They Shall Grow Not Old…

[Administrator]

Request from Billy McGee.

“They Shall Grow Not Old….” Revised Edition

Going to be uploading some information, hoping members can help. In this new edition of the book I am hoping to trace photographs of some of the individuals themselves, which I believe makes it more poignant. So far I have twenty-four on file. Obviously it's not going to be possible to find all, but I will upload in sections relating to where they came from in the hope there maybe people who know people who are in possession of photo's of the individuals or who have access to local newspaper obituaries, which at times carried a photo. Example to start with below:

Glamorgan

BURNS, Deck Boy, PETER WILLIAM, M.V. Cornish City (Bideford). Merchant Navy. 29th July 1943. Age 16. Son of Frederick W. and Mary Jane Burns, of Llanishen, Glamorgan.

DARLINGTON, Steward, CYRIL NATHANIEL, S.S. Leopold II. (Belgium). Merchant Navy. 23rd December 1941. Age 16. Son of Peter and Miriam Darlington, of Port Talbot, Glamorgan.

DAVIES, Assistant Steward, RAYMOND LEIGHTON, M.V. British Dominion (London). Merchant Navy. 10th January 1943. Age 16. Son of Thomas Davies, and of Jane Davies, of Tylorstown, Glamorgan

DOWN, Galley Boy, GORDON ILLTYD, M.V. King Malcolm (London). Merchant Navy. 31st October 1941. Age 15. Son of Maggie Down, of Barry, Glamorgan.

EVANS, Galley Boy, RAYMOND BASSETT, S.S. Henri Mory (Swansea). Merchant Navy. 26th April 1941. Age 15. Son of Evan Henry Evans, and of Ann Evans, of Abertridwr, Glamorgan.

GEORGE, Ordinary Seaman, WILLIAM JOHN, S.S. Nicoya (Glasgow). Merchant Navy. 12th May 1942. Age 16. Son of William and E. George, of Barry Dock, Glamorgan.

GOULE, Ordinary Seaman, JOHN BRISLAND, S.S. Magdalena (West Hartlepool). Merchant Navy. 18th September 1940. Age 16. Son of Louie Brisland Goule, and Adeline Maud Goule, of Barry Dock, Glamorgan.

HARRIS, Galley Boy, RONALD JAMES, S.S. Empire Osborne. Merchant Navy. 2nd March 1945. Age 16, of 11 St. Teilo Ave. Barry, Glamorgan. Buried Ste Marie Cemetery. Sec. K. Grave 132. Div. 67. Row L. Grave 7. (Both the Deaths at Sea Register and CWGC record Ronald as age 16, though his headstone was marked age 17.

HIGGINS, Mess Room Boy, BARRIE, S.S. Stornest (Newcastle-on-Tyne). Merchant Navy. 14th October 1942. Age 16. Son of Albert Higgins, and of Alice Maud Higgins, of Barry Dock, Glamorgan.

HURN, Cabin Boy, RAYMOND GEORGE, S.S. Fort Longueuil (London). Merchant Navy. 20th September - 16th October 1943. Age 16. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert George Hurn, of Cadoxton, Barry, Glamorgan.

JOHN, Cabin Boy, FREDERICK, S.S. Tunisia (Swansea). Merchant Navy. 4th August 1941. Age 15. Son of Frederick Benjamin John and of Louise Elisabeth John, of Cadoxton, Barry, Glamorgan. His father also fell.

LEWIS, Ordinary Seaman, ALBERT JOHN, S.S. Frances Massey (Hull). Merchant Navy. 6th June 1940. Age 15. Son of William Arthur Lewis, and of Mary Lizzie Lewis, of Port Talbot, Glamorgan.

LEWIS, Deck Boy, TERENCE, S.S. Rose Schiaffino (Cardiff). Merchant Navy. 3rd November 1941. Age 15, of 44 Thompson St. Barry, Glamorgan.

LEWIS, Apprentice, VERNON STANLEY, S.S. Holystone (Newcastle-on-Tyne). Merchant Navy. 15th February 1941. Age 16. Son of Stanley and Gertrude Lewis, of Abertridwr, Glamorgan.

MAIDMENT, Deck Boy, CLIFFORD, S.S. Petrel (London). Merchant Navy. 26th September 1941. Age 15. Son of Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Maidment, of Cadoxton, Barry, Glamorgan.

MORRIS, Apprentice, WILLIAM ARTHUR, S.S. Empire Gem (Glasgow). Merchant Navy. 24th January 1942. Age 16. Son of George and Evelyn Morris, of Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan.

RHYDDERCH, Ordinary Seaman, ISLWYN CHARLES, S.S. Empire Hawksbill (London). Merchant Navy. 19th July 1942. Age 16. Son of Charles Rhydderch, and of Mary Elizabeth Rhydderch, of Porth, Glamorgan.

