Email from Eric Stewart, 18th July 2008

I am including a Report on my Uncle James Stewart.

As you can see he kept a log of various voyages during the war. Which I thought would have been illegal.

Any way, tell me what you think of this file, as I have 2 more on my

father and grandfather.

Regards

Eric Stewart

1906 Birth Address: 25 Ashgrove, Musselburgh. Name of Informant, Annie Stewart, mother Registration Date: June 29, 1906. Registrar: Wm. Robson ( Asst. )

James Dickson Stewart suffered for many years with Crescendo Angina ( From 1963 ), but still enjoyed his hobby of old time dancing when ever his health permitted. He had a stroke but made a good recovery. Then, a few years later, immediately after returning home from a holiday, became ill and was admitted to hospital. But a week later, on the very day he was to be discharged, he had another stroke. The family were summoned but he had another two strokes and died just as they arrived at the hospital.

Worked for R.H.Green and Silley Weir at the Royal Alberts Docks, Silvertown Way, Greenwich, ship repair yard in East London as a shipwright.

Marine Career as Carpenter and Mate

Llanstephan Castle: ( 11134 grt. Built by Fairchild SB & E. Co., Govan 1914. 213 First Class, 116 Second Class, 100 Third Class. Broken up in 1952)  Sailed May 23, 1928 to South Africa, Discharged May 31, 1928

Llanstephan Castle: Sailed August 16, 1928 to South & East Africa, Discharged October 24, 1928

Llanstephan Castle: Sailed November 9, 1928 to South & East Africa, Discharged January 16, 1929

Llanstephan Castle: Sailed January 30, 1929 to South & East Africa, Discharged April 12, 1929

Llanstephan Castle: Sailed April 24, 1929 to South & East Africa, Discharged July 4, 1929

Llanstephan Castle: Sailed July 17,1929 to South & East Africa, Discharged September 28, 1929

Chepstow Castle: ( 4668 grt. Built by Short Bros. Sunderland, 1913. 50 First Class, 50 Third Class: broken up Port Glasgow 1932) Sailed October 9, 1929 on a Foreign Voyage, Discharged July 5, 1930

Chepstow Castle: Sailed February 9, 1931 to South & South East Africa, Discharged July 5. 1931

Chepstow Castle: Sailed May 31 1931 to Africa & USA, Discharged December 3. 1931

Dundrum Castle: ( 5259 grt. Built by Harland & Wolfe, Greenock, The ship was in the Red Sea when she caught fire and sank. February 1943 ) Sailed February 15, 1932 to South Africa & USA. Discharged June 15, 1932

Dromore Castle: ( 5242 grt. Built by Harland & Wolfe, Glasgow, 1919. December 12, 1941 the ship was southeast of the Humber, outward bound from London, when she was sunk by a mine ) Sailed October 15, 1932 to South Africa. Discharged December 22. 1932

Dromore Castle: Sailed February 4, 1933 to South Africa. Discharged April 10, 1933

Dromore Castle: Sailed April 22, 1933 to USA & South Africa. Discharged August 13, 1933

Dromore Castle: Sailed September 2, 1933 to South Africa. Discharged November 28, 1933

Dunbar Castle: ( 10002 grt. Built by Harland & Wolfe, Glasgow, 1930. 200 First Class and 260 Third Class passengers: January 9, 1940. Bound from London to South Africa, the ship was mined off North Foreland and quickly sunk )   Sailed January 31, 1934 to South Africa. Discharged April 10, 1934

Dunbar Castle: Sailed April 24, 1934 for Home Trade. Discharged May 5, 1934

Dunbar Castle: Sailed May 9, 1934 to South & East Africa. Discharged July 18, 1934

Dunbar Castle: Sailed August 4, 1934 for Home Trade. Discharged August 12, 1934

Dunbar Castle: Sailed August 15, 1934 to South & East Africa. Discharged October 24, 1934

Dunbar Castle: Sailed November 6, 1934 for Home Trade. Discharged November 16, 1934

Dunbar Castle: Sailed November 21, 1934 to South & East Africa. Discharged January 29, 1935

Dunbar Castle: Sailed February 18, 1935 for Home Trade. Discharged February 24, 1935

Dunbar Castle: Sailed February 27, 1935 to South & East Africa. Discharged May 9, 1935

Dunbar Castle: Sailed May 21, 1935 for Home Trade. Discharged May 31, 1935

Dunbar Castle: Sailed June 5, 1935 to South & East Africa. Discharged August 14, 1935

