NOT COMMEMORATED

[Administrator]

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

No crosses mark the ocean waves;
No monuments of stone.
No roses grow on sailor's graves,
The Sailor rests alone
His tributes are the sea gulls' sweeps,
Forever wild and free . . .
And teardrops that his sweetheart weeps
To mingle with the sea
Anon

Many remain without commemoration.

[Administrator]

Some families and loved ones did bury those lost privately without Commemoration. Relatives refused war graves for many reasons, including the delay involved with dealing with officialdom and a desire to lay to rest and eternal peace the person involved, or simply for personal or religious reasons. This would account for the many, countrywide that are buried without a Commonwealth War Grave Commission headstone. Others in the case of the Merchant Navy simply did not meet the criteria set for Commemoration. Vast amounts of Merchant Seamen have no known grave but the sea.

Families then apparently had the choice or erecting their own headstone which was known as a PM or Private Memorial, but in doing so forfeited the right to have it maintained by the Commonwealth War Grave Commission, where they would have erected a CH (Commission Headstone). The CWGC, if contacted, may possibly erect a CH now if the family gave permission.

K.

[Administrator]

Unfortunately only those merchant seamen who died while their ship was involved in military operations were commemorated. So, for example, if a ship was lost after a bombing, mine or torpedo attack then clearly that would be defined as military operations, but if a ship foundered in a gale or a collision then casualties from that occurrence would not qualify.

Similarly, if a merchant seaman died of an illness or an accident then they were not remembered on the memorial.

If a merchant seaman was lost through a war cause, however, but was buried ashore, then his name would also not possibly be on the Tower Hill Memorial because only those who have no known grave are remembered there.

[Administrator]

Barry Merchant Seamen of the Forgotten Service

“We should remember all of them”

'But for the Merchant Navy who bring us the food and munitions of war, Britain would be in a perilous state and indeed, without them, the Army, Navy and Air Force could not operate' Winston Churchill said on 27 January 1942. However, unlike the armed forces, whom are remembered / commemorated regardless of event, the Merchant Navy has to meet strict criteria to be included in National Commemoration.

We shall remember them "LEST WE FORGET" should mean all of them. Over 40,000 seamen lost their lives in WWII. Men whose wages were stopped the moment a torpedo struck their ship. Men who still vividly remember the horrors of watching their shipmates drown or horribly burn to death when ships carrying high octane blew up in a fiery ball. Men who survived and returned home only to sign on and ship out yet again to face the enemy with guts and determination to make their heroic contribution to the war effort.

No matter what enemy action they faced, or medals won, in both World Wars, to die in port would not fit the criteria to be commemorated even today and the brave young men of the forgotten service remain forgotten.

Some survived the First World War and much action, survived attacks in the Second World War and experiences that may have led to an early loss of life. But, without a direct hit from an Heinkel or a U.boat torpedo for example, they simply do not fit the official criteria.

LEST WE FORGET

Included below are the names of a number of men from my home town of Barry, who may also be missing from any local memorial.

Marylyn 161369 10/09/1939 Avonmouth. Daniel Lee. 51 Bosun Barry Dock. Fractured Base of Skull from accident.

King Edward 141921 26/12/1939 Lat. 02' 26S Long. 02' 33W Trevor Mears 31 2nd Mate Barry, Glam. Presumed Heart Attack.

Runswick 161016 17/02/1940 At Sea William Geary 53 4th Engineer Barry. Heart Disease.

King Edward 141921 26/12/1939 02' 21S 02' 33W Jenkin Trevor Mears 31 2nd Mate Barry, Glam. Presumed Heart Failure.

Nariwa 143562 08/05/1940 Buenos Aries James Hopkins 30 Fireman & Trimmer Barry Island. Injury to head.

Daru 149652 13/08/1940 39' 25N 21' 36W Edward O'Toole Unknown DBS Barry Dock. Malaria.

Graiglas 167801 25/07/1940 Hospital, Canal Zone Charles Brown aka Bya Pau 53 Fireman Barry. Pulmonary Abscess.

Glaisdale 161012 23/09/1940 Manchester Evangelos Gianakulias 41 Greaser Barry. Coronary Thrombosis.

