GWYNNE Alexander

Appears on the Royal Navy casualties list for Worcestershire.

A letter from Alexander’s mother, K.A. Gwynne, St Edwards Cottage, West Malvern, dated 21st February 1950 can be found within war records held at Worcester County Record Office requesting that his name be added to the county roll of honour. The letter states that Able Bodied Seaman Alexander Gwynne, HMS Aurora, service no JX159817, died aged 20 on 30th October 1943.

HMS Aurora was an Arethusa Class cruiser, launched on 20th August 1936 and commissioned for Home Fleet service on 9th November 1937. She saw extensive action throughout WW2. On 30th October 1943 she was en-route to Turkish waters with HM Destroyers Petard, Belvoir and Beaufort for transfer of troops when she came under heavy fire and sustained attacks by German Ju87 and Ju88 aircraft. Hit by a 500kg bomb, the ship suffered extensive damage including fires caused by detonation of ammunition. Forty seven personnel were killed and thirty were wounded. The ship was escorted by HMS Belvoir to Alexandria for temporary repairs before sailing to Tarranto for extensive repair work.

Full service history from:   http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-06CL-Aurora.htm

Alexander Gwynne has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name on Portsmouth Naval Memorial.