Hallo. I am researching my uncle, Chief Officer on SS Empire March, Norman Naisby Birtley. From Billy McGee's casualty list I see his date of death is listed as 27 December 1942, yet the ship was not attacked until 2 Jan 1943. The memorial at Tower Hill also gives his death as 27 Dec, as does the CWGC site. The certificate provided to my aunt by the General Register and record Office in Cardiff confirming his death states 'lost at sea' 2nd Jan 1943, which is why the family have always believed he went down with the ship.
Can anyone tell me where this date of death would have originated? Is it possible that he was already dead when the ship was attacked? I would be grateful for any help.