David Fulton

Able Seaman David Fulton of Belfast, Co. Antrim died on board HMS Mahratta when the Destroyer went down after an attack by U-990 on 25th February 1944.

Able Seaman

David Fulton

D/JX 148091

Able Seaman David Fulton served in the Royal Navy on HMS Mahratta when the British Destroyer went down under attack from U-990.

Able Seaman David Fulton (D/JX 148091) served in the Royal Navy during World War Two. Born on 24th August 1919, he was the son of Hugh Fulton and Mary Fulton (née Johnston) of 13 Geoffrey Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim.

He died on 25th February 1944 aged 25 years old on HMS Mahratta. At 2055hrs, Mahratta took a hit from GNAT (German Navy Acoustic Torpedo) while escorting Convoy JW-57.

HMS Mahratta

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.

David Fulton has no known grave. His name is on Panel 86, Column 2 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Plymouth, Devon.