Merchant Navy Casualty

Hello Phil,
I am assuming that if someone went to the trouble of putting up a plaque naming G.D. Atkin as being a Deck Boy on "mv ATLANTA" then they must have had good reason to do so. As we know there is not a ship called "ATLANTA" that fits but we now know there was a G.D. Atkin lost aboard "ATALANTA" note the spelling difference. He is noted on the 1941 Deaths at Sea Register for the the month of April. The other G.D. Atkin you have already mentioned was lost on the River Mersey in 1942.

I will keep you posted with any further information that is forthcoming.
Regards
Hugh

Hugh, apologies, Ill tread the post in full next time , as I thought the 'I dont think so' related to aitken and the Melbourne Star.

Next time I can get to the library, i'll check the issues around April 1941

Thanks for your ongoing efforts on this one

Phil

 

It can be confusing sometimes and I dont think I helped the situation. My train of thought was always to concentrate on the information provided in the first post. Hopefully we will find out soon.
Regards
Hugh

 

It can be confusing sometimes and I dont think I helped the situation. My train of thought was always to concentrate on the information provided in the first post. Hopefully we will find out soon.
Regards
Hugh

Cheers hugh, I will hopefully get to the Library between XMAS and new year, so fingers crossed

Phil

was at the libary earlier today, and tracked down the article regarding George Derek Atkin. It was put in the paper in 1945 in rememberance, by his brother Jeff, so quite possible that the paper (1942) is a mis print and it does relate to the same person.

Phil

 

Was at the libary earlier today, and tracked down the article regarding George Derek Atkin. It was put in the paper in 1945 in rememberance, by his brother Jeff, so quite possible that the paper (1942) is a mis print and it does relate to the same person.

Phil

 

Check the U.K death indexes for 1942 to make sure.Im sure the death certificate would tie up a few loose ends.

 

Courtesy of Stuart McLoughlin.

From the Widnes Weekly news from 1942.

He was born in Widnes in 1927 and was on a barge (presumably the "Atlanta") on the Mersey in 1941/2, it was reported as missing in early 1942. There is a brief report and a picture of Derek in the 13th March '42 edition of the Weekly news and a tribute to him by the Journalist Jack Carney in the 20th March edition.

Other than his name on the town war memorial there is just a bit of personal info i.e. his parents were John A and Grace E Atkin and he had three brothers John A J, Leslie G, and Frank H. "

These newspaper extracts will be available at:-
Widnes Library
Victoria Road
Widnes, WA8 7QY
0151 907 8383
Contact:- nicola.lamb (at) halton.gov.uk
There may be a charge.

If he was lost on a barge it explains why there is very little information in the usual sources. I still don't understand why he has an entry in the first quarter 1941 Deaths at Sea Register and the barge reported as missing early 1942??

Regards
Hugh

 

Hugh, pass on my thanks to Stuart, and his source. I have a long list of pages to get from the Widnes Weekly News Archives, and just trying to find the time to go through them.

I will see what all 3 reports say

Phil

 

Deaths at Sea Register entry April 1942, page 7 attached.

 

Deaths at Sea Register entry April 1942, page 7 attached.

Thanks Billy, was 4 the whole crew ?

 

Can't say for sure without her last Crew Agreements. As there seems to be little or no evidence to suggest what happened to her would suggest that maybe four was her full compliment, especially judging by their rank/ratings. This is probably all you would need to crew a vessel of this size.

 

Can't say for sure without her last Crew Agreements. As there seems to be little or no evidence to suggest what happened to her would suggest that maybe four was her full compliment, especially judging by their rank/ratings. This is probably all you would need to crew a vessel of this size.

