Cyril Candy
Attended Queen Elizabeth School between 1928 and 1932.
Cyril and his 2 brothers, George and Norman, all won scholarships. After leaving school Cyril was employed in a local newspaper office and then in the offices of Sherwood Colliery and Mansfield Education office. He continued his studies and passed the examination of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries at the first attempt and took a post in Rochester, Kent as Assistant Director of Education.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
His parents were Thomas George and Emily Candy of 103 Forest Road, Mansfield.
Cyril joined the Royal Navy in July 1940 and had been posted to the cruiser HMS Dunedin in September 1941 as a supply assistant.
HMS Dunedin was torpedoed by U-Boat U124 captained by Jochen Mohr. Dunedin had spotted U-124 and changed course to intercept but U-124 also changed course and let loose 3 torpedoes, 2 hit at a distance of 4000 yards. The ship sank in 17 minutes out of a crew of 500 250 men eded up in the sea on Carley floats. The last man seen to leave the ship was it's captain. U-124 surfaced for 10 mins then submerged and left the men to their fate. Over the next 3 days the men gradually died of wounds, heat and dehyration. They were in 7 rafts, one raft only had 1 gallon of water and one tin of sea biscuits. On the 27th of November after 3 days and 4 nights in open boats the American merchant ship, Nishmaha, found the survivors but only 72 were alive, with a further 5 dying later.
Cyril's older brother, George served as a fireman in Beeston and younger brother, Norman sreved in the army in the Middle East.
HMS Dunedin's ship cat, Minnie, also died in the encounter.
Cyril is listed on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial panel 57 col 2
No photos