Basic Details
Surname
Wilkes
Forenames
Frank C
Gender
Male
Information stated on memorial
Alternative forename
Frank Charles
Served or died
Died
Service number
P/JX 298762
Notes
The memorial states he attended the Adult Education Service in 1934-39. The Wolverhampton War Memorials website (see References) adds: 'H.M.S. Vortigern Royal Navy. Born 19th September 1922 in Wolverhampton son of Frank Henry and Lily Wilkes. In 1939 the family were living at 7 Bantock Avenue Wolverhampton, Frank was not yet employed. Frank was killed in action 15th March 1942 aged 19 when H.M.S. Vortigern was sunk off Cromer whilst defending a coastal convoy against attack by E-boats. She was torpedoed by E-boat S104 and sank with the loss of 110 lives. Only 14 survivors were rescued, eleven bodies were recovered from the sea by the Cromer lifeboat H F Bailey III, sadly Frank's wasn't one of them.
Panel 66, Column 2. Portsmouth Naval Memorial.'
Primary Service
Our References
Service (Primary - Our reference)
Unit (Primary - Our reference)
Rank / Title (Primary - Our reference)
Death and Burial details
Year of death
1942
Month of death
March
Day of death
15
Age at death
19
Manner of death reference
Killed in Action