Daldorch 161935 28/10/1940 Princess Docks, Hull John Kasak 49 AB Barry Dock. Fell in Princess Dock and believed drowned. Body recovered.

Royal Crown 149440 16/12/1940 Cardiff Docks John Moore 42 Master Barry. Asphyxia due to drowning.

Tewkesbury 148259 29/01/1941 Jarrow Dry Dock James Ernst 21 Fireman & Trimmer Barry. Fell in dry dock.

Trevarrack 142568 23/09/1940 Hospital, Port Said John William Parker 51 3rd Engineer Barry. Shock following fracture of femur.

Mariston 147905 02/01/1941 Cardiff Abdul Hamed 36 Fireman Barry. Killed in air raid at Bute St, Cardiff.

Start Point 142834 09/02/1941 Philadelphia Felix Fredrickson 50 Carpenter Barry. Motor accident while ashore.

Warkworth 148105 23/04/1941 Hospital, London Emanuele Vassallo 38 Fireman & Trimmer Barry. Fractured skull.

Toward 147862 07/05/1941 Greenock John McNaughton 56 Chief Engineer Barry. Heart Failure

Dayrose 148304 26/06/1941 Hospital, Manchester Manoel Almeda 50 Fireman & Trimmer Barry Dock. Unknown.

Information via Billy McGee.


HARRIS, Galley Boy, RONALD JAMES, S.S. Empire Osborne.
Merchant Navy. 2nd March 1945. Age 16,
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]

His Majesty The King

"In these anxious days I would like to express to all Officers and Men and in The British Merchant Navy and The British Fishing Fleets my confidence in their unfailing determination to play their vital part in defense. To each one I would say: Yours is a task no less essential to my people’s experience than that allotted to the Navy, Army and Air Force. Upon you the Nation depends for much of its foodstuffs and raw materials and for the transport of its troops overseas. You have a long and glorious history, and I am proud to bear the title “Master of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets” I know that you will carry out your duties with resolution and with fortitude, and that high chivalrous traditions of your calling are safe in your hands. God keep you and prosper you in your great task." H.M. The King’s Message. September. 1939.


CWGC Rules:

UK Merchant Seamen lost during WWII should, according to the rules, only to be commemorated when they are lost as a result of increased war risk and the loss was confirmed by the Registrar General of Seaman and Shipping. Unfortunately the RSS sometimes did not forward the details of some Merchant Seamen to be considered. The National Merchant Navy Association are at the moment compiling all the data held by the CWGC of Merchant Seamen who died outside of their remit. It is hoped all these men will be placed in a separate register and recorded accordingly.

A HMSO study published in 1955 "Merchant Shipping & the Demands of War" states that as many as 11,600 Merchant Seamen between 1942-1944 died shortly after leaving their ship, or whose lives were permanently damaged, either physically or mentally.

We note that the SPVA, as the joined-up Vets and pensions agency is now called, have been instrumental in helping with funding for obtaining the lists of names of all merchant seafarers who died during WW1 and WW2. They have also agreed that once the names of those not yet commemorated have been found they will help present a case to the CWGC for a change in the Commissions Charter to allow those named to be properly commemorated. The MNA then have to obtain the agreement of 16 other Commonwealth countries for a change in the Charter but the wind is with them. We understand that the Merchant Navy Association (National) are working on and strive to do all they can, not to appease but to remember.

Unfortunately unlike the three armed services who received war grave status no matter how the individual died, either war related, accident or illness, this was not the case for Merchant Seamen. A Merchant Seaman that died due to an accident does not qualify for war grave status and is categorised as a "non war related cause".

To qualify for War Grave status and CWGC listing a person had to die both whilst on duty and of a war cause or the increased threat brought on by war. Death due to accident, illness or marine disaster would not qualify unless it met both these conditions.

If he had been a member of HM Forces he would have been commemorated by the CWGC even if killed in an accident. All they ever asked was: "Let those who come after see to it that his name be not forgotten".

We still struggle to achieve recognition for all that helped to save us. May Barry remember her own, possibly with a separate book of Remembrance, in the future we hope to provide many more names of heroes that should be remembered. These will be only Barry related, there are many, many more forgotten, from almost every Town in Britain.

