b. 04/04/1922 Corris, Merionethshire, Wales. d. 12/03/1944 Indian Ocean.
DATE OF AM ACTION: 12/03/1944 Indian Ocean.
Ivor T Griffiths AM
Little is known about Sick Berth Attendant Ivor Thomas Griffiths other than the details of the incident on HMS Illustrious in the Indian Ocean on 12th March 1944. Ivor was approaching his 22nd birthday at the time of his death in the explosion. Ivor was the son of Thomas and Jane Griffiths, and he was recently married to Glenys Cavell and they were living in Cyffylliog, Flintshire.
AM CITATION:
When an aircraft crashed while landing on H.M.S. Illustrious and came to rest with the engine on the flight deck and the tail on top of a pom-pom gun, petrol began ,to pour from the wreck and within.two minutes an explosion was followed by fire. Within those two minutes Sub-Lieutenant McHardy, who had himself only just landed on, -and Sick Berth Attendant Griffiths, who was a member of a party detailed for medical duties on the flight deck, climbed on to the aircraft in an attempt to free the pilot, although both were well aware of the extreme risk they were running. They were killed by the explosion that followed.
BURIAL LOCATION: LOST AT SEA. ON PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL.
PANEL 91, COLUMN 1.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: HELD BY FAMILY.
Acknowledgement:
Carol Pollard – Image of Griffiths AM name on Plymouth Naval Memorial.