In Darlington West Cemetery is the Commonwealth War Grave of:

W. Sowerby
Teleg. RN. C/JX207180
H.M.S. “Farndale”
21st January 1945  age 25

Worthy of everlasting
love and remembrance

The son of Harold Swinbank Sowerby and Minnie Sowerby, of Darlington and the husband of Gwendoline Sowerby, of Darlington.

William Sowerby, the only child of Harold Swinbank and Minnie (nee Richardson) Sowerby, was born on 19th December 1919 in Darlington.  Two years later the family was living at 9 Outram Street and Harold was working as a plumber’s labourer on the North Eastern Railway.

Having attended Darlington Grammar School, William found work as a stores clerk for a local engineering company, and aged 20 was still living with his parents on Pensbury street.  In spring of 1942 he married Gwendoline Laws and she too lived with his parents.

William joined the Royal Navy like his father before him, and in 1944 was serving as a Telgraphist on board H.M.S. Farndale.

In November 1944 the escort destroyer joined the 16th Destroyer Flotilla based at Harwich for convoy, defence and patrol in the North Sea and Thames Estuary, and on 14th January 1945 saw action against E- boats of 5th German Flotilla off the Humber estuary.

William Sowerby died from cardiac failure on board the Farndale on 21st January 1945. His death was registered at Harwich, Essex.

William Sowerby is remembered at Darlington on D40.023, D40.035 and D40.043 and on our List of Ships’ Crews.