Cheers Billy, now that I know what date the article is in I will see what the newpaper archives hold. Yet anotherone possibly not commerated

P

 

Sorry Phil, I mislead you with the information about the 1941 Deaths at Sea Register. Clearly as Billy has shown it is 1942. We are sure the correct name is ATALANTA not ATLANTA but the circumstances of her demise unclear.
Regards
Hugh

 

Sorry Phil, I mislead you with the information about the 1941 Deaths at Sea Register. Clearly as Billy has shown it is 1942. We are sure the correct name is ATALANTA not ATLANTA but the circumstances of her demise unclear.
Regards
Hugh

Hugh, no problems at all, research is full of Blind Alleys and lights at end of tunnels and ive been in quite a few alleys and tunnels since I started. Thanks to your and Billy, and the guys at Mercantile Marine, I've finally got some info.

Just need to get the detail around cause of death, as despite being listed on the local cenotaph, Atkin is not listed on the CWGC as either a civilian or MN casualty

Still some work to be done on this one, so only just entering the tunnel.

P

 

Phil i think your next source for information may be in the Cheshire Archives. See if they have any inquest or Coroners records for that period. The Widnes Cemetery or local churchyards may provide a Grave or an epitaph on a family grave[was his body found ?] Liverpool Maritime Museum may have information on the ship one of the casualties that im researching who was also lost in the Mersey has a file on the loss of the ship and also its salvage.

 

Death Certificates for two of the crew, Crew Agreements and a couple of other official documents are now in the hands of the Commission for those from Hopper "D" I don't think there will be to much problem having these accepted as even the two death certificates state cause of death by enemy action.

 

I was quite annoyed by this reply from the CWGC, who have rejected those lost from Hopper Barge "D" Firstly they have the dates for commemoration wrong and this "outside home waters" criteria is ridiculous.
Dear Mr McGee,

Thank you for your e-mail and attachments of 8 February 2010.

I have checked through the documents you have sent, and note that Hopper Barge 'D' actually sank in Home Waters. As this is the case, the Commission only commemorates those who served with the Merchant Navy and died between 3 September 1939 and 15 August 1945, and where death was caused by increased war risk outside of Home Waters, and is confirmed by the Registrar General of Seaman and Shipping. This would then explain why they are not classified as Commonwealth war dead, and as civilians.

As you know, information on servicemen and women was passed to the Commission by the service authorities after both wars, and using the criteria mentioned above, the Merchant Navy made the decision that they should not be eligible for war graves treatment.

I hope this helps to explain why we have them listed in this way.

Kind regards,

Jackie Withers (Mrs)
Enquiries Section
Head Office
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
2 Marlow Road
Maidenhead
Berkshire
England
SL6 7DX

 

I was quite annoyed by this reply from the CWGC, who have rejected those lost from Hopper Barge "D" Firstly they have the dates for commemoration wrong and this "outside home waters" criteria is ridiculous.
Dear Mr McGee,

Thank you for your e-mail and attachments of 8 February 2010.

I have checked through the documents you have sent, and note that Hopper Barge 'D' actually sank in Home Waters. As this is the case, the Commission only commemorates those who served with the Merchant Navy and died between 3 September 1939 and 15 August 1945, and where death was caused by increased war risk outside of Home Waters, and is confirmed by the Registrar General of Seaman and Shipping. This would then explain why they are not classified as Commonwealth war dead, and as civilians.

As you know, information on servicemen and women was passed to the Commission by the service authorities after both wars, and using the criteria mentioned above, the Merchant Navy made the decision that they should not be eligible for war graves treatment.

I hope this helps to explain why we have them listed in this way.

Kind regards,

Jackie Withers (Mrs)
Enquiries Section
Head Office
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
2 Marlow Road
Maidenhead
Berkshire
England
SL6 7DX

Billy, I agree it is ridiculous, individials were either killed as a rsult of enemy action or they werent.

Thanks for trying.

 

Regarding the non commemoration of Hopper D i wonder why the crew of Hopper F are commemorated by the Commission Hopper F was lost in the River Mersey under similar circumstances. One crew member is buried and the other four crew commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial.

