Victor James Coyne
He attended the Sir Frederick Milner School, Retford. On leaving school he joined the staff of the Borough Treasurer's Department. He held the Royal Society of Arts Certificate for commercial arithmetic, passing the examination with credit.
He was a keen swimmer and cricketer, and was also an enthusiastic gardener.
For some time he carried out the duties of messenger for Retford Civil Defence.
Following the broadcast appeal in 1940, he joined the L. D. V.'s
(which after wards became the Home Guard), and served with the local unit until be joined the Royal Navy.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
He was the son of Arthur James Coyne and Phyllis Coyne and the brother of Vera, Eileen and Wallis Coyne of 69, Jubillee Road, Retford.
HMS Albrighton
HMS Albrighton was a Type III Hunt-class destroyer. She entered service in February 1942, first carrying out an attack on German ships in the English Channel then taking part in the Dieppe Raid, rescuing survivors from the sinking destroyer HMS Broke. Albrighton was next assigned to search for and destroy the German auxiliary cruiser Komet then escorted a convoy to Gibraltar in prevision of the Allied landings in North Africa. Between December 1942 and April 1943, she participated in the sinking of three more Axis ships with the First Destroyer Flotilla. On the night of 27–28 April 1943, Albrighton and the Hunt-class Goathland sank the Italian blockade runner Butterfly and the German anti-submarine trawler UJ1402. Albrighton was damaged in this action, with eight killed (including Able Seaman George Bentley from Bulwell and Telegraphist Victor Coyne from Retford) and 25 wounded. During the Normandy Landings, Albrighton served as a headquarters ship then sank two German trawlers in the weeks after the invasion. (Wikipedia)
He joined the Royal Navy in October 1941.
Telegraphist Coyne was serving on the Albrighton when the destroyer took part in the Dieppe raid.
Coyne's body was landed at a naval port and the funeral took place at Ordsall on the following Tuesday.
The service in Ordsall was conducted by the Rector, the Rev. R. Foskett.
The coffin was draped with the Union Jack, and escorted by the Babworth Platoon of the.Home Guard, under Lieut. G. W. Pick. Six members acted as bearers.
When the Home Guard lined the entrance to the church, they were joined by Telegraphist G. Hopkins, R.N. (a friend of the late Telegraphist Coyne) and representatives of the Civil Defence. The Rector conducted the graveside service, and three buglers of the Home Guard sounded the "Last Post" and "Revellle.
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The CWGC headstone of Victor James Coyne
Courtesy of Michael and Elizabeth Szarelis
Victor James Coyne
Photo: Courtesy of Michael and Elizabeth Szarelis
Photo of Victor James Coyne