FREDERICK ERNEST SMITH
We know that he was a Stoker 2nd Class on H.M.S Fleur de Lys he was born on 10th July, 1914. We also believe that he was first employed by the British Bata Shoe Company on 8th March, 1935 after leaving employment as a Butcher at Prior’s of Chadwell St Mary.
He was one of 11 children and his sister, Vera Mulcock, nee Smith who was married to Harry (Henry) Mulcock worked and lived at Batas for many years until the 1980s.
HMS Fleur de Lys was torpedoed and sunk on 14 October 1941 by the German submarine U_206 about 55 nautical miles west of Gibraltar in position 36º00’N, 06º30’W. There were only three survivors.
Died 14/10/1941
Service No : P/KX117131
Remembered with honour on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial
