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