McLaughlin, R L (Russell Lorne)

McLaughlin, R L (Russell Lorne)

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Petty Officer Writer Russell McLaughlin was the son of Alfred Russell McLaughlin and Vivian Louella McLaughlin; husband of Flora Cameron McLaughlin, of Paisley, Renfrewshire. He was born on the 31st of August 1921 and his address is given as 65 Darkwood Crescent, Paisley, Scotland. Prior to the war he was a bank clerk.

Russell McLaughlin died from acute appendicitis in the Royal Navy Auxiliary Hospital. His wife was present at the time of his death. He was laid to rest on the 22nd of May 1945.

Petty Officer McLaughlin was based at H.M.S. Ferret[1] for the last month of his life. Previously he was with another land base called HMCS Niobe. Ferret was the land base in Lisahally, Londonderry and was established in 1940 to allow quick access to the North Atlantic for ships to give convoy support. The base also had large maintenance areas for repairs of damaged vessels and upgrades.

Russell was awarded the Defence Medal with Clasp, War Medal, and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with two Clasps. His medals were unfortunately returned.

Date of Death: 19/05/1945 (Aged 23)

Service: Petty Officer Writer, Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve, H.M.S. Ferret

Service Number: V/34407

Burial Location: Londonderry (or Derry), City Cemetery, C. of E. Plot Sec. F. Grave 50.


[1] H.M.S. Ferret famously received the surrender of sixty U-boats at the end of the war (1945) and remained in service until 1947.

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