Merchant Navy memorial, Cardiff

Link to French translationMerchant Navy memorial, Cardiff

This sculpture commemorates the 1,700 men from Cardiff, Barry and Penarth who died while serving with the Merchant Navy in the First and Second World Wars. To discover who they were, choose a category below.

First World War - Barry

First World War - Cardiff

First World War - Penarth

Second World War - Barry

Second World War - Cardiff A-G
Second World War - Cardiff H-R
Second World War - Cardiff S-Z

Second World War - Penarth

The memorial was instigated in the 1990s by Bill Henke, a founder member of the Merchant Navy Association (Wales). Sculptor Brian Fell used riveted metal – the method used to build ships at the time of the wars – to create what at first sight seems to be a section of a ship’s hull. On its underside are the features of a human face, which Mr Fell described as a “sleeping head”.

The Merchant Navy played vital roles in both wars, when all British ships were at risk of being sunk by mines or enemy submarines. Merchant ships transported food and equipment to Britain and exports to pay for supplies. They also took soldiers and supplies to battlefields, and wounded men back to Britain. Two Cardiff mariners died when the hospital ship Llandovery Castle was sunk off Ireland in 1918

Among those commemorated are two young brothers from Barry. Samuel Robert Bubbins was 16 years old when he died at sea off Spain in 1917. Albert Bubbins died aged 15 when his ship was sunk off Dorset. Brothers Kenneth and Raymond Lewis, of Cardiff, were aged 15 and 16 respectively when they died on the same day in 1940, when their ship was sunk.

Many other youths from the area were lost at sea during the wars. Nine of them were only 14 years old when they died.

The McGillivray brothers of Barry served on different ships but died on consecutive days in 1943. Three Prindle brothers from Cardiff were killed within three months of each other.

Patti Flynn (who went on to become a noted jazz singer, broadcaster and ethnic minorities campaigner) lost her father, Wilmot Young, and her brother Jocelyn (Young) when they were on Merchant Navy service.

More details about each of the individuals is available in Byron Jones’ books of remembrance. There are copies in Cardiff libraries, Barry library and several Welsh archives. The titles are: Book of Remembrance Seafarers from Wales of the Mercantile Marine & Fishing Fleets who lost their lives during World War One 1914-1918; and Book of Remembrance Seafarers from Wales of the Merchant Navy & Fishing Fleets who lost their lives during World War Two 1939-1945.

Barry sailors are also commemorated on Barry’s Merchant Navy memorial, in Holton Road.

With thanks to Byron Jones, of the Merchant Navy Association (Wales)

