1 November 1942 U-Boat 178 torpedeod and sinks SS Mendoza.
Tons 8,233 Type Steam Freighter Nationality BR Voyage MOMBASA for DURBAN.
Cargo ballast 253 military including naval personnel and 287 bags of mail.
Attacker U178 (Kpt Hans Zee Ibbeken) Date 01 11 1942 Time 1533 Fate torpedoed
Position 29.20S/32.13E
At 15.33 hours on 1 November 1942, the unescorted Mendoza (Master Basil T. Batho) was torpedoed and sunk by U-Boat 178 about 70 miles east-northeast off The Bluff near Durban South Africa.
According to New Zealand Defence Force Records Thomas Barrymore Paton was lost at sea Indian Ocean and has no known grave.
He has no known grave instead his name is on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission New Zealand Naval Memorial Devonport Auckland New Zealand Panel 4 and the War Memorial Gates at the Mangaweka School.
Appreciate contact from any-one who knew my uncle. Email to ranchfx.nz@gmail.com
