British MN WWII Casualties from US & Panamanian Registered Ships

Discussion in 'Non-Commemorated War Dead' started by Billy McGee, Oct 25, 2020.

  1. Billy McGee

    Billy McGee Senior Member

    My latest research is in regard to a number of British Merchant Seamen killed in service during WWII serving on US & Panamanian registered vessels who have also been overlooked. Of the seventy-five cases I am looking into, details I have found and cross referenced with my own data show that eighteen have received official war grave status with Commission, while the remaining have been overlooked by the British authorities.

    To help put a case forward for official commemoration for these men I have contacted the US National Archives and Records Administration to see if any official documents still exist to put these cases forward for official commemoration

    Alphabetical index by ship

    Bateau

    ARENDS, 2nd Mate, H.M. S.S. Bateau (USA) 29th March 1942, age 39, Hull.

    MILLER, Able Seaman, JOHN, S.S. Bateau (USA) 29th March 1942, age 18, Edinburgh.

    Bushranger

    COLTON, Third Mate, S.H. S.S. Bushranger (USA) 31st May 1942, Nottingham.

    Capira

    KINNEAR, Chief Engineer, THOMAS, S.S. Capira (USA) 3rd August 1942, age 56, Liverpool.

    MITCHINSON, Second Engineer, THOMAS A. S.S. Capira (USA) 3rd August 1942, age 42, United Kingdom.

    Coamo

    MORGAN, Junior Engineer, ERIC MITCHELL, S.S. Coamo (USA) 9th December 1942, Liverpool.

    TONGUE, Steward, THOMAS, S.S. Coamo (USA) 9th December 1942, Parkstone, United Kingdom.

    El Occidente

    BLACK, Third Engineer, ALEXANDER S.S. El Occindente (USA) 13th April 1942, age 33, Brackley.

    DAVIS, Carpenter, KENNETH, S.S. El Occidente (USA) 13th April 1942, age 38, United Kingdom.

    DRISCOLL, Fireman, M. S.S. El Occidente (USA) 13th April 1942, United Kingdom.

    GREEN, Messman, RONALD, S.S. El Occidente (USA) 13th April 1942, age 17, North Dagenham.

    Longtaker

    BUDGE, Messman, J. S.S. Longtaker (USA) 17th August 1941, age 46, “Great Britain”

    DAVANNEY, Messman, A. S.S. Longtaker (USA 17th August 1941, age 26.

    GLOVER, Messman, G. S.S. Longtaker (USA) 17th August 1941, age 56, “Great Britain”

    GRANICK, Ordinary Seaman, H. S.S. Longtaker (USA), 17th August 1941, age 25, London.

    Lt. Col. Lawrence O. Matthews

    LEASK, Master, ADAM, S.S. Lt. Col. Lawrence O. Matthews (USA), age 52, Oppington, Kent.

    SAMSON, Engineer, JAMES, S.S. Lt. Col. Lawrence O. Matthews (USA) age 35, Belfast.

    Pompoon

    BERRY, Ordinary Seaman, ARNOLD, S.S. Pompoon (USA) 12th November 1942, age 33 “Great Britain”

    BODDEN, Messman, HALKEITH, S.S. Pompoon (USA) 12th November 1943, age 25 “Great Britain”

    CONDELL, Master, EDWARD, S.S. Pompoon (USA) 12th November 1943, age 49 “Great Britain”

    EBANKS, Ordinary Seaman, MARTIN, S.S. Pompoon (USA) 12th November 1943, age 18 “Great Britain”

    FREDERICK, Ordinary Seaman, CLARENCE, S.S. Pompoon 12th November 1943, age 18 “Great Britain”

    Puerto Rican

    CALEY, R. S.S. Puerto Rican (USA) 9th March 1943, Cheshire.

    Ramapo

    FINCH, Messman, THOMAS, S.S. Ramapo (USA) 16th February 1942, age 22, Liverpool.

    LEARY, Second Engineer, VINCENT, S.S. Ramapo (USA), age 35, “Great Britain”.

    Robert E. Lee

    GUY, Fireman, FRANCIS, S.S. Robert E. Lee (USA) 30th July 1942, “Great Britain”

    MORGAN, Fireman, THOMAS, S.S. Robert E. Lee (USA) 30th July 1942, “Great Britain”

    West Portal

    CHAPMAN, Messman, GEORGE FREDERICK, S.S. West Portal (USA) 5th February 1943, Winchester.

