Athel Empress year unknown

[Dazzygee]

Hi, I am new to this site. I am looking for ships that my Grandad served on, I have just found out today that his first ship was called Athel Empress but cant find any info on it. He served between 1939 and 1945, any help/advise would be welcome

regards

Darren

[Hugh]

Hello and welcome,

http://freepages.family.rootsweb.anc...helempress.htm

To find out the ships your grandfather served on it would be best to obtain his Form CRS 10 from the National Archives if it has survived. Name, date and place of birth would help.

Regards
Hugh

[Ray Buck]

Hello Darren
At 01.52 hours on 30 Apr, 1942, the Athel empress (Master Walter Jackson), dispersed from convoy OS-25 was torpedoed and sunk by gunfire by U-162 180 miles east of Barbados. Two crew members and one gunner were lost. The master and 18 crew members landed at Gros Inlet Bay, St. Lucia. The chief officer and 27 crew members were picked up by the Norwegian motor tanker Atlantic and landed at Trinidad.

6 of the survivers from the SS Athel Empress" were passengers on the "SS George Washington" which sailed from Trinidad 10th May 1942
John Edward Wrexal-Holborow apprentice 18
Richard Povey Engineer 27
George Merion Dixon Engineer 23
Reginald Orr Steward 17
William Sloan 2nd Officer 33
Sydney Watson A.B. 56

Ray

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Darren
Nice to have you join us here on this great site,hope you will get lots more info!
As requested can we have hid full name and DOB
Cheers

Pic of the Ship here!

http://www.photoship.co.uk/JAlbum%20...mpress-01.html

[Dazzygee]

hi, apologies for the delay in replying
My grandfathers full name is Ernest Margison,

20 Oct 1921
in Castleford, West Yorkshire Death

10 Oct 1999
in Bradford regards

Darren

[Dazzygee]

Hi Ray

thanks for this. After speaking to my Grandma she says his ship wasnt sank, is there any chance there could be 2? My grandad didnt talk much about the war so it may be the same ship.
so far i have found the 2 ships he sailed on were Athel Empress and Empire Rowan but my grandma cant remember much these days either


thanks for the replies

regards

Darren

[Margaret Ramskill]

Hi Darren, I just came across your enquiry when I googled Wrexal Holborow. Are you a Wrexal-Holborow? Was your mum either Jane or Elizabeth? If so, then your grandad John was my uncle. My mother, Yolande, spoke often of Johh's escape from his ship which had been torpedoed, though I didn't know exactly where but presumed it was somewhere in the middle east. The story was that he survived by swimming under the burning oil on the surface.I have a photo of him in his naval uniform. I have lost touch with your side of the family (if it is you and I can't think there are any other Wrexal Hs) since mother died in 2002.

[Hugh]

Darren should check the followng file at Kew: BT 382/1177 This should contain Ernest Margison's Form CRS 10 if it has survived and will list all his ships from January 1941.

Best if this file is viewed by a visit to Kew.

Regards
Hugh

[Captain Kong]

Hi Darren ,
here is a photo of the Athelempress.
from Old Ship Picture Galleries. thanks.

[Ray Buck]

There was a John Edward Wrexal-Holborow aged 19& 1 month an Apprentice aboard the “SS George Washington” which arrived in New York 21st May 1942 having sailed from Trinidad Port of Spain B.W.I. 10th May 1942

He was a DBS as a survivor from “ Athel Empress” he gave his place of birth as Rapville Australia, his last permanent address Louth Lincs England

John Edward Wrexal-Holborow aged 19 signed on the “Athel Duchess” as an Apprentice in Birkenhead 18th November 1942 he had 2 ½ years service height 5’ – 9” weight 154 lbs a scar over left eye
The ship arrived in New York 13th December 1942 having sailed from Greenock 26th November 1942
he was again on the “Athel Duchess” 11th January 1943 arriving New York

John Wrexal-Holborow aged 19 an Apprentice returned to Liverpool 2nd July 1942 on the “El Nil” as a DBS having sailed from New York & Halifax, he gave his address as St Michaels Vicarage Louth Lincs

John Edward Wrexal-Holborow aged 22 signed on the “Empire Benefit “ as 3rd Officer with 5 years at sea, signed 20th January 1945 in North Shields, the ship arrived in New York 14th May 1945 having sailed from Ancona Italy 16th April 1945, she was expected to sail again for the UK 18th May 1945

John Wrexal-Holborow signed on the “ Athel Chief” arriving New York 17th January, 21st May, & 8th August 1944
Ray