Name: |
VAN WYK |
Given Name: |
NORMAN LESLIE |
Initials: |
N L |
Rank: |
BoyOther Casualties of this Rank |
Regiment: |
Merchant Navy |
Unit: |
S.S. Breiviken (Norway)Other Casualties from this Unit |
Date of Death: |
1943-07-07Other Casualties on this
Date |
Date of Birth: |
1925-11-02 |
Age: |
17 |
Cause of Death: |
DS BREVIKEN (Norway) was torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-178 off Portuguese East Africa on 4 July 1943, when on a voyage from Louren?o Marques and Durban to Mombasa with a cargo of 3812 tons coal, having departed Durban alone on 1 July 1943. The torpedo hit on the starboard side between # 1 and 2 holds, causing her to list to starboard and sink in a couple of minutes, so there was no time to launch the lifeboats. Most of the crew went over the rail and down the port side of the ship; some were able to get onto debris and 2 rafts that floated up. 20 men were taken aboard the U-boat, where the captain was questioned by an officer who spoke very good Norwegian. They were then placed on the rafts. They reached the coast of Portuguese East Africa on 7 July 1943. Out of a crew of 34 and 2 gunners, 3 crew had drowned. |
Citations: |
***Not yet accepted for War Grave Status by CWGC, need service file |
Additional
Information: |
Son of James Edwin and Maria Olive Elizabeth (nee Lyne) van Wyk. Born Pietermaritzburg. Commemorated on Merchant Navy WWII Memorial in St. John with St. Raphael Anglican Church, Sydenham, Durban. |
This information was last verified for accuracy: 2025-08-12