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First World War - Barry

  • ADOLFSEN, Daniel. Carpenter, SS Woodfield (London). Died 3/11/15 age 35. Husband of Winifred Adolfsen, of 25, Hatton Rd. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk off Morocco.
  • BARTLETT, William Jenkin. Able Seaman, SS Ribston (London). Died 16/7/17 age 20. Son of Rachel Bartlett, of 4, Clive Rd. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk west of Fastnet, Ireland.
  • BOULTON, Joseph Henry. Fireman and Trimmer, SS Ruysdael (London). Died 7/9/18 age 57. Husband of Sarah Boulton (nee Stevens), of 84, Phyllis St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk west of Ushant, France.
  • BUBBINS, Albert. Assistant Steward, SS Moidart (Leith). Died 9/6/18 age 15. Son of Samuel Bubbins, of 74, Graving Dock St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk SE of Lyme Regis, Dorset. Brother of Samuel, below.
  • BUBBINS, Samuel Robert. Trimmer, SS Australdale (Brisbane). Died 19/10/17 age 16. Son of Samuel Bubbins, of 74, Graving Dock St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk NW of Cape Vilano, Spain.
  • CAMPBELL, Robert Fraser. Mess Room Steward, SS Redesmere (Manchester). Died 28/10/17 age 19. Son of Alexander and Marion Campbell, of 87, Court Rd. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk WSW of St Catherine’s Point, Isle of Wight
  • CARTWRIGHT, Samuel Ashton. Fireman, SS Porthkerry (Cardiff). Died 20/5/17 age 24. Husband of Beatrice Cartwright (nee Griffiths), of 93, Merthyr St . Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk SW of Beachy Head.
  • CLARK, Frederick Charles. Cook, SS Ladoga (Leith). Died 16/4/18 age 20. Born Barry. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk SW of the South Arklow Light Vessel, Ireland.
  • COUTSOUDIS, Zanis Constantine. Carpenter, SS Ribston (London). Died 16/7/17 age 58. Husband of Assimio Coutsoudis, of 8, Teavis St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk west of Fastnet, Ireland.
  • CURTIS, Ivor Leslie. Sailor, SS Heatherside (Newcastle-on-Tyne). Died 24/8/17 age 17. Son of Lionel and Emma Curtis (nee Benneworth), of 2, Station St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk NW of Cape Ortegal, Spain.
  • DALTON, Martin. Second Steward, SS Ruysdael (London). Died 7/9/18 age 22. Son of John and Mary Dalton (nee Stokes), of 9, Newland St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk west of Ushant, France. Brother of Walter, below.
  • DALTON, Walter Thomas. Ordinary Seaman, SS Livonia (London). Died 3/12/17 age 19. Son of John and Mary Dalton (nee Stokes), of 9, Newland St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk east of Start Point.
  • DAVIES, Emrys John. Signaller, SS Duckbridge (Newcastle-on-Tyne). Died 22/2/16 age 16. Son of William Davies, of 10, Park Crescent. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk north of Straithie Point, Scotland.
  • DENCH, Sidney John. Mess Room Steward, SS Calliope (London). Died 12/7/17 age 15. Son of Mrs. Florence Smith, of 30, Holme St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk north of Madeira.
  • DOWDALL, William Robert. Engineers Boy, SS Sandhurst (London). Died 6/5/18 age 17. Born Barry. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk NW of Corsewall Point, Scotland.
  • DURBIN, George Mansel. Sailor, SS Ribston (London). Died 16/7/17 age 18. Son of William and Kathleen Durbin, of 13, Bassett St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk west of Fastnet, Ireland.
  • EAKON, William. Carpenter, SS Mariston (Glasgow). Died 15/7/17 age 52. Husband of Ellen Eakon (nee Saunders), of 3, Lee Rd. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk west of Fastnet, Ireland.
  • EVANS, Benjamin Charles. Fireman, SS Ribston (London). Died 16/7/17 age 23. Son of David and Elizabeth Evans, of 101, Merthyr St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk west of Fastnet, Ireland.
  • EVANS, Lloyd George Edward. Assistant Cook, SS Moorlands (Whitby). Died 25/6/18 age 16. Son of George and Annie Evans (Nee Bennett), of 288, Holton Rd. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk SE of Whitby.
  • EVELEIGH, Alexander David. Cooks Boy, SS T.R. Thompson (Sunderland). Died 29/3/18 age 15. Son of Frederick and Rachel Eveleigh (nee Stone), of 30, Regent St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk south of Newhaven.
  • FARRANT, Walter. Engineers Steward, SS Horsa (West Hartlepool). Died 30/4/17 age 17. Son of Samuel and Sarah Farrant, of 20, Sydenham St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk SW of Fastnet, Ireland.
  • GARDNER, John. Fireman and Trimmer, SS Trongate (London). Died 22/9/17 age 49. Husband of Mrs. E. C. Gardner, of 4, Holmes St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk NW of Flamborough Head.
