229066 Ld/Tel. Donald Sabin Royal Navy HMS Vetch (d.4th February 1944) Leading Telegraphist Donald Sabin served on HMS Eagle from 1939 to 1941. Then we lose track of which ships he was on until he joined HMS Vetch in Alexandria in late 1943. He died of smallpox on 4th February 1944 and is buried in Gibraltar (North Front) Cemetery, Plot 1, Row D, Joint Grave 7. Can anyone fill in the gaps in his record of service please? Additional Information: | My dad, Arthur Roberts was a Telegraphist on HMS Vetch when Donald died. They shared the same cabin and swapped bunks during watch. My dad was there on the day that Donald died. A doctor came onboard from Gibraltar and had to do a tracheotomy to help with his breathing. He may have have contracted smallpox in Alexandria as they had sailed to Gibraltar from there. My dad thought that Donald's vaccinations were not up to date. Many years later my Dad went to Gibraltar to visit Donald's grave. He couldn't find it at first because it had moved/been relocated? Eventually he did find the grave, and on his way back sat on a bench to contemplate things. Another person on the bench asked him if he found who he was looking for. The other guy turned out to be a shop owner who Donald had worked for before the war and had come to the cemetery that same day to look for Donald's grave. He didn't know that Donald had died from smallpox, so my Dad was able to tell him Donald's story. My Dad could not believe that incredible meeting... RIP Donald Sabin & Arthur Roberts
Martin Roberts
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