    HAYWOOD, Fireman, Joseph, S.S. West Portal (USA) 5th February 1943, Nottingham.

    Alphabetical Index by surname where only one British casualty recorded per ship

    ATKINSON, Ordinary Seaman, NORMAN RICHARD S.S. Bland (USA) 10th March 1943, Northumberland.

    BIDGOOD, Waiter, FREDERICK, S.S. Dorchester (USA) 3rd February 1942, Plymouth.

    DOUGLAS, Chief Engineer ROBERT, S.S. San Blas (USA) 16th June 1942, age 50 “Great Britain”

    DOYLE, Fireman, HARRY, S.S. Scapa Flow (USA) 14th November 1942, age 25 “Great Britain”

    FOX, Messman, H. S.S. Richard Bland (USA) 10th March 1943, Newcastle.

    HILL, Able Seaman, JOHN NOEL “Prisoner of War” Co. Cork.

    HOLDER, Ordinary Seaman GEORGE ROBERT, S.S. Nathaniel Hawthorne (USA) 17th November 1942, Hull.

    JOEL, P. Ship and date of death unknown, Grimsby.

    JONES, Messman, WILLIAM FREDERICK, S.S. Ohioian (USA) 8th May 1942, Birmingham.

    LEWIS, Bosun, CHARLES ERNEST S.S. Topa Topa (USA) 29th August 1942, Cornwall.

    LITTLE, THOMAS. Ship and date of death unknown, Monmouth.

    MACKIN, Donkeyman, EDWARD M., S.S. Tambour (USA) 26th September 1942, age 32, Scotland.

    MARTIN, Ordinary Seaman, JAMES DICK Jnr. S.S. Henry Bacon (USA) 23rd February 1945, age 18, Belfast.

    McGOLDRICK, Waiter, FRANCIS, S.S. President Harrison (USA) 8th December 1941, Isle of Bute.

    MINTER, HERBERT, 24th January 1941. Buried Manila National Cemetery. From United Kingdom.

    O’BRIEN, Chief Officer, JOSEPH PATRICK, S.S. John L. Motley (USA) 2nd December 1943, Co. Cork.

    PARKER, R. Ship and date of death unknown, Enfield.

    PHILLIPS, Able Seaman, WILLIAM, S.S. Losmar (USA) 24th August 1942, North Shields.

    POTTS, Electrician, DENIS G. S.S. Jacksonville (USA) 30th August 1944, Bramhall, Stockport

    QUINN, J. Ship and date of death unknown, Wells, Somerset, England

    ROBERTSON, Master, CHARLES MALCOLM, S.S. John Winthrop (USA) 24th August 1942, Liverpool.

    STARSFIELD, Oiler, CORNELIUS, S.S. Quaker City (USA) 18th May 1942, Liverpool.

    SIMMONS, Messman, JULES HARRY, S.S. Manini (USA) 17th December 1944, London.

    SPRAY, Radio Officer, JOH,S.S. Oregonian 13th September 1942, Corsham, Wiltshire, England.

    SULLIVAN, Able Seaman, DENNIS JOSEPH, S. S. Azalea City (USA) 21st February 1942, Schull, Co. Cork
    .
    SUTHERLAND, Third Engineer, JOSEPH, S.S. Rochester (USA) 30th January 1942, Glasgow.

    THOMPSON, Second Mate, ROBERT WILLIAM, S.S. Harry F. Sinclair Jnr (USA) 11th April 1942, Lines, England.

    WALKER, Able Seaman, JOHN FRANCIS, S.S. ST-511 (USA) 18th October 1944, age 22, Birkenhead.

    WILLIAMS, Fireman, CYRIL, S.S. Aneroid (USA) 2nd October 1942, London.

    Names of those lost with official commemorations:

    ELLISON, Chief Steward, ALEXANDER S.S. Bateau (USA) 29th March 1942, age 36, Glasgow. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 15.

    SUTHERLAND, Messman, FRANK, S.S. Bateau (USA) 29th March 1942, Aberdeen. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 15.

    SCOTT, Second Mate, JAMES, S.S. Bushranger (USA) 31st May 1942, age25 “Great Britain” Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 22

    FETHRSTON, PATRICK, S.S. El Lago (USA) 11th October 1942, age 22, “Great Britain”.