 

Izzy

I have the same feeling; With one of th cases that im investingating the Register of Merchant Seaman & Shipping have turned down the case. I have Scottish Deah Cetificate which proves hes hes died to due to the effects of th sinkining of the City Of Benares They have refused to accept him untikl I come up with the crew agreement. Billy McGee has given me the pointers where to go.

 

Regarding the non commemoration of Hopper D i wonder why the crew of Hopper F are commemorated by the Commission Hopper F was lost in the River Mersey under similar circumstances. One crew member is buried and the other four crew commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial.


I have written back to the Commission and listed a number of other vessels including Hopper "F" below to show they were lost in similar conditions and are commemorated. I also have an email from the Commission from another case stating "Where death is due to direct enemy action location is no longer a relevant issue"

Cargo ship Woodtown, 794grt, (Comben, Longstaff & Co Ltd) had loaded a cargo of granite at Newlyn for London. On the 15th November 1939 off Margate two and half miles from the Tongue Light Vessel the ship detonated a mine, which tore the bottom out of the ship and sank in thirty seconds killing eight of the thirteen man crew.

Tower Hill Panel 120

ALFARO, Fireman, SEGUNDO, S.S. Woodtown (Leith). Merchant Navy. 15th November 1939. Age 39. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Bernardo Alfaro; husband of Margareta Alfaro, of Swiss Cottage, London.

HALL, Ordinary Seaman, RONALD ARTHUR WILLIAM, S.S. Woodtown (Leith). Merchant Navy. 15th November 1939. Age 16.

HARDING, Master, WILLIAM FREDERICK CHARLES, S.S. Woodtown (Leith). Merchant Navy. 15th November 1939. Age 50. Son of Archibald and Jeananna Harding; husband of Margaret Harding (nee Chambers), of Woking, Surrey.

HARVEY, Able Seaman, ANDREW, S.S. Woodtown (Leith). Merchant Navy. 15th November 1939. Age 40. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Harvey.

HUGHES, Chief Officer, HUGH, S.S. Woodtown (Leith). Merchant Navy. 15th November 1939. Age 25. Son of Captain H. Hughes, and of Margaret M. Hughes, of Amlwch, Anglesey.

JONES, Second Officer, LIONEL GOLDSMITH, S.S. Woodtown (Leith). Merchant Navy. 15th November 1939. Age 36.

MALONEY, Fireman, EDWARD, S.S. Woodtown (Leith). Merchant Navy. 15th November 1939. Age 42. Son of Bridget Maloney.

SULLIVAN, Fireman, JOSEPH, S.S. Woodtown (Leith). Merchant Navy. 15th November 1939. Age 43.

Cargo ship Rubislaw, 1,041grt, (Granite City SS Co.) had been sailing from London to Aberdeen with a cargo of cement. On the 28th November 1939 the ship detonated a mine and sank two and half miles from the Tongue Light Vessel killing all thirteen crew.

Tower Hill Panel 89

BRUCE, Cook, ROBERT CHARLES, S.S. Rubislaw (Aberdeen). Merchant Navy. 28th November 1939. Age 64.

CAMERON, Chief Engineer Officer, ROBERT WHITTON, S.S. Rubislaw (Aberdeen). Merchant Navy. 28th November 1939. Age 51. Husband of Christina M. Cameron, of Bucksburn, Aberdeenshire.

HUNTER, Fireman, WILLIAM FRANCIS JOHN, S.S. Rubislaw (Aberdeen). Merchant Navy. 28th November 1939. Age 29.

IMLACH, Chief Officer, ALEXANDER, S.S. Rubislaw (Aberdeen). Merchant Navy. 28th November 1939. Age 44.

MUNRO, Fireman, JAMES, S.S. Rubislaw (Aberdeen). Merchant Navy. 28th November 1939. Age 33. Son of George William Stewart Munro and Annie Murray Munro, of Aberdeen.

McREYNOLDS, Mess Room Boy, GEORGE, S.S. Rubislaw (Aberdeen). Merchant Navy. 28th November 1939. Age 16. Son of Alexander and Isabella McReynolds.

