I am very grateful to those readers who have contacted me regarding the incident in which Lt Cdr William Hiscock, GC, DSC, was killed in on February 15, 1942.

During my research and as stated in my article in The Sunday Times, there was some uncertainty as records and accounts differed as to whether Lt Cdr Hiscock was actually killed with his wife Alice when their house at St George’s Barracks was bombed during an air raid on that day or whether he had died along with P/KX100038 Stoker 1st Class George Cole while dismantling an aerial mine.

I have since been in contact with Lt Cdr Rob Hoole, RN, vice-chairman of the Royal Naval Minewarfare and Clearance Diving Officers’ Association, who has explained that there was an error when the incident was quoted on certain sites. Lt Cdr Hiscock and his wife died together during the air raid on February 15. Ironically, Stoker Cole was also killed during an air-raid on the same day but in another location. I take this opportunity to encourage those who are interested in mine clearance by the Royal Navy during and after the war, to read the excellent work Mines Over – Wartime Exploits of Commander Edward D.W. Woolley by Frederick R. Galea and to visit the MCDOA’s website at www.mcdoa.org.uk

Wishing you all a very joyful and peaceful Christmas.