STIFF, Mess Room Boy, CHARLES BURMAN, S.S. Rose Schiaffino (Cardiff). Merchant Navy. 3rd November 1941. Age 16. Son of Ernest John Burman Stiff and Elsie Dehaney Stiff, of Cadoxton, Barry, Glamorgan.

WHITE, Galley Boy, JOHN, M.V. Jedmoor (London). Merchant Navy. 16th September 1941. Age 16. Son of Frank and Mary Harriet White, of 40 Clive Rd, Barry Island.

WHITTAKER, Cabin Boy, JAMES, S.S. Dalblair (Newcastle-on-Tyne). Merchant Navy. 28th August 1940. Age 16. Son of John and Marjorie Whittaker, of Barry, Glamorgan.

[Administrator]

HARRIS, Galley Boy, RONALD JAMES, S.S. Empire Osborne. Merchant Navy. 2nd March 1945. Age 16, of 11 St.Teilo Ave. Barry, Glamorgan. Buried Ste Marie Cemetery

While at Le Harve the young Galley Boy Ronald Harris died from a perforated appendix. He is buried ashore and recorded as non war dead, though his grave is attended and looked after by the CWGC. Both the Deaths at Sea Register and CWGC record Ronald as age 16, though his headstone was marked age 17.

[Administrator]

Contacting all I can this way - South Wales. Touch wood others may
do similar with part 2 and Scottish losses. Keith.

Any Scottish help welcomed:

Renfrewshire

ELDER, Galley Boy, WILLIAM, S.S. Baron Erskine (Ardrossan). Merchant Navy. 10th January 1942. Age 16, of 6 Ransbury St. Greenock, Renfrewshire.

FORBES, Cabin Boy, JAMES, S.S. British Workman (London). Merchant Navy. 3rd May 1942. Age 16. Son of Alexander Graham Forbes and Mary Forbes, of Gourock, Renfrewshire.

McLEAN, Assistant Steward, MALCOLM, M.V. Peter Maersk (Hull). Merchant Navy. 7th December 1942. Age 16. Son of Helen McLean, of Greenock, Renfrewshire.

MORRISON, Mess Room Steward, GEORGE, S.S. Winamac (London). Merchant Navy. 31st August 1942. Age 15, of 15 Lomond Rd, Greenock, Renfrewshire.

WHYTE, Mess Room Boy, WILLIAM, M.V. San Arcadio (London). Merchant Navy. 31st January 1942. Age 15. Son of Mrs. C. M. Whyte, and stepson of Herbert Smith, J.P., of Gourock, Renfrewshire.

WOODS, Cabin Boy, HENRY, S.S. British Workman (London). Merchant Navy. 3rd May 1942. Age 15. Son of Richard and Mary Woods, of Greenock, Renfrewshire.

Aberdeen

EGGO, Mess Room Boy, ALEXANDER NICOL, M.V. Cordelia (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 3rd February 1943. Age 16. Son of John and Amelia Eggo; grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Nicol Smith, of Nigg, Kincardineshire.

BURNETT, Apprentice, HERBERT MUNRO HENDRY, Fishing Vessel Ocean Victor (Aberdeen). Fishing Fleet. 5th August 1941. Age 15. Son of Hugh and Isabella Burnett; stepson of Mr. F. Burnett, of Woodside, Aberdeen.

COOK, Third Radio Officer, HENRY ALEXANDER, S.S. Empire Prairie (Greenock). Merchant Navy. 10th April 1942. Age 16. Son of Henry and Eliza Cook, of Ellon, Aberdeenshire.

HOWE, Assistant Steward, PETER GRANT, S.S. Vancouver (Glasgow). Merchant Navy. 21st September 1941. Age 16, of 597 King St, Aberdeen.

MENNIE, Ordinary Seaman, GEORGE ALEXANDER, S.S. Ferryhill (Aberdeen). Merchant Navy. 21st January 1940. Age 16. Son of Jane Ann Mennie, of Aberdeen.

STEPHEN, Galley Boy, GEORGE, S.S. Macgregor (Ardrossan). Merchant Navy. 27th February 1942. Age 15, of Kettocks Mill, Aberdeen.

WHYTE, Deck Boy, RANDOLPH, M.V. Seaforth (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 18th February 1941. Age 15. Son of Robert and Rosetta Whyte, of Aberdeen.

Edinburgh

ANDERSON, Steward's Boy, JAMES BURNET, S.S. Induna (Glasgow). Merchant Navy. 3rd April 1942. Age 16. Son of Johnstone and Elizabeth Slight Anderson, of Edinburgh. Buried Murmansk Russian Cemetery extension. South side. Grave 14.

CAMPBELL, Cadet, GEORGE WILLIAM SUTHERLAND, S.S. Empire Citizen (London). Merchant Navy. 2nd February 1941. Age 16. Son of William G. and Jessie Sutherland Campbell, of Edinburgh.

FORBES, Galley Boy, PETER, M.V. Buesten (Norway). Merchant Navy. 9th April 1941. Age 16. Son of Angus and Jessie Forbes, of Edinburgh. Buried Dartmouth (Long Cross) Cemetery. Sec. G. Grave 331.

