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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

HM LST-418

"My great uncle, Able Seaman Victor Leonard Foster, R.N., was one of several casualties aboard HM LST-418, which was torpedoed by U-230. You may check his name on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission web site at http://www.cwgc.org there you will have confirmation that the vessel was sunk on the 16th February 1944.

I have several family papers that confirm the date of the ship's loss. Also, the official letter from the Admiralty, confirming Vic Foster's death is dated 7th March 1944, several weeks before the April date that is shown on your web site. I have just published a book, called "Our Vic", which gives the history of the 418.

During the research stage of the book I was fortunate to talk to three survivors of the ship's sinking. These men, Able Seaman John Holden, Able Seaman Ernie Bottomley (now deceased), and Able Seaman Dennis Colver all confirmed the date of the ship's loss. Mr. Colver has in his possession a medical document that he received in a US Naval Hospital, whilst recovering from the ordeal of the ship's sinking. Which brings me onto the subject of my other email to you. The medical document shows that the survivors of the sinking were fished out of the sea by USS LCI-194. Which puts that ship at a location on the 16th February 1944. The location being latitude 41 degrees North, longitude 12 degrees, 55 minutes East, 8 kilometers northwest of Punta Papa, Ponza Island (See UK National Archives FO 371/130441) - the place at which the 418 sank.

Thank You, I hope that this is sufficient evidence for you to make changes to the information that is displayed on your web site. If not please let me know what other evidence you may require.

With all good wishes,
/s/Mark Gamble,
9, Eastway Road,
Wigston, Leicester,
LE18 1NH,
England."

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