NICOLSON, Master, JAMES HENRY, S.S. Rubislaw (Aberdeen). Merchant Navy. 28th November 1939. Age 45. Son of Robert Nicolson, and of Christina Nicolson, of Whiteness, Zetland; husband of Janet E. Nicolson, of Aberdeen.

PETRIE, Fireman, GEORGE, S.S. Rubislaw (Aberdeen). Merchant Navy. 28th November 1939. Age 48. Husband of Maggie Petrie, of Aberdeen.

PIRIE, Second Officer, WILLIAM JAMES, S.S. Rubislaw (Aberdeen). Merchant Navy. 28th November 1939. Age 46. Son of George H. and Helen I. Pirie.

RUSSELL, Donkeyman, ALEXANDER DYCE, S.S. Rubislaw (Aberdeen). Merchant Navy. 28th November 1939. Age 53. Husband of Jane Wesley Milne Russell, of Woodside, Aberdeen.

SIMPSON, Able Seaman, THOMAS, S.S. Rubislaw (Aberdeen). Merchant Navy. 28th November 1939. Age 40.

SMART, Able Seaman, EDWARD, S.S. Rubislaw (Aberdeen). Merchant Navy. 28th November 1939. Age 29. Son of Alexander and Jane Robertson Smart; husband of Christian Ann Smart, of Aberdeen.

Tug Napia, 155grt, had been sailing on Admiralty Service when on the 20th December 1939 the tug detonated a mine off Ramsgate and sank with the loss of all eight crew.

Tower Hill Panel 71

BIRD, Cook, WILLIAM, S.S. Napia (London). Merchant Navy. 20th December 1939. Age 15. Son of William and Emma Bird, of Gravesend, Kent.

BLAKE, Master, CHARLES FREDERICK, S.S. Napia (London). Merchant Navy. 20th December 1939. Age 46.

BRADBROOK, Engineer Officer, RICHARD JOSEPH, S.S. Napia (London). Merchant Navy. 20th December 1939. Age 45. Son of Mr. and Mrs. George Bradbrook, of Gravesend, Kent.

CONNELLY, Fireman, THOMAS WILLIAM, S.S. Napia (London). Merchant Navy. 20th December 1939. Age 22. Son of Thomas and Elsie Connelly, of Gravesend, Kent.

GIRLING, Mate, FREDERICK ARTHUR, S.S. Napia (London). Merchant Navy. 20th December 1939. Age 29. Son of Arthur and Nellie Rose Girling; husband of Florence Dora Girling, of Gravesend, Kent.

GWALTER, Deck Hand, CHARLES, S.S. Napia (London). Merchant Navy. 20th December 1939. Age 33. Son of Harry and Ellen Gwalter; husband of Laura Gwalter, of Denton, Gravesend Kent.

JONES, Leading Hand, CHARLES PERRITT, S.S. Napia (London). Merchant Navy. 20th December 1939. Age 33. Son of Thomas Deakon Jones and Martha Jones; husband of Annie Louisa Jones, of Gravesend, Kent.

TILLMAN, Fireman, WILLIAM THOMAS, S.S. Napia (London). Merchant Navy. 20th December 1939. Age 64. Son of William and Careline Tillman; husband of Alice Tillman, of Gravesend, Kent.

Cargo ship The Lady Mostyn, 305grt, (Darwen & Mostyn Iron Co Ltd) had been sailing in ballast from Liverpool to Llandulas. On the 23rd July 1940 the ship detonated a mine one and a half miles off the Formby Lightvessel and sank with the loss of all seven crew.

Tower Hill Panel 107

BARNARD, Able Seaman, RONALD, M.V. The Lady Mostyn (Chester). Merchant Navy. 23rd July 1940. Age 18.

ROWLANDS, Seaman, DAVID ARTHUR, M.V. The Lady Mostyn (Chester). Merchant Navy. 23rd July 1940. Age 22. Son of David John and Elizabeth Rowlands, of Nevin, Caernarvonshire.

