RootsChat.Com
General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: TAMOWEN4 on Friday 20 January 12 12:31 GMT (UK)
-
Hi all,
just something I feel I need to mention.
Some time ago through help from a Rootschat member I was able to to get copies of the ships my late father had served on during his years in the Merchant Marine.
I was going through some the other week and found he had been on the British Chivalry 1942-43.
I found that this ship had been sunk in 1944 and survivors machine gunned while in life rafts. Luckily for me my old man had joined another ship before then. He did survive the War.
I cannot imagine the horrors these men had to endure.
Is there a memorial to all those in the Merchant marine who gave so much?
regards
Tommy
-
http://www.benjidog.co.uk/Tower%20Hill/Brendonia%20to%20British%20Chivalry.html
-
Seaweed,
thanks for that.
Tommy
-
My father, Jackie Sharp served on this ship ,he was one of the survivors who spent 37 days on the life raft .
-
If anyones interested I have a copy of the survivors report for BRITISH CHIVALRY. It makes for interesting reading. Just PM me with your email address as its too large to post as an attachment.
-
The survivors report would be much appreciated ,but i will have to work out how to send a private message !
-
I think you need to make three postings to activate the PM system.
-
Ok .i will try again after this post,thanks for your help.
-
My Mothers Brother was a Royal Navy DEM Gunner on the SS Chivalry. Unfortunately one of those machine gunned in the boats. Ron Saunders age 19. My Grandmother had a visit from one of the RN survivors and told he had died after some days. My mother often talks about Ron as they came from a family of 13 and they were of similar age and close. It seems I inherited many of his looks. I was given his Atlantic Star and 39-45 Star plus a general WW2 service medal. Sad he died so young.
-
BRITISH CHIVALRY was sunk by the Japanese Submarine I-37 and the Survivors Report indicates that the survivors were machine gunned whilst in the liferafts and boats. Your Uncle is mentioned as being killed.
There is a common missconception that it was general practice for German U Boats to engage in this inhuman procedure. In WW2 there is only one recorded incident of this vile practice being undertaken by the Captain of a German Submarine. Sadly the same cannot be said of the Japanese.
My good friend Ken Dunn has written an interesting article on this subject.
https://www.uboat.net/articles/55.html.
Also a related thread here, http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/showthread.php?t=47428
I have emailed you the Survivors Report.
-
Hi everyone,
My Grandfather was killed on board the British Chivalry (JJ Gallagher) and his daughter (my mam) was 9 years old at the time. She’s now 85 and still with us, she can remember quite vividly being visited at home by some of the ships survivors and her understanding of what happened concurs with almost all of what I have read regarding the atrocity that it was.
I would be very interested in any survivors reports or information regarding the incident. If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
-
Hello, my grandfather Pierre Payne was first mate on chivalry. He recieved the MBE for the actions towards saving 36 men while adrift 36 days. I would love to help. Please drop me a message with what you would like to know. Kind regards Claire
-
My grandfather was Pierre Payne first mate of British chivalry. We have many records from him.. we also have letters written him by those he saved as well as from families of those lost. I have a story handed down regarding master captain hill who was taken 'hostage' it is however just the opinion of my grandfather and many of the crew at the time if anyone is interested. I am interested in tracking down captain hill's family to hear his side of the story or any information anyone here has. Yes there is a memorial to those who didn't survive at tower hill... Any information to me is valuable, any stories from surviving crew. I would be grateful for anything as well as happy to provide anything I have that is of interest to you. Kind regards Claire
-
Hi Claire
It’s been a while since I checked in on this site but was thrilled to see your reply. I would certainly be interested in hearing any information you are able to share. My mam will be 87 this year and still talks about her Father. It would be great if I can pass on any information good or bad regarding that fateful day. My Grandfather by all accounts had lead a colourful life, a stowaway at 14 and a prisoner in World War I. He lived and worked in the Australian outback and for many years in the Merchant Marine. He’d also been torpedoed on two ships prior to the SS British Chivalry!!
Hope to hear from you.
Thanks
Mark
-
BRITISH CHIVALRY was sunk by the Japanese Submarine I-37 and the Survivors Report indicates that the survivors were machine gunned whilst in the liferafts and boats. Your Uncle is mentioned as being killed.
There is a common missconception that it was general practice for German U Boats to engage in this inhuman procedure. In WW2 there is only one recorded incident of this vile practice being undertaken by the Captain of a German Submarine. Sadly the same cannot be said of the Japanese.
My good friend Ken Dunn has written an interesting article on this subject.
https://www.uboat.net/articles/55.html.
Also a related thread here, http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/showthread.php?t=47428
I have emailed you the Survivors Report.
Annwyl Seaweed,
My relative Arthur E W Kennealy (Sailor) was one of the casualties. I've followed the links and found what I can but a full manifest for that sailing would be nice. Can you tell me how to get hold of that please?
And the Survivors Report you mention would be good. Anything else related to this event too.
Diolch yn fawr
Cofion cynnes
Lisa Kennealy
-
I cannot see how old this thread is but I seek help. My late father was one of the badly injured survivors of the British Chivalry; Thomas Noonan, a pumpman.
Can anyone help me with the survivors reports mentioned in this thread?
Before I pass away I wish to find all I can to pass on to my son.
I have given him copies of Salt in our wounds, and blood and Bushido, and the war crimes report.