Parkhill sinking Nov 1939

[Kitchski]

Doing a bit of family history and have suddenly found that a few of my ancestors were killed during the two world wars on ships. Most in WW1, but I've found a distant (very distant) uncle who was a fireman/stoker on a vessel known as 'Parkhill', which was sunk off the coast of Scotland in Nov 1939 by U-18.

Was expecting to find lots of info on a 'HMS Parkhill' or something, but nothing. Anyone?

[Zad]

I searched for steam ship Parkhill:

Here is the crew list: http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship99.htm...

General details: http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/99.html

"At 21.16 hours on 18 Nov, 1939, the Parkhill (Master Eric Charles Middleton) was hit by a G7e torpedo from U-18 and immediately sank after a heavy explosion north-northwest of Kinnairds Head. The ship had been missed by a first G7e at 20.45 hours. The master and eight crew members were lost."

Position 58.07N, 02.18W - Grid AN 1864

[Kitchski]

So it was an attack on a merchant ship then. Didn't realise they were doing that so early on.

Thanks.

[matchmaker]

Kitchski said:

So it was an attack on a merchant ship then. Didn't realise they were doing that so early on.

Thanks.

166 ships attacked in 1939

http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/losses_year.html

[FourWheelDrift]

Wreck site - http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?12798

[Bluebarge]

Kitchski said:

So it was an attack on a merchant ship then. Didn't realise they were doing that so early on.

Thanks.

Just carrying on where they left off in 1918. SS Athenia was sunk by a U-Boat on the day WW2 broke out - 3 September 1939.

[Kitchski]

You learn something everyday!

Also found out our family lost 5 or 6 in the first war. Two of them at the battle of jutland, one of which was on invincible.
I didn't know we'd lost anyone and have only just started researching my roots. Pretty sobering really.

The poor chap on Parkhill was a Titanic survivor too. Guess his luck ran out that day.

[matchmaker]

Kitchski said:

You learn something everyday!

Also found out our family lost 5 or 6 in the first war. Two of them at the battle of jutland, one of which was on invincible.
I didn't know we'd lost anyone and have only just started researching my roots. Pretty sobering really.

The poor chap on Parkhill was a Titanic survivor too. Guess his luck ran out that day.

My grandfather survived 3 torpedoings - 2 in WW1 and 1 in WW2. He also worked for the company that owned "Athenia" but turned down the chance of promotion and a transfer to it...

He died of old age.

[Kitchski]

matchmaker said:

Kitchski said:

You learn something everyday!

Also found out our family lost 5 or 6 in the first war. Two of them at the battle of jutland, one of which was on invincible.
I didn't know we'd lost anyone and have only just started researching my roots. Pretty sobering really.

The poor chap on Parkhill was a Titanic survivor too. Guess his luck ran out that day.

My grandfather survived 3 torpedoings - 2 in WW1 and 1 in WW2. He also worked for the company that owned "Athenia" but turned down the chance of promotion and a transfer to it...

He died of old age.

I think if that happened to me I'd start getting cocky in my 70's! Trying dangerous stuff for the hell of it. You could afford to!