World War 2: Petty Officer Cook Richard Allison Wilson: HM Submarine Traveller (N48): Gulf of Taranto

PETTY OFFICER COOK RICHARD ALLISON WILSON HM SUBMARINE TRAVELLER (N48)

Col William Marshall (SANDF Ret)

Dec 1942: P/MX53659 Petty Officer Cook Richard Allison Wilson, a South African National from Gordon’s Bay who was serving in the Royal Navy, was Reported Missing when the T-Class Submarine HM Submarine Traveller (N48) failed to report and disappeared after leaving the Island of Malta for a patrol in the Gulf of Taranto to reconnoitre Taranto Harbour for a Chariot Human Torpedo attack on Italian Battleships in the Port as part of Operation Portcullis.

It is believed that the Submarine struck an Italian mine on or about 12 December 1942 while in her patrol area with the loss of all 61 Officers and Ratings. He has no known grave and remains unaccounted for.

His name is perpetuated on Panel 69, Column 3 of the Portsmouth Naval Memorial in the United Kingdom. He was 25.