups did not sail until the 7th June when it escorted a
convoy down to the English Channel and took up its patrol area which was
from Portland to Cherbourg, where for the first eight days when many non
sub contacts were made, but everything changed on the 14th June the
Blackwood was detached to Portland to oil and store ship and to return
early on the 15th June 1944. She set off to join the group which was
patrolling off the Cherbourg peninsula. At about 1500 hrs Cooke detached
from the group for her turn at Portland. The Blackwood arrived back with
the group which was in a position north west of Cap de la Hague at
approximately 1900 Hrs and had just manoeuvred into position on the screen
when she was hit at 1911 Hrs by a torpedo which exploded just forward of
the bridge superstructure in the hedgehog bomb magazine, which caused a
huge explosion and the forward part of the ship was blown off and sank, the
mast collapsed and the bridge structure was flattened aback, in position
50.07N - 02.15W the remaining part of the ship remained afloat, two Air Sea
Rescue launches were nearby and were soon on the scene, where they took off
all the survivors, including the wounded. Essington was detailed to standby
Blackwood, while Duckworth and Domett commenced a sweep in the direction
from which the attack came, Duckworth obtained a strong asdic contact and
made a Hedgehog attack which was thought to be successful, after which all
contact was lost and asdic conditions deteriorated which allowed U 764 to
drift away on a strong tide at about two knots and finally limp back to
Brest to have the damage caused by Duckworth's attack on her stern repaired
. The hulk of the Blackwood finally sank at 0410 on the 16th June 44 in
position 50.13N - 02.15W.   57 Members of her crew lost their lives, and a
similar number were wounded.

See also the Stretford Database.   Commemorated on  the St. Bride's WW2
Memorial.