Empire Gilbert torpedoed Nov 1942 on route to Archangel
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Empire Gilbert torpedoed Nov 1942 on route to Archangel
My Uncle was lost on the Empire Gilbert when it was sunk off Iceland, below is what I have found.
I would be interested in any more information particularly whether the Empire Gilbert was part of a convey or on its own.
Alfred a merchant sailor on the ‘Empire Gilbert’ was lost when the ship was torpedoed by a U-Boat.
The Empire Gilbert had been on route from the Tyne via Loch Ewe on the North West of Scotland and Reykjavik to Archangel with War Materials for the Russians.
At 01.18 hours on 2 Nov, 1942 , the unescorted Empire Gilbert (Master William Williams) was torpedoed and sunk by U-586 north of Iceland, position 70.15N, 13.50W - Grid AA 9468
The master, 46 crew members, including Alfred Purdy, and 17 gunners were lost. One crew member and two gunners were taken prisoner by the U-boat and landed at Skjomenfjord, Norway on 5 November.
Alfred is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial in London.
The U-586 continued patrols until it was sunk at 1230hrs on 5 July, 1944 near Toulon, in position 43.07N, 05.55E, by the attack of USAF Sq 233 B-24 aircraft. In U-586’s patrols it sunk two ships, including the ‘Empire Gilbert’, and damaged another.
Les
I would be interested in any more information particularly whether the Empire Gilbert was part of a convey or on its own.
Alfred a merchant sailor on the ‘Empire Gilbert’ was lost when the ship was torpedoed by a U-Boat.
The Empire Gilbert had been on route from the Tyne via Loch Ewe on the North West of Scotland and Reykjavik to Archangel with War Materials for the Russians.
At 01.18 hours on 2 Nov, 1942 , the unescorted Empire Gilbert (Master William Williams) was torpedoed and sunk by U-586 north of Iceland, position 70.15N, 13.50W - Grid AA 9468
The master, 46 crew members, including Alfred Purdy, and 17 gunners were lost. One crew member and two gunners were taken prisoner by the U-boat and landed at Skjomenfjord, Norway on 5 November.
Alfred is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial in London.
The U-586 continued patrols until it was sunk at 1230hrs on 5 July, 1944 near Toulon, in position 43.07N, 05.55E, by the attack of USAF Sq 233 B-24 aircraft. In U-586’s patrols it sunk two ships, including the ‘Empire Gilbert’, and damaged another.
Les