WILLIAMS, Second Engineer Officer, LESLIE, M.V. The Lady Mostyn (Chester). Merchant Navy. 23rd July 1940. Age 25. Son of Thomas and Mary Williams, of Picton, Cheshire.

WILLIAMS, Mate, OWEN GRIFFITH, M.V. The Lady Mostyn (Chester). Merchant Navy. 23rd July 1940. Age 49. Husband of A. A. Williams, of Llithfaen, Caernarvonshire.

WILLIAMS, Cabin Boy, THOMAS JOHN, M.V. The Lady Mostyn (Chester). Merchant Navy. 23rd July 1940. Age 16. Son of Owen G. and Mary Williams; nephew of Annie Roberts, of Nevin, Caernarvonshire. His brother William Hugh also fell.

Buried ashore

WILLIAMS, Chief Engineer Officer, THOMAS, M.V. The Lady Mostyn (Chester). Merchant Navy. 23rd July 1940. Age 39. Son of Thomas and Mary Williams; husband of Margaret Williams, of Mostyn. Buried Llanasa (Pictin) Cemetery. Sec. B. Grave 44.


Tug Poolgarth, 179grt, (Rea Towing Co.) had been manoeuvring near the South Pierhead of Canada Dock, Liverpool when she detonated a German laid mine killing all seven crew on board.

Tower Hill Panel 83

DAWSON, Mate, HERBERT STANNEY, S.S. Poolgarth (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 22nd December 1940. Age 30.

EDWARDS, Able Seaman, HARRY ISLEY, S.S. Poolgarth (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 22nd December 1940. Age 40. Son of Richard and Hannah Edwards; husband of Mary Ellen Edwards, of Wallasey, Cheshire.

FUGE, Engineer Officer, THOMAS, S.S. Poolgarth (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 22nd December 1940. Age 62. Son of James and Elizabeth Fuge; husband of Ada Fuge, of Wallasey, Cheshire.

HITCHMOUGH, Deck Hand, JOHN HENRY, S.S. Poolgarth (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 22nd December 1940. Age 18. Son of Thomas Harold and Sarah Hitchmough, of Egremont, Wallasey, Cheshire.

LANGTON, Master, RALPH, S.S. Poolgarth (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 22nd December 1940. Age 52. Son of Ralph and Annie Langton; husband of Alice Langton, of Litherland, Liverpool.

STEVENSON, Trimmer, MICHAEL, S.S. Poolgarth (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 22nd December 1940. Age 16. Son of John and Mary Jane Stevenson, of Walthamstow, Essex.

SHACKLETON, Fireman, WILLIAM JOHN, S.S. Poolgarth (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 22nd December 1940. Age 34. Buried Liverpool (Allerton) Cemetery. Sec. 7. Gen. Grave 223.


On the 25th February 1941 the sailing barge Globe, 54grt detonated a mine in the Thames Estuary off Sheerness near Garrison Point and sank killing two crew.

Towe Hill Panel 52

LAKER, Mate, NORMAN, Sailing Barge Globe (Faversham). Merchant Navy. 25th February 1941. Age 16.

Buried ashore with full war grave status

ROWDEN, Master, HERBERT VICTOR, Sailing Vessel Globe (Faversham). Merchant Navy. 25th February 1941. Age 30. Son of Jasper and Elizabeth L. A. Rowden, of Whitstable; husband of Violet Rowden, of Whitstable. Buried Whitstable Cemetry. Sec. 4Q. Grave 38.


Cargo ship Anonity, 303grt, (F.T. Everard & Sons) On the 4th March 1941while sailing independently from Billingham to Boston, Lincolnshire with a cargo of fertilizer the ship detonated a mine and sank one and a half miles South-East of Skegness Pier killing the river pilot and four of the six man crew.

