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Alfred Alfred Clarke | |||
Rank: | Canteen Mngr | Number: | C/MX 608745 |
Ship/Rgn/Sqn No: | Royal Navy | ||
Name of Rgt or Ship: | H.M.S. Blackwood | ||
Died: | 15/06/1944 | Age: | 44 |
Country of burial: | Lost at Sea | ||
Cemetery or Memorial: | Chatham Naval Memorial | ||
Town Memorial: | Not Listed | ||
Extra Information: | |||
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. |
Memorials found on: | |||
St.Bride's (Old Trafford) | |||
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