Letters tell sad tale of sailor's wartime death
Jack Stannard never met his father, but memorabilia passed down over the years has helped him to piece together a picture of a brave man.
Mr Stannard, of Victoria Road, Diss, knew his father died during the Second World War and has dug deep into archives to find out more about him.
Thomas Ellis Stannard was born in Norwich and was killed aged 39 when the ship he was on – HMS Niger – sank in a minefield 100 miles off Iceland, while returning from Russia in 1942, leaving behind six children and a pregnant wife.
During research into his father's life, Mr Stannard obtained letters about the fated journey of the Niger from a shipmate, Tim Haskell, on board a Second World War Hog Islander.
In an account of the night the Niger sank, Mr Haskell said: "The weather and visibility were both very bad when, just after 21.00 hours, the alarm bells went off.
"By the time I reached the deck, Niger was going down, stern first, about 1,000 yards away with only her bows still showing in seconds.
"As far as I know or could see, there were no survivors."
There are varying accounts of how the incident happened, but according to official reports obtained by Mr Stannard, the Niger had gone ahead to confirm landfall, and mistook an iceberg for North Cape, Iceland, sailing into a minefield.
Although he did not know him, Mr Stannard said of his father: "I am always proud to say he has given his life for his country as well as the people. You can't give any more than your life," he said.
Have you done research into a heroic ancestor or relative? Have you done family history research and found some surprising local links?
Write to Memory Lane, Diss Express, Mere Street, Diss IP22 4AE or email editorial@dissexpress.co.uk or leave your comments below.
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Weather for Diss
Thursday 02 September 2010
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