My second cousin once removed (my grandfather's nephew) was Robert William Brownbridge. I have the following information on him.
"On the 31st December 1942, HMS Fidelity was hit by two torpedoes from U-435 and sank immediately after heavy detonations. The U-boat reported a surprising high number of survivors on overcrowded rafts and swimming in the water, none of them were rescued and all drowned in the worsening weather. 274 crew members & 51 Royal Marines from 40 Commando RM plus 44 survivors from other ships were lost. They were members of T Company
BROWNBRIDGE, ROBERT WILLIAM Marine “T” Company, 40 Commando RM Age: 24 Date of Death: 01/01/1943 Service No: CH/X 1085 Awards: Mentioned in Despatches Additional information: Son of Robert William and Sarah Elizabeth Brownbridge; husband of Nellie Elizabet Brownbridge of Sheerness, Kent. Commonwealth War Dead Memorial Reference: 73, 2. Memorial: CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL MID Missing presumed killed"
I'd be grateful for any more light that anyone could shine on this man.
Kind regards
Linda Bruce
