Crew list of Ships hit by U-boats


John Rostron

Merchant Navy (R278827). British

Born  4 Apr 1909Bury, Lancashire
Died  14 Dec 1966(57)Bury, Lancashire


Decorations

20 May 1943Bronzen Kruis
7 Sep 1943Mentioned in Despatches (MID)

Roster information listed for John Rostron


ShipTypeRank / roleAttacked onBoat
Paulus PotterSteam merchantCarpenter13 Jul 1942U-255 (1)

Personal information

John "Jack" Rostron abandoned the Paulus Potter in the lifeboat that was in charge of the master. He later told his son John Trevor how they landed after 5 days and that he was one of who made the fires and caught the ducks and gulls to eat. He was one of the very few not to suffer from frost bite and had the knowledge to wash his socks and clothes in fresh water to help prevent this. When he arrived home his wife hardly recognized him as he had lost so much weight. After the war he worked as foreman joiner until he died of lung cancer at the age of 57.

Sources

  1. Personal communication

Crew list for Ships hit by U-boats