Dunbar Castle: Sailed August 26, 1935 for Home Trade. Discharged September 9, 1935

Dunbar Castle: Sailed September 12, 1935 to South & East Africa. Discharged November 22, 1935

Dunbar Castle: Sailed December 3, 1935 for Home Trade. Discharged December 14, 1935

Dunbar Castle: Sailed December 19, 1935 to South & East Africa. Discharged February 28, 1936

Dunbar Castle: Sailed March 16, 1936 for Home Trade. Discharged March 22, 1936

Dunbar Castle: Sailed March 26, 1936 to South & East Africa. Discharged June 13, 1936

Dunbar Castle: Sailed June 8, 1936 for Home Trade. Discharged June 14, 1936

Dunbar Castle: Sailed June 18, 1936 to BEIRA. Discharged August 26, 1936

Llanstephan Castle: Sailed November 6, 1936 for HOME TRADE. Discharged November 16, 1936

Llanstephan Castle: Sailed November 19, 1936 to SOUTH & EAST AFRICA. Discharged February 1, 1937

Llanstephan Castle: Sailed February 11, 1937 for HOME TRADE. Discharged February 22, 1937

Llanstephan Castle: Sailed February 25, 1937 to SOUTH & EAST AFRICA. Discharged May 11, 1937

Llanstephan Castle: Sailed May 20, 1837 for HOME TRADE. Discharged May 31, 1937

Llanstephan Castle: Sailed June 3, 1937 for SOUTH & EAST AFRICA. Discharged August 15, 1937

Llanstephan Castle: Sailed September 9, 1937 for SOUTH & EAST AFRICA. Discharged November 22,  1937

Llanstephan Castle: Sailed December 2, 1937 for HOME TRADE. Discharged December 14, 1937

Llanstephan Castle: Sailed December 16, 1937 for SOUTH & EAST AFRICA. Discharged March 1, 1938

Llanstephan Castle: Sailed March 24, 1938 to SOUTH & EAST AFRICA. Discharged June 1, 1938

Llanstephan Castle: Sailed June 9, 1938 to SOUTH & EAST AFRICA. Discharged August 23, 1938

Llanstephan Castle: Sailed September 1, 1938 to SOUTH & EAST AFRICA. Discharged November 13, 1938

Llanstephan Castle: Sailed November 24, 1938 to SOUTH & EAST AFRICA. Discharged February 5, 1939

Pretoria Castle: ( 17383 grt. Built by Harland & Wolfe, Belfast, 1939. 220 First Class, 335 Cabin class: 1942- Bought by the Admiralty and converted to an aircraft carrier: 1946, bought back by Union-Castle renamed WARWICK CASTLE, and re-converted to passenger ship: broken up Barcelona 1962 ) Sailed April 17, 1939 for HOME TRADE. Discharged May 1, 1939

Pretoria Castle: Sailed May 4, 1939 to SOUTH & EAST AFRICA. Discharged July 7, 1939

Pretoria Castle: Sailed July 27, 1939 to SOUTH & EAST AFRICA. Discharged September 26, 1939

Pretoria Castle: Sailed October 2, 1939 to "RUN". Discharged October 5, 1939 (BELFAST)

Pretoria Castle: Sailed September 10, 1939 for O.H.M.S. Discharged September 10, 1940

During the above time they served with the following convoys.

1940

 

     S.L.F. 15, Commanding Officer, Rear Admiral ALLEN

     Ships in convoy: Autolycus ( Com. ), Port Huron ( Vice), Otazo, Clan McTavish,Norman Star,    Port Adelaide, Northumberland, City of Winchester

     Escorts: Pretoria Castle and Salopian.

     January 6,  Sailed FREETOWN

     January 16,  Parted company with Salopian

     January 22,  Arrived DAKAR

     January 23,  Sailed DAKAR

     January 25,  Arrived FREETOWN

 

     Convoy S.L. 19, Commanding Officer Rear Admiral Leir

     Ships in convoy. McGregor Laird ( Com), Clan McWhirter ( Vice ), Darlington Court, Marionga,   Muneric, Lagosian, Leonian, Hermiston, Westbury, Cape St. Andrew, Cape Clear, Hollinside,     St. Elwin, Bradburn, St. Rosario, Kumasian, Harperley, Robert L. Holt, Matadian, King John,     Allybryn

     Escorts: Pretoria Castle & Mooltan

     February 1,  Sailed FREETOWN

     February 23,  Arrived DAKAR

     February 25,  Sailed DAKAR

     February 27,  Arrived FREETOWN

 

     Convoy S.L. 23, Commanding Officer Rear Admiral Reyne

     Ships in convoy. Deidi ( Com ), Urbino (Vice ), Ilvington Court, Wearwood, Viking Star, Sacramento Valley, Gaelic Star, Marton, Treminnara, Cocherane, Bereby, Erinebank.

