JOHN THOMAS CORCORAN
Photograph courtesy of Chris
Born: 12th December 1919, Ipswich.
Died: 1st February 1943; age: 23 – MPK – at sea.
Residence: 19, Raeburn Road, Ipswich.
Rank: Petty Officer; Service Number: C/SSX 18398.
Regiment: Royal Navy, H.M.S. ‘Welshman’
Memorial Reference:
67.3.
Chatham,
Kent.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of John Thomas & Lilian May Corcoran, of Ipswich.
Father: John Thomas Corcoran, born July 1889, Ipswich – died February 1944, Ipswich. A Shop Assistant Hairdresser.
Mother: Lilian May Corcoran (nee Cook), born September 1893, Ipswich.
John attended Northgate High School, Ipswich and went straight into the Navy as a radio operator.
H.M.S. ‘Welshman’ 1st February 1943
Owned by The Admiralty H.M.S. ‘Welshman’ was a cruiser – minelayer of the Abdiel class, builted by R. & W. Hawthorn, Leslie & Co. Ltd., Hebburn-on-Tyne. She was ordered 21st March 1939, laid down 8th June 1939, launched 4th September 1940 and completed 25th August 1941. Captained by W.H.D. Friedberger, DSO, R.N. On the 1st February 1943, she was on a route from Malta to Alexandria, transporting stores and personnel. At 17:45, U-617 (Albecht Brandi) fired four torpedoes. Two hit and caused serious flooding on her mine deck, she quickly capsized and sank after 2 hours. 165 lives lost and 124 survived and were rescued by the destroyers Tetcott and Belvoir and taken to Alexandria.
H.M.S. ‘Welshman’
H.M.S. ‘Welshman’
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