In Memory Of
ROSS, ROBERT PRINGLE
Service Details
Age:
23
Date of Birth:
-0001-11-30
Service No:
69119
Rank:
Stoker 2nd Class
Unit:
H.M.S. Laconia
Regiment:
South African Naval Forces
Date of Death:
1942-10-01
Cause of Death:
Died of exposure, in lifeboat. U-156 sank the Allied liner Laconia west of Africa in what has become known as the Laconia incident. An American B-24 bomber from Ascension Island, piloted by James D. Harden, found the U-156 on the surface carrying out rescue operations of over thousand survivors from the sunken (by U-156) HMS Laconia. U-156, having radioed earlier that she would not attack any ship assisting, displayed a large Red Cross in hopes of making the Americans cancel an attack. Harden described the situation to base and was told "Sink sub" and then commenced an attack which damaged the boat. The boat radioed home about the attack and sailed west to repair damages.
Commemoration
Grave Reference:
Panel 74, Column 2.
Cemetery:
PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
Localitly:
Devon
Country:
United Kingdom
Additional Information
Son of Laurie McLeod Ross and Agnes Ruth Ross (nee Pringle), of Bedford, Cape Province, South Africa. Educated at St. Andrew's College, Grahamstown. B.Sc. On Bedford Town War Memorial, Eastern Cape
