Litiopa

[Kilcullen]

Yesterday I posted help for info on behalf of a family friend and the feedback back I got was amazing (Hugh & Vernon ).
I am now looking for information for my own family.
My grandfather Hugh Kilcullen born 11/11/24 in Liverpool. Service number R286861
Although like many he didn’t speak about the war we do have bits were he was apparently sunk on 2 different occasions, and one of them occasions he was rescued and taken to New York ( not his words this was from someone who knew him outside the family ). I have researched a bit myself and found he was torpedoed while onboard the Litiopa which sunk 22/10/1943. He was rescued, taken to Africa then Gibraltar and eventually back home to Liverpool.
I have gaps that I,m trying to piece together, I know he was onboard
D/S kristianiafjord in 1942
D/S Suderoy in 1942
M/T Norsol in 1942/43
None of these seem to be the other sinking. I know he was in service from 1940-1945 so I have gaps pre 1942 and post 1943 he was only young and I know he was the galley boy and machine boy (?) on some of the above ships. I know it’s a tall ask and the above is a bit long winded but would appreciate any info to fill in the gaps, any photos, documents, crew lists or ANY info at all relating to my Grandad. ( I have Litiopa crew list ). Thanks again.

[Marian Gray]

Hi Kilcullen, Apart from the ones you have already listed, only other one found is below from Ancestry:

30807_A001203-00106.jpg
Name Hugh Kilcullen
Arrival Age 19
Birth Date abt 1924
Port of Departure Freetown, Sierra Leone
Arrival Date 25 Nov 1943
Port of Arrival Liverpool, England
Ports of Voyage Freetown; Dakar and Gibraltar
Ship Name Orbita
Shipping Line Pacific Steam Navigation Co
Official Number 137467 Photo of her below.

IMUSA1858_002-0302.jpg

Vernon will enlarge I'm sure when he signs on this evening.

[Marian Gray]

Just noticed Kilcullen, Although Hugh is listed on the ''Norsal'' there is a line through his name which means he did not travel on her at the last minute for whatever reason! Something to ponder....perhaps this is when he was torpedeoded for the second time? Someone may be able to tell you what the duties of a 'machine boy' were.

Reading through the link below [scary times and most informative], perhaps Hugh was posted on one of the other ships mentioned in the convoy which will involve locating their crew lists. Do you know if The National Archives [TNA] have Hugh's CRS 10?

https://warsailors.com/singleships/norsol.html

[Kilcullen]

Just read the link you sent me, so many other links within that link and rabbit holes to get lost in. Can’t find the bit with my grandads name is crossed out though. Don’t know how you guys keep track of all the research links, my heads spinning and that’s with help ha. I have him signed on to the Norsol at Liverpool 15/12/1942 and signed off
Curacao Netherlands Antilles 18/03/1943

You have the patience of a saint !

[Marian Gray]

I didn't print it as I thought you had it already

Here you go, 10 downNYT715_6694-0134.jpg

Hope you got the photographs etc.

[Kilcullen]

Would you be able to send this thumbnail and the one earlier as an email please whenever you have time. I just can’t seem to view thumbnails on here.
The photos you emailed me before are as we speak getting emailed around the Rusbridge family ha. They are delighted with them.

[Marian Gray]

Is that the first link in #2 and again link in #5? Sent.

[Ivan Cloherty]

Looks like he was on a couple of Scandinavian vessels, Kristianiafjord and Norsol, at that time they would have been operating under British MOWT (Ministry of War Transport) instructions. Their rating structure was a little different to UK flag and a machine boy 'may' have been an engineroom rating similar to a deck boy/galley boy on UK flagged ships

[Hugh]

Just noticed Kilcullen, Although Hugh is listed on the ''Norsal'' there is a line through his name which means he did not travel on her at the last minute for whatever reason! Something to ponder....perhaps this is when he was torpedeoded for the second time?

Hi Marian,
That means he did not arrive with the ship at New York when she berthed 31st March 1943 - I can confirm what Kilcullen has stated ie he signed off the ship at Curacoa 18/3/1943.
He has no records within the Fourth Register so they will be in the Fifth Register held at Kew - his CRS 10 - service record - beginning January 1941 until leaving the service should be held in piece BT 382/947

He has a seamans pouch held at Kew in piece BT 372/607/43
He has another pouch - COMNO - Combined Office Merchant Navy Operations - which is a record for the ship he would have been on for service at Normandy 1944 or beyond. Held in BT 391/58/161

Regards
Hugh

[Kilcullen]

Thank you Ivan. Is 18 years of age old for a galley boy or is that my misconception?