Page 116 - Sylvia Malt - Side by Side

FRANK WILLIAM JORDAN Sapper, Royal Engineers
1908 - 27th February 1944

Both of Frank's parents ( Austin and Minnie) had died before the start of WW2. He was
born in Sidcup and married his wife, Norah, in 1929. The couple settled in Foots Cray with
their two sons.

At the outbreak of War, Frank's engineering skills were put to good use when he joined the
highly regarded Corps of Royal Engineers. Royal Engineers did an absolutely vital and
important role, especially during the War years, and were responsible for maintaining the
railways, roads, water supply, bridges and transport, both home and abroad. (Before the
WW2, Royal Engineers had to be at least 5'4" tall).

It was the Royal Engineers who constructed the amazing Mulberry Harbour in support of
the Normandy Invasion. Without this extraordinary engineering achievement the invasion,
which ultimately led to the end of the war, could not have been achieved. Frank Jordan died
in England on 27th February 1944. He may well have been engaged in bomb disposal.
Frank wife, Norah, made sure that when recording his death, that due homage was paid to
both his parents.

In Memoriam: Frank Jordan was buried in Sidcup Cemetery.

ALFRED JAMES LARKMAN Royal Navy - HMS Intrepid
1917 - 26th September 1943

Alfred's parents, Alfred and Rosina, lived at 11 Cray Place, Foots Cray. He served in the
navy as an able seaman.

Alfred's ship, HMS Intrepid was built in 1936 by J. S. White & Co. at Cowes on the Isle of
Wight and came into service just before the start of the war, in the summer of 1937 with a
crew of 145 men.

On 14th October 1939 HMS Intrepid sunk a German submarine U045 southwest of Ireland
by depth charges in a combined operation with the British destroyers HMS Inglefield, and
HMS Ivanhoe.

On 9th May 1940, the mine laying destroyers HMS Express and HMS Esk, together with
HMS Intrepid lay down 180 mines in known German swept channels.

In May 1941 HMS Intrepid took part in the pursuit and destruction of the German Battle ship
Bismarck and also in Operation Pedestal, escorting a convoy to Malta in August 1942.

In 1942 HMS Intrepid was adopted by the town of Uxbridge, in Middlesex, who raised funds
for the ship's costs.

But, sadly, on 26th September 1943, HMS Intrepid was sunk by a German U-boat in Leros
Harbour in the Aegon Sea. All the crew were lost.

In Memoriam: Alfred Larkman is remembered on Chatham Naval Memorial.

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