    HEEPS, Wiper, ROBERT, S.S. El Lago (USA) 11th October 1942, age 19, “Great Britain” Both Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 37

    SKYNER, Chief Steward, ERNEST, S.S. El Occidente (USA), age 49, Liverpool. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 37

    JOHNSTON, Fireman, JOHN, S.S. Puerto Rican (USA) 9th March 1943, Liverpool. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 85

    BAILEY, Third Engineer, MILLS. S.S. Ramapo (USA) 16th February 1942, age 44, Liverpool. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 87

    BIRCH, Trimmer, JOHN, S.S. Ramapo, 16th February 1942, age 50, “Great Britain” Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 86

    HENDRY, Chief Engineer, FRED W. S.S. Ramapo 16th February 1942, age 51, “Great Britain” Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 87.

    NICHOLSON, Bosun, WILLIAM S.S. Ramapo (USA 16th February 1942, age 36 “Great Britain” (wife from Philadelphia) Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 86.

    DAVIES, Second Engineer, GORDON, S.S. Stone Street (USA) 13th September 1942, age 31, London.

    JOEL, Third Engineer, PERCY, S.S. Stone Street 13th August 1942 “Great Britain” Both Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 102.

    ENDWIG, KENNETH, S.S. Robin Goodfellow (USA) 25th July 1944, age 25, Leicester. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 88.

    HAY, Chief Officer, ROBERT, S.S. Crusader (USA) 14th November 1941, age 32, Essex. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Addenda Section.

    MILDREN, Third Mate, ALFRED, L. S.S. Pink Star (USA) 19th September 1941, age 567, “Great Britain” Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 81

    PINDER, Carpenter, GEORGE, S.S. Timothy Pickering (USA), Sidcup, Kent. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 108.

    SEVERWRIGHT, Able Seaman, W. S.S. Donerail (USA) 9th December 1941, , age 52, London. Commemorated Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 36.

    Sincerely yours

    Billy McGee MNM
    MNA Archivist
    Merchant Navy Association
    Registered Charity No.1135661
    Website Welcome
     
  2. temptage

    temptage I thought it would only take a few weeks......

    P. Joel of Grimsby has been on Tower Hill for a long time.

    Joel, Percy.jpg
     
  3. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    it states that in the post
    upload_2021-4-8_11-32-36.png
     
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  4. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995
    Name: Hendrick Martinus Arends
    Death Date: 27 Mar 1942
    Death Place: Kingston Upon Hull
    Probate Date: 29 Nov 1944
    Probate Registry: Llandudno
    32858_611411_1971-00067.jpg

    Probate states he died "on war service"

    He may also appear in a database I dont have access to:
    Massachusetts, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists, 1820-1963
    PASSENGER LISTS
    View Image
    Record information.
    Name
    Hendrik Martinus Arends
    Departure
    city, South Africa
    Arrival
    dd mm year Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Does the above help?

    TD

    Is it possible this is either his mother or wife?
    1939 England and Wales Register
    Name: Elizabeth A Arends
    Gender: Female
    Marital Status: Married
    Birth Date: 17 Mar 1908
    Residence Year: 1939
    Address: 536
    Residence Place: Kingston-upon-Hull, Yorkshire (East Riding), England
    Occupation: Householder Unpaid Domestic Duties
    Line Number: 29
    Schedule Number: 221
    Sub Schedule Number: 1
    Enumeration District: JADT
    Borough: Kingston-upon-Hull
    Registration district: 522-1
    Household Members: 1
    tna_r39_3136_3136b_017.jpg
    It is possible that it is his details that are redacted


    England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005
    Name: Hendrik M Arends
    Registration Date: Apr 1930
    [May 1930]
    [Jun 1930]
    Registration Quarter: Apr-May-Jun
    Registration District: Sculcoates
    Inferred County: Yorkshire East Riding
    Spouse: Elizabeth A Barker
    Volume Number: 9d
    Page Number: 424
     
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2021
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  5. jonheyworth

    jonheyworth Senior Member

    Will the 4 Scottish ones be on “ Scotland’s people “
    ?
     
