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Author Topic: WW2 Fleet Air Arm Death - HMS Gannet  (Read 118 times)
Jamaine
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WW2 Fleet Air Arm Death - HMS Gannet
« on: Monday 02 November 09 07:42 UTC (UK) »
I have found that I had another (4th) cousin who was killed in WW2:-

Details from CWGC:-

Name:    ALEXANDER, ROBIN PENDENNIS
Initials:    R P
Nationality:    United Kingdom
Rank:    Sub-Lieutenant (A)
Regiment/Service:    Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text:    H.M.S. Gannet.
Age:    20
Date of Death:    22/10/1943
Additional information:    Son of Harold Anderson Alexander ad Ruby Lilian Alexander, of West Town, Bristol.
Casualty Type:    Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:    Bay 4, Panel 6.
Memorial:    LEE-ON-SOLENT MEMORIAL

So far I have gleaned that HMS Gannet was the name for RNAS Eglinton in Northern Ireland and home to the Naval Air Anti-Submarine School, whose main function was to train aircrew in anti-submarine warfare.

Given that being on the FAA memorial he would have no known grave, I presume that he may well have been lost flying over the sea. I could not see anything obvious in the National Archives catalogue and I am not sure if any information would be there or in Northern Ireland, so I am at a bit of a loss now.

If anyone can add any more information or point me in the next direction to go, then I would be very grateful.

John
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Researching: Reffell, Rattle, Summerhayes, Dane, Masset, Burchatt & Leshley... & Jones!

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kyt
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www.cfww2.com Commonwealth Forces of WW2


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Re: WW2 Fleet Air Arm Death - HMS Gannet
« Reply #1 on: Monday 02 November 09 08:23 UTC (UK) »
Alexander was killed when his Swordfish (serial HS638) ran out of fuel whilst out on patrol and the crew were killed when the aircraft ditched. Also killed were Sub Lieutenant William MacKenzie (pilot) and Leading Airman William D Ward.

They were part of 836 Squadron based on the aircraft carrier Empire MacAndrew. Empire MacAndrew was a MAC (merchant aircraft carrier) which were merchant ships that had flight deck added and the ships were used for convoy protection. 836 was a "pool" squadron who assigned 3 or 4 aircraft to each ship. The crew were part of V Flight (the squadron was broken up into Flights as sub-units)

I haven't ascertained, yet,  where the MacAndrew was exactly  at this time, or which convoy it was protecting.

K
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Jamaine
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Re: WW2 Fleet Air Arm Death - HMS Gannet
« Reply #2 on: Monday 02 November 09 08:31 UTC (UK) »
Wow K what a brilliant answer  Cheesy Cheesy Cheesy

A Swordfish... I have often seen one at airshows and now it means something extra special to me...

Robin was only 20, do you think that he would have still been in training?

I am very grateful...

John
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Researching: Reffell, Rattle, Summerhayes, Dane, Masset, Burchatt & Leshley... & Jones!

http://www.reffell.org.uk/
kyt
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www.cfww2.com Commonwealth Forces of WW2


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Re: WW2 Fleet Air Arm Death - HMS Gannet
« Reply #3 on: Monday 02 November 09 08:32 UTC (UK) »
It would appear that the Empire MacAndrew was part of Convoy HX.262 which left New York on 18 October 1943 and arrived in Liverpool on 2 November.

K
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kyt
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www.cfww2.com Commonwealth Forces of WW2


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Re: WW2 Fleet Air Arm Death - HMS Gannet
« Reply #4 on: Monday 02 November 09 08:39 UTC (UK) »
Glad to have been of help

Quote from: Jamaine on Monday 02 November 09 08:31 UTC (UK)
Robin was only 20, do you think that he would have still been in training?

No, he was part of an operational unit so not under training. From the dates of the convoy on which he was on it sounds like they were in the mid-Atlantic at the time.

K
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Jamaine
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Digging up the dead and annoying the living...


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Re: WW2 Fleet Air Arm Death - HMS Gannet
« Reply #5 on: Tuesday 03 November 09 09:04 UTC (UK) »
I have now put this information on a memorial page to robin on my website:-

http://www.reffell.org.uk/heroes/robinpendennisalexander.php

Many thanks for all you help  Smiley

John
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Researching: Reffell, Rattle, Summerhayes, Dane, Masset, Burchatt & Leshley... & Jones!

http://www.reffell.org.uk/
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