Skipper Fred Darkins RNR

Discussion in 'The War at Sea' started by Steve49, Sep 28, 2021.

  1. Steve49

    Steve49 Boycott P&O...

    Wednesday 16th April 1941

    DARKINS, Fred, Ty/Skipper, RNR, killed [LOWESTOFT (NORMANSTON DRIVE) CEMETERY]

    Listed by naval-history as killed 'bombing'. Was he killed ashore or onboard HMD Lichen? Any ideas?

    Regards,

    Steve
     
  2. JohnH

    JohnH Active Member

  3. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

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  4. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Its 2nd April 1941

    Lichen, bombing

    DARKINS, Fred, Ty/Skipper, RNR, killed

    LICHEN, hired drifter, Adty No 236. Built 1911, 99grt, Yarmouth-reg YH.728. Armament: 1-3pdr AA. In service 9.14-1920 as patrol boat, hydrophone tender. Served in WW2.

    Royal Navy casualties, killed and died, April 1941
     
    Last edited: Sep 28, 2021
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  5. Steve49

    Steve49 Boycott P&O...


    I think they're mistaken. CWGC lists his date of death as 16th April 1941.

    16/04/1941 Skipper FRED DARKINS F 40 " Mentioned in Despatches Royal Naval Reserve H.M. Drifter Lichen United Kingdom United Kingdom LOWESTOFT (NORMANSTON DRIVE) CEMETERY Sec. D. Grave 110. Son of Harry and Anna Maria Darkins; husband of Ruby K. Darkins, of Stapleford, Nottinghamshire.

    www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2720870/FRED%20DARKINS/
     
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  6. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    yes there are a few mistakes that creep in because there is a lot of data on there

    however might be worth contacting them they might have other info

    the person who uploaded findagrave states 15th April
     
    Last edited: Sep 28, 2021
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  7. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Name Darkins, Fred Place of Birth: Lowestoft, Suffolk Number: DA 22068 ... | The National Archives - available for £3.50

    UK and Ireland, Find a Grave Index, 1300s-Current
    Name: Fred Darkins
    Death Date: 15 Apr 1941
    Cemetery: Lowestoft Cemetery
    Burial or Cremation Place: Lowestoft, Waveney District, Suffolk, England
    Has Bio?: N


    The Frederick Darkins who died 17 April 1941 seems to be someone else according to the probate
    32858_611411_1998-00273 (2).jpg
    Might be the aboves death cert details
    England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007
    Name: Frederick Darkins
    Death Age: 40
    Birth Date: abt 1901
    Registration Date: Apr 1941
    [May 1941]
    [Jun 1941]
    Registration Quarter: Apr-May-Jun
    Registration District: Bermondsey
    Inferred County: London
    Volume: 1d
    Page: 113

    Seems the probate above if for your man
    Casualty Details | CWGC

    Additional Info
    Son of Harry and Anna Maria Darkins; husband of Ruby K. Darkins, of Stapleford, Nottinghamshire.

    So would suggest he died on 16th/17th April 1941 at Royal Oak Tooley Street London SE1, perhaps caught in a bombing raid hence killed by enemy action/war operations - will probably never know
     
    Last edited: Sep 28, 2021
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  8. Steve49

    Steve49 Boycott P&O...

    Yes look like him, CWGC lists his wife as being Ruby K. Darkins.

    If the report is correct, looks like he could have been a victim of the German air raid on London during 16th-17th April.

    Regards,

    Steve
     
  9. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    According to - UK, World War II Civilian Deaths, 1939-1945, at least 9 died that night and as an example
    41234_1831109387_0491-00016 (2).jpg
     
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  10. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    well done TD
    Strange he was taken back to east Anglia and not his parents home town

    001 CUTHBERT F - - 16/04/1941 CIVILIAN WAR DEAD
    002 CUTHBERT MA - - 16/04/1941 CIVILIAN WAR DEAD
    003 DAVIES TC - - 16/04/1941 CIVILIAN WAR DEAD
    004 DAVIES JE - - 16/04/1941 CIVILIAN WAR DEAD
    005 SAUNDERS MAJ - - 16/04/1941 CIVILIAN WAR DEAD
    006 STEBBING EE - - 16/04/1941 CIVILIAN WAR DEAD
    007 THORN SC - - 16/04/1941 CIVILIAN WAR DEAD
    008 THORN R - - 16/04/1941 CIVILIAN WAR DEAD
     
  11. JohnH

    JohnH Active Member

    The London Gazette
    Publication date: 3 September 1940 Supplement: 34938 Page: 5386
    His Majesty has also been graciously pleased to approve the following Awards for bravery skill and enterprise in Minesweeping operations off the Coasts of Holland, Belgium and France:—

    Mention in Despatches.

    Temporary Skipper Fred Darkins, R.N.R
     

    Attached Files:

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  12. JohnH

    JohnH Active Member

    Extract from 1939 Register:

    Fred and Ruby K Darkins and their children lived at
    105 Rotterdam Road, Lowestoft, Lowestoft M.B., Suffolk, England

    His occupation was Fisherman (Heavy Worker).
    upload_2021-9-28_20-26-18.png
     
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