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1st June 2019, 01:26 AM
#1
Empire Stanley
Hi, I am Nelson Every. My Uncle was Henry William Carmichael Wood, known as Harry. I believe Harry joined the Merchant Navy on 4th October 1939 when in Sydney Australia. He served on several ships until 1942. Harry then joined the R.A.F. to train as a pilot. But switched back to the M.N. and enlisted on the Empire Stanley. Harry was to lose his life when they were sunk on 17th August 1943.
I am now compiling a record of Harry and are searching for any information regarding the Empire Stanley, including photos and information regarding the sinking. There were suggestions that Harry and another seaman were taken aboard the German U-boat. Does any one have knowledge of this and is there any truth to this story? We know that this same U-boat was sunk on the 20th August 1943.
Also, Harry served on the ship Ben-my-Chree making trips to evacuate troops from Dunkirk in 1940. I understand this ship made 3 crossings. Harry we believe made 9 crossings to Dunkirk so therefore made crossings on other ships. Can anyone advise me how I can search for these other ships.
Regards Nelson
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1st June 2019, 04:12 AM
#2
Re: Empire Stanley
Hello Nelson
Welcome and thank you for your question
First up could you supply the DOB and Place please that will wittle it down some on searching.
I will await that info first before i can say if there are records for him
Thank You
Cheers
http://www.merchant-navy.net/forum/ask-the-forum/10354-mv-empire-stanley.html
http://www.merchant-navy.net/forum/a...e-stanley.html
From Keith at Tregenna
From NA Kew https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/C8167496
R202142 WOOD H W 19/08/1917 ELTHAM NEW ZEALAND
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This record has not been digitised and cannot be downloaded.
You can order records in advance to be ready for you when you visit Kew. You will need a reader's ticket to do this. Or, you can request a quotation for a copy to be sent to you.
Reference: |
BT 372/228/114 |
Description: |
R202142 WOOD H W 19/08/1917 ELTHAM NEW ZEALAND |
Date: |
1913-1972 |
Held by: |
The National Archives, Kew |
Former reference in its original department: |
R202142 |
Legal status: |
Public Record(s) |
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Ben-my-Chree_(1927)
Last edited by Doc Vernon; 1st June 2019 at 04:34 AM.
Senior Site Moderator-Member and Friend of this Website
R697530
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1st June 2019, 11:14 AM
#3
Re: Empire Stanley
17 Aug 1943
The British merchant Empire Stanley is torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-197 south-south-east of Cap Sainte Marie, Madagascar in position 27?08'S, 48?15'E. The British corvette HMS Thyme (Lt. H. Roach, RNR) later picks up 9 survivors and landed them at Durban on 29 August.
Ships hit by U-boats
Crew lists from ships hit by U-boats
Empire Stanley
British motor merchant
This is a listing of people associated with this ship.
We also have a detailed page on the British motor merchant Empire Stanley.
