In Tynemouth (Preston) Cemetery is the Commonwealth War Grave of:

Sub-Lieutenant (E)
W. Kirkham, R.N.V.R.
S.S. Patia
28th April 1941 age 38

Let light perpetual
Shine upon him

William Kirkham was the son of William and Annie Flora Kirkham, of Crewe Cheshire.

HMS Patia was bombed and sunk by German He 111-bombers near 20G Buoy, Coquet Island, Northumberland, U.K.

1/KG26 Heinkel He 111H-5 (3677) was shot down by AA fire from Fighter Catapult Ship Patia which later sank due to damage caused in the attack. Aircraft crashed into the sea 35 miles off the River Tyne 9.30 pm. Oberfw. E. Fenchel, Gefr. R.Klamand and Uffz. S. Warko baled out and were taken prisoner. Gefr. J. Schurgel was killed. The aircraft 1H+MH sank in the sea

William Kirkham is remembered at Boulmer on B49.06 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.