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2nd February 2025, 09:18 AM
#1
Harry Yates lost at sea on November 26th 1942
Hello all, I’m looking for some help in tracing any information at all on my father’s uncle please.
I’ve just found a newspaper feature ; In loving memory of Harry Yates born in Swansea who was in the Merchant Navy and lost at sea on November 26th 1942.
Could anyone help me find anything on him please ?
Many thanks.
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2nd February 2025, 11:43 AM
#2
Re: Harry Yates lost at sea on November 26th 1942
Hi Graham , do you know if the date is the actual date he died or if that is the date his family were informed?
Maybe he was lost on Convoy SC 107 during that convoy many ships were lost and a heavy price was paid by ships crews. This convoy started across the Atlantic in late October. There were 39 Merchant ships sailed of which 15 were lost and 150 seamen.
if ever there was justice it had to be this.
U-132 sunk herself through the explosion caused by her torpedoing of Hobbema (or Hatimura) on 4 November.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convoy_SC_107
This is from Wiki and at times some facts are either wrong or left out.
Good luck with your search.
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2nd February 2025, 08:02 PM
#3
Re: Harry Yates lost at sea on November 26th 1942
Could it possibly have been Henry Charles Yates. ! Served on the Ship Ocean Crusader that was Torpedoed in 1942 on her Maiden Voyage. (Able Seaman)
Son of William Charles and Mary Ann Yates; husband of Annie Yates, of Danygraig, Swansea.
Ocean Crusader (British Steam merchant) - Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII - uboat.net
Last edited by Doc Vernon; 4th February 2025 at 08:54 PM.
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3rd February 2025, 08:40 PM
#4
Re: Harry Yates lost at sea on November 26th 1942
Thank you so much Doc. It’s looking like Henry Charles and Harry Yates are the same person. I’ve just found out that Henry Charles was known as Harry to his close family. Just to confuse me ! Thank you all so much again for your help with this. I really appreciate it.
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3rd February 2025, 08:49 PM
#5
Re: Harry Yates lost at sea on November 26th 1942
Have you a DOB on him at all ?
Cheers
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4th February 2025, 03:14 AM
#6
Re: Harry Yates lost at sea on November 26th 1942
Hi Graham
The Ocean Crusader of 7,000tons was sunk on the 24 Nov 1942 by U-boat 262, Captain Rudolf Heinze Franke.
My brother sailed out of Swansea during the war but a few years later, In Garden Village there where six seamen, one, my brothers mate from the village who was at the Vindicatrix sea school with him was killed on his first voyage .
Des
Lest We Forget.
Last edited by Des Taff Jenkins; 4th February 2025 at 03:15 AM.
R510868
Lest We Forget
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4th February 2025, 07:08 AM
#7
Re: Harry Yates lost at sea on November 26th 1942

Originally Posted by
Des Taff Jenkins
Hi Graham
The Ocean Crusader of 7,000tons was sunk on the 24 Nov 1942 by U-boat 262, Captain Rudolf Heinze Franke.
My brother sailed out of Swansea during the war but a few years later, In Garden Village there where six seamen, one, my brothers mate from the village who was at the Vindicatrix sea school with him was killed on his first voyage .
Des
Lest We Forget.
Thank you for your comment Des, that’s good information.
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4th February 2025, 08:59 PM
#8
Re: Harry Yates lost at sea on November 26th 1942
Name |
Henry Charles Yates |
Event Type |
Birth Registration |
Age 44 When Deceased in 1942
Event Date |
1898 |
Event Place |
Swansea, Glamorganshire, Wales |
Registration District |
Swansea |
Page |
940 |
Volume |
11A |
Affiliate Line Number |
212 |
Registration Quarter |
Oct-Nov-Dec |
Registration Year |
1898
|
There should still be a CRS10 Record held for him, if he was in the MN prior to his last Ship which was the Ocean Crusader.
Yardy A to Yates P T | The National Archives
I give you this as it will also have his Discharge Number , plus a lot of other info. So may well be worth a few Bob. Cheers
Added Found his War Medal Card, which has his Discharge Number on it!
Cheers
BT-389-22-187.pdf
Last edited by Doc Vernon; 4th February 2025 at 10:00 PM.
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5th February 2025, 07:46 AM
#9
Re: Harry Yates lost at sea on November 26th 1942

Originally Posted by
Doc Vernon
Name |
Henry Charles Yates |
Event Type |
Birth Registration |
Age 44 When Deceased in 1942
Event Date |
1898 |
Event Place |
Swansea, Glamorganshire, Wales |
Registration District |
Swansea |
Page |
940 |
Volume |
11A |
Affiliate Line Number |
212 |
Registration Quarter |
Oct-Nov-Dec |
Registration Year |
1898
|
There should still be a CRS10 Record held for him, if he was in the MN prior to his last Ship which was the Ocean Crusader.
Yardy A to Yates P T | The National Archives
I give you this as it will also have his Discharge Number , plus a lot of other info. So may well be worth a few Bob. Cheers
Added Found his War Medal Card, which has his Discharge Number on it!
Cheers
BT-389-22-187.pdf
Thank you so much Doc,
I’m not sure what any of the information on these two documents means exactly.
Are you able to help me translate it please ?
Thanks again. Graham.
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5th February 2025, 08:08 AM
#10
Re: Harry Yates lost at sea on November 26th 1942
The one is the Medal Card of his Graham. he was awarded three Medals by the looks of it. 1939 War Medal, Atlantic Star.Not too sure on last one !
The other is just the Ship Movements for 1942, the same Year she was Torpedoed.
Thought it would just be of interest!
Cheers
The other Doc. is of course his details of Birth etc. The Numbers refer to the Page and Entry Numbers on his Birth Entry .
Cheers
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