Aboard Empire Stanley when hit on 17 Aug 1943
You can click on any of the names for possible additional information
Name
Age
Rank
Served on
Alderson, R., Merchant Navy
Chief Engineer Officer
Empire Stanley
Anderson, Wilfred M., Merchant Navy
Storekeeper
Empire Stanley
Arnold, John Henry, Merchant Navy
26
Dayman
Empire Stanley +
Bailey, William Henry Ross, Merchant Navy
18
Passenger (Junior Radio Officer)
Empire Stanley +
Chatting, A.D., Merchant Navy
Ordinary Seaman
Empire Stanley
Clarke, G., Merchant Navy
Quartermaster
Empire Stanley
Coad, B., Merchant Navy
Second Steward
Empire Stanley
Collins, W.A., Merchant Navy
Able Seaman
Empire Stanley
Davies, David L., Merchant Navy
Junior Engineer Officer
Empire Stanley
Dumble, Kenneth James, Merchant Navy
15
Galley Boy
Empire Stanley +
England, William Orlando, Merchant Navy
22
Able Seaman
Empire Stanley +
Fraser, John, Merchant Navy
52
Able Seaman
Empire Stanley +
Giles, Denis, Merchant Navy
17
Assistant Steward
Empire Stanley +
Haughton, John Alexander, Merchant Navy
30
Donkeyman and Greaser
Empire Stanley +
Head, H.M., Merchant Navy
Third Officer
Empire Stanley
Hodgson, William, RN
DEMS gunner
Empire Stanley
Howard, E.E., Merchant Navy
Carpenter
Empire Stanley
Hudd, R., Merchant Navy
Second Cook
Empire Stanley
Jensen, Lars, Merchant Navy
Boatswain (Bosun)
Empire Stanley
Kemp, John Ernest, Merchant Navy
Chief Radio Officer
Empire Stanley
Kenyon, Frederick, British Army
28
Gunner (DEMS gunner)
Empire Stanley +
Leaper, Stanley Victor, RN
20
Able Seaman (DEMS gunner)
Empire Stanley +
Mack, J.J., Merchant Navy
Donkeyman/Greaser
Empire Stanley
Martin, James, British Army
DEMS gunner
Empire Stanley
McCarthy, John Bernard, Merchant Navy
22
Sailor
Empire Stanley +
McCourtney, J., Merchant Navy
Second Officer
Empire Stanley
McFlynn, F., Merchant Navy
Fourth Engineer Officer
Empire Stanley
McLachlan, John, Merchant Navy
36
Chief Steward
Empire Stanley +
Mitchell, George, Merchant Navy
Third Engineer Officer
Empire Stanley
Newcombe, B.A., Merchant Navy
Cadet
Empire Stanley
Nish, G.M., Merchant Navy
First Officer
Empire Stanley
Osborne, A.G., Merchant Navy
Ordinary Seaman
Empire Stanley
Outen, G.J.N., Merchant Navy
Cadet
Empire Stanley
Parfitt, Donald, Merchant Navy
19
Dayman
Empire Stanley +
Pilditch, Arthur John, Merchant Navy
41
Master
Empire Stanley +
Powell, Walter Robert, Merchant Navy
17
Cabin Boy
Empire Stanley +
Renwick, Charles, RN
20
Able Seaman (DEMS gunner)
Empire Stanley +
Roberts, L., Merchant Navy
Donkeyman
Empire Stanley
Robertson, N.T., Merchant Navy
Chief Officer
Empire Stanley
Rowland, William Francis, RN
25
Leading Seaman (DEMS gunner)
Empire Stanley +
Schofield, Thomas, Merchant Navy
21
Assistant Steward
Empire Stanley +
Sheehan, John, Merchant Navy
Able Seaman
Empire Stanley
Snelling, John Edward, Merchant Navy
21
Junior Engineer Officer
Empire Stanley +
Stephen, Ian Campbell, Merchant Navy
21
Second Radio Officer
Empire Stanley +
Stoyles, Ellison, Merchant Navy
Able Seaman
Empire Stanley
Strong, D., Merchant Navy
Cadet
Empire Stanley
Tasker, Ernest, RN
37
Able Seaman (DEMS gunner)
Empire Stanley +
Thomas, Cyril, Merchant Navy
36
Able Seaman
Empire Stanley +
Tindale, Frederick Bruce, Merchant Navy
18
Cadet
Empire Stanley +
Urwin, G.,
Passenger
Empire Stanley
Wheatley, Sydney James, Merchant Navy
55
Second Engineer Officer
Empire Stanley +
Whitfield, Richard George, Merchant Navy
20
Third Radio Officer
Empire Stanley +
Wood, Henry William Carmichael, Merchant Navy
25
Able Seaman
Empire Stanley + Personal information,
Son of Henry Alfred and Eva Emily Wood, of Eltham, Taranaki, New Zealand.
Young, A., Merchant Navy.
Last edited by Red Lead Ted; 1st June 2019 at 11:17 AM.
{terry scouse}
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3rd June 2019, 10:29 AM
#4
Re: Empire Stanley
Nelson, Click on this link I meant to include it in the post Terry.
https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/search.php
{terry scouse}
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4th June 2019, 10:13 AM
#5
Re: Empire Stanley
EXTRACTED FROM MY BOOK, SHIPPING COMPANY LOSSES OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR.
