John Gibson
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Son of John and Mary E. Gibson, of Beeston, Nottinghamshire.
TRIPOLI WAR CEMETERY 10. B. 16.
HMS Derwent
Derwent was one of seven Type III Hunt-class destroyers ordered for the Royal Navy on 4 July 1940, as part of the 1940 War Emergency Programme. The Hunt class was meant to fill the Royal Navy's need for a large number of small destroyer-type vessels capable of both convoy escort and operations with the fleet. Derwent was laid down at Vickers Armstrong, Barrow-in-Furness on 12 December 1940, launched on 22 August 1941 and completed on 24 April 1942.
On 19 March 1943 while anchored in Tripoli harbour, Libya, Derwent was hit by a Motobomba (pattern-running torpedo) launched by Italian aircraft which also sank the Ocean Voyager and Greek steamer Vavara. Able Seaman John Gibson from Beeston was killed during the attack.
Derwent was beached to prevent her from sinking and was later temporarily repaired and towed to England. Some repairs were carried out, but the decision was taken to suspend work in January 1945 and she was reduced to the reserve, and finally scrapped in 1947. (Wikipedia)
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