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In Rememberence of Dennis Fern Shipwrecks of Egypt was recently contacted by the nephew of Dennis Fern, son of James and Margaret Fern, of Prestwich, Lancashire, who was a Stoker serving onboard the HMS Cromer at the time of the ship's loss off of Mersa Matruh, Egypt on 09 November 1942.
Mr. Phil Fern, nephew of Dennis, has been so kind as to provide us with a photo of Dennis, and a copy of the message that Dennis Fern's mother received soon after the ship's loss. In Phil's words:"I would have loved to have met Dennis. His sister has told me a lot about him and he was much loved by everyone who knew him. He was born in Prestwich, Lancashire 9/10/1920, one of 5 children. I have lots of correspondence between Dennis and his mother (my grandmother). I can't read the letters and Airgraphs without tears running down my cheeks. He comes across as a really nice guy. Unfortunately, all the correspondence sent to him would have gone down with him."
As a Stoker, had he been on duty at the time of the explosion there would have been little chance that he would have survived.....
Dennis Fern is commemorated at the Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial, Panel 70, Column 1.
We would like to express our most sincere thanks to Mr. Fern for contributing this information and allowing us to share it.
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