     Escorts; Pretoria Castle & Jervis Bay

     March 5,  Sailed FREETOWN

     March 19,  Parted company with Jervis Bay. Proceeded to BELFAST.

     March 21,  Arrived BELFAST

 

     Convoy S.L. 29, Commanding Officer Admiral Mitchell

     Ships in convoy. City of Pittsburgh ( Com. ), Albion Star ( Vice ), Natia, Observer, Somme,       Ethiopian, Southern Express, Tysa ( Dutch ), Dulwich, Marylyn, Kingsbury, Jonathon C. Holt,      Ousebridge, Harbledown. Errington Court, Sven Foyn, Innerton, Oakworth, Bonheur.

     Escorts: Pretoria Castle & Dilwara ( FREETOWN- TAKORADI )

     Escorts: Pretoria Castle, Dilwara, Devonshire & Lancashire ( Takoradi-Lagos, Lagos to Rendezvous )

     Escorts: Cornwall, Lancashire, Devonshire, Dilwara, Orion & Reina del Pacifica

     April 10,  Sailed BELFAST

     April 18,  Arrived DAKAR

     April 20,  Intercepted Danish ship "Helvig", Armed guard placed on board and taken into               FREETOWN.

     April 22,  Arrived FREETOWN

     April 23,  Sailed FREETOWN

     May 8,  Arrived PLYMOUTH

     May 9,  Sailed PLYMOUTH

     May 16,  Arrived DAKAR

     May 17,  Sailed DAKAR

     May 18,  Arrived FREETOWN

     May 26, Sailed FREETOWN with Dilwara

     June 9,  Arrived DAKAR

     June 10, Sailed DAKAR ( Received mail from trawler Turcoman, proceeded to Rendezvous )

     June 12,  Ordered to pickup Westmoor

     June 14,  0908. Sighted Westmoor, sent boat back with towing gear and commenced tow 1200

     June 16,  2005. Made contact with Troutpool

     June 17,  0820. Shipped tow for Troutpool to take over. Proceeded to square K32, arriving 1100

     June 24,  Rendezvous with Queen of Bermuda

     June 27,  Rendezvous with Hawkins

     July 2,  At MONTEVIDEO for fuel and water

     July 13,  RIO DE JANEIRO for fuel and water

     July 22,  Arrived FREETOWN

 

     S.L.F. 41 Commanding Officer Admiral Davies

     Ships in convoy: Adda ( Com ), Antilochus, Llandaff Castle, Port Auckland, City of Barcelona,  Glaucus,      City of Sydney, Tricolor, Sobo, Temeraire, Waroonga, Rhesus, City of Winchester,  Natia, City of      Hongkong, Clan Alpine, City of Eastbourne, Chinese Prince, City of Baroda,Mobeka

     Escort: Pretoria Castle

     July 28,  Sailed FREETOWN

 

     S. L. 41

     Ships in convoy: Colytto. Pacific Star, Loch Ranza, Contractor, Margalaw, British Fortune, Tancred,      Brunswick, Linge, Zouave, Dagomba, Bengkalis, Clan McBrayne, Caithness, Johilla, Driebergan,      Baron Douglas, City of Jo'burg, City of Worcester, Comliebank, Panaghis, City of Manilla,  Algoras,     Nigerian, Buenos Aires, Boren, Leto, Tunisia, City of B'ham, City of Ripon, Stad Amsterdam, Lagosian,     Norman Star, King Neptune, Madjerda, St. Helena, Aalsum, Alpherat

     Escort: Bulolo

     July 23,  Sailed FREETOWN

     August 6,  Arrived BELFAST

     September 15,  Sailed BELFAST, Arrived GREENOCK

     September 18,  Sailed GREENOCK

 

