0 poppies laid on this site
In memory of:

Fireman and Trimmer Edward Frank Bissell

Profile image
Merchant Navy emblem

Military service

Age: 25
Rank: Fireman and Trimmer
Force: Merchant Navy
Unit/Regiment: Canadian Merchant Navy
Division: S.S. Rothermere (St. John'S, Newfoundland) (172631)
Birth: April 1, 1916 West Hartlepool, Durham, England
Death: May 20, 1941

Burial/memorial information

Grave reference: Panel 88.
Additional information
Son of Edward Bissell and Florrie Billyard of West Hartlepool, Co. Durham. Husband of Emma Goodchild of Hartlepool. Father of Edward Frank Bissell. In the First World War, Edward served as a sailor on HMS York (90), serial number 10216. He survived the war.

On May 20, 1941, she was sailing with convoy HX-126 which had dispersed when at 5:29 p.m., the Rothermere was torpedoed by U-98 south-east of Cape Farewell, Greenland. The Rothermere sank after receiving her Coup de grace at 5:56 p.m., position 57°48'N/41°36'W. Her captain and 21 crew members lost their lives. The remaining 29 sailors, four gunners and one passenger were recovered by the Icelandic ship SS Bruarfoss and landed in Reykjavik, Iceland.

In the Books of Remembrance

Commemorated on:

Page 268 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance.
Request this page Download this page

TOWER HILL MEMORIAL London, United Kingdom

THE TOWER HILL MEMORIAL stands on the South side of the garden of Trinity Square, a hundred yards East of Mark Lane Station, and just within the boundaries of the Metropolitan Borough of Stepney and the Liberty of the Tower. It is at the hub of maritime England. Behind it are Trinity House and the offices of the Port of London Authority, and the Thames stretches before it; the wide space of Great Tower Hill, leading down from it to the river, is the traditional forum of merchant seamen and their fellow workers. Lloyd's is on the North, the Custom House and Billingsgate Market are near it on the West, and beyond the Tower, Eastwards, is the long line of the Docks the greatest dock system in the world.

For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

 

The Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission. Click here to learn more about the poppy.

Did we miss something?

Contribute information to this commemorative page

Do you have photographs, information or a correction relating to this individual’s virtual memorial? Learn more about the CVWM and the information we collect.