Official Norwegian sources and records held somewhere in The National Archives of Norway reveal the names of 64 British Merchant Seamen mainly boy ratings who were killed in service during WWII from the Notraships Fleet. They all have one thing on common. None are recorded by the CWGC and are forgotten. Somewhere they have been lost in the process of recording the war dead and their details have never got further than the Norwegian authorities. Many seamen lost in similar circumstances are commemorated in full. The missing names should have been passed on to the Registry of Shipping & Seamen of the day before submission to the CWGC. For whatever reason they did not. Seventy years may have passed, but this is no excuse to forget them. Initial contact has been made with the Norwegian Archives and the CWGC to try and get more evidence to these findings and have them recorded accordingly. Any other information from Norwegian sources will be most welcome. Lest we forget 1940 RYAN, Deck Boy, FRANK EDWARD, D/S Bravore (Norway) 20th April 1940. TORRES, Messroom Boy, DANEILSEN, D/S Bravore (Norway) 20th April 1940. CAMERON, Galley Boy, ROBERT, D/S Keret (Norway) 22nd August 1940. LARKIN, Messroom Boy, JAMES, D/S. Diana (Norway) September/October 1940. BUTLER, Deck Boy, NORMAN, M/T Nina Borthen (Norway) 6th October 1940. HASLAM, Oiler, HENRY, M/T Nina Borthen (Norway) 6th October 1940. RICHARDSON, Deck Boy, JAMES, M/T Nina Borthen (Norway) 6th October 1940. SELF, Cook, GEORGE, M/T Nina Borthen (Norway) 6th October 1940. TAYLOR, Deck Boy, HORACE, M/T Nina Borthen (Norway) 6th October 1940. WILSON, Deck Boy, GEORGE, M/T Nina Borthen (Norway) 6th October 1940. CREMIN, Trimmer, TIMOTHY, D/S Dokka (Norway) 17th October 1940. SELLESETH, Messroom Boy, ROLF, D/S Salonika (Norway) 23rd November 1940. GANNAWAY, Galley Boy, LIONAL, D/S Samnanger (Norway 2nd December 1940. CAESER, Able Seaman, JOCK (Canadian) D/S Nyland (Norway) 5th December 1940. 1941 DAVIES, Galley Boy, LESLIE, D/S Brask (Norway) 15th January 1941. DONNAVON, Oiler, MICHAEL, M/S Benjamin Franklin (Norway) 19th February 1941. GOULDEN, Messroom Boy, MICHAEL, D/S Augvald (Norway) 2nd March 1941. SCARGILL, Messroom Boy, STANLEY, D/S Augvald (Norway) 2nd March 1941. HICKEY, Stoker, DENNIS, D/S Samlanes (Norway) 13th March 1941. ALLEN, Messroom Boy, FRANK, D/S Hørda (Norway) 24th March 1941. OAKLEY, Cabin Boy, DEREK, D/S Hørda (Norway) 24th March 1941. ROBERTS, Junior Ordinary Seaman, HARRY D/S Hørda (Norway) 24th March 1941. BEENEY, Sailor, ARTHUR, D/S Profit (Norway) 17th April 1941. GUTHERLESS, Deck Boy, HENRY, D/S Polyana (Norway) 25th April 1941. KING, Trimmer, JOSEPH DONALD,(Canadian) D/S Christian Krohg (Norway) 10th June 1941. O' REGAN, Stoker, WILLIAM, D/S Christian Krohg (Norway) 10th June 1941. LYNCH, Mechanic, WILLIAM, M/S Vigrid (Norway) 24th June 1941. SHIPLEY, Engineroom Boy, JAMES, M/S Vigrid (Norway) 24th June 1941. HILL, Galley Boy, WILLIAM, M/S Vigrid (Norway) 24th June 1941. SWEETMAN, Deck Boy, LESLIE, D/S Eikhaug (Norway) 7th September 