Cyril Humphries

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War	WW2
Rank	Leading Writer
Initial 1	C
Initial 2
Initial 3
Forename (s)	Cyril Herbert Alfred
Surname	Humphries
Award for Gallantry
Citation from the London Gazette
On War Memorial	Yes
On Porch Triptych	No
Other
Born
Enlisted
Residence
How died
Theatre
Rank	Leading Writer
Regiment/service	Royal Navy
Unit text	H.M.S. Abdiel
Age	32
Date of Death	10/09/1943
Additional Info	Son of Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Humphries; husband of Beatrice Elizabeth Humphries, of Winscombe, Somerset.
Service #	D/MX 86612
Grave/Memorial Reference	Panel 83, Column 1.
Grave/Memorial	PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
Biographical Info	Cyril worked in the Westminister [Now NatWest Plc] Bank at 4, Woodborough Road, where he is remembered by a plaque high on the wall just inside the front door. HMS Abdiel (Capt. D. Orr-Ewing, DSO, RN) sunk in Taranto harbour, Italy on 10 September 1943, Carrying troops of the British 1st Airborne Division (6th Royal Welsh battalion) and the 2nd(Oban) Air Landing Anti Tank Battery. Shortly after midnight, two ground mines [laid a few hours earlier by two German torpedo boats (S-54 and S-61), as they left the harbour after the Italian surrender.] exploded beneath her, detonating her own mines and breaking the ship in two. The minelayer sank in three minutes with great loss of life among both sailors and soldiers: The Airborne Division lost 58 dead; the Battery lost 23 men, including their commander, Major Wilson; and 48 ship's crew were lost.
Research Info	Memorial in NatWest Bank Photographed. His position on War Memorial is incorrect as L/W naval rank is equivalent to Army Corporal.

HMS Abdiel (Pennant M39) [length 127.4m, 2,650 tons displacement, a design top speed of 40 knots from her 72,000shp engines and a complement of 244] was a fast mine layer who's size and speed made her suitable for troop transport work. She was commissioned 15 April 1941. She was involved the supply of Malta and the evacuation of Crete on the night of 31 May 1941 as well as Mediterranean mine laying operations.


	Cyril’s employment at the Westminster Bank in Woodborough Road would have prepared him well for his specialist role of Leading Writer [Senior Administrator, Finance and Payroll duties] of H.M.S. Abdiel