Scapa Flow torpedo survivor killed by asbestos
Herbert Pocock was thought to be one of only three remaining survivors of the sinking of the battleship HMS Royal Oak in October 1939. More than 800 of the 1,200-strong crew, many of whom were asleep at the time, perished in the German U-boat attack.
Mr Pocock, aged just 17, had a narrow escape.
The coroner ruled that asbestos was the cause of his death at home in Berkshire on 2 August.
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Hide AdPeter Bedford noted that a post-mortem examination revealed malignant mesothelioma on his right lung, with asbestos fibres also found in his tissue.
Mr Bedford said: “As soon as I hear Royal Navy and engineer, that is a known link to asbestos. His exposure to asbestos is as a result of his employment at some point in the past.
“I have read this wonderful reference to his surviving of the torpedo attack, and he had previously described himself as ‘a very lucky man’.
“His luck ran out but he was 92 years old, so it could have been a lot worse.”
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Speaking at the inquest in Reading, Mr Pocock’s son John told the story of his father’s escape from HMS Royal Oak.
He said: “He was down in the boys’ deck sleeping on his hammock when the first torpedo hit, All the boys woke up and were then told that everything was alright, so they were told to get back in their hammocks. The submarine then missed with a couple of other torpedoes but came back around, this time hitting with three.”
Mr Pocock had been shown a shortcut to get out of the lower deck by an officer on the ship, who paid him a small amount to make his bed, and sprung into action to escape.
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Hide AdJohn added: “There was a ladder by his hammock so he was used to going up that. When all the lights went out when the torpedoes hit again he found his way out, going up the ladder, through the kitchen and a gun turret and out.”
A tug boat attached to HMS Royal Oak had cut itself free and picked up some of the few survivors who had escaped the sinking battleship, including Mr Pocock.
Following his escape, he continued to work as an engineer in the Royal Navy and then became a commando, seeing action on HMS Manchester in North Africa and clearing beaches in Italy before he suffered a shrapnel wound and was discharged on medical grounds.
Mr Pocock was a regular visitor to the designated maritime war grave at Orkney and took part in commemorations for shipmates who lost their lives. He was married to Catherine for more than 60 years and the couple had two sons, James and John. Mr Pocock worked in private engineering until he was 65 years old.
Mr Bedford heard that Mr Pocock had been diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1946 but that was deemed “inactive” by 1949. In more recent years, he had suffered with fluid on his lungs and had procedures to drain them. He added: “For a gentleman of 92 years, he has a remarkably good medical history.”
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