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Ordnance Artificer Gordon T Wanklyn

P/MX 73376 H.M.S. Hecla - Royal Navy

Son of Mr Stanley & Mrs Mabel Wanklyn
Husband of Kathleen Wanklyn

Aged 23 years

Died 15th May 1942

Commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Panel 6. Column 2.


Born at Rushden. Married Kathleen M Pilliner in 1937.
The Rushden Echo and Argus, 5th June, 1942, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Killed In Action - Rushden Petty Officer’s Death at Sea

An official message has informed Mr. and Mrs. S. Wanklyn, of 76, Higham-road, Rushden, that their only son, Artificer Optician Gordon Thomas Wanklyn, was killed in action recently while serving on a naval vessel.

Only a few hours before his death A.O. Wanklyn had cabled his young wife acknowledging the receipt of a wireless message telling him of the birth of their baby. He was 23 years of age and had many friends in the town and district. As a boy he passed through the Park-road Baptist Sunday School. After completing his education at Wellingborough School he studied for a career as an optician.

The widow is now residing at Wellingborough. The bereaved father is well-known as a jeweller, with premises in High-street, Rushden.


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