Coleman, A.W. (Albert William)

Sub-Lieutenant Albert Coleman was the son of Henry W. Coleman and Clara A. Coleman, of 4 Molby Road, Twickenham, Middlesex. He had served on HMS Kenilworth Castle.[1]

The story goes that in rough weather Albert was taking shelter from the elements and had his hands in his pockets when the ship suddenly banked sending him to the deck and then under the safety rail. It all happened so quickly he did not have time to get his hands out of his pockets to save his life, and so was lost at sea. A prevailing search failed to find this sailor.

It took nearly 5 months before his body was found in Moville Bay on the 24^th of May 1944.

H.M.S. Kenilworth Castle had only been launched during August 1943 and finally went into service mid-November of the same year. She then had two weeks intense training to help crew familiarize themselves with the ship and each other before moving to Belfast to begin submarine and convoy duties.

After Henry’s death, his ship went on to help sink U-boats U744[2] and U1200.[3]

Date of Death: 04/01/1944 (Aged 30)

Service: Sub-Lieutenant (E), Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, H.M.S. Kenilworth Castle.

Burial Location: Londonderry (or Derry), City Cemetery, C. of E. Plot. Sec. F. Grave 42.

[1] HMS Kenilworth Castle was a Corvette of the Castle class and was launched on the 17^th of August 1943.

[2] U-boats U744 was launched March 1943, sunk March 1944, 14 survived and 12 lost their lives.

[3] U-boats U1200 was launched November 1943, sunk November 1944, 53 lost their lives.