EMPIRE STANLEY (Captain A.J. Pilditch). Bound for Beirut from Lourenço Marques, sailed independently from Durban on 13 August, 1943. Torpedoed and sunk by U.197 (KrvKpt. Robert Bartels) at 3.50pm on the 17th when in position 27º08ºS 48º15ºE. Twenty picked up by the Socotra and landed at Bombay on the 27th. Nine picked up by the corvette HMS Thyme (Lt. H. Roach) and landed at Durban on the 29th.
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5th June 2019, 06:15 AM
#6
Re: Empire Stanley
Thank you all for your help. All very helpful. Am still hoping for a photo of the Empire Stanley and if anyone has knowledge about the 2 seamen who may have been picked up by the U-boat.
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25th November 2019, 12:35 AM
#7
Re: Empire Stanley
Originally Posted by
Nelson Every
Thank you all for your help. All very helpful. Am still hoping for a photo of the Empire Stanley and if anyone has knowledge about the 2 seamen who may have been picked up by the U-boat.
Hello Nelson, I just googled Empire Stanley and this thread came up, while looking for information on him. I have found a photo amongst my late husband's family photos of your uncle , on the back it says Henry W C Wood, lost at sea 16th aug 1943. I have no idea what the connection might be.
Susanne Proven
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25th November 2019, 01:12 AM
#8
Re: Empire Stanley
Senior Site Moderator-Member and Friend of this Website
R697530
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25th November 2019, 01:26 PM
#9
Re: Empire Stanley
From my book "The Sea is Their Grave"
Cargo ship Empire Stanley, 6,942grt, (MOWT, Furness, Withy & Co. Ltd) loaded with a cargo of coal and one passenger bound for Aden and Beirut left Durban on the 13th August 1943 in the 11 ship Convoy DN-56, which dispersed the following day. On the 17th August 130 nautical miles South, South-East of Taolagnaro, Madagascar the ship was intercepted by U-197 and struck by one torpedo between number four and five holds. So intense was the explosion it blew the ships hatches clean off and the cargo of coal rained down on the U-boat conning tower. One lifeboat and three rafts were cut loose and many of the crew were forced to jump overboard as the ship rolled over on her beam ends and disappeared in less than three minutes in position 27’ 12S 47’ 25E taking nineteen crewmembers, five gunners and the one passenger with her. As the rafts and boat were picking up the survivors the U-boat came to the surface and approached the nearest raft enquiring the ships name and the whereabouts of the ships Master, to which they replied they did not know. As the raft drifted away from the U-boat, the ships Bosun witnessed one of the survivors being picked up by U-197, but did not recognize the man in question and the U-boat left the area. Twenty survivors were distributed between two of the rafts, which were lashed together, the other being abandoned and it was decided the small bridge boat should set sail for the main shipping lanes and soon departed Three days later the survivors on the rafts were found by the British Merchant ship Socotra after attracting her attention with smoke floats and a heliograph made from a biscuit tin and after rescue were eventually landed at Bombay. The same day these survivors were picked up, U-197 was sunk by two British Catalina flying boats with the loss of all hands including the man who had been taken prisoner. The other nine survivors in the boat were found twelve days after the sinking by the Corvette HMS Thyme, landing them at Durban.
"Across the seas where the great waves grow, there are no fields for the poppies to grow, but its a place where Seamen sleep, died for their country, for you and for peace" (Billy McGee 2011)
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10th December 2019, 10:25 PM
#10
Re: Empire Stanley
Hello Susanne,
Wow, you have a photo of my Uncle, amazing. Would you please email to me a copy of the photo and also the reverse side with the name. My email is nelson.every@yahoo.com
Do you know the name of person who may have had this photo. I am currently compiling all my Uncles records and intending to make into a book.
And if you are interested, I have a little information on the Empire Stanley that you may like. Also a report on the German U-Boats that were in the area at the time of the attack.
Regards and a happy festive season, Nelson
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