Charles's Story.
Charles was a Donkeyman (Steam Winch Operator) on SS Empire Heron a 6000 ton steam merchant ship. On 16 October 1941 they were travelling from Freeport Texas to Manchester UK as part of Convoy SC48 which consisted of 52 Merchant ships and 18 escorts. The convoy was attacked South East of Greenland in the early hours of 16 October 1941 and the Empire Heron was hit by two torpedoes fired by U-568 causing the ship to sink fast with the loss of all crew except one survivor (who was picked up by an escort ship then died later when the escort was sunk). Charles went down with the ship. He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial in London.
Tower Hill Memorial Panel 42.