  • GIFFORD, Edward Fogg. Ordinary Seaman, SS Jutland (Cardiff). Died 19/11/17 age 15. Son of William and Annie Gifford (nee Fogg), of 89, Castleland Rd. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk NE of Ushant, France.
  • GREEN, Eustace. Fireman, SS Dunbarmoor (London). Died 8/5/17 age 36. Husband of Philippa Green (nee Kennedy), of 23, Beverley St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk WNW of Fastnet, Ireland.
  • GULWELL, Ernest. Mess Room Steward, SS Daybreak (West Hartlepool). Died 24/12/17 age 17. Son of George and Phoebe Gulwell (nee Reed), of 44, Arthur St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk east of the South Rock Light Vessel, County Down, Ireland.
  • HALEY, Thomas Jerimiah. Sailor, SS Forestmoor (London). Died 5/10/17 age 20. Son of Michael and Annie Haley of Barry. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk off Cape Spartel, Morocco.
  • HARRINGTON, John Bernard. Mate, SS Sofie (London). Died 2/2/18 age 27. Born Barry to James and Annie Harrington. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk in the Bristol Channel.
  • HILL, Chas Frederick. Fireman, SS Ben Lomond (Newcastle-on-Tyne). Died 8/7/18 age 31. Born Barry. Tower Hill Memorial Panel. Ship sunk SE of Daunts Rock, Ireland.
  • HOPKINS, Albert. Ordinary Seaman, SS Welbeck Hall (London). Died 22/4/18 age 17. Son of Nora Hopkins (nee Cardigan), of 45, Dock View Rd. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk NE of Port Said, Egypt.
  • HUGHES, Arthur Price. Engineers Steward, SS Kariba (London). Died 13/4/17 age 17. Son of Arthur and Annie Hughes, of 1, Morlais St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk WNW of Ushant, France.
  • JENKINS, Archibald James Lisle. Sailor, SS Romford (London). Died 10/2/18 age 26. Son of James and Annie Jenkins, of 282, Holton Rd. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk east of Cape Carthage, Tunisia.
  • KARLSEN, Johan. Assistant Refrigeration Engineer, SS Folia (London). Died 11/3/17 age 27. Husband of Florence Karlsen (nee Brown), of 11, Brickyard Terrace. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk ESE of Rams Head.
  • KASTOUDIS, George. Donkeyman, SS Gasconia (Liverpool). Died 16/11/17 age 30. Husband of Leonie Kastoudis (nee Christiaens), of 70, Hirwain St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk NE of Cape Cherchell, Algeria.
  • KAYS, Joseph. Fireman, SS Ribston (London). Died 16/7/17 age 32. Husband of Beatrice Kays (nee Chick), of 5, Palmerston Rd. Tower Hill Memorial Panel. Ship sunk west of Fastnet, Ireland.
  • LEWIS, Reginal George. Mess Room Boy, SS Biruta (London). Died 6/8/18 age 14. Son of Martha Lewis, of 46, Vale St. Tower Hill Memorial Panel. Ship sunk NW of Calais.
  • LIDDIATT, John Frederick. Cabin Boy, SS Biruta (London). Died 6/8/18 age 17. Son of Rose Liddiatt (nee Short), of 43, Station St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk NW of Calais.
  • MAGULIANOS, Gabril. Fireman, SS Duckbridge (Newcastle-on-Tyne). Died 22/2/16 age 26. Husband of Annie Magulianos (nee Roderick), of 6, Sydenham St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sank north of Straithie Point, Scotland
  • MAXWELL, William. Chief Steward, SS Eskmere (Liverpool). Died 13/10/17 age 59. Husband of Eliza Maxwell (nee Rich), of 36, Fryatt St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk off Anglesey.
  • MEREDITH, David Austen. Able Seaman, SS Princess Dagmar (Glasgow). Died 8/5/18 age 18. Son of David and Rosa Meredith (nee Davies), Dock View Rd. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk in the Bristol Channel.
  • MORAN, Charles Foscolo. Cook, SS Treveal (St. Ives). Died 4/2/18 age 28. Husband of Elizabeth Moran (nee Haggard), of 13, Morgan St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk off Anglesey.
  • MORGAN, Thomas William. Second Engineer, SS Intent (Sunderland). Died 8/3/18 age 27. Son of Thomas and Ellen Morgan (nee Davies). Born at Barry. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk NE of Seaham, County Durham
  • NEWSAM, Dolan George. Cook/Steward, SS John O. Scott (Newcastle-on-Tyne). Died 18/9/18 age 33. Husband of Grace Newsam (nee Thomas) of 35, Tydvil St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk NW of Trevose Head, Cornwall
  • PAPADATOS, Sokrates. Fireman, SS Jutland (Cardiff). Died 19/11/17 age 29. Husband of Annie Papadatos (nee Power), of 61, Hinwain St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk NE of Ushant France.
  • PATINIOS, Nicolas. Fireman, SS Frimaire (London). Died 15/3/17 age 24. Husband of Bridget Patinios (nee Jones), of 48, Graving Dock St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk SSE of Bell Ile, France.
