Fishing Vessels Lost in WW2 Recorded on the Memorial at Tower Hill: Bromelia to Compaganus
This page includes basic information about the ships and how they were lost, a photo of the relevant panel(s) of the Tower Hill Memorial and information about those that lost their lives extracted from the CWGC database. In the table I have included information about those who served on the ships but who had a normal burial as this seems appropriate to me. In some cases further family information about the individuals may be available on the CWGC website [7].
Bromelia
She was a 242 grt steam trawler that sank off Iceland on or about 25 June 1942. The cause of her loss is unknown.
There were no survivors
Casualties
| Forenames | Surname & Honours | Age | D.O.D | Rank | Service | Country | Cemetery/ Memorial |
Grave Ref. | Addl. Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Frederick | Bore | 44 | 22/06/1942 | Second Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 44 |
| Ralph Herbert | Clark | 51 | 22/06/1942 | Deck Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 51 |
| Leo | Corcoran | 38 | 22/06/1942 | Second Engineer | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 38. Son of John and Julia Corcoran; husband of Eliza Ann Cocoran of Grimsby Lincolnshire. |
| Sidney Victor | Cuthbert | 44 | 22/06/1942 | Cook | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 44 |
| Edward Abraham | Edwards | 60 | 22/06/1942 | Deck Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 60 |
| William | Ellis | 34 | 22/06/1942 | Deck Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 34. Kings Commendation for Brave Conduct. Husband of A.G. Ellis of Grimsby Lincolnshire. |
| James | Hitchman | 48 | 22/06/1942 | Trimmer | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 48. Husband of Clara E. Hitchman of West Marsh Grimsby Lincolnshire. |
| John Henry | Nicholls | 41 | 22/06/1942 | Third Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 41. Husband of Clara Annie Nicholls of Grimsby Lincolnshire. |
| William | Osgothorpe | 49 | 22/06/1942 | Deck Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 49 |
| Frederick Arthur | Perrin | 46 | 22/06/1942 | Deck Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 46 |
| Thomas | Rogers | 41 | 22/06/1942 | First Engineer | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 41. Son of John David and Harriet Ann Rogers; husband of Catherine Rogers. |
| James | Rolf | 48 | 22/06/1942 | Trimmer | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 48 |
| William Edward | Webb | 51 | 22/06/1942 | Skipper | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 51 |
Caerphilly Castle
She was a 275 grt steam trawler that was sunk on 27 January 1941 by aircraft bombing at position 52° 35’ N, 12° 00’ W.
Casualties
| Forenames | Surname & Honours | Age | D.O.D | Rank | Service | Country | Cemetery/ Memorial |
Grave Ref. | Addl. Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Cecil | Cole | 31 | 27/01/1941 | Deck Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 31. Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Cole; husband of Florence A. Cole of Hafod Swansea. |
| John Anderson | Dempster | 38 | 27/01/1941 | Second Engineer | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 38. Son of Robert and Martha Dempster; husband of Ada Margaret Dempster of Swansea. |
| John | Pattison | 50 | 27/01/1941 | Chief Engineer | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 50. Husband of Florence Pattison of Swansea. |
Caledonian
She was a 8 grt fishing vessel of unknown propulsion that was sunk on 12 February 1941 as a result of an explosion whilst handling nets and it is presumed that she fished up a mine. Location not known at this time.
Casualties
| Forenames | Surname & Honours | Age | D.O.D | Rank | Service | Country | Cemetery/ Memorial |
Grave Ref. | Addl. Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donald John | Burnett | 17 | 12/02/1941 | Deck Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 17. Son of Murdoch and Isabella Burnett of Strathcarron Ross and Cromarty. |
| Donald | Macrae | 39 | 12/02/1941 | Deck Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 39 |
| Murdo Alexander | Macleod | 39 | 12/02/1941 | Skipper | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 39. Son of Kenneth and Johan MacLeod of Kishorn Ross and Cromarty. |
Carlton
She was a 207 grt steam drifter that sank on 25 October 1940 after hitting a mine at a position 3.5 miles from Spurn Head on a bearing of 131.5°.
Casualties
| Forenames | Surname & Honours | Age | D.O.D | Rank | Service | Country | Cemetery/ Memorial |
Grave Ref. | Addl. Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edwin | Blanchard | 58 | 25/10/1940 | Cook | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 58 |
| Gilbert Bramwell | Clarke | 34 | 25/10/1940 | Trimmer | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Grimsby (Scartho Road) Cemetery | Sec. 120. Row D. Grave 22. | Age 34 |
| Henry Foster | Duncan | 33 | 25/10/1940 | Third Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 33 |
| Joseph Laurentz | East | 59 | 25/10/1940 | Mate | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 59 |
| Basil | Edwards | 58 | 25/10/1940 | Deck Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 58 |
| John Francis | Fitzpatrick | 43 | 25/10/1940 | Deck Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 43 |
| Harry | Hall | 50 | 25/10/1940 | First Engineer | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 50. Son of George and Sarah Ann Hall. |
| Albert Edward | Lancaster | 38 | 25/10/1940 | Deck Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 38 |
| Frederick Amos | Miles | 52 | 25/10/1940 | Skipper | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 52. Husband of A. A. Miles of Gosforth Newcastle-on-Tyne. |
| William Henry | Wilson | 54 | 25/10/1940 | Second Engineer | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 54 |
Carry On
She was a 93 grt steam drifter that wank on 17 December 1940 after hitting a mine at a position East of the Nore Sand Light Vessel.