MACDONALD, Ordinary Seaman, ROBERT PAGET, S.S. Melrose (Leith). Merchant Navy. 15th March 1940. Age 15. Son of John Gillon Macdonald and Annie Paget Macdonald, of Leith, Edinburgh.

PRICE, Deck Boy, CHARLES, M.V. Lavington Court (London). Merchant Navy. 18th July 1942. Age 16, of 24 Clearburn Gardens, Edinburgh.

RAMAGE, Mess Room Boy, ROBERT, S.S. Trehata (London). Merchant Navy. 8th August 1942. Age 16. Son of Catherine Ramage, of Edinburgh.

RUSSELL, Ordinary Seaman, ALBERT, S.S. Royal Scot (Leith). Merchant Navy. 10th June 1941. Age 16. Son of Charles Russell, and of Maria Russell, of Gilmerton, Edinburgh.

SMART, Second Radio Officer, PETER JAMES, S.S. British General (London). Merchant Navy. 6th October 1940. Age 16. Son of Andrew S. and Margaret B. Smart, of Edinburgh.

TROUP, Cabin Boy, JAMES, M.V. Empire Statesman (Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th December 1940. Age 16. Son of James and Elizabeth Troup, of Leith, Edinburgh.

VALVONA, Apprentice, RAYMOND NISBET, M.V. Pecten (London). Merchant Navy. 25th August 1940. Age 16. Son of Ralph and Christine Valvona, of Edinburgh.

WHITE, Cadet, STEPHEN MONCRIEFF, M.V. Lochkatrine (London). Merchant Navy. 3rd August 1942. Age 16. Son of Moncrieff White, and of Elizabeth Duthie White. of Edinburgh.

[Administrator]

“They Shall Grow Not Old….” was my second book published in 2010 detailing the loss of over 500 Merchant Navy boy ratings who died in service during WWII, age 16 and under. Initially the idea came about from an individual case I helped research on started in 2005 for a young Reginald Earnshaw, age just 14 who was killed in action in July 1941, where I was involved in finding him buried in an unmarked grave in Edinburgh. After finding official documents at the National Archives in Kew and forwarded to the Commonwealth War graves Commission, “Reggie” as he was affectionately known as to his family, I had the pleasure of laying a wreath on his grave in an official ceremony in 2009, exactly sixty-eight years to the day he was killed and presented his sister with his medals I obtained. I was later invited to appear in the BBC documentary on “How We Won the War” (Scotland edition) centred around the Merchant Navy contribution during the war, using Reggie’s story as a back drop.



Since the book was first published, I have found more detailed information on the losses of those covered in the original publication, as well as a number of new cases of these boys lost, which I have worked on since, with a number of new cases added to official war dead by the CWGC, whose names I unveiled in 2019 at the Merchant Navy Memorial at Tower Hill, London

This in mind, and not a lot going on in the present climate, I have decided to write and updated version of the original book. Their stories are not meant in any way to devalue the contribution of all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice during wartime, but merely as educational purpose for those unaware of the facts, these boys could legally join the Merchant Navy at just 14 years old and fight for their country and is my way of remembering a lost generation, who the likes of will never be seen again.

What I am hoping to achieve is the possibility of relatives who maybe still living who may have family photos of the individuals I could use and add to the book. Obviously the list is too long to post here, but my main areas of research are, Newcastle, Hull, Liverpool, London, Glasgow. If anyone would be interested in a particular area or has contacts in the media who may be able to help, send me a PM and I will forward the names and details. I have already written to a number of local papers appealing for information.

If you have bothered to read this till the end, I thank you.
— feeling thoughtful.

Billy McGee

[Administrator]

Barry and Vale Merchant Navy war dead to be highlighted in book

highlighting their sacrifices.

Billie McGee MNM is a former Merchant Navy & Royal Fleet Auxiliary and is an archivist for the Merchant Navy Association.

In 2010, he published a book called They Shall Not Grow Old which details the loss of more than 500 boys aged 16 and under who died while serving with the Merchant Navy during the Second World War.

Mr McGee said: “Since the book was first published, I have found more detailed information on the losses of those covered in the original publication, as well as a number of new cases of these boys lost, which I have worked on since.”

A number of those new cases have been added to the official war dead by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). Mr McGee had the honour of unveiling those names at the Merchant Navy Memorial at Tower Hill, London in 2019.

With the new information and cases found, Mr McGee has decided to write an updated.

LINK

[Administrator]

The lost boys: Remembering the brave Teesside teens who lost their lives fighting a war at sea

Lost boys as young as 14 signed up to join the Merchant Navy but never came home - now they are set to be remembered in a book.

Some were as young as 14, most hadn't even reached their 18th birthdays, all were lost at sea.

But as the oft repeated commemoration says, they shall not grow old and we will remember them.

LINK