ERIC ARTHUR LOVE
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Born: 26th September 1921, Ipswich.
Died: 2nd October 1942; age: 21; MPK.
Residence: 140, Kemball Street, Ipswich.
Rank: Marine; Service Number: CH/X2744.
Regiment: Royal Marines, H.M.S. ‘Curacoa’.
Memorial Reference:
65.2.
Chatham,
Kent.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of John Lowe & Florence May Love, of Ipswich.
Father: John Love, born September 1891, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, a Labourer. A General Labourer – Engineer Shop.
Mother: Florence May Love (nee Moss), born November 1897, Devonport, Devon.
Probate to John Love – father.
H.M.S. ‘Curacoa’ 2nd October 1942.
H.M.S. ‘Curacoa’ was a C-class light cruiser. Built by Harland & Wolff, Belfast ordered April 1916, laid down July 1916. Launched 5th May 1917 from Pembroke Dock. Commissioned 18th February 1918. In 1939, she became a training ship, before she was converted to anti- aircraft cruiser August 1939 – April 1940. During the Second World War the ocean liner R.M.S. ‘Queen Mary’ was used as a troopship regularly crossing the Atlantic, normally without an escort, relying on her speed to evade the U-boats. As she came closer to Scotland on the 2nd October 1942, carrying 10,000 American and Canadian troops to Britain, H.M.S. ‘Curacoa’ joined her to provide anti-aircraft into Greenock. Both ships were on a standard zigzagging course, when they found themselves on a collision course the ‘Queen Mary’ sliced H.M.S. ‘Curacoa’ in two. Separated she takes 6 minutes to sink. 338 of her crew are lost. 26 survived, including the Commander – Captain John Wilfred Boutwood, RN. The Queen Mary with a 40 foot gash in her bow did not stop to pick up survivors.
Did H.M.S. ‘Curacoa’ steer a fatal course towards R.M.S. ‘Queen Mary’ or was the ‘Queen Mary’ to blame?
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