Bert Frederick Ruthen

A Leading Stoker with H.M.S. Sphinx, Bert died on 3rd of February 1940 at the age of 22. 

Bert was born at Lowestoft on 1 March 1917, a son of Bert Edmund and Alice Ellen Elizabeth Ruthen. He was baptised at Saint John's Church, Lowestoft, on 25 March 1917 and his family lived at 85 Arnold Street. By 1921 his family were living at 187 London Road, Lowestoft. Later they lived at 175 High Street, Lowestoft. See house on LowestoftOldAndNow.org 

Bert served on the minesweeper H.M.S. Sphinx. The Sphinx was minesweeping in the Moray Firth, fifteen miles north of Kinnaird Head, when it was bombed by a German aircraft. Five men were killed in the attack. Attempts were made to save the ship but the Sphinx capsized. A total of 49 crew, including Bert, died.