Ordinary Seaman D/JX 253867 Joseph Frederick Pilling

BMD details:
Marriage of Joseph F Pilling to Edith Peel registered at St Helens, Lancashire. Vol 8b - Page 1363.

Family details:
Son of John and Margaret Pilling, of St. Helens; husband of Edith Pilling, of St. Helens.

Census details:
1939 Register. 24 years old Joseph Frederick Pilling born 11/08/1914 a Wood Case Repairer and wife Edith Marr (Pilling) born 05/07/1915 an Unpaid Domestic are living at 102 Morley Street, St Helens

[pic]imgs/sppics/HM_Motor_Launch_137.jpg[/pic][caption]H.M Motor Launch 137[/caption] When on patrol in the Dover Straits and attacked by six Messerschmitt ME - 109 aircraft, 4/6/42. Normally this type of vessel would have a crew of about 22 persons. This is what is known about her crew on that day. T Lt Leslie John Hutchings RNVR Commanding Officer 6/44 - previously first lieutenant 6/42. TLt Wilfred Tomlinson RNVR Commanding Officer 1942 DSC 1942 TSLt P I McDowell RNVR (First Lieutenant) PO Bernard William Matthews D/JX130022 ([b]Killed in action [/b][b]4/6/42[/b]) Age 30 Son of Thomas Cridiforde Matthews, and of Adela Ann Mortimore Matthews of Broad Windsor, Dorsetshire. Buried in Newhaven Cemetery Grave 552 AB Joseph Edward Bowden D/JX243312 AB Wilfred Cope C/JX351970 AB Albert Cross D/JX169371 Ord Kenneth Pettman D/JX 253805 ([b]Killed in action 4/6/42[/b]) Husband of Doris May Pettman, of Broughton-in-Furness Buried in Ulverston Cemetery Sec. O. Grave 89. [b]Ord SeamanJoseph Frederick Pilling D/JX 253867 (Killed in action 4/6/42) Age 27 Son of John and Margaret Pilling, of St. Helens; husband of Edith Pilling, of St. Helens[/b] [b]Buried in St. Helens Cemetery Sec. 11. Grave 84.[/b] Ord seaman,Gordon Wyld. The following awards where bestowed to the crew for that fateful day:- Distinguished Service Cross - TLt Wilfred Tomlinson RNVR Distinguished Service Cross - TSLt Leslie John Hutchings RNVR, directs return fire whilst providing first aid for the wounded. Distinguished Service Medal - AB Joseph Edward Bowden D/JX243312 Distinguished Service Medal - AB Albert Cross D/JX169371 Mentioned in Despatches - PO Bernard William Matthews D/JX130022 Mentioned in Despatches - AB Wilfred Cope C/JX351970 HM Motor Launch 137 was not sunk during this attack and went on to serve during the D-Day landings. [pic]imgs/S1PWHYAOTV/J_F_Pilling.jpg[/pic] [caption]The headstone of Ordinary Seaman Joseph Frederick Pilling at St Helens Cemetery. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Keenan)[/caption]