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Post by Administrator on Jun 17, 2020 13:57:00 GMT
Please take a moment to read and spare a thought. 80 years ago today.
RMS Lancastria was a British ocean liner requisitioned by the UK Government during the Second World War. The Lancastria was sunk on 17 June 1940 off the French port of St. Nazaire while taking part in Operation Ariel, the evacuation of British nationals and troops from France, two weeks after the Dunkirk evacuation. By the mid-afternoon of 17 June she had embarked an unknown number (estimates range from 4,000 up to 9,000) line-of-communication troops (including Pioneer and Royal Army Service Corps soldiers) and Royal Air Force personnel, together with about forty civilian refugees, including embassy staff and employees of Fairey Aviation of Belgium with their families. People were crowded into whatever spaces were available including the large cargo holds, to save as many lives as possible from the now occupied France. At 15:50 an air raid began by Junkers Ju 88 bomber aircraft from Kampfgeschwader 30. Lancastria was hit by three or possibly four bombs. A number of survivors reported that one bomb had gone down the ship's single funnel which is most likely considering the ship sank in less than 20 minutes. The ship was equipped with sixteen lifeboats, many of which could not be launched due to bomb damage and the angle of the hull as she sunk. The first boat to be lowered was filled with women and children but capsized on entry to the water, a second had to be lowered to resuce those now in the water. Many of those in the water drowned, died from hypothermia or were choked by fuel oil. Enemy aircraft began attacking survivors in the water and dropped flares into the floating oil. Survivors were taken aboard other British and US evacuation vessels, the trawler HMT Cambridgeshire rescuing 900. Capt WG Euston recommended several of his crew for awards, including Stanley Kingett for "making repeated journeys in a lifeboat to pick up exhausted men from the water while under machine-gun fire from enemy planes", and William Perrin for "keeping up continuous machine-gun fire in an attempt to prevent enemy planes machine-gunning men in the water." There were 2,477 survivors, it is estimated between 3,000 and 6,500 people perished. The largest loss of life in British maritime history.
Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (official)
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Post by Administrator on Jun 17, 2020 14:01:05 GMT
RIP.
ADAMS, Steward, THOMAS A., S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 36.
AMOS, Steward, THOMAS, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 56. Husband of Miriam Amos, of Liverpool.
AUSTIN, Steward, JAMES, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 48.
BOYLE, Sailor, MICHAEL, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 19. Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Boyle, of Liverpool.
BRADLEY, Sectionman, HERBERT, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 43. Husband of Alice M. Bradley, of Liverpool.
BRISCOE, Chief Steward, NORMAN LORD, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 49. Son of John and Annie Briscoe, of Liverpool; husband of Alice Mary Briscoe, of Meols, Cheshire.
CLARKE, Barkeeper, THOMAS LONSDALE, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 44. Husband of Ada Frith Clarke, of Troon, Ayrshire.
COFFEY, Sectionman, JOSEPH, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 57.
COMAN, Assistant Steward, WILLIAM J., S.S. Lancastria (London). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 40. Husband of Margaret Coman, of Prestatyn, Flintshire.
CONNOR, Sailor, ALBERT MICHAEL, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 23. Son of Charles W. and Margaret J. Connor, of Anfield, Liverpool.
CROFT, Trimmer, ERNEST JAMES, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 35. Husband of Margaret Croft, of Waterloo, Liverpool.
CUNNINGHAM, Assistant Steward, ALBERT, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 23. Son of John and Elisebeth Cunningham; husband of Hilda Cunningham of Kirkdale, Liverpool.
DARLEY, Deck Boy, JOHN FREDERICK, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 17.
DEVLIN, Greaser, THOMAS, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 55. Husband of Mary Devlin, of Greenock, Renfrewshire.
DINGLE, Porter, ROBERT, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 30.
DUCK, Steward, EDWARD DOUGLAS, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 55. Son of Charles Ready Duck and Anne Jane Duck.
DUNCAN, Senior Second Engineer Officer, JAMES, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 51. King's Commendation for Brave Conduct. Husband of Rita Duncan, of Crosby, Liverpool.
DUNMORE, Waiter, HERBERT RICHARD, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 53. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Herbert Dunmore; husband of Hannah F. Dunmore, of Liverpool.
EADES, Steward, JOHN, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 39.
FRASER, Chief Master at Arms, ALEXANDER IRVINE, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 34. Husband of Annie Kathleen Fraser, of Liverpool.
FRODSHAM, Steward, THOMAS HENRY, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 46. Son of John Henry and Sarah Frodsham; husband of Margaret Helena Frodsham, of Birkenhead.
GILBERT, Steward, HENRY, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 54. Husband of May Gilbert, of Liverpool.
