Eric Gordon Robinson (TD/X2025) served his country during WWII (1940-1945) aboard HMS Honeysuckle (K27), a Flower-class corvette, as able/leading seaman. Many of his shipmates also feature on Convoys Remembered as HMS Honeysuckle played an active part in the escort of at least fifteen Arctic Convoys to and from Murmansk/Arkhangelsk. The final Arctic Convoy (RA66) almost cost him his life as HMS Honeysuckle attempted to rescue survivors of the stricken HMS Goodall. HMS Goodall sank some seven miles off Murmansk after she was torpedoed by U286 on 29th April 1945. 112 men of 156 perished but 44 survived against the odds. Eric’s sea-boat capsized during the rescue and he himself was rescued from the icy waters, which were ablaze with leaking diesel fuel. Eric was lucky to survive in such conditions.
[submitted by volunteer Ed Thompson]