  • ROBERTS, Albert. Mess Room Steward, SS Penvearn (Falmouth). Died 1/3/18 age 14. Son of William Roberts, of 7, Travis St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk off Anglesey.
  • ROWLEY, Samuel. Fireman, SS Biruta (London). Died 6/8/18 age 59. Husband of Margaret Rowley (nee Sullivall), of 14, Foster St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk NW of Calais.
  • SADLER, Joseph Henry. Second Mate, SS Treveal (St. Ives). Died 4/2/18 age 22. Son of Henry and Rebecca Sadler (nee Bellamy), of 23, Romilly Rd. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk off Anglesey.
  • SATCHWELL, Ernest. (may have been named SATCHEL). Fireman, SS Canonesa (Glasgow). Died 1/5/18 age 26. Husband of Lilian Satchwell (or Satchel) (nee Couchman), of 20, Daniel St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk south of Worthing.
  • SHREEVE, John William. Steward, SS Dowlais (Cardiff). Died 4/12/17 age 39. Husband of Jane Shreeve (nee Sampson), of 33, Coyne Terrace. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk off Cape de Fer, Algeria
  • SIMMONDS, John Sidney. Fireman/Trimmer, SS Rio Lages (London). Died 26/4/17 age 26. Husband of Alice Simmonds (nee Bishop), of 35, Bassett St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk NW of Fastnet, Ireland.
  • SMITH, William Frederick. Sailor, SS Eskmere (Liverpool). Died 13/10/17 age 19. Son of Frederick and Jane Smith (nee Thomas), of 46, Sydenham St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk off Anglesey.
  • STENHOUSE, W.J. First Mate, SS Linwood (Middlesborough). Age 39. Husband of Marjorie Stenhouse, of 87, Dock View Rd. Tower Hill Memorial. The SS Linwood is not listed in British Vessels Lost 1914-1918 but an HMT Linwood left Cartegena, Spain on the 20th January 1917, and was never heard from again. Ship may have been sunk by enemy or accident.
  • TAYLOR, George Henry. Able Seaman, SS Ribston (London). Died 16/7/17 age 21. Son of George and Lucy Taylor (nee Baker), of 4, Gilbert St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk west of Fastnet, Ireland
  • THOMAS, James Bird. Steward, SS Biruta (London). Died 6/8/18 age 50. Husband of Cecilia Thomas (nee Francis), of 40, Harvey St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk NW of Calais.
  • TOBIN, Albert Thomas. Ordinary Seaman, SS Azul (London). Died 5/2/17 age 17. Born Barry to Thomas and Elizabeth Tobin. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk west of Fastnet, Ireland.
  • VINK, Adrianus. Cook, SS Erindring (London). Died 5/10/18 age 33. Husband of Ada Vink (nee Bird), of 32, Lower Pike St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk in the Bay of Biscay.
  • VLADESCO, Nickolas. Greaser, SS Reventazon (Manchester). Died 5/10/18 age 42. Husband of Marguerette Vladesco (nee Yeapedro), of 40, Thompson St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk SW of Kassandra Point, Gulf of Salonica.
  • VON GFUG, Cuno. Deck Hand, ST Yarmouth (Grimsby). Died 8/11/15 age 18. Born Barry. Tower Hill Memorial. Unable to determine details of his loss.
  • WATSON, George. Fireman and Trimmer, SS Ruysdael (London). Died 7/9/18 age 45. Husband of Kate Watson (nee Harris), of 134, Queen St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk west of Ushant, France.
  • WELCH, William James. Mess Room Steward, SS Mordenwood (Middlesborough). Died 19/5/17 age 22. Son of Ada Assman, (formerly Welch), of 32, Barry Road. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk SE of Cape Matapan, Greece.
  • WILES, William Thomas. First Mate, SS Haslingden (West Hartlepool). Died 12/5/18 age 65. Husband of Annie Wiles, of 56, Merthyr St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk east of Seaham Harbour, County Durham
  • WILLIAMS, Charles Henry. Bosun, SS Forestmoor (London). Died 5/10/17 age 31. Husband of Mary Williams (nee Hunt), of 4, Station St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk off Cape Spartel, Morocco
  • WILLIAMSON, Matthew John Hickson. First Engineer, SS Bayreauix (London). Died 23/10/16 age 44. Husband of Frances Williamson, of 5, Park Avenue. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk in the Atlantic Ocean.
  • WIRTMAN, John. Able Seaman, SS Poljames (London). Died on 2/10/18 age 47. Husband of Mary Wirtman (formerly Watkins, nee Thomas), of 55, Phyllis St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk south of the Lizard, Cornwall..
  • YORK, Thomas. Cook, SS Ludgate (London). Died 26/7/17 age 51. Husband of Eleanor York (nee Murphy), of 26, Fryatt St. Tower Hill Memorial. Ship sunk south of Galley Head, Ireland.
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