Hello All I hope ive posted this in the correct area. I have been asked by a friend if I can find out anything at all relating to is Grandfather who was killed during WW2. He was called Mohib Ullah and served on the SS Umtata. If anyone can add anything to what I have below, or suggest areas to investigate, I would be very grateful. Thank you. Mohib Ullah Fireman Indian Merchant Navy S.S. Umtata (London) Died 9th March 1942, aged 32 Buried in Choc Bay War Cemetery, St.Lucia; Row A Grave 3. Son of Asadullah Husband of Esha Bibi of Sekandarpur, Sylhet, Pakistan. There are 44 CWGC burials in Choc Bay cemetery with 29 from World War One and 15 from World War Two. 8 are listed as being dying on 9th March 1942 including Mohib. The others were Zaman Rafiq, Subhan Abdul and Ali Mumtaz of the S.S. Umtata. William Daniel, James Brown, James Douglas and Hugh Headley of the S.S. Lady Nelson Entitled to the 1939-45 Star, and War Medal. Maybe the Atlantic Star? Umtata ( United Kingdom): World War II: The cargo liner was torpedoed and sunk at Port Castries by U-161 ( Kriegsmarine) with the loss of four of the 177 people aboard. She was later salvaged, and temporarily repaired, but was torpedoed and sunk in July 1942 whilst under tow to the United States for permanent repairs.[136]
Hello, Seamen from the Indian sub-continent are very difficult to research for various reason - spelling of names, duplication of names and if the vessel was lost then the original logbook of the ship likely went with it. The ship was torpedoed while alongside the wharf at 10:57pm on the 9th March 1942. Fireman Mohib Ullah was in the Stokehold at the time along with Subhan Abdul. As I said it is very difficult to research these men as the names and dates of birth are not always accurate and this is the case with some British seamen of the time as well but much worse with the Lascars. With that in mind I have a medal file for Ullah, Moheb date of birth 1913 and by all accounts our man was born in 1910 this may or may not be him. The file is held at Kew in piece BT 395/1/99177 and can be downloaded for £3.30. There is no personal identifying information in the medal files apart from his Discharge Number which may by the use of other records prove whether it is the right man or not. I can help you identify service files for Merchant Navy seamen that may help you but they are held at the National Archives in Kew and will require a visit or the use of a researcher to copy. There are a couple of guys on this forum who copy files for a reasonable cost. Details on request. Regards Hugh
Hi aggyaggy, I'm glad Hugh has posted on your thread, he always offers up good information and advice. The only thing I can add, and it is something you possibly already know, is that a photograph Mohib Ullah's grave is available, for a small fee, on the TWGPP website, here: http://www.twgpp.org/information.php?id=2878764
Great help guys. I will go through the information with the family of the merchant man and see how they want to proceed. Cheers
Hi I am from St. Lucia and can try to help your friend. there has been some dredging in the Castries harbor and a piece of hull wreckage and propeller has been found, it may be from either the Amtata or Lady Nelson, both of which were sank at the same time. Let me know how i can assist.