1941. TURNER, Trimmer, CHARLES, D/S Eikhaug (Norway) 7th September 1941. BOTHA, Ordinary Seaman, E.P. M/T Barbro (Norway) 19th September 1941. DAVIES, Engineroom Boy, KENNETH, M/T Barbro (Norway) 19th September 1941. HUGHES, Galley Boy, WILLIAM, M/T Barbro (Norway) 19th September 1941. KRUAJER, Messroom Boy, SIMON, M/T Barbro (Norway) 19th September 1941. RICE, Messroom Boy, BERHARD, D/S Varangberg (Norway) 25th September 1941. WAUDBY, Trimmer, JACK, D/S Roy (Norway) 12th October 1941. HANNAM, Messroom Boy, FONWICK, D/S Erviken (Norway) 16th October 1941. SULLIVAN, Messroom Boy, EDWARD, D/S Erviken (Norway) 16th October 1941. CHADWICK, Ordinary Seaman, JOHN, D/S Rask (Norway) 19th October 1941. HOWARD, Messroom Boy, LEWIS, M/T Fjord (Norway) 2nd December 1941. GOODWIN, Galley Boy, REGINALD, D/S Annavore (Norway) 21st December 1941. 1942 DUFFY, Oiler, MICHAEL, M/T Nyholt, (Norway) 17th January 1942. HOPLAND, Galley Boy, HARRY, M/T Nyholt (Norway) 18th January 1942. BROMFIELD, Messroom Boy, THEODORE E. D/S Belize (Norway) 21st January 1942. HUGHES, Oiler, JOHN NORMAN, D/S Ringstad (Norway) 24th January 1942. DONACE/DONNASCHIE, Trimmer, JOHN. D/S Blink (Norway) 11th February 1942. GRAVES, Ordinary Seaman, REGINALD. D/S Blink (Norway) 11th February 1942. PAPPACENA, Galley Boy, A. NOEL ? D/S Blink (Norway) 11th February 1942. DAVIDSON, Messroom Boy, W. N. D/S Ingerto (Norway) 12th February 1942. EAGLELSHAM, Galley Boy, CRAMFORD, D/S Ingerto (Norway) 12th February 1942. SHERIDAN, Saloon Boy, FRANCIS, M/T Finnager (Norway) 1st March 1942. PATTERSON, Messroom Boy, DENNIS, D/S Tolosa (Norway) 9th March 1942. ABBE, Saloon Boy, STANLEY, M/S Tyr (Norway) 9th March 1942. MOORE, Messroom Boy, RICHARD, M/S Tyr (Norway) 9th March 1942. DENNIE, Radiao Officer, JOHN, MT/ Svenør (Norway) 27th March 1942. PORTER, Galley Boy, RONALD R. M/T Kollskegg (Norway) 6th April 1942. McLEAN, Messroom Boy, PATRICK, D/S Fanefjeld (Norway) 9th April 1942. HOOD, Able Seaman WILLIAM A. D/S Taborfjell (Norway) 30th April 1942. HODDER, Trimmer, FRED, D/S Douro (Norway) 9th May 1942. EBANKS, Messroom Boy, CLYDE, M/S Gundersen (Norway) 1st July 1942. DOLAND, Stoker, ANTONIO, D/S Fidelio (Norway) 9th November 1942. TYNAN, Saloon Boy, JOHN (Australian), M/S Herstein (Norway) 1st July 1942. Died as prisoner on the Japanese Montevideo Maru when that ship was torpedoed and sunk by the American submarine Sturgeon (SS-187), about 65 miles west off Cape Bojeador, Luzon in position18' 37N 119' 29E. About 1050 allied POW's en route to Hainan Island lost their lives. 1944 PHILLIPS, Messroom Boy, LEON, D/S Isbjørn (Norway) 17th December 1944. Age 18, of 108 Ninian Park Road, Cardiff. Death recorded in the Deaths at Sea Register for January 1945, page 409.
Initial contact has been made with the Norwegian Archives and the CWGC to try and get more evidence to these findings and have them recorded accordingly. Any other information from Norwegian sources will be most welcome. Billy, Good luck with all your efforts. These men deserve to be properly commemorated.