Tower Hill Panel 122

BAGLEY, Pilot, ERNEST, M.V. Anonity (London), Boston and Spalding. Pilotage Authority. 4th March 1941. Age 66. Son of Charles and Charlotte Bagley; husband of Lily Bagley, of Boston, Lincolnshire.

Tower Hill Panel 9

LOBBAN, Second Engineer Officer, IAN COOK, M.V. Anonity (London). Merchant Navy. 4th March 1941. Age 43. Son of George and Helen Cook Lobban.

MANTRIPP, Chief Engineer Officer, ROBERT JAMES, M.V. Anonity (London). Merchant Navy. 4th March 1941. Age 42.

PEGG, Ordinary Seaman, JOHN JAMES, M.V. Anonity (London). Merchant Navy. 4th March 1941. Age 16. Son of Albert and Prudence Mary Pegg.

SARGENT, Master, THEODORE ALBERT PEARCE, M.V. Anonity (London). Merchant Navy. 4th March 1941. Age 31. Husband of Florence Ada Sargent, of Carrow Abbey, Norwich.

Tug Persia, 165grt (William Watkins Ltd) On the 9th April 1941 the tug had been manoeuvring the fully laden tanker Lunula, 6,363grt, (H.E. Moss & Co.) alongside the Thames Haven jetty when the tanker detonated a German aerial mine. The ship caught fire engulfing the tug in flames killing seven men on board the tug and twenty-eight of the thirty-nine men on board the tanker. The fire continued to burn for 97 hours.

Tower Hill Panel 80

BODY, Fireman, JAMES, Tug Persia (London). Merchant Navy. 9th April 1941. Age 18.

CASELTON, Leading Hand, ERNEST, S.S. Persia (London). Merchant Navy. 9th April 1941. Age 35.

CONNELLY, Engineer Officer, CHARLES, S.S. Persia (London). Merchant Navy. 9th April 1941. Age 59. Son of Simon and Anne Connelly; husband of Eleanor Mary Connelly, of Gravesend, Kent.

LYNDS, Cook, KENNETH, Tug Persia (London). Merchant Navy. 9th April 1941. Age 15. Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Lynds, of Gravesend, Kent.

MAY, Deck Hand, LEONARD JOHN, S.S. Persia (London). Merchant Navy. 9th April 1941. Age 29.

WATERS, Mate, HARRY, S.S. Persia (London). Merchant Navy. 9th April 1941. Age 57. Son of William and Emily Waters; husband of Celia M. Waters, of Gravesend, Kent.

Buried ashore with full war grave status

ALDRICH, Master, HARRY, Tug Persia (London). Merchant Navy. 9th April 1941. Age 60. Husband of Ethel May Aldrich, of Gravesend. Buried Gravesend Cemetery. Plot 16. Grave 5636.


Hopper Barge F. 496grt. On the 13th May 1941 about 350 yards South of the Dingle Jetty, Liverpool the barge detonated an aerial mine and sank killing five of the eleven man crew.

Tower Hill Panel 57.

BATES, Chief Engineer Officer, STANLEY HOWARD, S.S. Hopper F (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 13th May 1941. Age 45. Husband of Laura Isabel Bates, of 242 Halewood Road, Lancs.

MOLLOY, Cabin Boy, PETER, S.S. Hopper F. (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 13th May 1941. Age 15, of 44 Chesterton St. Garston, Liverpool 19

THOMAS, Second Engineer Officer, HUGH, S.S. Hopper F (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 13th May 1941, of 33 Elm Road, Liverpool.

WILLIAMS, Fireman, MORRIS, S.S. Hopper F. (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 13th May 1941. Age 58. Son of Evan and Ann Williams; husband of Kate Williams, of Llanbedrgoch, Anglesey.

Buried ashore with full war grave status.

PARKINSON, Able Seaman, JOHN, S.S. Hopper F. (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 13th May 1941. Age 49. Son of Robert and Mary Ellen Parkinson; husband of Jane Parkinson, of Lancaster. Buried Lancaster Cemetery. Grave D. Last place of abode 38 Sandback St. Liverpool.