SS Ben Loyal - 1951

[Maggiemcd]

I am involved in family research and looking for details of a relative who was a Cadet on the SS Ben Loyal. The only information comes from a photo of a grave. The inscription reads: Christopher Stuart Gray. Cadet SS Ben Loyal. Born 17th February 1934. Killed by terrorists 2nd April 1951.

Where was the Ben Loyal in 1951? Terrorist action in 1951 suggests Korea? Is any one able to give me any information about the Ben Loyal during this period.

Thanks in anticipation

Maggie McDougall

[Doc Vernon]

Hello Maggie
This is just a possibility that when he joined his DOB was registered incorrectly,this did happen on occasions!
However this also may just by chance be someone else with same Initials and Born 1934!
This is record of Seamans Pouch held at Kew

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/c...D=-3480683&j=1

Anyway its just a thought!

But i am sure there will be more good info forthcoming!




Empire Swordsman was a 7,067 GRT cargo ship which was built by William Hamilton & Co Ltd, Port Glasgow. Launched on 11 May 1944 and completed in July 1944. Sold in 1948 to Goulandris Brothers Ltd, London and renamed Granrock. Sold in 1950 to Ben Line Steamers Ltd and renamed Benloyal. Sold in 1951 to Glasgow United Shipping Co Ltd and renamed Loch Ranza. Operated under the management of Maclay & McIntyre Ltd. Sold in 1960 to Trico Corp SA, Lebanon and renamed Tertric. Arrived on 26 April 1968 at Kaohsiung, Taiwan for scrapping.


Welcome to this great site!
Cheers

Pic

http://www.photoship.co.uk/JAlbum%20...nloyal-08.html

please be aware that the above link is not correct,and thanks to Gulliver who has posted the right one!

[Hugh]

Hello Maggie and welcome

BEN LOYAL was in Malaya.

"Penang police today made several arrests in connection with the murder last night of a British seaman, Christopher Gray of the Ben Loyal, and the wounding of Graham Crombie, and a Chinese, his shipmates.
The seamen were shot in town while making purchases from an Indian roadside stall.
The master of the Ben Loyal, Captain P.F. Ewart, with 60 men from several ships in port, attended Gray's funeral today.

Fourteen bandits have been killed in the Federation in the last 24 hours."

Source: The Times 4th April 1951.


Regards
Hugh

[Doc Vernon]

Good work once again Hugh!
I am sure Maggie will be happy with that!
Here is a Link to that Article!
Cheers

http://newspapers.nl.sg/Digitised/Ar...714.2.123.aspx

Maggie
If you require acopy here is a link for it!

http://newspapers.nl.sg/FAQ.aspx#clearcopy

[Maggiemcd]

Castleman

Thanks for your help. I checked the Kew Records and despite the difference in DOB, it is the correct person as he came from Tadcaster. I have requested copies of their documents.

Regards

Maggie

[Maggiemcd]

Hugh

That's great - it is now possible to add a story to family ohoto of a grave. Thanks for the information. What a brilliant site this is - how helpful folk have been with such quick responses.

Many thanks

Maggie

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Maggie
glad we could help!
Did you see the Clip i put the Link for on that incident
hope you son get the papers from Kew!
Cheers

[Gulliver]

Hi everyone.It's very sad that a young man ,who grew up as a child in the Second World War,then decided to go to sea after,should lose his life in that way. How very sad for his family....
At the risk of sounding a know-it-all(which some people called me recently;after all we are all here to share information and help !),I am sure the picture that Vernon posted was the second Benloyal of 1959.
The picture required is actually the 1944 built first Benloyal(ex Empire Swordsman).
For confirmation I attach a picture link of her when she became the Loch Ranza a bit later.(All pix are below,courtesy of Photoship)
I also attach an early Liner Movements list from The Times. It shows that Benloyal called in Singapore again on April 16th 1951 when homeward bound en route from Yokohama to Liverpool. Unfortunately there is no earlier report of her outward voyage.

http://www.photoship.co.uk/JAlbum%20...nloyal-02.html
http://www.photoship.co.uk/JAlbum%20Ships/Old%20Ships%20Ba/slides/Benloyal-06.html
http://www.photoship.co.uk/JAlbum%20Ships/Old%20Ships%20L/slides/Loch%20Ranza-03.html



Best Regards to All

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Davey
Well mate you are quite correct on that Ship,i must have looked at the wrong one on that Photoship site,as there were a few Pics there !
Thank you for the correction,and that is what this is all about,as one really wants to have the absolute right info,especially when it concerns a loss of ones Family!
Dont worry about the "Know All" comments Davey,most here on site know that this is the place for discussions and happy (and also sad) memories!
Cheers and thanks again!

[John Gray]

Hi Maggie,

I do hope you pick up this reply as I see you posted your request some time ago.
I am the brother of Christopher Gray. The information you quote is correct
I have several McDougalls on my tree. Marion, George and John to mention a few!
Look forward to hearing from you.
John