Wilfred James Edwards

[mimi]

Hello, I am trying to find more information on my great uncle Wilfred Edwards who served on the SS Tregenna. I found the record of his death at the Royal Maritime Museum. This helped me to find him on the Central Index microfilms at Kew, showing lists of ships he worked on and a photo. Unfortunately his Pouch, which should have contained all his personal information, had been reassigned to someone else after his death much to the dismay of the records clerk assisting me who said this was unheard of.

As a result I have been unable to find address records and any family info (I believe he had a wife and kids) and was wondering if there is another way to gather this info. Many thanks

[KG]

Hello Mimi,

Thanks for your posting regarding Wilfred James Edwards, can you initially confirm this is the Wilfred Edwards lost with the SS Tregenna 17/09/1940, As there are no dates in your post and there were five ships that were named Tregenna, also you provide a middle name of James it would be best to ensure first that your relative is the same person.

Regard's,

Keith.

[mimi]

Hello Keith, thank you for your kind response. Here is some further information.

My great uncle Wilfred, a merchant seaman, was the oldest child born to my great grandparents in Portland Jamaica. He started working for Elders & Fyffes and I believe he came to the UK in the 1920's on one of their vessels. My father was told that he was stationed in Wales and was married with children. My grandfather fought in WWI and told my father that his brother Wilfred played a part in the war effort for WWII and died when the ship he was serving on was torpedoed.

I found Jamaica birth records for all my great grandparents children at the Family Search Centre, Kennington. The oldest was a male child born 26 Feb 1892. This corresponds with records I found at the National Martime Museum, for a fireman named Wilfred James Edwards from Jamaica who died aboard the SS Tregenna on 17/09/1940 when it was torpedoed. this Wilfred's year of birth was given as 1891 but this had been crossed out and re-entered as 1892 with an exclamation mark (i'm guessing he'd told a porky ). I used these records to find a photo of him in the National Archives. this photo of Wilfred Edwards who died on the SS Tregenna bears an unmistakable resemblance to my grandfather.

I have found no other merchant seaman named Wilfred Edwards from Portland, Jamaica whose birth and death details correspond with those of my great uncle Wilfred, and am certain they are one and the same.

Can I just say, this is an amazing website, I'm so glad I found it!

[Administrator]

Wilfred James Edwards is recorded with honour on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. He is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission:

LINK: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2786044/EDWARDS,%20WILFRED

K.

[Administrator]

I do not know if you have visited the Merchant Navy Memorial, but add a link that you can view the plaque for Tregenna, her Master and Crew:

LINK: www.benjidog.co.uk/Tower%20Hill/Trefusis%20to%20Trevethoe.html

K.

[Administrator]

EDWARDS, WILFRED

Born: 1891
Rank: Fireman
Date of Death: 17/09/1940
Age: 49
Regiment/Service: Merchant Navy S.S. Tregenna (St. Ives)

Panel Reference Panel 110.
Memorial TOWER HILL MEMORIAL

K.

[Administrator]

SS Tregenna crew list:

LINK: www.uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship529.html

K.

[mimi]

Thanks for the above links, the uboat.net website is one I haven't seen before. I have found the Ellis Island website really helpful in tracing the other ships he served on as far back as 1923.

My father and I along with my two sons have visited the Tower Hill memorial a few times and have taken some photos. Interestingly I have just found some additional information on a research site which lists an address in Cardiff for my great uncle, my first confirmation that he was indeed stationed in Wales.

Kind regards

[Administrator]

Another relative of a Tregenna casualty set up the web site and then noted on the home page an Jamaica origin, probably from the CWGC then but they have altered much. Many of those recorded have some family details, unfortunately there are non for Wilfred, as it was up to the family then to give the details.

There many reasons then that a lot did not furnish the info - hopefully working with you we can correct this.

"Let those who come after see to it that his name be not forgotten".

www.ss-tregenna.co.uk/

K.

[KG]

Mimi could you e.mail me direct at:

[e-mail]

I hope to help more K.