GREEN, Assistant Cook, JOSEPH, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 20. Son of Albert and Alice Green, of Orrell, Bootle, Lancashire.
HAWES, Able Seaman, ARTHUR LAWSON, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 63.
HAYDEN, Boatswain, WILLIAM, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 51. Husband of Harriet Hayden, of West Derby, Liverpool.
HAYNES, Assistant Steward, JAMES, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 23. Son of James and Mary E. Haynes, of Birkenhead.
HILL, Surgeon, JOHN, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 44. Son of James and Jessie Gordon Hill; husband of Grace Leisk Hill, of Glasgow. M.B., Ch.B., M.D.
HUGHES, Waiter, JAMES, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 44. Son of Thomas R. and Hannah Hughes; husband of Sarah A. Hughes, of Liverpool.
ILLIDGE, Waiter, HARRY A., S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 57.
IMLACH, Seaman, JACOB COWIE, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 30. Son of William and Maggie Jean Cowie Imlach, of Portessie, Banffshire.
JACKSON, Steward, HARRY, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 55.
KELLY, Steward, JAMES ERNEST, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 49.
KEY, Captain's Steward, STANLEY LOUIS FREDERIC, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 34.
MAJOR, Greaser, ROBERT GEORGE, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 38. Son of Robert and Sarah Ann Major; husband of Lilian Rebecca Major, of Walton, Liverpool.
MARSHALLSAY, Assistant Barkeeper, JOSEPH, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 62. Son of Edward and Margaret Marshallsay; husband of Edith Maud Marshallsay, of Formby, Lancashire.
MASON, Trimmer, JOHN, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 50.
MOTTERSHEAD, Assistant Cook, WALTER, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 31. Husband of Nellie Mottershead, of Tranmere, Birkenhead.
McCAW, Storekeeper, SAMUEL ALEXANDER, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 30.
McGORRIN, Cook, OWEN, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 55. Husband of Edith McGorrin, of Dingle, Liverpool.
OLIVER, Steward, THOMAS JOHN, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 57.
OWEN, Assistant Baker, FREDERICK, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 52.
PEARSE, Chef, JOSEPH, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 51. Son of John and Anne Pearse; husband of Elizabeth Pearse, of Liverpool.
PORTER, Junior Assistant Purser, CUTHBERT EDGAR, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 31.
READ, Chief Butcher, THOMAS DOUGLAS, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 53. Husband of Charlotte Read, of Liverpool.
ROBERTS, First Officer, RICHARD GORONWY, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 54.
ROGERSON, Steward, ARTHUR, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 60.
ROWE, Porter, THOMAS, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 58.
RYAN, Waiter, EDWARD JOHN, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 23. Son of Edward and Louisa Ryan, of Everton, Lancashire.
SHEPHERD, Dispenser, FRED, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 36.
SLATER, Steward, WILLIAM H., S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 48.
SMITH, Steward, JOSEPH EDWIN, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 37. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Smith; husband of Helen D. Smith, of Douglas, Isle of Man.
SNOWDON, Steward, JOHN HERBERT, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 61. Son of John and Kathleen Snowdon; husband of Florence Snowdon, of Liverpool.
STANTON, Assistant Steward, PATRICK, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 61.
SURTEES, Ordinary Seaman, ROBERT, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 18. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kinmond Surtees, of Bootle, Lancashire.
TAYLOR, Steward, THOMAS, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 26.
TEMBY, Porter, EDGAR, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 60.
TILSTON, Able Seaman, GEORGE HENRY, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 30. Son of Edwin and Elizabeth Tilston; husband of Violet Tilston, of Katwijk-Am-Zee, Holland.
WALSH, Fireman, PATRICK J., S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 33. Son of James Peter and Ellen Walsh, of Liverpool.
WALTON, Trimmer, JOSEPH, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 27. Son of Joseph and Ellen Walton, of Liverpool.
Buried Ashore
McDONALD, Steward, JOHN, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 60. Buried Pornic War Cemetery.
RICHARDSON, Assistant Butcher, WILLIAM, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 23rd January 1947. Age 39. Son of Patrick and Mary Richardson, of Liverpool; husband of Marion Richardson, of Liverpool. Buried Liverpool (West Derby) Cemetery
ROGERS, Steward, HERBERT, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 48. Buried L’Aiguillion-Sur-Mer Communal Cemetery.
RUMNEY, Third Officer, REGINALD GORDON, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 45. Buried Pornic War Cemetery.
SMITH, Steward, WILFRED GEORGE, S.S. Lancastria (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 17th June 1940. Age 29. Buried Escoublac-La-Baule War Cemetery.
Billy McGee
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