I work with Billy on another forum and you can be sure that 100% will go into making sure these young men and boys receive the recognition and commemoration that they surely deserve. Billy has a very good track record in this kind of work. A nation such as ours should not forget those that gave everything they had. Regards Hugh
We have a start. Ray Buck a contact of mine for a number of years found the following details on ancestry.com. He also found reference to some ships manifests from three ships with relevant detail. BOTHA, Ordinary Seaman, E.P. ( Edward. Aged 19 South African) M/T Barbro (Norway) 19th September 1941. . signed on 6th August 1941 in UK. 1 year at sea. DAVIES, Engineroom Boy, KENNETH Aged 20, Welsh, M/T Barbro (Norway) 19th September 1941. signed on 6th August 1941 in UK, first trip. HUGHES, Galley Boy, WILLIAM aged 19, Welsh, M/T Barbro (Norway) 19th September 1941. signed on 6th August 1941in UK. 1 year at sea. KRUAJER, Messroom Boy, SIMON, Aged 17, South African M/T Barbro (Norway) 19th September 1941. signed on 6th August 1941in UK. 1 year at sea. HOPLAND, Galley Boy, HARRY, Aged 23 (listed as Norwegian But suspect, as all are Ditto) M/T Nyholt (Norway) 18th January 1942. signed on in Glasgow 24th June1941.
A most noble quest Billy. Your initial post has already brought these forgotten young men to the attention of many ... However small, a start is a start. You've helped myself in the past with info and advice with regards forgotten seamen (although a little closer to home) and I have little doubt that you'll succeed in bringing fitting tribute to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Good luck and God's speed. Chris.
Perhaps this thread should be moved to the Non-Comm section. I'm sure Chris Harley will be able to help with advice here.
Perhaps this thread should be moved to the Non-Comm section. I'm sure Chris Harley will be able to help with advice here. Thanks Geoff, I have a database containing the following casualties lost from Merchant ships during WWII below and the names I supplied are not recorded anywhere amongst them. Only one name from the 64 appears in the Deaths at Sea Register 1939-1945, which is another factor showing they have been overlooked. Tower Hill Memorial 23,753 (including 139 Australian & 69 New Zealand) Buried Ashore 2,594 (incl. Canadian, Australian, New Zealand. Canadian 1,554 (Halifax & Tower Hill Memorial) Bombay/Chittagong Memorial 6,048. Hong Kong War Memorial 1,400. Liverpool Naval Memorial 1,400 (Merchant Seamen from the T124T & T124X Agreements) Australian War Memorial 359. Royal Navy DEMS 3,000. DEMS Maritime Regt. 1,222. DEMS from other Army Regt's 50. Naval Staff 699. Received a message stating one of them HARRY HOPLAND is actually commemorated in Norway. Detaljer for person as this was his original place of birth.
Billy a fine job you are doing; I had the Norwegian site for investigation once I had finished my Great War Non Comms (probably in about 10years). If I can be of any help please let me know Chris Chris
Billy I have already drawn up a list of Canadian Merchant Seamen who I believe should be on the CWGC Memorials; I have not yet got around to comparing it with your site Chris
I compiled the following list of Canadian Merchant Navy casualties back in 2003 and would be interested to compare any new names which you may have on file. Billy McGee’s List of Canadian Seamen lost in WWII
