Jack Osbourne Durling

Memorial: Aust

Regiment: Merchant Navy

Medals: 1939–45 Star, Atlantic Star, War Medal 1939–1945

Rank and number: First Radio Officer

Parents: Edward and Lucy Osbourne Durling

Marital status: Married

Home address: The Row, Aust

Date of birth: 16/05/1905

Date of death: 20/04/1941

Age: 35

Further information:

S.S. Empire Endurance Merchant Navy.

Jack qualified as Radio Officer in 1940 and was assigned to his first and last ship, the Empire Endurance a steam merchant vessel. The ship was loaded up with general cargo and military supplies and was making her way unescorted to Alexandria in Egypt via South Africa, when at 03.32 hours on 20th April she was torpedoed and sunk by U-boat U-73, 500 miles west of Ireland. The ship broke in two and sank within 20 minutes and Jack was one of 42 individuals who lost their lives.

By kind permission, this information is based on the following source(s):

This information has been provided by Sarah Hands, Volunteer Researcher for the South Gloucestershire War Memorials Web Site.
By kind permission, this information is based on the following source(s):
https://www.cwgc.org/
https://www.findmypast.co.uk/
https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/
The War Memorial Book for the Parishes of Olveston & Aust South Gloucestershire compiled by William Morgan