Casualties
| Forenames | Surname & Honours | Age | D.O.D | Rank | Service | Country | Cemetery/ Memorial |
Grave Ref. | Addl. Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon Eric | Baxter | 25 | 17/12/1940 | Deck Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 25 |
| George William | Burgess | 21 | 17/12/1940 | Second Engineer | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 21. Son of Frederick Henry Allan Burgess and Winifred Elsie Burgess. |
| Leonard Claud | Chase | 62 | 17/12/1940 | Deck Hand | Merchant Navy | United Kingdom | Carlton Colville (St. Peter) Churchyard | Age 62. Son of George and Phyliss Elizabeth Chase; husband of Laura Mary Chase of Carlton Colville. | |
| Robert William | Lewis | 57 | 17/12/1940 | Mate | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 57 |
| George Alfred | Mullender | 66 | 17/12/1940 | Cook | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 66. Son of George and Elizabeth Mullender; husband of Claribel Mullender of Pakefield Suffolk. |
| Ernest Harper | Smith | 49 | 17/12/1940 | Skipper | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Lowestoft (Beccles Road) Cemetery | Sec. 15A Grave 254. | Age 49. Son of James Pye Smith and Ellen Smith; husband of Edith Maud Smith of Lowestoft. |
Castleton
She was a 211 grt steam trawler that sank on 28 June 1940 in the vicinity of The Orkney Islands. The cause of her loss is unknown but could have been German submarine U-102 which was operating in the area but which was lost during the patrol and unable to report.
There were no survivors
Casualties
| Forenames | Surname & Honours | Age | D.O.D | Rank | Service | Country | Cemetery/ Memorial |
Grave Ref. | Addl. Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henry George | Cook | 56 | 28/06/1940 | Second Engineer | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Flotta Parish Churchyard | Age 56. Son of Richard and Martha Cook; husband of Jessie Maud Cook of Grimsby Lincolnshire. | |
| Charles James | Dillon | 45 | 28/06/1940 | Deck Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 45. Son of Mr. and Mrs. James Charles Dillon. |
| Thomas George | Hubbard | 50 | 28/06/1940 | Third Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 50 |
| Leslie Albert | Osborne | 19 | 28/06/1940 | Trimmer | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 19. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Edward Osbome; husband of Evelyn Freda Osborne of Grimsby Lincolnshire. |
| John Dennis | Ryan | 40 | 28/06/1940 | Sailor | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Kirkwall (St. Olafs) Cemetery | Plot 6. Grave 9. | Age 40 |
| Walter | Sibley | 43 | 28/06/1940 | Skipper | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 43. Son of George William and Anne Sibley; husband of Florence Sibley of Grimsby Lincolnshire. |
| John Thomas | Squire | 37 | 28/06/1940 | Deck Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 37 |
| William | Stewart | 53 | 28/06/1940 | Chief Engineer | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 53. Son of Alexander and Helen Stewart; husband of Christina Stewart of Buckie Banffshire. |
| John Allen | Webb | 45 | 28/06/1940 | Mate | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 45. Husband of A. E. Webb of Cleethorpes Lincolnshire. |
| Alexander Campbell Mclintock | White | 64 | 28/06/1940 | Cook | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Lady Old Churchyard | Age 64 |
Charmouth
She was a 195 grt steam trawler that was damaged on 27 November 1940 by aircraft bombing and gunfire. She sank on 14 November 1946 after hitting a mine at a position off Ballycotton.
Casualties
| Forenames | Surname & Honours | Age | D.O.D | Rank | Service | Country | Cemetery/ Memorial |
Grave Ref. | Addl. Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William James | Boast | 65 | 14/11/1946 | Chief Engineer | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 65 |
| Edward Vernon | Dyble | 19 | 14/11/1946 | Deck Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 19. Son of Edward James Dyble and Iris Elsie Dyble of Hakin Milford Haven Pembrokeshire. |
| Dennis Charles | Harries | 28 | 14/11/1946 | Fireman | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 28. Son of Thomas and Ruby Francis Farmer; grandson of Ada Honeybourne of Pembroke Dock. |
| Richard William | John | 29 | 14/11/1946 | Deck Hand | Merchant Navy | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 29. Husband of I. M. John of Ynysboeth Glamorgan. |
| William Robert | Jones | 22 | 14/11/1946 | Deck Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 22. Son of Robert and Elenor Jones; husband of Florence Doreen Jones of Hakin Milford Haven Pembrokeshire. |
| Ernest Frederick | Olney | 37 | 14/11/1946 | Mate | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 37 |
| William Frederick | Reid | 49 | 14/11/1946 | Skipper | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 49. Husband of Alice Anne Reid of Hakin Milford Haven Pembrokeshire. |
| George Alfred Thomas | Scriven | 21 | 14/11/1946 | Third Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 21. Son of George Scriven and of Victoria May Scriven of Hakin Milford Haven Pembrokeshire. |
| Richard | Sharp | 54 | 14/11/1946 | Cook | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 54. Husband of C. E. Sharp of Hull. |
Christabelle
She was a 203 grt steam trawler that was sunk on 27 February 1941 at position 61° 27’ N, 06° 05’ W. The cause seems to have been a mine but it is not clear whether this was a British or enemy device and there are conflicting accounts about this.
