Swansea Merchant Navy memorial

Link to French translationMerchant Navy memorial, Swansea

This memorial was erected in 2005 to commemorate the local Merchant Navy men who died in the Second World War. Choose a category below to discover their details, or the names and details of merchant seamen who died in the First World War.

First World War

Second World War

The Swansea branch of the Merchant Navy Association spent eight years raising funds for the memorial. Swansea City Council also contributed. Local sculptor Philip Chatfield designed the memorial, which features the figures of a sailor and a fisherman.

Why a fisherman? Many fishing vessels were requisitioned for use as minesweepers in wartime. Those that remained in fishing use played a vital role in keeping Britain fed, but were vulnerable to enemy attack. Wales’ fishing fleet lost eight vessels, with 13 casualties, in the First World War, and a further 32 vessels, with 106 casualties, in the Second World War.

Two of the Swansea seamen who died in the First World War, Richard Gaul and James Osborne, lost their lives when the passenger liner RMS Lusitania was torpedoed off Ireland in 1915. Some of the merchant seamen were lost at sea after surviving earlier torpedo attacks. Evan Basil Davies, for example, escaped from a blazing oil tanker and survived 41 days adrift in a ship’s lifeboat off Africa, but died in another torpedoing the following year.

More details about each of the individuals is available in Byron Jones’ books of remembrance. There are copies in the West Glamorgan archive at Swansea Civic Centre, among other places. 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.

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

Postcode: SA1 8PL    View Location Map

Wales Coastal Path Label Navigation anticlockwise buttonNavigation clockwise button
 

 