[Administrator]

This is the last of the Merchant Seamen found in the Deaths at Sea Register recorded as being from Barry as their last recorded place of abode, whose names are not recorded with the CWGC due to the circumstances of their deaths.

1942

BRYANT, Galley Boy, GEORGE. age 15. S.S. Empire Kingsley. Died at sea from acute appendicitis 15th October 1942.

CURRY, Seaman, JAMES, S.S. Brora age 59. Disappeared off ship at Glasgow 8th March 1942 and was believed drowned.

DAVIES, Carpenter, DANIEL age 45. S.S. Barrwhin. Drowned at New York 5th August 1942.

KLAS DE HIT, Cook, JOHN age 28. S.S. Batna. Drowned at sea 12th March 1942.

MARTIN, 3rd Engineer, ANDREW age 27. S.S. Ger-Y-Bryn. Died after falling between the ship and quay at Rothsay Dock, Glasgow 12th July 1942.

MATIA, Greaser, MAUAL age 47. S.S. British Dominion. Died from heart failure and was buried at sea 12th May 1942.

LEGANGER, Able Seaman, ANFINN age 54. S.S. Cressdene. Died from pneumonia at Buenos Aries 24th July 1942.

LEWIS, Junioe Engineer, THOMAS W age 33. S.S. Regent Panther. Died of cancer in hospital at New York 23rd August 1942.

SMITH, Master, WALTER VICTOR age 42. S.S. Lulworth Hill. Died in hospital at Cochin from pneumonia 11th May 1942

USHER, Cook, WILLIAM age 31. S.S. Hartington. Drowned off Takoradi 4th March 1942.

1943

BAKER, Steward, GEORGE HENRY, age 40 S.S. Fresno City. Drowned at sea 29th January 1943.

DUNN, Able Seaman PHILLIP, age 22. S.S. Reedpool. Died from TB at Buenos Aries 20th April 1943.

HALLAHAN, Greaser, TIMOTHY JOSEPH age 51. S.S. Wearwood. Died in hospital at Buenos Aries after falling down engine room and fracturing skull 17th July 1943.

JACKSON, Trimmer, HAROLD age22. S.S. Empire Bittern. Died in hospital at Boston, Mass. from injuries after an accident 12th November 1943.

1944

SOBIE, Trimmer, JACK age47. S.S. Barrgrove. Died from gastro enteritis at Freetown, Sierra Leone 16th January 1944.

"We Will Remember them"

[Administrator]

Un-commemorated British Merchant Seamen WWII:

Hopefully, someone looking in may be able to help locate relatives of the many listed below ?

Billy McGee Archivist for the Merchant Navy Association has been in touch with the CWGC in regard to the best way to submit the details he has put together for the casualties in question and is awaiting a reply, though he had an acknowledgement from them.

In the mean time he decided to get back in touch with The archives in Norway requesting if they possibly had any additional information on the individuals, he could use as evidence to support the case files. Usually the archive at Kew charge something like £25 per fifteen minutes of research for such a request. What a surprise when the post came this morning, when he received free of charge documents to support the majority of the cases in official records of deceased giving date of birth and last known address. He has listed the extra information below against the individuals names hoping there is slim chance anyone coming across the website may find a relative listed.

D/S Annavore 21st December 1941.
GOODWIN, Galley Boy, REGINALD. Born 15/3/1925. 21 Tintern St. Cardiff.

D/S Augvald 2nd March 1941.
GOULDEN, Messroom Boy, MICHAEL. Born 3/11/1926. Son of Michael Gouldon of 96 Frances St. Hull.
SCARGILL, Messroom Boy, STANLEY. Age 16. Son of John W. Scargill. of Hull

M/T Barbro 19th September 1941
CLARK, Mechanic, THOMAS. Born 23/5/? Birkenhead
DAVIES, Engineroom Boy, KENNETH. Born 17/9/1921. Son of James Davies of Derwydd Ave, South Wales
HUGHES, Galley Boy, WILLIAM. Born 13/10/1922. Son of W.F. Hughes of 18 Rosehall Terrace, Swansea

D/S Brant County 11th March 1943.
LEHANE, Fireman, MICHAEL. Born 27/9/1909. Kiljarvan, Co. Kerry, Ireland.

