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Letters
Wilfred Ronald Sidney Baverstock lost in SS Bristol City sunk from Convoy ONS 5 Hello Mr Mackenzie J Gregory I have just come across your Ahoy Mac's Weblog article "The Battle For Convoy ONS 5. 26th.April - 6th. May 1943" I have been looking for a long time to find anything about the night of May 5th 1943, My Uncle was one of the men who lost their life that night, His name was Wilfred Ronald Sidney Baverstock. He was 21 years old. He was from Reading, Berkshire. From what my mum told me that when her mother and father heard the news, my grandmother always left a key on the outside of the door and tea and sandwiches for him, in case he came home, since he was Missing Presumed Killed on War Service whilst serving aboard SS BRISTOL CITY. I did get a copy of the Captains report of the night but that really didn't say much, or not in as much detail as your page. I really just want to thank you for the article and give you a name to 1 of the 15 men that died.
I have been in Europe and just came home to Melbourne yesterday, hence my lack of reply to your letter and your kind words about AHOY. Your Uncle should be listed on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site which would give us his location on the Tower Hill Memorial in London, where all Merchant Navy personnel who died at sea and have no known grave are recorded, but I could not find him at the CWGC site or at Tower Hill, which is most unusual. Best Regards,
Thank you for your reply, I did find my uncle on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, but he's listed on the one in Portsmouth. I was also looking for any pictures of the ship but not had any luck on that. It was interesting to read your article on what happened that fateful voyage. It looks like he was in the Navy and not the Merchant Navy, so could that explain why you couldn't find him? Again thank you so much for your article and response. Name: BAVERSTOCK, WILFRED RONALD SYDNEY Thank you again
You are right, I was searching the CWGC site for your Uncle looking for a Merchant Navy sailor, the fact that he was a Naval Rating in SS Bristol City probably means he was a DEMS ( Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship ) Gunner and manned the Anti Aircraft or main gun on board, the Royal Navy provided the sailors to man the Merchant Ships' armament. Here is the detail from this Memorial, which you may well have found.
Faith, you should check at this address for any Medals your Uncle may have been entitled to, and if never issued, you should be able to receive them for his next of kin.
I am glad we sorted that one out, I hate not getting a record that I know should be available. Best regards,
Some small detail about the Bristol City Line, that owned SS Bristol City, this ship was the third to carry that name, in all five ships were named Bristol City. Promise to stop worrying you Faith. Best wishes.
Wow thank you so much thats amazing, I looked and couldn't find anything about the ship but i guess if you know where to look you can find what your looking for, and I will write to the address you gave on the other email about any medals he might have been entitled to. No need to worry about worrying me, i'm happy to hear from you. Thank you again for all the info you have found Best wishes Faith
Faith responds to some detail I sent about SS Bristol City sunk from Convoy ONS 5. Regards, Mac. back to letters index |
