Supply Assistant
Catherine Williamson
Military Details
Service Number: 67472
Vessel Served
HMS Ferret
Regiment & Unit / Ship
HMS Ferret
Service Branch
WRNS
Enlisted
3rd September 1944
Enlistment Details
Residence at Enlistment
Duke St , Cleator Moor
Service Number at Enlistment
67472
Service History
Her posting to HMS Ferret was Catherine Williamson first arriving on 23rd December
Despite the secrecy at the inquest it was established that Catherine died from shock and Heamorrhage from head injuries sustained when she was struck by a train while crossing rail tracks when returning to RN barracks that morning .
Battalion War Diary Extract
HMS Ferret was commissioned on 9 December 1940 as a shore establishment and naval base. It was strategically located at Londonderry, which provided the fastest access into the Atlantic for Royal Navy warships. This base was essential for convoy escorts, offering repair and refueling facilities to support operations against German U-boats during the Battle of the Atlantic.
Wikipedia
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Operations and Significance
Convoy Support: HMS Ferret served as a base for escort groups, primarily consisting of destroyers, frigates, and corvettes. It was responsible for the operational control of numerous escort and anti-submarine patrol vessels, significantly contributing to the protection of Allied shipping routes.
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Training and Development: The base became a center for anti-submarine training, where new technologies and tactics were developed, including the Squid Mortar, an innovative weapon designed to combat U-boats
Personal Details
Date of Birth
21st August 1923
Place of Birth
Cleator Moor
Religion
RC
Address
Duke St, Cleator Moor
Residence (Census)
Duke Street Cleator Moor
Parents
Edward and Catherine
Education and Occupation
School
Whitehaven County
Occupation
Clerk
Work Address
Ehen Rd, Cleator Moor
Death and Memorial
Date of Death
3rd January 1944
Age at Death
20
Circumstances of Death
Catherine was 20 years old when she lost her life as the result of an accident on a railway crossing adjacent to her camp on 3 January 1944 local newspapers reports noted the inquest into Catherine's death being held 'in camera' at the Admiralty's request. There wasn't much in the West Cumbrian newspapers either. The specific reason for the inquest being held in secret was never made clear, a very tragic death for her family and friends . There could be a reference to the reason of the secrecy in her Royal Navy service
Place of Death
Derry
Theater of Action
Western Europe
Battle
Batt
Rank at Death
Supply Assistant
Buried or Commemorated at
WRNS Londonderry City Cemetery NI
U.K.
Grave Position: R.C. Plot. Sec. M. Grave 10.
Private Memorial: Cleator Moor Roll of Honour
St Marys RC Church WW2 Scroll
Whitehaven County Grammar School WW2
Links & Resources
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