William John Draycott and HMS Gurkha

William John Draycott (05.08.1918 - 17.11.1980) was enlisted in the Royal Navy on 16th February 1937. He was part of the Malta Convoys, which ensured that supplies reached Malta. He was also a part of the Atlantic Convoys, which ensured that shipping got through from the Mediterranean and Gibraltar to Malta.

During his escort duties, he escorted British troop ships from Liverpool, one of which carried Margaret's father. He served in HMS Gurkha as part of Malta Convoys. He was part of a battle against an Italian submarine, Adua, on 30th September 1941. This battle led to the sinking of the submarine, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM), but he refused to collect the medal, likely because of the deaths involved. Him being awarded the DSM was mentioned in the London Gazette on Friday, 2nd January 1942.

He witnessed the deaths of Italian men in the waters. There were reports of men's bodies floating. William was rescued. January 1942 witnessed the HMS Gurkha being attacked by U-boat U133 off the coast of Egypt. This attack necessitated that the ship be abandoned, causing men to jump onto lifeboats and into the sea, although the sea was on fire from oil leaking from the vessel. They were subsequently rescued by the Dutch destroyer, Isaac Sweers.

William continued to serve in a naval capacity. Subsequently, he was charged with drunken, disorderly conduct (possibly a result of his post-traumatic stress) and was demoted as a result. He was discharged in November 1945.