Frank Francis Sibert
Frank was employed by Messrs Smales, building contractors, before joining the Royal Navy in about 1938.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Frank Francis was the only son of William and Gertrude Lucy Sibert (née Coggins).
His father William was born in Nottingham in 1884 and his mother Gertrude in Lincoln in 1887. They were married in 1915 (OND, Nottingham) and had five children, two of whom died in infancy: Kathleen E b. 1916 (AMJ) d. 1916 (OND), Gertrude Eva [Eva] b. February 1917, Ellen E b. 1918 (AMJ) death registered 1919 (JFM), Frank Francis b. 12 November 1920 and Noreen b. February 1924.
William, a millwright (Raleigh Cycle Company), Gertrude and their two surviving children, Gertude (4) and Frank (7m) were living at 10 Speechly Street, Nottingham, in 1921. Their daughter Noreen was born three years later.
The family had moved to 594 Berridge Road West by 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled. In the home that night were William, an engineer millwright, Gertrude, Gertrude Eva, a warehouse 'looker-up', and Noreen, a dress machinist. Frank has not yet been traced on the Register but had probably already joined the Royal Navy.
Noreen married Leonard Baker in 1947 and they probably had three children. Her sister Eva married George H Hill in 1948 and probably had one child. Eva died in 1997.
Their parents continued to live at 594 Berridge Road West until their deaths; Gertrude Lucy in 1960 and William in 1964. Both were buried in Bulwell Northern Cemetery, Nottingham.
Frank joined the Royal Navy in about 1938 and was serving in HMS Dorsetshire (Captain Augustus Willington Shelton Agar, VC), a County-class heavy cruiser, in 1942.
HMS Dorsetshire and her sister ship HMS Cornwall were sunk on 5 April 1942 while in a convoy to Trincomalee, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), onward destination Australia, with two transport ships and HMS Hermes, an aircraft carrier, which was going to Trincomalee for repairs.
The convoy was attacked by dive bombers from three Japanese aircraft carriers and HMS Cornwall, hit by nine bombs, sank within 15 minutes, and HMS Dorsetshire was hit six minutes later by 10, 250-550 pound bombs. The ship's HA magazine exploded and she sank within about eight minutes. HMS Cornwall lost 190 killed/missing and HMS Dorsetshire 234 killed/missing. The 1,122 survivors of 1,546 were not rescued until 30 hours later during which time they had been machine gunned by Japanese aircraft (www.wrecksite.eu/wreck and others)
Frank's body was not recovered for burial and he is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial (Panel 66, Column 3).
Northern Cemetery Bulwell, Nottingham. Grave/headstone inscription: 'In loving memory of a beloved wife and mother, Gertrude Lucy Sibert, died June 14th, 1960, aged 74 years. Also Frank Francis Sibert RN beloved son, killed in action (HMS Dorsetshire) April 5th 1942 aged 21 years. Also William Sibert, husband of the above died May 2nd 1964, aged 80 years. Goodnight; God Bless.' ('Find a Grave' website, Memorial ID: 203294)
CWGC Additional information: Son of William and Gertrude Lucy Sibert, of Nottingham.
Nottingham Evening Post, 30 April 1942: ‘Frank Sibert, age 21, A.B. gunner, Royal Navy, whose home address is 594 Berridge-road West, Nottingham, and who was employed by Mr Smales, buildng contractor, is reported missing from H.M.S Dorsetshire.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, 11 May 1942, report with photograph: ‘Nottm. Naval Casualties. The death is reported of AB Gnr. Frank Sibert only son of Mr. & Mrs. W Sibert, of 594, Berridge-road, Nottingham. He was 21, and had served in the Royal Navy for four years, two-and-a-half years abroad. Previous to this he was in the employ of Messrs Smales, building contractor.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 5 April 1943: ‘Sibert. In loving memory of our dear son and brother Frank, Royal Navy, April 5th, 1942. Still loved and longed for always. Loving mother, father, sisters Eva and Noreen.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
‘In Memoriam’ notices placed by parents and sisters in the Nottingham Evening Post, 5 April 1944, 1946, 3 April 1948, 1949, 1950, 1952 and 1955. 'In Memoriam', 5 April 1956 – from ‘mum, dad, sisters Eva, Noreen and families' - and 1957.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 5 April 1962: ‘Sibert. Frank, killed in action April 5th, 1942, HMS Dorsetshire. Mother, died June 14th, 1960. Happy memories. Dad, Eva, Noreen and families.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.uk)
Photo of Frank Francis Sibert
Commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial (www.cwgc.org)
Photo of Frank Francis Sibert
Nottingham Evening Post, 11 May 1942, report with photograph (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)