No.C/KX 92048, Stoker 1st Class, Bertie Richard HORSTEAD
Aged 23
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Born in 1919 [Mildenhall Q2-1919 4A:1243], the son of William Ernest and Florence HORSTEAD (née ROBERTS) of Mildenhall.
In the 1939 register, at The Willows, St Andrew's Street, Mildenhall were his father Ernest W HORSTEAD [12-12-1880]builder; mother Florence M [9-5-1890]; uncle Harry S ROBERTS[ 16-5-1894] a miller's packer; sisters Eunice [2-4-1916]later PINE, grocer's assistant and Irene S [6-8-1926] later SHERRY. There are 2 closed records. |
thanks to Richard Alecock for Bertie's photos
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On 31st December 1942 HMS "Achates" (Lt.Cdr. Johns, DSO, RN) was escorting convoy JW-51B in the Barents Sea with 2 light cruisers and 4 O-class destroyers,
when the convoy came under attack from a German force comprising heavy cruisers 'Lützow', 'Admiral Hipper' and 6 Z-class destroyers in position 74N, 28E.
In the fading light of those latitudes the fighting was rather confused. During provision of smoke screen to protect convoy ship hit by 11-inch shellfire which caused major damage with many casualties. Main armament disabled. From 1130, 'Admiral Hipper' landed several salvoes on her. The superstructure and bridge were wrecked, she lost steam and received several more hits. A towing attempt by HM Trawler NORTHERN GEM failed when ship rolled over and sank, taking 113 men with her, about 135 nautical miles east-south-east of Bear Island in position 73°18'N, 30°06'E. 91 survivors were picked up from the icy sea. All the merchantmen in the convoy arrived safely. . |
area of action circled
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details