Billy I compliled the list from the info available on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial (Merchant Navy database); whilst there were names I could discount straight away due to accidental sinkings etc there are at least 40 names that are connnected with Great War & WW2 sinkings. The rest of the names I have kept pending further evidence. Please send message me your e mail & I will send you the spreadsheet Chris
The following names are all confirmed as dead/missing from the official documents I received from Norway. I suspect all the others will to when I receive confirmation. Three names on the previous list turned out to be recorded as Norwegian. The documents detail the ship losses and an index of those killed missing and saved. I hope this is enough to convince the Commission this end. I will wait until I have all the evidence for all of them before forwarding on copies to the CWGC. 1940 RYAN, Deck Boy, FRANK EDWARD, D/S Bravore (Norway) 20th April 1940. Dead TORRES, Messroom Boy, DANEILSEN, D/S Bravore (Norway) 20th April 1940. Dead CAMERON, Galley Boy, ROBERT, D/S Keret (Norway) 22nd August 1940. Dead BUTLER, Deck Boy, NORMAN, M/T Nina Borthen (Norway) 6th October 1940. Dead HASLAM, Oiler, HENRY, M/T Nina Borthen (Norway) 6th October 1940. Dead SELF, Cook, GEORGE, M/T Nina Borthen (Norway) 6th October 1940. Dead TAYLOR, Deck Boy, HORACE, M/T Nina Borthen (Norway) 6th October 1940. Dead WILSON, Deck Boy, GEORGE, M/T Nina Borthen (Norway) 6th October 1940. Dead 1941 GOULDEN, Messroom Boy, MICHAEL, D/S Augvald (Norway) 2nd March 1941. Dead SCARGILL, Messroom Boy, STANLEY, D/S Augvald (Norway) 2nd March 1941. Dead SHIPLEY, Engineroom Boy, JAMES, M/S Vigrid (Norway) 24th June 1941. Dead HILL, Galley Boy, WILLIAM, M/S Vigrid (Norway) 24th June 1941. Dead LYNCH, Mechanic, WILLIAM, M/S Vigrid (Norway) 24th June 1941. Dead SWEETMAN, Deck Boy, LESLIE, D/S Eikhaug (Norway) 7th September 1941. Dead RICE, Messroom Boy, BERHARD, D/S Varangberg (Norway) 25th September 1941. Dead HANNAM, Messroom Boy, FONWICK, D/S Erviken (Norway) 16th October 1941. Dead SULLIVAN, Messroom Boy, EDWARD, D/S Erviken (Norway) 16th October 1941. Dead CHADWICK, Ordinary Seaman, JOHN, D/S Rask (Norway) 19th October 1941. Dead HOWARD, Messroom Boy, LEWIS, M/T Fjord (Norway) 2nd December 1941. Dead GOODWIN, Galley Boy, REGINALD, D/S Annavore (Norway) 21st December 1941. Dead 1942 DUFFY, Oiler, MICHAEL, M/T Nyholt, (Norway) 17th January 1942. Missing DONNASCHIE, Trimmer, JOHN. D/S Blink (Norway) 11th February 1942. Missing GRAVES, Ordinary Seaman, REGINALD. D/S Blink (Norway) 11th February 1942. Missing PAPPACENA, Galley Boy, A. NOEL ? D/S Blink (Norway) 11th February 1942. Missing ABBE, Saloon Boy, STANLEY, M/S Tyr (Norway) 9th March 1942. Missing HARRIS, Deck Boy, JOHN, M/S Tyr (Norway) 9th March 1942. Missing MOORE, Messroom Boy, RICHARD, M/S Tyr (Norway) 9th March 1942. Missing PORTER, Galley Boy, RONALD R. M/T Kollskegg (Norway) 6th April 1942. Missing EBANKS, Messroom Boy, CLYDE, M/S Gundersen (Norway) 1st July 1942. Dead McLEAN, Messroom Boy, PATRICK, D/S Fanefjeld (Norway) 9th April 1942. Dead 1944 PHILLIPS, Messroom Boy, LEON, D/S Isbjørn (Norway) 17th December 1944. Age 18, of 108 Ninian Park