Bernard Francis Grice

Able Seaman

Conflict:

WW2

Additional Information:

Son of James and Mary Grice, of Auckland City; husband of Ellen Margaret Grice, of Devonport, Auckland.

References:

CWGC

NZ WAR GRAVES

Biographical Notes:

Missing presumed killed serving aboard the HMS (HMNZS) Achilles.

Whilst providing naval gunfire support off Guardalcanal, the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. 13 crew were killed.

The Solomon Islands Campaign

Achilles joined United States Navy forces participating in the campaign for the Solomon Islands at the end of December 1942. On 5 January 1943 Task Force 67 had conducted a bombardment of Munda Island and was patrolling near Cape Hunter, off the south coast of Guadalcanal. A group of four Japanese aircraft attacked the force and a bomb hit the top of X turret, blowing the top off and killing 13 men and injuring eight others.

Source: Torpedo Bay Navy Museum, Auckland.

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Casualty

Service Number:

1081

Name:

Bernard Francis Grice

Rank:

Able Seaman

Date of Birth:

16 June 1914

Place of Birth:

Auckland, New Zealand

Next of Kin:

Mary Grice (mother), 9 McKelvie Street, Grey Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand, Ellen Margaret Grice (wife), 3 Achilles Crescent, Devonport, Auckland, New Zealand

Date of Enlistment:

Not known

Enlistment Address:

9 McKelvie Street, Grey Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand

Occupation on Enlistment:

Messenger

Unit:

Royal New Zealand Navy

Casualty Details

Cause of Death:

Killed in action

Date of Death:

05 January 1943

Day of Death:

Tuesday

Age at Death:

Conflict:

WW2

Embarkation Details

Embarkation Body:

Royal New Zealand Navy

Text in italics supplied by Cenotaph Online, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Cemetery

Cemetery:

New Zealand Naval Memorial, Devonport, Auckland

Cemetery Reference:

Panel 2.

Cemetery Location:

New Zealand