D/S Brask 15th January 1941.
DAVIES, Galley Boy, LESLIE. Born 12/3/1918. 59 Mount St Square, Cardiff.

D/S Christian Krohg 10th June 1941
O' REGAN, Stoker, WILLIAM. Born 15/8/1917. Scuttle, Co. Cork.

D/S Douro 9th May 1942.
HODDER, Trimmer, FRED. Born 1/11/1923. Son of Mrs Olive Hodder. 1,Davids Terrace, Hull.

D/S Eikhaug 7th September 1941.
SWEETMAN, Deck Boy, LESLIE. Born 22/1/1923. London.
TURNER, Trimmer, CHARLES. Born 4/1/1915. 36, Rock-Bank St. Nile End, Glasgow

D/S Erviken 16th October 1941.
HANNAM, Messroom Boy, FONWICK. Born 19/1/1920. Husband of Margaret Hannan of Farm House, Roath Park, Cardiff.
SULLIVAN, Messroom Boy, EDWARD. Born 28/11/1924. Cardiff

D/S Fanefjeld 9th April 1942.
McLEAN, Messroom Boy, PATRICK. Born 15/2/1924. Son of Henry McLean of 22 Montalth Row, Glasgow.

D/S Fidelio 9th November 1942.
DOLAN, Stoker, ANTONIO. Born 24/10/1906. Rellem Gort, Co. Galway.

M/T Finnager 1st March 1942.
SHERIDAN, Saloon Boy, FRANCIS. Born 15/8/1923. Son of Rose Sheridan of 86 Black St, Glasgow.

M/T Fjord 2nd December 1941.
HOWARD, Messroom Boy, LEWIS. Born 14/2/1923. Son of Martin Howard of 32 Trafalgar Terrace, Oystermouth Road, Swansea.

D/S Hørda 24th March 1941
ALLEN, Messroom Boy, FRANK. Born 5/3/1923. Son of Mary Allen of 15, Ashbank Road, Liverpool.
OAKLEY, Cabin Boy, DEREK. Born 18/6/1924. 32 Surrey St. Wallasey.

D/S Ingerto 12th February 1942.
DAVIDSON, Messroom Boy, W. N. Born 28/5/1924. 65 William St, Glasgow.
EAGLELSHAM, Galley Boy, CRAMFORD. Born 5/5/1924.

D/S John P. Pedersen 20th May 1941.
CUFFO (GRIFFO?), Galley Boy, THOMAS. Born 25/3/1896. Husband of Ellen Cuffo of 13, Princess St, Maestig. South Wales.
MORRIS, Able Seaman, WILLIAM. Born 11/11/1878. Kingshaed St, Pullholi.

D/S Keret 22nd August 1940.
CAMERON, Galley Boy, ROBERT. North Shields

M/T Kollskegg 6th April 1942.
PORTER, Galley Boy, RONALD R. Born 19/10/1924. Son of Edith Porter of 22 Vinstone Ways, St Budeauks, Plymouth.

M/T Nina Borthen 6th October 1940.
BUTLER, Deck Boy, NORMAN. Born 2/5/1924. 15, Norwich Road, Southampton.
RICHARDSON, Deck Boy, JAMES. Born 28/8/1923. Son of James Richardson of 52 Whits Road, Southampton.
SELF, Cook, GEORGE. Born 17/10/1897. Poundtry Road, Park End, Southampton.
WILSON, Deck Boy, GEORGE. Born 16/12/1923. Son of Rose Wison of 1, Oaktree Road, Southampton.

M/T Nyholt 18th January 1942.
DUFFY, Oiler, MICHAEL. Born 2/1/1899. Husband of Jenny D. Duffy of Fencher Clinton, North Yorkshire.

D/S Polyana 25th April 1941
GUTHERLESS, Deck Boy, HENRY. Born 24/6/1921. Son of John Gutherless of Hull.

