Empire March

[Mary Mchenry]

Hi can anyone point me to any details about the sinking of Empire March Jan 1943 in the South Atlantic? My uncle was on board as an army escort and he survived and was taken to a Japanese PoW camp. He survived that ordeal too but passed away just after his 100th birthday. I can find the basic details bit wondered if anyone knew any more about the incident or the survivors. It was sunk by the Uboat Michel.
Many thanks

[Doc Vernon]

Hello Mary
Not knowing what info you have this is a little something that you may already have though?
If you can let us know exactly what you have and want we can then try and sort things out!
Cheers

Story: S.S. Empire March | Lives of the First World War (iwm.org.uk)

Dont know what other info may be on the Card held at the National Archives ?

Ship: Empire March . | The National Archives

POW Records for the Ship

Empire March | The National Archives

Details of when Built etc

Ship Empire March, official number: 167743. When built: 1942. Registry closed: 1943. | The National Archives

[j.sabourn]

I have been right through the list of Empire boats or should say ships for Ivan’s sake, and there are hundreds, so have taken the first 2 letters of March , this is the list. No March are you sure you have correct name ? MacAlpine, MacAndrew,MacCullum, MacDermott,MacKendrick. MacRae,Mallory, Mandalay,Mandarin, Mariner,Mariott, Marlowe, Marshal, Martaban. Each word of course preceded by Empire. The total number of empire vessels runs into the hundreds otherwise. JS
Have just opened your Empire March and if see the author of British Tramps in Fremantle will tell him he missed one . Headlams of Whitby were a well known British Tramp Company as well. JS

[WG Smith]

You may find the following links of interest, particularly the last.

S.S. EMPIRE MARCH JANUARY 1943
https://www.cofepow.org.uk/armed-for...ll-of-officers
https://www.benjidog.co.uk/Tower%20H...p#Empire_March
https://wartimememoriesproject.com/w...php?uid=225842
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German...cruiser_Michel
https://pacificeagles.net/the-german...20Ruckteschell.

[WG Smith]

Note: The first reference gives an incorrect location for the sinking as South Pacific. Sinking took place in the South Atlantic at 35° 00' S 15° 00' W northwest of Tristan Da Cunha.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Unfortunately my eyesight is getting to bad to read the fine print in my copy of British Merchant ships lost at sea 1939 1945 , it also has every single Naval vessel and craft sunk.
Yesterday I managed with the help of the optometrist and an up coming new set of lenses for my glasses to pass my driving license test, maybe the new lenses wen they arrive will help me read the book.
Des

[j.sabourn]

Congratulations Des on passing your eye test for driving . Now you can return to the RSL with the knowledge that you still have waterproof transport home. The only down side is to stay within the alcohol limits. Your sun is still shining on you. Cheers JS.