THE LACONIA INCIDENT - September 1942
Location
West Park Centre
About
A fascinating talk about the little known sinking of RMS Laconia. Sailing alone in the Atlantic Ocean RMS Laconia, a converted civilian ocean liner which had been requisitioned by the Royal Navy, was transporting Italian prisoners of war from Cape Town in South Africa to Freetown, Sierra Leonne. On board Laconia there were 1,793 Italian prisoners, a guard of 103 Polish soldiers, 286 British soldiers, 87 civilians and the Laconia crew consisting of 463 officers and men. Local historian Peter Holmes has researched the incident - which involved one of his ancestors. Hear his story and chat with him over tea and cake afterwards.