|
|
|
The SS Athenia
|
The SS Athenia was built for the Anchor-Donaldson Limited's service between Britain and Canada by The Athenia was the first British ship sunk by a German U-boat in World War II. Britain declared war on Germany at 11:15 am on September 3rd, shortly after the passenger liner, Athenia sailed from Glasgow for Montreal with 1,100 passengers onboard. That afternoon she was spotted by U-30 about 250 miles northwest of Northern Ireland. Commander of U-30, Lieutenant Fritz-Julius Lemp decided Athenia was an armed merchant cruiser and fired two torpedoes without warning. The ship sank with the loss of 112 passengers and crew.
|
Watchman Charles Fordyce SS. Athenia (d.3rd Sep 1939) Charles was 65 years old, he was serving aboard the Athenia when she was sunk. He was the husband of Mary Penelope Fordyce and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, in Trinity Square Garden, London. |
Margaret Hogg passenger SS. Athenia (d.3rd Sep 1939) Origionally from Edinburgh Scotland, Margaret Hogg, aged 52 was a passenger on the SS Athenia when she was sunk. |
Julia W. Scott passenger SS. Athenia Julia was travelling with her family on the SS Athenia when she was sunk |
C.P.O. Harry Trowbridge HMS Electra
My Uncle was Acting Stoker, P.O., Harry Trowbridge, he served on board HMS Electra, and I have a small HMS Electra ID. booklet showing his name, rating, part of ship, Mess No. and religion.
Following the sinking of the Electra, my Aunt was extremely concerned for his wellbeing and wrote to the Admiralty requesting information on the 25th of March 1942. A reply was received in April 1942 stating that my Uncle was confirmed as a survivor from HMS Electra and had been landed at Fremantle, Australia.
Following that my Uncle was “loaned” to the Australian Navy and in July 1942 my Aunt wrote to the Admiralty to enquire of the exact position. In September 1942 she received a letter from the Admiralty confirming that my Uncle was “on loan” to the Australian Navy but that his case and the cases of other ratings similarly placed, necessitated enquiries being made of the Australian Naval Authorities.
I have a postcard with a photograph of a ship set in the outline of Australia – it looks like a destroyer and has the number J186 printed on its side. I believe my Uncle stayed with the Australian Navy for approximately 2 years.
I am pleased to say that my Uncle continued to serve the British Navy until the end of the War. I have a photograph of him when he served on HMS Royal Oak and he also served on HMS Foxhound and T.S.S. Athenia sunk by a German submarine on 3rd of September, 1939. |
Cook John Joseph O'Keefe Cook RMS Athenia (d.4th Sep 1939) My maternal Grandad John Joseph O'Keefe was the ship's cook onboard the fated Athenia - the 1st ship to be torpedoed in the 2nd World War.
His name is on the Cenotaph in our local park in Helensburgh, Hermitage Park, although my Nanny, Mary O'Keefe was never given a war widows pension. He didnt die straight away but did die eventually as a result of his injuries sustained during the attack.
He was landed at Galway and spent several months in hospital. A lot of his injuries were burns due to the stock pot pouring over him during the blasts.
He left behind his wife Mary(d) and 6 children, Margaret(d), Rose(d), Frances (my Mum), Mary(d), Effie and his only son, John(d).
I would love to have any other information that anyone may have about the crew and survivors. Many thanks. |
Alexander MacCuaig SS Athenia My Grandfather, Alexander MacCuaig, born on Islay in 1883, was a member of the crew on SS Athenia when she was sunk on 3 September 1939. I believe he worked in the engine room as a Stoker. My own mother, born in 1936, had a "skull cap" when she was born, a thin extra layer of skin, which apparently sailors think is a lucky omen. My grandfather took this to sea with him. Thankfully he survived and lived until the ripe old age of 92. |
Barbara Rodman Wilson Barbara Rodman, then 22, survived the sinking of the SS Athenia. She was a 3rd class passenger en route to Montreal when the ship was torpedoed. At 97, she is still alive and has a sharp memory. She lives in Garden City, NY. March 3, 2011) |
Gnr. Thomas McKenna Ritchie HMS Biter My father, Thomas Ritchie and grandfather Colin Ritchie, were both crewmen on S.S. Athenia when she was torpedoed September 3rd 1939. My father
subsequently served on HMS Biter and other various ships. My Grandfather
served in the First World War, I think in the Argyll & Sutherland Reg.
He did not talk too much about what happened, but I think he was captured
at some time by the Germans. |
List of those who served or sailed on the SS Athenia during The Second World War
- Stewardess Hannah Baird (d.3rd Sep 1939)
- C. O. Bowen passenger (d.3rd Sep 1939)
- Asst.Steward James Carlin (d.3rd Sep 1939)
- Chief Officer Barney Copeland
- Asst.Steward Ian Donnelly (d.3rd Sep 1939)
- Asst.Steward John Donnelly (d.3rd Sep 1939)
- Donkeyman James Elder (d.3rd Sep 1939)
- Watchman Charles Fordyce (d.3rd Sep 1939) Read his Story.
- Greaser Hugh Gallagher (d.3rd Sep 1939)
- Phillip Gunyon
- Stewardess Alison Harrower (d.3rd Sep 1939)
- Asst.Steward John Hogg (d.3rd Sep 1939)
- Margaret Hogg passenger (d.3rd Sep 1939) Read his Story.
- Stewardess Margaret Johnston (d.3rd Sep 1939)
- Asst.Steward John Kent
- Stewardess Jessie Lawler (d.3rd Sep 1939)
- Alexander MacCuaig Read his Story.
- Bellboy James Marshall (d.3rd Sep 1939)
- Asst.Steward Michael J. McDermott (d.3rd Sep 1939)
- Printer John McJarrow (d.3rd Sep 1939)
- Steward John McKeowen (d.3rd Sep 1939)
- Ship's Carpenter James "Jimmy" Mitchell
- Steward David Morrison (d.3rd Sep 1939)
- Cook John Joseph O'Keefe Cook (d.4th Sep 1939) Read his Story.
- Barber David Provan (d.3rd Sep 1939)
- Gnr. Thomas McKenna Ritchie Read his Story.
- Mrs. Scott passenger
- H. J. Scott passenger
- Julia W. Scott passenger Read his Story.
- Mary Scott (d.3rd Sep 1939)
- Betty Jane Stewart passenger
- Asst.Steward Samuel Thomson (d.3rd Sep 1939)
- C.P.O. Harry Trowbridge Read his Story.
- Barbara Rodman Wilson Read his Story.
|
Can you help us to add to our records?
The names and stories on this website have been submitted by their relatives and friends. If your relations are not listed please add their names so that others can read about them
Did you or your relatives live through the Second World War? Do you have any photos, newspaper clippings, postcards or letters from that period? Have you researched the names on your local or war memorial?
Were you or your relative evacuated? Did an air raid affect your area?
If so please let us know.
Help us to build a database of information on those who served both at home and abroad so that future generations may learn of their sacrifice.
Celebrate your own Family History
Celebrate by honouring members of your family who served in the Secomd World War both in the forces and at home. We love to hear about the soldiers, but also remember the many who served in support roles, nurses, doctors, land army, muntions workers etc.
Please use our Family History resources to find out more about your relatives. Then please send in a short article, with a photo if possible, so that they can be remembered on these pages.
|
|