Road, Cardiff. Death recorded in the Deaths at Sea Register for January 1945, page 409. Dead. No information to the loss of the following ships is known, but can confirm the following are listed on crew lists. LARKIN, Messroom Boy, JAMES, D/S. Diana (Norway) September/October 1940. BOTHA, Ordinary Seaman, E.P. M/T Barbro (Norway) 19th September 1941. DAVIES, Engineroom Boy, KENNETH, M/T Barbro (Norway) 19th September 1941. HUGHES, Galley Boy, WILLIAM, M/T Barbro (Norway) 19th September 1941. BROMFIELD, Messroom Boy, THEODORE E. D/S Belize (Norway) 21st January 1942. Recorded as Norwegian HOPLAND, Galley Boy, HARRY, M/T Nyholt (Norway) 18th January 1942. Norwegian RICHARDSON, Deck Boy, JAMES, M/T Nina Borthen (Norway) 6th October 1940. Norwegian SELLESETH, Messroom Boy, ROLF, D/S Salonika (Norway) 23rd November 1940. Norwegian
Last year I donated to the CWGC both volumes of the Norwegian publications Sjøforklaringer fra 2. Verdenskrig Vol. I & II. (Maritime Inquiries from WWII), which consists of direct copies of official reports stored at the Norwegian National Archives. The publications also included the names of hundreds of serving British Merchant Seamen on Norwegian ships and over 900 Merchant Seamen of foreign nationality killed, which included 271 British Merchant Seamen killed whilst in service. Of these, 218British Seamen named in the publications as being killed are recorded with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial in London, while a further 13 are buried ashore in official war graves. Having ammended my original list from 2009 and having three successfully accepted in 2013, I now find there are 69 non commemorated, of which I have two ongoing cases under review by the CWGC. The remaining 67 are to be compiled into one document to be submitted to the CWGC along with the Norwegian publications to hopefully bring to a successful conclusion their inclusion as our war dead. The following list are the names of these sixty-seven British Merchant Seamen, mainly boy ratings who deserve to be honoured. 1940 RYAN, Deck Boy, FRANK EDWARD, D/S Bravore (Norway) 20th April 1940. McNANGHON, Stoker (Unknown first name) D/S Bravore (Norway) 20th April 1940. TORRES, Messroom Boy, DANEILSEN, D/S Bravore (Norway) 20th April 1940. CAMERON, Galley Boy, ROBERT, D/S Keret (Norway) 22nd August 1940. DOBSEN, Trimmer, ERNEST, D/S. Diana (Norway) September/October 1940. LARKIN, Messroom Boy, JAMES, D/S. Diana (Norway) September/October 1940. BUTLER, Deck Boy, NORMAN, M/T Nina Borthen (Norway) 6th October 1940. HASLAM, Oiler, HENRY, M/T Nina Borthen (Norway) 6th October 1940. RICHARDSON, Deck Boy, JAMES, M/T Nina Borthen (Norway) 6th October 1940. SELF, Cook, GEORGE, M/T Nina Borthen (Norway) 6th October 1940. TAYLOR, Deck Boy, HORACE, M/T Nina Borthen (Norway) 6th October 1940. WILSON, Deck Boy, GEORGE, M/T Nina Borthen (Norway) 6th October 1940. CREMIN, Trimmer, TIMOTHY, D/S Dokka (Norway) 17th October 1940. GANNAWAY, Galley Boy, LIONAL, D/S Samnanger (Norway 2nd December 1940. 