D/S Rask 19th October 1941.
CHADWICK, Ordinary Seaman, JOHN. Born 9/1/1924. Son of William S. Chadwick of 8, Colesborne Road, Liverpool

D/S Ringstad 24th January 1942.
HUGHES, Oiler, JOHN NORMAN. Born 6/11/1894. YMCA Central, Bristol.

D/S Roy 12th October 1941.
WAUDBY, Trimmer, JACK. Born 15/1/1921. Son of George Waudby of 10 Amis Terrace, Ferris St. Hedon Hill, Hull.

D/S Taborfjell 30th April 1942.
HOOD, Able Seaman WILLIAM A. Born 19/11/00. Husband of Virginia Hood of 277 Crozat St. New Orleans

M/S Tyr 9th March 1942.
ABBE, Saloon Boy, STANLEY. Born 2/3/1909. 69 East Ella Drive, Anaby Park, Hull.
MOORE, Messroom Boy, RICHARD. Born 7/9/1927. Son of Herbert Moore of 60 Kiswick Grounds, Hull.

D/S Varangberg 25th September 1941.
RICE, Messroom Boy, BERHARD. Born 23/7/1924. 25 Arnold St, Liverpool.

M/T Vardfjel 12th December 1942.
BEAGAN, Saloon Boy, JOSEPH. Born 4/9/1922. Liverpool.
DIXON, Radio Operator, THOMAS HENRY. Born South Shields 30/11/1924. Son of Molly Dixon of 33 Weefield Ave. Toronto.
WILLIAMS, Galley Boy, WALTER. Born 17/10/1924. Son of George Williams of 15, Beatrice St. Liverpool.

M/S Vigrid 24th June 1941.
LYNCH, Mechanic, WILLIAM. Born 25/4/1905. Son of John Lynch of Co. Donegal, Ireland.
SHIPLEY, Engineroom Boy, JAMES. Born 15/3/1924. Son of J.J. Shipley of Bruntun St. West Hartlepool.

If you can assist in anyway, please leave a message here or e.mail: [e-mail] Please add MN or similar in the title in an attempt to avoid spam.

K.

[Administrator]

Update: 09/01/16: Billy McGee - Via The Merchant Navy Association / Facebook.

By the end of WWII, according to Lloyd’s 351 ships of the Norwegian Nortraship fleet had been lost by direct enemy action, resulting in the deaths of over 3,500 Merchant Seamen. These casualties were meticulously recorded by The National Archives of Norway and published in two volumes of Sjøforklaringer fra 2. Verdenskrig Vol. I & II. (Maritime Inquiries from WWII), which consists of direct copies of official reports from ship losses recorded at the Norwegian National Archives. The publications, which I donated to the CWGC last year, included the names of hundreds of serving British survivors and over 900 Merchant Seamen of foreign nationalities recorded as dead/missing, which includes the names of 271 British Merchant Seamen killed. 218 British Seamen named in the publications as being killed are recorded with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial in London, while a further 13 are buried ashore in official war graves. Started in 2009 and finally in 2013 a successful application using extracts from the Norwegian publications were made to the CWGC in regard to three British casualties from the Norwegian ship D/S Blink (PAPPACENA, N. GRAVES, R. & DONNASCHIE, J.) who had been overlooked and after consultation with the Registrar of Shipping & Seamen, all three were officially accepted as war dead and are due to be commemorated on Tower Hill in due course, while two other cases are at present under review. The remaining casualties for some reason have also been overlooked by the Registrar of Shipping & Seamen of the day and at present are forgotten. In November 2015 a further ten of these cases were reviewed by the CWGC and finally accepted as war dead, while the others remain under review. Over 70 years since the end of WWII and still we battle for recognition for our war dead.

The details of those named below bar one are now registered on the official CWGC website.

ALLEN, Messroom Boy, FRANK, D/S Hørda (Norway) 24th March 1941.
GOODWIN, Galley Boy, REGINALD, D/S Annavore (Norway) 21st December 1941.
HANNAM, Messroom Boy, FONWICK, D/S Erviken (Norway) 16th October 1941.
HODDER, Trimmer, FRED, D/S Douro (Norway) 9th May 1942.
LEHANE, Stoker, MICHAEL, D/S Brant County (Norway) 10th March 1943
OAKLEY, Cabin Boy, DEREK, D/S Hørda (Norway) 24th March 1941.
O' REGAN, Stoker, WILLIAM, D/S Christian Krohg (Norway) 10th June 1941.
McGRORY, Messroom Boy, WILLIAM, D/S Christian Krohg (Norway) 10th June 1941.
McLEAN, Messroom Boy, PATRICK, D/S Fanefjeld (Norway) 9th April 1942.

