b. 16/09/1923 Mutford, Suffolk. d. 12/01/1950 Chatham, Kent.
DATE OF AM ACTION: 12/01/1950 Chatham, Kent.
Frederick J Hindes AM
Little is known about Frederick Hindes other than he was born in Suffolk in 1923, and had joined the Royal Navy on 1st September 1944 as an Acting Sub Lieutenant. He was then promoted to Lieutenant a year later on 1st February 1945.
AM CITATION:
On the 12th January 1950, H.M. Submarine TRUCULENT was in collision with the Swedish Tanker ‘DIVINA in the Thames Estuary and sank almost immediately. Lieutenant Hindes, who was First Lieutenant of the submarine, was down below at the time of the collision. By his calm demeanour and clear orders he maintained perfect discipline and was able to ensure that the greater part of those on board moved safely to the engine room and after end of the vessel before she sank. He then divided the men, probably about sixty, between the two compartments and himself took charge of the escape arrangements in the after end. When all was ready he opened the escape hatch but, despite having told one hand to hold on to him, he was blown violently out of the boat and was not seen again. Yet the sense of order which Lieutenant Hindes had instilled survived him and it is probable that all those in the after end got clear of the submarine.
BURIAL LOCATION: BODY LOST AT SEA.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
Acknowledgement:
Allan Stanistreet – Image of Frederick Hindes AM.