1941 DAVIES, Galley Boy, LESLIE, D/S Brask (Norway) 15th January 1941. DONNAVON, Oiler, MICHAEL, M/S Benjamin Franklin (Norway) 19th February 1941. GOULDEN, Messroom Boy, MICHAEL, D/S Augvald (Norway) 2nd March 1941. SCARGILL, Messroom Boy, STANLEY, D/S Augvald (Norway) 2nd March 1941. HICKEY, Stoker, DENNIS, D/S Samlanes (Norway) 13th March 1941. ALLEN, Messroom Boy, FRANK, D/S Hørda (Norway) 24th March 1941. OAKLEY, Cabin Boy, DEREK, D/S Hørda (Norway) 24th March 1941. ROBERTS, Junior Ordinary Seaman, HARRY D/S Hørda (Norway) 24th March 1941. BEENEY, Sailor, ARTHUR, D/S Profit (Norway) 17th April 1941. GUTHERLESS, Deck Boy, HENRY, D/S Polyana (Norway) 25th April 1941. ADAMS, Cabin Boy, PHILIP D/S John P. Pedersen (Norway) 20th May 1941. CUFFO (GRIFFO?), Galley Boy, THOMAS D/S John P. Pedersen (Norway) 20th May 1941. MORRIS, Able Seaman, WILLIAM D/S John P. Pedersen (Norway) 20th May 1941. McCORMACK, Engine Boy, THOMAS D/S John P. Pedersen (Norway) 20th May 1941. O' REGAN, Stoker, WILLIAM, D/S Christian Krohg (Norway) 10th June 1941. McGORY, Messromm Boy, WILLIAM D/S Christian Krohg (Norway) 10th June 1941. LYNCH, Mechanic, WILLIAM, M/S Vigrid (Norway) 24th June 1941. SHIPLEY, Engineroom Boy, JAMES, M/S Vigrid (Norway) 24th June 1941. HILL, Galley Boy, WILLIAM, M/S Vigrid (Norway) 24th June 1941. SWEETMAN, Deck Boy, LESLIE, D/S Eikhaug (Norway) 7th September 1941. TURNER, Trimmer, CHARLES, D/S Eikhaug (Norway) 7th September 1941. BOTHA, Ordinary Seaman, E.P. M/T Barbro (Norway) 19th September 1941. CLARK, Mechanic, THOMAS, M/T Barbro (Norway) 19th September 1941. DAVIES, Engineroom Boy, KENNETH, M/T Barbro (Norway) 19th September 1941. HUGHES, Galley Boy, WILLIAM, M/T Barbro (Norway) 19th September 1941. KRUAJER, Messroom Boy, SIMON, M/T Barbro (Norway) 19th September 1941. RICE, Messroom Boy, BERHARD, D/S Varangberg (Norway) 25th September 1941. WAUDBY, Trimmer, JACK, D/S Roy (Norway) 12th October 1941. HANNAM, Messroom Boy, FONWICK, D/S Erviken (Norway) 16th October 1941. SULLIVAN, Messroom Boy, EDWARD, D/S Erviken (Norway) 16th October 1941. CHADWICK, Ordinary Seaman, JOHN, D/S Rask (Norway) 19th October 1941. HOWARD, Messroom Boy, LEWIS, M/T Fjord (Norway) 2nd December 1941. GOODWIN, Galley Boy, REGINALD, D/S Annavore (Norway) 21st December 1941. 1942 DUFFY, Oiler, MICHAEL, M/T Nyholt, (Norway) 17th January 1942. HOPLAND, Galley Boy, HARRY, M/T Nyholt (Norway) 18th January 1942. BROMFIELD, Messroom Boy, THEODORE E. D/S Belize (Norway) 21st January 1942. HUGHES, Oiler, JOHN NORMAN, D/S Ringstad (Norway) 24th January 1942. DAVIDSON, Messroom Boy, W. N. D/S Ingerto (Norway) 12th February 1942. EAGLELSHAM, Galley Boy, CRAMFORD, D/S Ingerto (Norway) 12th February 1942. SHERIDAN, Saloon Boy, FRANCIS, M/T Finnager (Norway) 1st March 1942. PATTERSON, Messroom Boy, DENNIS, D/S Tolosa (Norway) 9th March 1942. ABBE, Saloon Boy, STANLEY, M/S Tyr (Norway) 9th March 1942. MOORE, Messroom Boy, RICHARD, M/S Tyr (Norway) 9th March 1942. DENNIE, Radio Officer, JOHN, MT/ Svenør (Norway) 27th March 1942. PORTER, Galley Boy, RONALD R. M/T Kollskegg (Norway) 6th April 1942. McLEAN, Messroom Boy, PATRICK, D/S Fanefjeld (Norway) 9th April 1942. HOOD, Able Seaman WILLIAM A. D/S Taborfjell (Norway) 30th April 1942. HODDER, Trimmer, FRED, D/S Douro (Norway) 9th May 1942. EBANKS, Messroom Boy, CLYDE, M/S Gundersen (Norway) 1st July 1942. DOLAND, Stoker, ANTONIO, D/S Fidelio (Norway) 9th November 1942. BEAGAN, Saloon Boy, JOSEPH M/T Vardfjel (Norway) 12th December 1942 DIXON, Radio Operator, THOMAS HENRY M/T Vardfjel (Norway) 12th December 1942 WILLIAMS, Galley Boy, WALTER M/T Vardfjel (Norway) 12th December 1942
