Frank Freeman

Sub-Lieutenant, H.M.L.C.T. 427
Died 7 Jun 1944
Commemorated Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Age 21


Frank was born on 13 June 1922 in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire to Romania born father Emmanuel Friedman, a hosiery manufacturer, and Jane nee Cohen. Emmanuel legally changed their surname to Freeman on 11 July 1933.

Frank enlisted into the Royal Navy and on 7 June 1944 he was on board Landing Craft LCT 427 which was returning from Gold Beach during the D-Day landings. The crew had delivered a cargo of Sherman duplex drive tanks to Gold Beach as a part of the British lead assault under Operation Neptune. As she approached Portsmouth in the early hours of 7th June 1944, part of a flotilla of tank landing craft, she was in collision with the battleship HMS Rodney. The LCT was sliced in two amidships as she collided with the bow of HMS Rodney. All thirteen crew of LCT 427 were lost in the tragedy.

In 2011, the shipwreck was discovered by divers from Southsea Sub-Aqua Club. The wreck was discovered at a depth of 30m in two pieces during the club’s diving survey and historical research in the Solent area. The two pieces lay upright several hundred metres apart in the busy main shipping channel approaching Portsmouth and Southampton. This area is normally out of bounds for diving, but the club was given special permission by Portsmouth Harbour Master. The club stated that the wreck was in a “remarkable condition” complete with anti-aircraft guns and ammunition boxes.

Photo Credit CWGC