:bad: Hi, I am researching information of my two Uncles that died in World War 11, and coincindentnally died within 4 months of each other. I have gained information here regarding one Uncle, but I am having a problem finding out what happened to my other Uncle. His name was Reginald Maurice Desmond Gray, he died on the 9th of February 1943, of drowning, he was attached as an able seaman to HMAS Lonsdale, and there is a memorial with his name on it in Plymouth England. I would love to find out how he drowned, or what happened to him. Regards Sufi
Sufi I am not able to help that much but I do know that on the forum *******.com there is a thread with pictures of each panel of the Plymouth Naval Memorial so you might like to have a look there. Also I see that his ship was an Australian Navy one so maybe your national archives may hold some information , unfortunately I do not have any web links I'm afraid. I am not sure what is held on his ship in the National Archives here in the UK but here is the link, try searching their catalogue....The National Archives Regards Andy
Hi Sufi In 1942 the naval depot HMAS Lonsdale, was established on the reclaimed land frontingBeach Street. The name of the naval depot was considered appropriate as the Victorian Government had in commission from 1882 until 1911 a second class torpedo boat named ‘Lonsdale’, and it is probable that this boat used the torpedo depot which had been established along the beachfront at Port Melbourne sometime in the 1880s. While Port Melbourne has had a continual naval presence since settlement, the demands of the Second World War put pressure on Australian naval resources unlike ever before. Thus the HMAS Lonsdale shore establishment was constructed in order to cope with the increased demand for recruits and services. The new building was officially occupied on 3 May 1942 and Lieutenant Commander R.S. Veale became the first Reserve officer to command the HMAS Lonsdale Naval Depot. Throughout the course of the Second World War HMAS Lonsdale was used mainly as a transit centre for the receipt and dispatch of men. extract taken from City of Port Phillip Website. Here is the link about HMAS Lonsdale http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/default/CommunityGovernanceDocuments/HMAS_Lonsdale_article(1).pdf Also found this you might already have it GRAY, Reginald M D, Able Seaman, 291 NAP (RANAP), Lonsdale (RAN), 9 February 1943, drowning, died . Link of info: Royal Australian Navy in World War 2 - Ship Histories, Convoy Escort Movements, Casualties, killed and died I have found his service record i have attached it. Got information from The national Archive of Australia It may give you some more info regards Keith P.S still looking
