Something that recently came up on the St Helens Roll of Honour forum... Radio Officer James Tunstall, Merchant Navy, died 26 November 1943 at 33rd General Hospital, Syracuse, Sicily, age 21. I don't know what the cause of death was, so he may or may not meet the criteria which I gather is different for Merchant Navy deaths. Just putting this out there as I'm not going to follow up on it myself.
James Tunstall was a radio officer aboard "KWAI SANG", He died from Typoid Septicaemia on the 26th November 1943. Sadly under the current ruleset for the MN he is not commemorated by the CWGC. Regards Hugh
Never mind then. Thanks for the info Hugh, I can see now that he has a non-WW grave at Syracuse War Cemetery.
Anyone have any info on the KWAISANG?, service history, photograph perhaps?. Hugh as a matter of interest what is the current CWGC situation with this?
British and Commonwealth merchant seamen lost during WW2 should, according to the rules, only be commemorated when they were known to be lost as a direct consequence of enemy action or “increased War Risk” and, crucially, the loss was confirmed by the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen. ‘KWAI SANG’, official number, 139569, built 1917. 1940 requisitioned by Royal Navy, 1947 sold to John Manners & Co., Hong Kong renamed ‘SAN EDUARDO’. There is an Official Logbook at the National Archives Kew for the ship. The one for 1943 should be held in piece BT 381/2306. This may tell more about the circumstances of his illness and subsequent death. Unaware at this stage how long her requisition to the RN was, and whether she was still under requisition in 1943 when he died. It is my understanding though that if under requisition then there would be no Logbook due to being under RN control. Service records for J. Tunstall - CRS 10 (service record from Jan, 1941) - held at Kew in piece BT 382/1829 Seaman's Pouch held at Kew in piece BT 372/368/120 Regards Hugh
There are actually quite a few MN seamen buried at Syracuse War Cemetery, most of them with non-WW graves: http://www.wikisicily.com/siracusa/index-rgt.php?Rgt=Merchant%20Navy
There are four Merchant Navy non war dead graves looked after by the CWGC at Syracuse War Cemetery. ALI AHMED, Fireman, S.S. Norman Monarch. Merchant Navy. 15th May 1944. Age 40. Plot 5 Row H Grave 6. Killed by an accidental fall of coal. HEMMINGSEN, Steward, ERIK ROBERT, S.S. Ulla. Merchant Navy. 13th April 1944. Age 31. Plot 1 Row C Grave 10. Died from a broken spine. HIGGINBOTTOM, Able Seaman, CLIFFORD, S.S. Fort Paskoyac. Merchant Navy. 1st November 1944. Age 35. Plot 1 Row B Grave 4. Died from septicemia. TUNSTALL, First Radio Officer, JAMES, S.S. Kwaisang. Merchant Navy. 26th November 1943. Age 21. Plot 3 Row A Grave 16. Died from typhoid.
He's remembered on his parents' gravestone in St Helens Cemetery. Died at Syracuse, Sicily, on 26th November 1943, aged 21. He's not in the CWGC database, so I assume he died of sickness. Anyone know what his ship was?
Hello Berenice a thread below about him Radio Officer James Tunstall, Merchant Navy TUNSTALL, First Radio Officer, JAMES, S.S. Kwaisang. Merchant Navy. 26th November 1943. Age 21. Plot 3 Row A Grave 16. Died from typhoid. Service records for J. Tunstall - CRS 10 (service record from Jan, 1941) - held at Kew in piece BT 382/1829 Seaman's Pouch held at Kew in piece BT 372/368/120
From Deaths at Sea Register Ship - Kwaisang No - 139569 Registry - Hong Kong DOD - 26/11/43 Place - 33rd Gen Hosp, Syracuse Name - James Tunstall Age - 11/2/22 Rank - 1st Radio Officer Birthplace - St Helens Abode - Owam Villa, Hartington Rd, St Helens Cause of death - Typhoid septicaemia Buried - Plot 3, Row A, Grave No 16 Remarks - Report received from the Sea Transport Officer in Charge, Syracuse Edit - Snap! writing this as you were posting!
