Sailor torpedoed in WWI cheats death a second time

A sailor, from Bannockburn, who survived a torpedo attack in World War One, cheated death for a second time at the start of World War Two.

The Observer of November, 1939, told how Thomas Wingate had days earlier been serving on the HMS Gypsy when it was sank off Harwich, Essex.

Thirty men died when the destroyer struck a magnetic mine which had been dropped by a German seaplane two hours earlier.

Mr Wingate`s wife lived at 5 Smart’s Court, Bannockburn, and he was the son of Mr Peter Wingate, retired locomotive engine driver, Braemount, St Ninians, Stirling.

It was, said the Observer, ¬with great relief’, after many hours of anxiety, that his wife and relatives learned he was in hospital but only slightly injured following the Gysy’s sinking.

Mr Wingate joined the

Navy during World War One when he was 17. During that conflict his ship was torpedoed by the Germans. He was unhurt but at sea for many hours before being picked up.

He had been in the Navy since that time and in normal circumstances would have completed his period of services a month earlier. However, with the start of World War Two, he remained in the Navy.

Meanwhile, the Stirling Observer highlighted a problem with gas masks issued to the civilian population following the start of World War Two.

The paper said it was impossible to wear the masks for more than a few minutes without the eye pieces steaming up.

There was on the market an `anti-dimming’preparation which was meant to stop this. However, those who couldn’t obtain the substance were advised that a `thin film of soap’ smeared on the eye pieces could be used as an alternative.

The Stirling Observer said: `If this is not done hundreds of people will be staggering about in an air raid knowing if they take their mask off and gas has been used, they could be poisoned.

“It seems remarkable that little or no public instruction has been given on this (crucial) point.’