  6. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007
    Name: Sylvia M Arends
    Registration Date: Jul 1936
    [Aug 1936]
    [Sep 1936]
    Registration Quarter: Jul-Aug-Sep
    Registration District: Sculcoates
    Inferred County: Yorkshire East Riding
    Mother's Maiden Name: Barker
    Volume Number: 9d
    Page Number: 399

    Its possible she could still be alive today - I cant find a death or marriage record for her

    TD

    England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005
    Name: Sylvia M Arends
    Registration Date: Apr 1957
    [May 1957]
    [Jun 1957]
    Registration Quarter: Apr-May-Jun
    Registration District: Holder
    Spouse: Everitt
    Volume Number: 2d
    Page Number: 127
    Name: Kenneth G Everitt

    Marriage provided a child
    England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007
    Name: Darren Everitt
    Registration Date: Oct 1962
    [Nov 1962]
    [Dec 1962]
    Registration Quarter: Oct-Nov-Dec
    Registration District: Hull
    Inferred County: East Riding of Yorkshire
    Mother's Maiden Name: Arends
    Volume Number: 2a
    Page Number: 370


    192.com provides a possible
    Darren Everitt
    Age Guide: 55-59
    Director
    Hull, North Humberside, HU2...
     
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2021
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  7. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Hi Billy,
    I have some information about seamen lost on US and Panamanian ships. Some are not mentioned in your list and some refer to those already commemorated on TH. I have attached some that mention those from RAMAPO - certainly appears that war risk insurance was going to be paid to the widow of Leary.

    Ramapo
    FINCH, Messman, THOMAS, S.S. Ramapo (USA) 16th February 1942, age 22, Liverpool.
    LEARY, Second Engineer, VINCENT, S.S. Ramapo (USA), age 35, “Great Britain”.

    I will trawl through my files for anything that may help.
    Regards
    Hugh
     

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  8. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Billy, another seaman Leslie Sinclair from ss RAMAPO who is not on your list but is named in the document below with some of the other Brits.
    Two others in the document, Harris and Winder were RN DEMS and are commemorated on the Naval memorials
    Regards
    Hugh
     

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  9. Billy McGee

    Billy McGee Senior Member

    Thanks for the updates. Will look properly when I find the time. Still can't access records in the US due to current situation.
     
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  10. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member


    El OCCIDENTE torpedoed and sunk by U-4535 (Siegfried Strelow) 13 April 1942 in position 78-28N 28-30E while en route from Murmansk to New York via Reykajavik in Convoy QP-10. Crew numbered 41 with 20 lost. Gough and Lynch not on your list.

    EL OCCIDENTE_LOST.jpg
     
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  11. Darren Everitt

    Darren Everitt New Member

    Hi
    Sylvia is still alive and well. Unfortunately in a care home with memory loss.

    We did however receive help researching Hendrick Martinus Arends from a Captain Arthur R Moore back in the 90s and the US Merchant Marine very kindly issued service Medals for her father which my Mother cherished.

    I would be happy to help with any research or questions as I instigated the research into my Mothers family as she was an orphan in 1942 as her mother had died of natural causes the year before Hendrick joined the crew of the SS Bateau in Boston. Hendricks descendants still live on Texel an island off the Netherlands and he met his wife in Hull England as he was first officer on the Melrose Abbey which was the ferry between HULL and the Netherlands.
    It is wonderful that they are still being remembered today for their sacrifice.
    Please contact me for any further details required.
    Kind regards
    Darren Everitt
     
  12. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Hi Darren

    Its nice to hear from someone following research which at the time you dont know if its right or wrong

    Its probably Bill (the original poster) who may need other details so hopefully he will ask if he needs anything


    TD
     
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  13. Darren Everitt

    Darren Everitt New Member

     
  14. Darren Everitt

    Darren Everitt New Member

    Hi Billy
    Thank you for your research and interesting thread regarding British Merchant Seamen killed in action on US and Panamanian registered vessels. My Grandfather was Hendrick Martinus Arends on the SS Bateau if you require any further info please drop me a line. I do have some archive details from US Merchant Marine archives if it helps at all. Thank ypu Darren
     
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  15. Jos Odijk

    Jos Odijk Junior Member

    Fox of SS Richard Bland , minor addition IMG_4017 Richard Bland Fox.JPG
     
  16. Jos Odijk

    Jos Odijk Junior Member

    In the national archiev at KEW
    BT373-26 Bateau
    Address of John Miller BT 373 26 Bateau Miller.jpg
     
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  17. Jos Odijk

    Jos Odijk Junior Member

    From a july 42 crewlist of the SS Capira, the address of Mitchinson mother Jessica passengerlistCapiraJul42-3.jpg
     
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