No.C/JX 301391, Able Seaman, Cyril Arthur TAYLOR
Aged 20
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Cyril Arthur Taylor was born in Cavendish (Sudbury Q1-1922 4A:1641), son of Harry and Muriel G R TAYLOR (née PRENTICE). In 1939, his father Harry [21-12-1896] a builder's labourer, and mother Muriel [7-3-1899] were at The Limes, Cavendish (3 closed records) |
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The Royal Navy Anti Aircraft Cruiser HMS Curacoa was escorting the RMS Queen Mary, which was carrying 15,000 United States troops on board, and sailing ahead of
her. They were close to the Irish coast, and the Queen Mary was zigzagging to avoid German U-boats. The Queen Mary collided with HMS Curacoa at a speed of
about 28 knots and cut her in half. The Curacoa sank with 338 casualties. (28 survivors) 50.50N 8.38W. 16 casualties were taken to the Isle of Skye and buried in Ashaig Cemetery The enquiry which would normally follow such an incident was delayed as not being likely to be in the public interest. However, the Cunard Shipping Company made an interim payment to the dependants of all those lost through this collision of £40, and after the war, an official enquiry held that the liner's Captain was entirely to blame for this great loss of life, and a further payment of £300 was made to each dependant. |
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