Joseph Raymond Jordan

Possibly on board the Lancastria which was evacuating the British Expedition Forces when it was sunk on the 17th June 1940. In the local paper's report on 6/12/1940 it is stated he was drowned at Baie Bourgre near Bouine Verdee. Bouine is along the coast from St Nazaire and as he is buried in Pornic War cemetery which halfway between Bouine and St Nazaire it seems very likely he was on board S.S. Lancastria when she was sunk whilst evacuating troops and civilians from St Nazaire. The ship was only officially allowed to carry just over 2000 but the captain had been ordered to ignore limits set by international law and it has been estimated that there was between 400 and 9000 on board when she sank less than 20 mins after being hit by 3 or 4 bombs in a German air-raid. Only 2,477 survived the sinking and anything up to 7000 are belived to have died, with bodies washing up on the coast days and weeks later.

Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser: 23/8/1940: Soldier's Relatives Appeal for News.
Although not officially posted as missing, parents of Trooper Joseph Raymond Jordan of the Sherwood Yeomanry have heard nothing of him since 5th June. Son of Mr & Mrs S Jordan of 12 Charles Street, Mansfield Woodhouse. As of the last two years he as been serving as a Territorial in the Yeomanry and was called up for active service on the outbreak of war, being drafted to France in March shortly after his 20th birthday.
His last letter home was dated 5th June spoke of the terrible plight of the refugees in France. Before call up he worked at Welbeck Colliery as is his father. Trooper Jordan is their only son.

Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser: 6/12/1940: Local Soldiers Fate. News has been received by his parents, Mr & Mrs Jordan of 12 Charles St, Mansfield Woodhouse that their son Trp J R Jordan of the Cavalry who was reported missing in July this year, was between June and 10th July found drowned at Baie Bourgneuf near Bauine Vendee France and later buried at Bauine Cemetery.

Another man from Mansfield Woodhouse, Cpl James Easom, was also a casualty from the sinking of the Lancastria. The family lived next door to Leslie M Wardle who died on 28th April 1943 whilst serving with the Royal Artillery.