Casualties
| Forenames | Surname & Honours | Age | D.O.D | Rank | Service | Country | Cemetery/ Memorial |
Grave Ref. | Addl. Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Cormack | Craig | 48 | 26/02/1941 | Skipper | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 48 |
| Harry | Goodwin | 26 | 26/02/1941 | Deck Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 26 |
| George Fraser | Harper | 48 | 26/02/1941 | Cook | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 48. Husband of M. Harper of Aberdeen. |
| Harry Robert | Lead | 37 | 26/02/1941 | Deck Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 37 |
| James Craig | Mcbain | 42 | 26/02/1941 | Second Engineman | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 42. Son of James Craig McBain and J. McBain; husband of Violet McBain of Aberdeen. |
| Alexander Stephen Officer | Niven | 46 | 26/02/1941 | Fisherman | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 46. Husband of Isabella Niven of Aberdeen. |
| Joseph James | Rasmussen | 66 | 26/02/1941 | Second Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 66 |
| Peter Walter | Riley | 50 | 26/02/1941 | First Engineman | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 50 |
| John Charles | Sutherland | 40 | 26/02/1941 | Trimmer | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 40 |
| Sidney Shepherd | Weir | 24 | 26/02/1941 | Trimmer | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 24. Son of Sidney Shepherd Weir and Lavinia Gatens Weir of Edinburgh. |
Commander Horton
She was a 227 grt steam trawler that was sunk on 27 April 1941 by torpedoes fired by German submarine U-552 at position 62° 00' N, 16° 00' W.
There were no survivors
Casualties
| Forenames | Surname & Honours | Age | D.O.D | Rank | Service | Country | Cemetery/ Memorial |
Grave Ref. | Addl. Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harry | Canvess | 43 | 26/04/1941 | Deck Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 43 |
| William | Curtis | 55 | 26/04/1941 | Second Engineer | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 55. Husband of Minnie E. Curtis of Hull. |
| John William | Dawson | 53 | 26/04/1941 | Chief Engineer | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 53. Son of Richard and Ann Dawson; husband of Lily Dawson of Hull. |
| John | Hadfield | 27 | 26/04/1941 | Fireman and Trimmer | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 27. Son of John and Elsie Grace Hadfield of Hull; husband of Irene Hadfield of Anlaby Common Yorkshire. |
| James William | Hall | 44 | 26/04/1941 | Cook | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 44. Son of Henry Francis and Kate Eliza Hall of Hull. His brother Albert Edward also fell. |
| Miles | Leake | 30 | 26/04/1941 | Fireman and Trimmer | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 30. Husband of Edna Leake of Hull. |
| Ernest | Lewis | 43 | 26/04/1941 | Skipper | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 43 |
| Leonard | Mayes | 38 | 26/04/1941 | Spare Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 38. Husband of Mary Mayes of Hessle. Yorkshire. |
| Norman Frederick | Osborne | 19 | 26/04/1941 | Spare Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 19. Son of Harold Victor and Nora Osborne of Arnold Nottinghamshire. |
| Frank A. | Pickworth | 34 | 26/04/1941 | Spare Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 34 |
| Edwin James | Randall | 55 | 26/04/1941 | Spare Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 55. Husband of Caroline Randall. of Hull. |
| William Henry | Stockton | 33 | 26/04/1941 | Third Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 33. Husband of Harriet Stockton of Fleetwood Lancashire. |
| George William | Wileman | 35 | 26/04/1941 | Boatswain | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 35 |
| John William | Wilkinson | 46 | 26/04/1941 | Second Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 46. Son of John Thomas Wilkinson and Susanah May Wilkinson; husband of Annie I. Wilkinson of Hessle Yorkshire. |
Compaganus
She was a 270 grt steam trawler that was sunk on 17 December 1939 by aircraft bombing at a position 150 miles East-by-North of May Island.
Casualties
| Forenames | Surname & Honours | Age | D.O.D | Rank | Service | Country | Cemetery/ Memorial |
Grave Ref. | Addl. Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James | Swanney | 53 | 17/12/1939 | Deck Hand | Fishing Fleet | United Kingdom | Tower Hill Memorial | Panel 124. | Age 53 |