     S. L. 50 Commanding Officer Admiral Mackworth

     Ships in convoy: Jonathon Holt ( Com ), Clan Macquarrie ( Vice ), St. Elwyn, St. Merriel,  Barrister,          Vivi, Umona, Napier Star, Adviser, Robert Maersk, Manelaus, Singkep, Amerika, Maridal, Beduin,          Pegasus, Nela, British Resource, British Dominion, Salamis, Llangollen, King William, King Stephen,     British Splendour, Kyria-Koula, Wangi-Wangi

     Escort: Pretoria Castle

     October 3,  Sailed FREETOWN

 

     WS4A & C

     Ships in convoy. Stirling Castle ( Com ), Scythia ( Vice ), Caln Lamont, Clan Chattar, Warwick           Castle, Highland Monarch, City of Manchester, Almanzora, Martand, Delius, Dunedin Star,  Malancha, Port Wyndham

     Escorts: HMS Pretoria Castle & HMS Cornwall

     November 15, Arrived FREETOWN with W.S.A.C.

     November 17,  Sailed FREETOWN with W.S.A.C.

     November 28,  Arrived CAPE TOWN with Scythia and Warwick Castle

     November 29,  Sailed CAPE TOWN with Scythia

     December 3,  Parted company with W.S.A. C. outside DURBAN

     December 5,  Arrived CAPE TOWN

     December 12,  Sailed CAPE TOWN, arrived SIMONSTOWN

     December 14,  Sailed SIMONSTOWN

     December 19,  Arrived and sailed ST. HELENA

     December 20,  In company of Dragon and Hermes to hunt for Admiral Scheer

     December 28, Arrived ST. HELENA

     December 29,  Sailed ST. HELENA

     December 31,  Parted company with Hermes and Dragon and sailed to ST. HELENA

     January 8,  Arrived FREETOWN

 

     1941

 

     S.L.62 Commanding Officer Rear-Admiral Burke

     Ships in convoy. Adda ( Com ), Clan Maciver ( Vice ), Clan Murdoch, Siris, Austvard, Olympier,         Vancouver, Seapool, Clan, Colquhuon, Randfontein, Brabant, Gdynia, Clan Macdougall, Nestor,           Raranga, Port Caroline, Athel Regent, Corinaldo, Mantola, Lafian, City of Christiana, Historian,          Jonathan Holt, Marylyn, Trevalgan, Tordene, Thermistocles, Bayano, Borgland, Armdale,         Rowanbank, Tyre

     Escort: Pretoria Castle

     January 31,  Arrived and sailed BELFAST

     February 2,  Arrived SOUTHAMPTON

     April 19,  Left SOUTHAMPTON docks for trials

     April 18,  Sailed SOUTHAMPTON

     April 20,  Arrived GREENOCK

 

     W.S.8A.

     Ships in convoy. Strathaird ( Com ), Empress of Russia, Dominion Monarch, Empire Song, New     Zealand Star, Clan Cambell, Abbeykerk, Clan Chatten, Reine del Pacifico, Sobieski, Highland   Chieftain, Empress of Asia, Clan Lamont, Aronda

     Escort: HMS Repulse, HMS Pretoria Castle

     April 26,  Sailed GREENOCK

     May 9,  Arrived FREETOWN

     May 11,  Sailed FREETOWN

     May 19,  Rendezvous with Newcastle, took over French Vichy ship Lieutenant St. Loubert Bie.

     May 28/29  DURBAN

     May 30,  Rendezvous as escort for Cameronia

     May 31/June 1, to 0635hrs May 4, 1941 SIMONSTOWN

     June 4,  Rendezvous with Cameronia

     June 6,  Rendezvous with Cilicia who took over escort of Cameronia. Proceeded to Patrol Area

     June 17,  Intercepted Vichy ship Desirade

     June 18,  Armed guard placed on board Desirade

     June 28,  Arrived WALVIS BAY

     June 29,  Sailed WALVIS BAY

     July 3,  Arrived CAPE TOWN and SIMONSTOWN

     July 10,  Left SIMONSTOWN arrived CAPE TOWN

     July 11,  Sailed CAPE TOWN, escorting Empress of Australia

     July 20,  Arrived FREETOWN

     July 27,  Sailed FREETOWN

     August 15,  2115hrs, Sighted light which proved to be German ship Norderney. HMS espatch standing      by.

     August 15,  2330hrs Despatch parted company.

     August 18, 0650hrs Norderney sunk by gunfire.

