Frederick Lawrence Rock

Frederick was born in Worcestershire in 1921, the son of Frederick Rock (1888-1934) and Elizabeth Rock (nee Brotherton). His parents had married in Worcestershire in 1913. Frederick's siblings included Kathleen W. Rock (born 1914), Alfred J. Rock (1917-1990), Leslie Rock (1919- 2003), Phyllis J. Rock (born 1922), and three sons born in 1928, 1931 and 1933 respectively.

During the Second World War Frederick served as a sailor on the 500 foot long, 8,437 ton cargo liner S.S. Port Hunter (London).

Frederick Lawrence ROCK, Sailor, S.S. Port Hunter (London), Merchant Navy

Killed when his ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean. Aged 21

On 1st July 1942 the S.S. Port Hunter, carrying general cargo including ammunition and depth charges, left Liverpool as part of the convoy OS33. On 11th July 1942 the vessel was ordered to detach from the convoy and to proceed ahead independently to Durban for refuelling before continuing to Auckland, New Zealand. However, just before midnight that day she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-582 in the Atlantic Ocean. She went down in less than two minutes, claiming the lives 88 people including 21 year-old Frederick. There were only three survivors.

At the time of his death Frederick's widowed mother was living at 46 Second Avenue in Chelmsford. Frederick is commemorated by the Tower Hill Memorial in London.

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