Researching relatives of WW2 for Mother-in-law

[Captain Kong]

I wrote this article about the Gloucester Castle and of the Memorial Service over the site of the sinking whilst I was on QE2 bound for Cape Town in 2001.
SOMEONE called `EAGERBROOKSIDE`.
Has published it under his name.


15 October 2014

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Gloucester Castle by eagerbrookside

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Contributed by eagerbrookside People in story: A shipLocation of story: off AfricaBackground to story: CivilianArticle ID: A7671008Contributed on: 10 December 2005

The Story of the Gloucester Castle

Sailed from LiverpooI on the 21 st June bound for Cape Town On board was a young neighbour of mine, 17 year
old Joe Farnworth. Gioucester Castle was last seen on July I0 1942, when the convoy dispersed in position 02'
00~N, 12' 02'W A course for Cape Town was set and she sailed independently. On the 5th July 1942, at 1900
hours
in an aproximate postion 8 degrees north and near to Ascension Island the German merchant raider. "Michel"
with Captain von Rucksell in command atacked her. Shelled and machine gunned she sank in 15 minutes killing
85 crew and 8 women and children passengers, including Captain H Rose, 5 deck Officers including 3rd officer
Shannon. All 3 radio officers including K Vaughan, 3 engineers the Stewardess Edith Thomas. Fireman Frank
Griffiths and family friend, Ordinary Seaman Joseph Farnworth who was lying in the ships hospital having been
injured by a fall from the ships mast a few days earlier. The 8 passengers lost included Mrs Radford, Mrs
Sieve and her 2 year old son and Mrs White. The only surving was a Mr Partiger who after the war became a
Master in the Union Castle Line. The survivors were taken to Singapore and Japan wre used as slave lahour.
Three more crewmen died in Japanese hands The sinking was a mystery until the srvivors were released
after August 1945.

The submarine USS Tarpon" later torpedoed the "Michel".

Captain von Ruckstell was convicted of war crimes and sentenced to life imprisonment. He died in prison in
1948. In October 2001. I told the family of Joseph Farnworth I was sailing to Cape Town on Queen Elizabeth
2 and would be passing the estimated position of the sinking of the Gloucester Castle. I purchased a MN
poppy wreath on behalf of the Farnworth family from the British Legion and took it with me.

On the 'QE2' I discussed the situation with Captain Ron Warwick and he very kindly said that he would make
the necessary arrangements when we would be in the area or the sinking.

On Wednesday, 31st October 2001 at 0800 in a position of 08' 50's 011 l0'W we assembled on the Upper Deck
where a table had been covered with a Red Ensign with the poppy wreath laid on top.

$everal passengers with Union Castle connections joined us, also Mrs. Kim Warwick. Chief Petty Officer Peter
Russell, Chief Security Officer Andy Holloway, ex Royal Marines. and Natasha the Captain's Secretary who
passed out the Service sheets. Captain Warwick read the appropriate service of rememberance for the dead of
the 'Gloucester Castle' including the name of Joseph Farnworthth.

At the Part of the service which say's "cast the wreath" the Chief Security Officer walked aft, on One Deck
and cast the wreath into the ocean. followed by a salute. Captain Warwick completed the service followed by
a few moments of silence which was quite moving. Some of the assembled ladies were weeping and I must it
brought a little moisture to the eyes. It was a lovely service conducted very professionally and with
dignity by Captain Warwick and his Staff. The family of young Joseph Farnworth were very thankful that
last they have had a service over the "grave" and the dead of the 'Gloucester Castle' can now rest in peace.

Sunk 1900 hours July 15 1942. 93 dead

© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.
.
. That was My Story and it has been Hi Jacked.
Cheers
Brian.

[Lou Barron]

I can see that Brian the date of the sinking should be the 15th not the 5th also Joe Farnworth did not fall from the mast he fell from a awning spar on the monkey island

[Captain Kong]

Hi Lou
It also refers to Peter Russell as "Chief Petty Officer," He was Chief Officer, I knew Peter years before as he was Mate with me in ESSO before he joined Cunard.
Is that what they call Plagiarism,???
Cheers
Brian

[Lou Barron]

Now i do remember Sonny Peters and also the other army gunner i think he was a Welshman one of the reasons that comes to mind was that these two got a bit of a ribbing about the loss of the two machine guns and some of the guys told them they would have to pay for them when they got home this all happened on the German supply ship the Charlotte Schliemann
This was some of things that was said about different things about the sinking they even said we would have to pay for the goods we bought out of the slop chest i did buy a jersey with the Union Castle flags on it also all the beer bought by some of the older guys

[Ivan Cloherty]

Brian, the copyright of that story belongs to you, no matter what it says on the footnote, as soon as you have written it it is yours and you own the copyright, and no one else can plagarise it, if you had the time and inclination you could take him to court and sue for damages. Alas it is a danger we all run on this site that our memoirs will be hijacked by the unscrupulous who have never done anything in their lives and publish them as their own, because they know we will say 'bloody ar*ehole who the hell does he think he is' but one day he will bite off more than he can chew. You could write to the Archivist with your a photo of the original copy demanding a retraction of the so called author's name

[Captain Kong]

Hi Ivan
I did write twice to the ......WW2 - People's War site. BBC Homepage BBC History WW2 People's War Homepage
a few years ago but was ignored.

I even have the photo of the Memorial Service with me on it, with Captain Ron Warwick, Chief Officer Peter Russell and the Chief Security Officer Andy Holloway.
That's me standing next to the Chief Officer.
Cheers
Brian

[Keith Tindell]

Reading that Brian makes me bloody angry, so i can imagine how you feel. That guy must be traceable, at least then you could tell him what a sh**head he is !!! KT

[Keith Tindell]

Further to my last, i have googled his writing name, whole raft of stuff hes writing on, must be some way he can be traced, someone will have an idea i`m sure KT

[Captain Kong]

Hi Keith
I have just written my third letter of complaint to the BBC . Just now waiting for a reply. Many thanks for your comments.
I thing he must be another `ghost writer`.
Cheers
Brian.

[Don Rafferty]

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