Ronald Harry Mitchell RN

Ronald was the son of Walter and Beatrice Mary Mitchell who lived in a small thatched cottage overlooking Eltisley’s village green. He was a member of the 12 man crew of a Dutch coaster, HMS Abel Tasman, commandeered by the Admiralty in May 1940 to form part of the fleet which went to Dunkirk to rescue the retreating Allied Army. She sailed at least twice during that operation. On 27th May  she was attacked by aircraft and lost a member of her crew. Returning on 1st June she was again attacked and again lost a member of her crew. On 11th June she sailed from Poole, this time bound for St Valery, to rescue more troops. HMS Abel Tasman became detached from the main force in fog and attempted to return to harbour.

In the Swash Channel off Poole she detonated an enemy mine, dropped by an aircraft,  and sank with all hands. Leading Seaman Mitchell’s body was not one of the five recovered. He is remembered on the Naval Memorial at Portsmouth and on a plaque in the church of St Pandionia and St John the Baptist, Eltisley.

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