Merchant Marine Deaths WW2 - The Oldest?

Discussion in 'The War at Sea' started by spidge, Jun 29, 2009.

  1. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Merchant Marine Deaths WW2 - The Oldest?
    There has been recent evidence that Raymond Steed "who was thought to be the youngest WW2 death" is not the youngest as this is now thought to be Reginald Earnshaw who is younger by (55?) days.

    The oldest MM's to die in WW2 is also an interesting one with the following two names who seem to be "the Oldest".

    From the website of Gordon Mumford:

    Memorial to youngest and oldest seamen killed

    Both are remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial London.

    link here: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-cemeteries-war-memorial-research/13462-tower-hill-memorial.html

    KILLEY, James, Greaser
    ss Fenella (Douglas, Isle of Man). Merchant Navy.
    Died 29 May, 1940, Age 74.

    PERRY, Frederick William, 2nd Engineer Officer
    ss Polzella (Penzance). Merchant Navy.
    Died 13 January 1940. Age 74.
     
  2. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

    This gentleman may be the oldest, if the records are correct. There is another age 74 and one also at 75. Over 200 casualties for SS Calabria, so presume she was sunk.


    Name: MARTINS, SANTAN
    Initials: S
    Nationality: Indian
    Rank: Chief Cook
    Regiment: Indian Merchant Navy
    Unit Text: S.S. Calabria
    Age: 79
    Date of Death: 08/12/1940
    Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
    Cemetery: BOMBAY / CHITTAGONG 1939-1945 WAR MEMORIALS
     
  3. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Thanks Geoff,

    This is surely another for Hugh to check with his friends from the Mercantile Marine Forum.

    Do you have details on the 75 year old?
     
  4. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

    Do you have details on the 75 year old?

    See two below.
    There are also two more, stated as being MM in the additional info field but listed as civilian casualties. If they were serving MM (the data in this field is not proof) they would have died due to bombing, since they are listed as civilians. MM deaths are only Commonwealth War Deaths, if died on duty.

    cheers,

    geoff


    Name: KHALIL RAHMAN
    Nationality: Indian
    Rank: Serang
    Regiment: Indian Merchant Navy
    Unit Text: S.S. Gairsoppa (Glasgow)
    Age: 75
    Date of Death: 16/02/1941
    Casuality Type: Commonwealth War Dead
    Cemetery: BOMBAY / CHITTAGONG 1939-1945 WAR MEMORIALS


    Name: FRIEND, EDWARD
    Initials: E
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Baker 1st Class
    Regiment: Naval Auxiliary Personnel (Merchant Navy)
    Unit Text: H.M.S. Striker.
    Age: 74
    Date of Death: 08/03/1947
    Additional Information: Son of Richard and Maria Friend; husband of Emma Susan Friend, of Herne Bay.
    Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. UU. Grave 169.
    Cemetery: HERNE BAY CEMETERY
     
  5. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

    Name: BRYAN, THOMAS
    Initials: T
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Civilian
    Regiment: Civilian War Dead
    Age: 81
    Date of Death: 07/09/1940
    Additional Information: Seaman, Merchant Navy; of 164 Mortlake Road. Died at 164 Mortlake Road.
    Casualty Type: Civilian War Dead
    Cemetery: WEST HAM, COUNTY BOROUGH

    Name: PEDERSON, OLE TERESIUS
    Initials: O T
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Civilian
    Regiment: Civilian War Dead
    Age: 75
    Date of Death: 02/01/1941
    Additional Information: Norwegian Merchant Service. At 217 Bute Street.
    Casualty Type: Civilian War Dead
    Cemetery: CARDIFF, COUNTY BOROUGH, WALES
     
  6. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Thanks for highlighting this. I will make further enquiries.
    Regards
    Hugh
     
  7. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    It does look like the oldest MN deaths of WWII, commemorated by the CWGC, are indeed MARTINS, SANTAN aged 79, ss CALABRIA and KHALIL RAHMAN aged 75, ss GAIRSOPPA. Both commemorated on Bombay/Chittagong 1939-1945 war memorials. I have asked for confirmation from the CWGC.

    The information provided to Gordon Mumford's site is now serveral years old.
    Regards
    Hugh
     
  8. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    The CWGC have confirmed to me that they cannot find anyone older than the name that I submitted to them.

    This is from information provided by the relevant service authority at the time as in many cases the CWGC was not informed of a casualty's age at the time of their death.

    MARTINS, SANTAN
    Chief Cook
    Date of death 8/12/1940
    ss CALABRIA
    Age 79

    Regards
    Hugh
     
  9. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    followed Les's link to this thread , missed it until now.
    14 years of age........ poor lad. :poppy: :poppy:
     
  10. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    followed Les's link to this thread , missed it until now.
    14 years of age........ poor lad. :poppy: :poppy:

    Another boy that lied about his age. A crying shame to die so young for your country.

    Highlighted on BBC World news this morning.

    Regards
    Tom
     

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