Readers of the Diary with long memories will recall a story about a gravestone in the church yard of St Congans (above, photo taken in rather better weather than we have today), the old parish church which stands on the hill overlooking Kilchoan. It commemorates a Trooper Norman King who was buried there.
Historian David Eason, who lives in Leamington, Trooper King's home town, came across the account in the Diary and has since done considerable, and very successful research, not least in contacting Trooper King's sister-in-law, Beryl King. She sent a cutting from the Leamington Courier to Catriona MacMillan, who kindly passed it to the Diary.
This exerpt from the Leamington Courier describes the main story. "Trooper Norman James King of the Warwickshire Yeomanry, Royal Armoured Corps, died on July 2, 1940, aged 21 at sea whilst on board the SS Arandora Star which was sailing from Liverpool to Canada with hundreds of German and Italian prisoners of war and civilian internees. About 125 miles off the Irish coast it was struck by a torpedo fired from the German submarine U-47. The ship’s master, 12 officers, 42 crewmen, 104 guards, 470 Italians and 243 Germans were lost.
"The majority of those lost were washed ashore by the tide and current at Colonsay in Scotland.
Norman’s body was washed ashore on August 21, 1940 at Kilchoan in Argyllshire, Scotland, and was buried there in the churchyard of St Conan’s the same day."
The article goes on to describe David Eason's search for information, and the background to the small plaque which stands in front of the headstone. The Leamington Courrier article can be read here.
David Eason is looking for more information about Trooper King. If anyone can help, please email information to easondavid45@yahoo.co.uk
Many thanks to Catriona MacMillan and Gus MacLean.
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