[Administrator]

Just in from the CWGC regarding another case.

TYNAN Saloon Boy, JAMES (Australian), M/S Herstein (Norway) 1st July 1942. Died as prisoner on the Japanese Montevideo Maru. His name is also to be added to the Northern Territory Memorial in the Adelaide River War Cemetery.

LINK

Information courtesy of Billy McGee

[Administrator]

Uncommemorated British Merchant Seamen WWII

Another 10 finally accepted.

Antonio DOLAN
Stanley SCARGILL
Michael GOULDEN
Charles TURNER
Leslie SWEETMAN
Theodore E BROMFIELD
Leslie DAVIES
Francis SHERIDAN
Clyde EBANKS
Bernard RICE

Information courtesy of Billy McGee

[Administrator]

Things finally beginning to speed up. The following 22 cases are at present under review by the CWGC.

1940

RYAN, Deck Boy, FRANK EDWARD, D/S Bravore (Norway) 20th April 1940.
CAMERON, Galley Boy, ROBERT, D/S Keret (Norway) 22nd August 1940.

1941

DONNAVON, Oiler, MICHAEL, M/S Benjamin Franklin (Norway) 19th February 1941.
ROBERTS, Junior Ordinary Seaman, HARRY D/S Hørda (Norway) 24th March 1941.
GUTHERLESS, Deck Boy, HENRY, D/S Polyana (Norway) 25th April 1941.
KING, Trimmer, JOSEPH DONALD,(Canadian) D/S Christian Krohg (Norway) 10th June 1941.
LYNCH, Mechanic, WILLIAM, M/S Vigrid (Norway) 24th June 1941.
SHIPLEY, Engineroom Boy, JAMES, M/S Vigrid (Norway) 24th June 1941.
HILL, Galley Boy, WILLIAM, M/S Vigrid (Norway) 24th June 1941.
BOTHA, Ordinary Seaman, E.P. M/T Barbro (Norway) 19th September 1941.
DAVIES, Engineroom Boy, KENNETH, M/T Barbro (Norway) 19th September 1941.
HUGHES, Galley Boy, WILLIAM, M/T Barbro (Norway) 19th September 1941.
KRUAJER, Messroom Boy, SIMON, M/T Barbro (Norway) 19th September 1941.
CHADWICK, Ordinary Seaman, JOHN, D/S Rask (Norway) 19th October 1941.
HOWARD, Messroom Boy, LEWIS, M/T Fjord (Norway) 2nd December 1941.

1942

DUFFY, Oiler, MICHAEL, M/T Nyholt, (Norway) 17th January 1942.
HOPLAND, Galley Boy, HARRY, M/T Nyholt (Norway) 18th January 1942.
DAVIDSON, Messroom Boy, W. N. D/S Ingerto (Norway) 12th February 1942.
EAGLELSHAM, Galley Boy, CRAMFORD, D/S Ingerto (Norway) 12th February 1942.
ABBE, Saloon Boy, STANLEY, M/S Tyr (Norway) 9th March 1942.
MOORE, Messroom Boy, RICHARD, M/S Tyr (Norway) 9th March 1942.
HOOD, Able Seaman WILLIAM A. D/S Taborfjell (Norway) 30th April 1942.

Please find a list of the following casualties who have recently qualified for commemoration. These are as follows:-

E P BOTHA
T CLARK
K DAVIES
W HUGHES
A WOOD
S ABBE
R MOORE
L HOWARD
J CHADWICK
R CAMERON

Just been informed that Jack Waudby has finally been accepted as war dead by the CWGC and will be officially commemorated in the near future.

Accepted 30/3/2016 for War Grave Status.

HOOD, Able Seaman WILLIAM A. D/S Taborfjell (Norway) 30th April 1942.


Information courtesy of Billy McGee

Attachments: