227240 Charles Henry O'Donnell Royal Navy HMS Manchester from:Birmingham UK Charles Henry O'Donnell, born 1912 in Ireland, was my uncle. He served aboard HMS Manchester and when the ship was sunk in 1942 he and companions rowed to the North African coast (they were not picked up by any Allied shipping) and were captured and interned by the Vichy French - presumably at Laghouat, although I do not recall Charles ever mentioning the name of the camp to me. He did say, however, that the treatment he and his companions suffered was harsh and cruel. I believe, but have no evidence, that he returned to the Navy after Algeria was liberated.
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