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0. These early machines did not have a bombing capability.
The bomber version became available in early 1941 so this may
have been one of their first victims.
The bombs crippled the ship and killed three passengers.
The rest of the passengers and some of the crew, including
Win, abandoned ship in the life rafts and 33 crew members
attempted to return the ship to Liverpool. However the next day,
whilst awaiting a tug just 70 miles from the Mersey, the aircraft
returned and sank the boat. A further 12 crew-members were
lost.
Meanwhile the survivors spend the night adrift in the Atlantic in
freezing February temperatures in open lifeboats. They were
picked up the next day by HMS Kingcup and HMCS Assiniboine
and taken to Greenock. Win spent time in Larkhill Hospital being
treated for shock, exposure, and an injured knee.
She spent her final days back in Kings Cliffe.
Written with help from Tina Wallman, daughter of Jim
Bollans.
SADDINGTON Albert MM
Probably Sergeant 57333 Machine Gun Corps
Born in 1885 in Kings Cliffe, Albert was the third son of George
and Mary Saddington of West Street.
In 1911 he had moved to London and was living in the company
hostel of his employer, Cook Son & Co, in Southwark. His elder
brother George was also working for this company as were
other Kings Cliffe men.
We have no information of his army life except the detail on his
medal card and a report in the Stamford & Rutland News of 14th
November 1917:-
“Kings Cliffe – Military Medalist – Sergeant A. Saddington is being
heartily congratulated on his promotion and on being awarded the
Military Medal”.
171
The bomber version became available in early 1941 so this may
have been one of their first victims.
The bombs crippled the ship and killed three passengers.
The rest of the passengers and some of the crew, including
Win, abandoned ship in the life rafts and 33 crew members
attempted to return the ship to Liverpool. However the next day,
whilst awaiting a tug just 70 miles from the Mersey, the aircraft
returned and sank the boat. A further 12 crew-members were
lost.
Meanwhile the survivors spend the night adrift in the Atlantic in
freezing February temperatures in open lifeboats. They were
picked up the next day by HMS Kingcup and HMCS Assiniboine
and taken to Greenock. Win spent time in Larkhill Hospital being
treated for shock, exposure, and an injured knee.
She spent her final days back in Kings Cliffe.
Written with help from Tina Wallman, daughter of Jim
Bollans.
SADDINGTON Albert MM
Probably Sergeant 57333 Machine Gun Corps
Born in 1885 in Kings Cliffe, Albert was the third son of George
and Mary Saddington of West Street.
In 1911 he had moved to London and was living in the company
hostel of his employer, Cook Son & Co, in Southwark. His elder
brother George was also working for this company as were
other Kings Cliffe men.
We have no information of his army life except the detail on his
medal card and a report in the Stamford & Rutland News of 14th
November 1917:-
“Kings Cliffe – Military Medalist – Sergeant A. Saddington is being
heartily congratulated on his promotion and on being awarded the
Military Medal”.
171
