Philip Elford Penton
Memorial: Coalpit Heath - St Saviour's Church
Regiment: Royal Navy
Medals: 1939–45 Star, War Medal 1939–1945
Rank and number: Wireman (electrician)
Parents: William Henry and Martha Eliza Penton
Home address: Henfield near Coalpit Heath
Pre-war occupation: Schoolboy
Date of birth: 21/07/1925
Date of death: 25/02/1944
Buried/Commemorated at: Died at sea. Commemorated Plymouth Naval Memorial
Age: 18
Further information:
Philip died at sea in HMS Mahratta, a destroyer that was escorting an Arctic convoy in the Norwegian sea 280 miles from the North Cape. It was torpedoed by a U Boat and after it exploded it sank within minutes. Other ships were quickly on the scene to pick up survivors but only 17 men could be recovered in view of the freezing waters. A total of 220 people died.
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://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship3201.html