Post by Administrator on May 3, 2018 19:46:36 GMT
Barry Men and Boys that went to War.
MOVED TO OWN THREAD.
Master mariner Cecil Foster.
On 4 June 1923, the Hain Line steamer Trevessa, heading from western Australia and loaded with zinc concentrates, sank 1,700 miles from shore.
Foster, a master mariner, was personally credited with having led over three quarters of his crew to safety. Thirty four of the 44 crew survived a 23-day lifeboat ordeal, until coming ashore on Rodriguez Island near Mauritius.
The son of a merchant seaman, Cecil Foster was born in Malta in 1890, and spent most of his early years in his parents' Aberdeen home, before his father's work brought them to Barry, some time before 1902.
Aged 12, he went to sea with the Hain Steam Ship Company of Barry, who had a tradition of training local children right through the ranks to eventually captain the firm's ships.
As a first officer on supply ships during World War I, Cecil was torpedoed by U-boats twice in the same day.
LINK
LUEN, Chief Officer, JAMES EDWARD, S.S. Harlingen (London). Merchant Navy. 25th November 1939. Age 43. Son of Albert Edward and Rebecca Luen; husband of Violet Victoria Luen, of Barry, Glamorgan. Father of Mary and June. Commemorated at Tower Hill Memorial, Panel 55.
PDF LINK
Gordon Love Bastian GC, MBE
He was 41 years old and serving in the Merchant Navy when his ship SS Empire Bowman was torpedoed by the U-404 500 miles from Brest, sustaining severe damage. He at once shut off the engines and then remembered that two men were on watch in the stoke hold. The engine room was in darkness and water was already pouring in. Although there was a grave risk of disastrous flooding, Bastian did not hesitate but groped his way to the door and opened it. The two men were swept into the engine room with the inrush of water; one was badly bruised and shaken, and the other had a broken arm and injuries to his feet. Bastian tried to hold them both but was unable to keep hold and lost one, so he dragged the other man to the escape ladder and helped him onto deck. He then returned for the other man and helped him to safety. The more seriously injured man had to be lifted up the ladder by Bastian, who was choking on the cordite fumes. He saved both men's lives with his fearless bravery.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: ON LOAN TO IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM, LONDON.
BURIAL PLACE: BARRIE UNION CEMETERY, BARRIE, ONTARIO, CANADA.
LINK 1
LINK 2
MOVED TO OWN THREAD.
Master mariner Cecil Foster.
On 4 June 1923, the Hain Line steamer Trevessa, heading from western Australia and loaded with zinc concentrates, sank 1,700 miles from shore.
Foster, a master mariner, was personally credited with having led over three quarters of his crew to safety. Thirty four of the 44 crew survived a 23-day lifeboat ordeal, until coming ashore on Rodriguez Island near Mauritius.
The son of a merchant seaman, Cecil Foster was born in Malta in 1890, and spent most of his early years in his parents' Aberdeen home, before his father's work brought them to Barry, some time before 1902.
Aged 12, he went to sea with the Hain Steam Ship Company of Barry, who had a tradition of training local children right through the ranks to eventually captain the firm's ships.
As a first officer on supply ships during World War I, Cecil was torpedoed by U-boats twice in the same day.
LINK
LUEN, Chief Officer, JAMES EDWARD, S.S. Harlingen (London). Merchant Navy. 25th November 1939. Age 43. Son of Albert Edward and Rebecca Luen; husband of Violet Victoria Luen, of Barry, Glamorgan. Father of Mary and June. Commemorated at Tower Hill Memorial, Panel 55.
PDF LINK
Gordon Love Bastian GC, MBE
He was 41 years old and serving in the Merchant Navy when his ship SS Empire Bowman was torpedoed by the U-404 500 miles from Brest, sustaining severe damage. He at once shut off the engines and then remembered that two men were on watch in the stoke hold. The engine room was in darkness and water was already pouring in. Although there was a grave risk of disastrous flooding, Bastian did not hesitate but groped his way to the door and opened it. The two men were swept into the engine room with the inrush of water; one was badly bruised and shaken, and the other had a broken arm and injuries to his feet. Bastian tried to hold them both but was unable to keep hold and lost one, so he dragged the other man to the escape ladder and helped him onto deck. He then returned for the other man and helped him to safety. The more seriously injured man had to be lifted up the ladder by Bastian, who was choking on the cordite fumes. He saved both men's lives with his fearless bravery.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: ON LOAN TO IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM, LONDON.
BURIAL PLACE: BARRIE UNION CEMETERY, BARRIE, ONTARIO, CANADA.
LINK 1
LINK 2