1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45 - unnamed as awarded together with the original condolence award slip, a MN lapel badge and a photo of the Garstang memorial on which he is remembered.
Benjamin Cartmell was born in Garstang in 1920. He joined the Merchant Navy in January 1940 and was Killed in Action when SS Corabella was torpedoed & sunk on 20.4.1943
Corabella was underway from Takoradi (26 Apr) via Freetown to the UK carrying a cargo of 8065 tons of manganese ore. At 22.56 hours on 30 April 1943, U-515 fired two stern torpedoes at convoy TS-37 about 130 miles southwest of Freetown and observed hits after 58 and 59 seconds. The first ship was seen sinking fast and another broke in two after being hit under the bridge. At 22.57 hours, one torpedo was fired, which struck a freighter amidships after 52 seconds. A fourth torpedo fired one minute later struck another freighter amidships, which exploded. At 22.59 hours, a fifth torpedo was fired and struck after 1 minute a ship, which immediately sank. A sixth torpedo fired at 23.01 hours hit a freighter after 1 minute 30 seconds, but the sinking could not be observed. Henke claimed five ships of 31,000 grt sunk and another of 6000 grt probably sunk. However, only four ships were hit and sunk, the Corabella, Bandar Shahpour, Kota Tjandi and Nagina.
Nine crew members from the Corabella (Master Peter Leggett) were lost. The master, 30 crew members and eight gunners were picked up by HMS Birdlip (T 218) (Lt E.N. Groom, RNR) and landed at Freetown the next day.
According to the 1939 Register he was a Full Time Wireless Telegraph student living with his family in Market Place, Garstang.
He is remembered on the Garstang War Memorial.
Medals are in good condition unless otherwise indicated. Sold with some research.
