Cyril Raymond Hudgell

1922 - 1944

 West Ham Essex

Able seaman

Service No C/JX 352995 Royal Navy

Died 14 December 1944 aged 22 on board HMS Aldenham

The HMS Aldenham  (Cdr. J. G. Farrent)  (L22) was a Hunt-class British escort destroyer (Type III), built in Birkenhead by Cammell Laird Shipyard during 1940, and launched during 1941.

.On March 27, 1942, the HMS Aldenham had a part in the sinking of the German submarine U-587 in the Northern Atlantic by placing depth charged.

On December 14, 1944, when she was cruising in Northern Adriatic Sea off the coasts of Istria near of the port of Pola (now Pula) and collided with a floating mine during the bombardment of Karlobag batteries in the Adriatic. She was severely damaged by the explosion and sank. She was the last British-manned destroyer to be lost during WWII.

Five officers and 116 ratings lost their lives, the Union Flag from the ship can be seen in Aldenham Church, near Watford and St. Albans Hertfordshire.

Only 63 of the crew survived