First World War

  • AHEARN, Daniel. Assistant Cook, SS Clearfield (Newcastle). Died 24/10/16 age 19. Born Swansea to Daniel Ahearn. Ship sunk off Flannan Island, Outer Hebrides. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • BAKER, Evan Dare. Third Engineer, SS Henley (London). Died 10/4/18 age 19. Born Swansea to Thomas and Joan Baker. Ship sunk SW of the Lizard, Cornwall. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • BARNETT, Alfred Lambert. Fireman, SS Lorca (London). Died 15/11/16 age 30. Born Swansea to Robert and Eleanor Barnett. Ship sunk west of Ushant, France. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • BATES, William Ernest. Assistant Steward, SS Isleworth (London). Died 30/4/18 age 43. Son of Eliza James of Swansea. Ship sunk SW of Ventnor Pier, Isle of Wight. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • BENJAMIN, Zachariah. Assistant Cook, SS Harmattan (London). Died 5/5/17 age 48. Born Swansea to Simon and Ellen Benjamin. Ship sunk north of Cape Rosa, Algeria. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • BOWDEN, Albert John. Second Mate, SS Semantha (Liverpool. Died 14/10/17 age 55. Son of Mary Jones of Swansea. Ship sunk NW of Cape St. John, Crete. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • BOWEN, Arthur. Wireless Operator, SS Don Arturo (London). Died 28/6/17 age 20. Son of Herbert and Elizabeth Bowen of Swansea. Ship sunk WSW of the Scillies. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • BROOKS, Edward. First Mate, SS Algarve (London). Died 20/10/17 age 44. Husband of Annie Brooks of Swansea. Ship sunk WSW of Portland Bill, Dorset. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • BURNETT, Sydney. Chief Engineer, SS Alacrity (Belfast). Died 31/3/16 age 28. Born Swansea. Husband of Mary Burnett of Swansea. Ship sunk off Southwold, Suffolk. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • CAMERON, W. H. Chief Engineer, SS Hollington (London). Died 3/6/17 age 46. Husband of Jessie Cameron of Swansea. Ship sunk south of the Faroe Islands. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • CAPLIN, Joseph Harry. Mess Room Steward, SS Heatherside (Newcastle-on-Tyne). Died 24/8/17 age 17. Son of Joseph and Rose Caplin of Swansea. Ship sunk NW of Cape Ortegal, Spain. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • COX, Edwin. Cook’s Boy, SS Sandhurst (London). Died 6/5/18 age 15. Born Swansea to Edwin and Florence. Ship sunk NW of Corsewall Point, Scotland. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • DAVIES, Alfred. Second Engineer, S.T. Taurus (Aberdeen). Born Swansea. Circumstances of loss are not known, but Alfred is listed as having drowned on 14/7/17 age 51. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • DAVIES, John. Master, Franz Fischer (London). Died 1/2/16 age 59. Husband of Letitia Davies, of Swansea. Ship sunk south of the Kentish Knock Light Vessel. Tower Hill Memorial. NOTE: British sources list as sunk by Zeppelin, however time and location match with sinking claim by U-boat.
  • DAVIES, R. Storekeeper, SS Armadale (London). Died 27/6/17 age 34. Born Swansea. Ship sunk NW of Tory Island, Ireland. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • DAVIES, Rees. Third Engineer, SS Duchess of Cornwall (Falmouth). Died 11/4/17 age 31. Born Swansea. Ship sunk north of Cape Barfleur, France. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • EVANS, Frederick John. Stewards Boy, SS Sandhurst (London). Died 6/5/18 age 17. Son of John and Sarah Evans of Swansea. Ship sunk NW of Corsewall Point, Scotland. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • EVANS, Samuel. Fireman, SS Borga (London). Died 1/3/18 age 28. Husband of Isabella Evans of Swansea. Ship sunk SE of Beer Head, Devon. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • FISHER, Hector Hugh. Bosun, SS Isleworth (London). Died 30/4/18 age 38. Husband of Margaret Fisher of Swansea. Ship sunk SW of Ventnor Pier, Isle of Wight. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • FLYNN, John. Fireman and Trimmer, SS Algiers (London). Died 26/2/17 age 36. Son of Anne Flynn of Swansea. Ship sunk south of Owers Light Vessel off Selsey Bill, Sussex. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • FURBY, Charles Clement. Steward, SS Gower Coast (Liverpool). Died 5/4/17 age 28. Born Swansea to Charles and Mary Furby. On the 4/4/17, ship left the Tyne with a cargo of coal for Treport via Boulogne, France. Ship left Boulogne on the 5th April but did not arrive at Treport. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • GALLAGHER, Joseph. Mess Room Steward, SS Warnow (Dundee). Died 2/5/17 age 16. Son of Hugh and Annie Gallagher of Swansea. Ship sunk west of Trevose Head, Cornwall. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • GAUL, Richard. Greaser, RMS Lusitania (Liverpool). Died 7/5/15 age 35. Born Swansea to James and Sarah Gaul. Ship sunk south of Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland. 1,198 passengers and crew were lost. 1,959 passengers were on board during this voyage. Ship sank in only 18 minutes, thus the very heavy loss of life. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • GENT, Charles William. Third Engineer, SS Ilston (Swansea). Died 30/6/17 age 29. Son of Reginald and Elizabeth Gent of Swansea. Ship sunk SE of the Lizard, Cornwall. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • HARRIS, John George Edward. Second Engineer, SS Llwyngwair (Swansea). Died 26/4/18 age 26. Husband of Gwenllian Harris of Swansea. Ship sunk SSE of Seaham Harbour, County Durham. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • HOLBROOK, George. Second Engineer, SS Treveal (St. Ives). Died 4/2/18 age 40. Born at Swansea. Ship sunk off the Skerries, Anglesey. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • HOLT, John Mountjoy. Third Engineer, SS Algarve (London). Died 20/10/17 age 22. Son of Alexander and Emily Holt of Swansea. Ship sunk WSW of Portland Bill, Dorset. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • IRVING, Edward John. Bosun, SS Henry R. James (Bristol). Died 16/7/17 age 33. Born Swansea to James and Louisa Irving. Ship sunk NE of Ile de Batz, Brittany, France. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • JAMES, Edward. Fireman and Trimmer, SS Clearfield (Newcastle). Died 24/10/16 age 53. Born Swansea. Ship sunk off Flannan Island, Outer Hebrides. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • JENKINS, John. Fireman and Trimmer, SS Gibel Hamam (Gibraltar). Died 14/9/18 age 49. Husband of Mary Jenkins of Swansea. Ship sunk south of Portland Bill, Dorset. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • JENKINS, Walter Lewis. Third Engineer, SS Tangistan (Swansea). Died 9/3/15 age 32. Born at Swansea. Ship sunk off Scarborough, Yorkshire. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • JONES, Thomas. First Engineer, SS Boscastle (West Hartlepool). Died 7/4/18 age 55. Husband of Lily Jones of Swansea. Ship sunk NNW of Strumble Head, Pembrokeshire. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • JONES, Thomas. Second Mate, SS Greldon (Cardiff). Died 8/10/17 age 42. Husband of Elizabeth Jones of Sketty. Ship sunk ENE of the North Arklow Light Vessel, St. George Channel. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • JONES, Thomas. Able Seaman, SS Rosario (Newport). Died 19/8/17 age 70. Born Mumbles, Swansea to Hugh and Ann Jones. Ship sunk south west of Ireland. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • KRAMMER, Carl Martin. Mate, SS G.A. Savage (Troon). Died 11/3/17 age 36. Husband of Matilda Krammer of Swansea. Ship sunk off Pendeen Point, Cornwall. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • KULL, Martin. Fireman and Trimmer, SS Cayo Bonito (London). Died 11/10/17 age 24. Husband of Florence Kull of Swansea. Ship sunk ENE of Savona, Gulf of Genoa, Italy. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • LEWIS, Ernest George. Fireman, SS Algiers (London). Died 26/2/17 age 38. Born Swansea to Mary and George Lewis. Ship sunk south of Owers Light Vessel off Selsey Bill, West Sussex. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • LEWIS, George. Fireman and Trimmer, SS Trekieve (St Ives). Died 18/4/17 age 40. Born Swansea. Ship sunk west of Gibraltar. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • LEWIS, John. Fireman, SS Cottingham (Glasgow). Died 26/12/15 age 60. Husband of Sarah Lewis of Swansea. Ship sunk SW of Lundy Island, Bristol Channel. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • McCANN, Christopher. Bosun, SS Marie Leonhardt (London). Died 14/2/17 age 25. Husband of Catherine McCann of Swansea. Ship sunk east of the Sunk Light Vessel in the Thames Estuary. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • MEECHAN, Thomas Jeffreys. Second Engineer, SS Heron (London). Died 30/9/17 age 28. Born Swansea to Danylow and Margaret Meechan. Ship sunk SW of Ushant, France. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • MORGAN, Harold Selby. Second Engineer, SS War Wasp. Died 3/12/18 age 29. Awarded Military Medal. Son of Charlotte Morgan of Swansea, to whom he left left £431 6s 10d in his will. Died at Stationary Hospital No.5, Dieppe, France. Buried at Janval Cemetery, Dieppe.
  • MORGAN, Joseph Emlyn. Second Engineer, SS Bamse (London). Died 18/4/18 age 34. Husband of Rachel Morgan of Loughor, Swansea. Ship sunk NW of Portland Bill, Dorset. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • MORGAN, Thomas William. Second Engineer, SS Intent (Sunderland). Died 8/3/18 age 27. Son of Thomas and Ellen Morgan of Gorseinon, Swansea. Ship sunk NE of Seaham, County Durham. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • MORGANS, Hopkin. Seaman Cook, S.V. Frances (Carnarvon). Died 23/4/18 age 16. Son of Annie Morgans of Swansea. Ship sunk in the Bay of Biscay. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • MURPHY, George Bernard Denis. Sailor, SS Excellence Pleske (London). Died 31/3/18 age 17. Born Swansea. Ship sunk SSE of Dungeness. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • NEIBLA, Joseph. Engineer, SS Olwen (Swansea). Died 8/6/18 age 35. Husband of Freda Neibla of Swansea. On the 8th June 1918, while carrying coal from Swansea to Cherbourg, ship went missing and was not heard of again. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • NICHOLAS, Thomas Lewis. Second Mate, SS Beatrice (London). Died 20/7/17 age 26. Son of Thomas and Margaret Lewis Nicholas of Swansea. Ship sunk SE of the Lizard, Cornwall. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • NIELSEN, John Brustad. Carpenter, SS Tangistan (Swansea). Died 9/3/15 age 59. Husband of Mary Nielsen of Swansea. Ship sunk off Scarborough, Yorkshire. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • NORMAN, William Richard. Ordinary Seaman, SS Warnow (Dundee). Died 2/5/17 age 18. Son of William and Margaret Norman of Swansea. Ship sunk west of Trevose Head, Cornwall. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • OSBORNE, James. Fireman, RMS Lusitania (Liverpool). Died 7/5/15 age 30. Born Swansea to James and Catherine Osborne. . Ship sunk south of Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland. 1,198 passengers and crew were lost. 1,959 passengers were on board during this voyage. Ship sank in only 18 minutes, thus the very heavy loss of life. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • OWENS, Edward. Fireman, SS Alacrity (Belfast). Died 31/3/16 age 48. Husband of Eliza Owens of Swansea. Ship sunk off Southwold, Suffolk. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • PAGE, William Henry. Cook, SS Linwood (Middlesborough). Died 22/1/17 age 34. Born Swansea to Ann and Charles Page. The SS Linwood is not listed but an HMT Linwood left Cartegena, Spain, for Maryport, Cumbria, with a cargo of iron ore on the 20/1/17, passed Gibraltar on the 22nd, and was never heard of again. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • PARKHURST, William Charles. Able Seaman, SS Connaught (Dublin). Died 3/3/17 age 46. Born Swansea to John and Mary Parkhurst. Ship sunk SW of the Owers Light Vessel, Selsea Bill, West Sussex. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • PHILLIPS, William Henry. First Engineer, SS Sonnie (London). Died 11/8/17 age 43. Husband of Emily Phillips of Manselton, Swansea. Ship sunk NW of Le Four Lighthouse, Ushant, France. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • PILLING, William John. Fireman, SS Algiers (London). Died 26/2/17 age 34. Husband of Elizabeth Pilling of Swansea. Ship sunk south of Owers Light Vessel off Selsey Bill, West Sussex. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • PORTER, Bernard. Donkeyman, SS Bamse (London). Died 2/10/18 age 49. Husband of Sarah Porter of Swansea. Ship sunk east of the Lizard, Cornwall. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • ROBERTS, Richard. Fireman, SS Cottingham (Glasgow). Died 26/12/15 age 63. Born at Swansea. Ship sunk SW of Lundy Island, Bristol Channel. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • SANDRY, Gilbert Barrington. Mess Room Steward, SS Livonia (London). Died 3/12/17 age 17. Son of William and Mary Sandry, of Landore, Swansea. Ship sunk east of Start Point. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • SIMMONDS, James Richard. Deck Boy, SS Tangistan (Swansea). Died 9/3/15 age 14. Son of Thomas and Martha Simmonds of Swansea. Ship sunk off Scarborough, Yorkshire. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • SLOCOMBE, William John. Master, SS Dartmoor (South Shields). Died 27/5/17 age 54. Born Swansea to William and Agnes Slocombe. Ship sunk SE of Fastnet, Ireland. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • STOTE, Robert James. Second Engineer, SS Glynymel (Swansea). Died 12/3/17 age 51. Husband of Elizabeth Stote of Swansea. Ship sunk SW of St Catherine’s Point, Isle of Wight. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • SURRIDGE, John Ogborne. First Mate, SS Dunbarmoor (London). Died 8/3/17 age 47. Born Swansea to Octavius and Ann Surridge. Ship sunk WNW of Fastnet, Ireland. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • TANNER, David Marla. Fireman, SS Princess Dagmar (Glasgow). Died 8/5/18 age 19. Son of Isaac and Rachel Tanner, of Reynoldston, Swansea. Ship sunk in the Bristol Channel. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • THOMAS, Robert Pendrill. Third Engineer, SS Bayronto (London). Died 30/7/18 age 30. Son of Robert and Hannah Thomas of Morriston, Swansea. Ship sunk south east of the Isle of Wight. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • TUCKER, John Henry. Second Mate, SS Algarve (London). Died 20/10/17 age 33. Husband of Ellen Tucker of Swansea. Ship sunk WSW of Portland Bill, Dorset. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • VOYLE, William. Able Seaman, SS Lodaner (London). Died 16/4/18 age 66. Born Swansea. Ship sunk SE of the South Arklow Light Vessel. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • WATKINSON, James Robert. Second Hand, S.T. Khartoum (Hull). Died 26/3/16 age 41. Husband of Margaret Watkinson of Swansea. Ship sunk NE of the Longstone Light Vessel, Northumberland. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • WATTERS, William John. Second Engineer, SS City of Bremen (Dublin). Died 4/4/15 age 51. Husband of Mary Watters of Swansea. Ship sunk south of Wolf Rock, off Lands End, Cornwall. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • WEBBER, Richard Arthur. Steward, SS Sandhurst (London). Died 6/5/18 age 47. Husband of Martha Webber of Swansea. Ship sunk NW of Corsewall Point, Galloway, Scotland. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • WILLIAMS, Arthur Mafeking. Apprentice, SS Sandhurst (London). Died 6/5/18 age 18. Born Swansea to David and Elizabeth Williams. Ship sunk NW of Corsewall Point, Galloway, Scotland. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • WILLIAMS, Charles Henry. Steward, SS Borga (London). Died 1/3/18 age 47. Husband of Alice Williams of Swansea. Ship sunk SE of Beer Head, Dorset. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • WILLIAMS, Joseph Alexded. First Engineer. SS Llwyngwair (Swansea). Died 26/4/18 age 34. Husband of Catherine Williams of Swansea. Ship sunk SSE of Seaham Harbour, County Durham. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • WILLIAMS, Walter Herbert. Assistant Cook/Steward, SS Borga (London). Died 1/3/18 age 17. Born Swansea to Charles and Alice Williams. Ship sunk SE of Beer Head, Devon. Tower Hill Memorial.
  • WOODS, James. Donkeyman, SS Prince Abbas (London). Died 9/7/17 age 53. Husband of Elizabeth Woods of Swansea. Ship sunk east of Fair Island. Tower Hill Memorial.
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