Petty Officer Telegraphist Albert Neilly (D/JX 153420) served in the Royal Navy during World War Two. He was the son of Joseph B Neilly and Martha Neilly of Belfast, Co. Antrim.
He died on 25th February 1944 aged 37 years old on HMS Mahratta. At 2055hrs, Mahratta took a hit from GNAT (German Navy Acoustic Torpedo) while escorting Convoy JW-57.
Imperial War Museum Photo: A 15579 (Part of the Admiralty Official Collection). British Destroyer HMS Mahratta underway at Greenock, Scotland on 24th March 1943. Photo taken by Lieutenant SJ Beadell.
The British Destroyer exploded and went down in minutes around 280 miles north of North Cape. HMS Wanderer picked up only 16 survivors from the icy waters. The Commanding Officer, 10 other Officers, and 209 Ratings died when Mahratta went down.
Albert Neilly has no known grave. His name is on Panel 88, Column 3 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Plymouth, Devon.