The following are the main sources consulted during the course of this research:

1. Company House Magazines (British & Commonwealth Shipping Co. Ltd, 1956–1985)

These magazines, which list serving officers, are an invaluable resource. They also include details of retirements and obituaries, though often lacking in depth. The final issue appeared in 1988. Unfortunately, there are notable gaps in the records, especially concerning cargo ships.

2. Lloyd’s Voyage Cards

These recorded the names of captains up until the end of 1947. When legible, they prove to be a highly useful tool.

3. Lloyd’s Captains Register

Held at the Guildhall Library, this register provides information up to 1947. However, experience with Files 18568 and 18569 has revealed inconsistencies when compared with Company records, which have generally been considered more reliable in such cases.

4. Company Sailing and Loading Schedules (c. 1900s–1950s)

Up to the 1950s (excluding the war years), the Company issued monthly or bi-monthly sailing and loading schedules that named the captains. The schedules from January 1909 to January 1915 have been especially informative.

5. Head Office Voyage Book (1926–1937)

This volume includes captains’ names and has been a helpful source. Unfortunately, the succeeding volume omitted this detail. However, the 1939 "Speed and Consumption Book" does include such data, except for older coal-burning Intermediate and cargo vessels.

6. Additional Publications and Correspondence

Further details have been gathered from the works of Marischal Murray, George Young, Brian Ingpen, and a wide array of press clippings and personal correspondence from former officers, crew members, and passengers.

1850s

1860s

1870s

1880s

1890s

1900s

1910s

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

Despite these efforts, significant gaps remain—particularly for the period up to around 1908, the war years, and the post-war period from 1945 to 1955.

Special thanks go to Alan Mallett, who generously permitted the use of his extensive research on the Masters of the Union-Castle Line. Only those who have spent countless hours searching through archives and libraries will fully appreciate the generosity of this contribution.

Passenger lists for both northbound and southbound voyages have also helped fill in some gaps, particularly concerning the passenger vessels.

7. Radio Messages

Radio Officer Tom Martell kept records of all the ships “spoken” during his time with the company. These I am adding as they are received