     August 24,  Arrived FREETOWN

     September 4,  Sailed FREETOWN

     September 16,  Arrived CAPE TOWN

     September 21,  Sailed CAPE TOWN escorting Cameriona

     September 30,  Arrived FREETOWN

     October 4,  Sailed FREETOWN

     October 9,  Rendezvous with Circassia. Took over escort of Stratheden

     October 16,  Rendezvous with Dunnottar Castle who took over escort of Stratheden

     October 24,  Arrived FREETOWN

     October 27,  Sailed FREETOWN

     November 7,  Arrived BELFAST

     December 13,  Sailed BELFAST, anchored in Belfast Lough

     December 16,  Sailed BELFAST, arrived GREENOCK

     December 22,  Sailed GREENOCK. HMS Chitral, Aluania, Worcestershire, Sultan Hissar and SS      Empire Fulmar in company.

 

     1942

 

     January 3,  Arrived FREETOWN

     January 7,  Sailed FREETOWN

     January 10,  Rendezvous with Canton, proceeded on patrol

     January 18,  Arrived FREETOWN

     January 20,  Sailed FREETOWN escorting Almanzora

     January 27,  Rendezvous with Hesperus who took over escort of Almanzora. 2019hrs            encountered enemy submarine, probably Italian

     February 2,  Rendezvous with Canton and Cilicia proceed on patrol, 1932hrs Cilicia parted           company

     February 2,  Canton left for SL 1630hrs

     February 11,  Met Celicia dawn 4.48N, 21.39w

     February 13,  Left Celicia for SL 1700hrs

     February 15,  Arrived SL 0900hrs

     February 24,  Depart SL 1800hrs to patrol

     February 26,  Met Canton 0900hrs, join 22.01w

     February 28,  Canton left 0800hrs for SL, relieved by Bulolo

     March 4,  Bulolo left for SL 1600hrs

     March 6,  Met Canton 0800hrs, 4.28n, 23.42w

     March 12,  Boarding party aboard Monte Gorbes ( Spanish ), and escorted her to BATHURST. 9.03n,      25.42w. Canton left for patrol 1800hrs

     March 15,  Arrived BATHURST 1100hrs

     March 17,  Depart BATHURST 0700hrs for patrol

     March 19,  AS 1940hrs-2030hrs Kattendrecht

     March 20,  AS 1740hrs-1810hrs Coracera and 2330-2345 Kattendrecht

     March 25, Arrived FREETOWN 1830hrs

     March 28, FREETOWN. C on C aboard for Inspection 1100hrs

     March 30,  Depart FREETOWN 0830hrs

     April 1, AS 0445hrs-0550hrs. SS Defender 0.13s, 19.30w

     April 3, Met 2 US Destroyers, Omahan and Memphis

     April 13, Met Alcantara 0700hrs, patrol with

     April 14, HS 2300hrs-2310hrs King Gruffyd

     April 17, Left Alcantara fro FREETOWN

     April 18, HS 2020hrs-2052hrs Met 5 Vichy ships and followed till 2330hrs then to FREETOWN

     April 19, Arrived FREETOWN.

     April 20, Depart FREETOWN 0630hrs

     April 26, at sea 2.09n, 24.49n. Sighted L4521 on water, forced down short of petrol. Plane turned over      1130hrs and sunk by 800 rounds Carried on patrol at noon.

     April 30, Arrived FREETOWN 2120hrs

     May 7, Depart FREETOWN 1900hrs

     May 9, Met Alcantara 1730hrs and patrolled at 60miles apart

     May 11, AP 1625hrs-1735hrs Robintuxford

     May 13, AP 1300hrs-1330hrs Athell Duchess and 2300hrs-2315 Framlington Court

     May 16, Met US Destroyer Moffet and Cruiser Milwaukee

     May 18, Left Alcantara at 1800hrs

     May 21, Arrived FREETOWN 0430hrs

     May 24, Sailed Freetown 1520hrs, patrol

     May 29, Sighted Sunderland AM and passed within 15 miles of Convoy with Queen Mary

     May 31 AS 0420hrs-0600hrs Boarded Riene Marie Stewart, Panama sailing schooner. Put stores      aboard. Captain down with Hernia and 6 men to 1 bucket of water. 61 days out of US to LOURENCES      MARQUES. 11 men of crew.

     June 4, AS. Sighted Riene Marie Stewart on fire. Burnt down to Bulwarks and had been shelled

     1600hrs-1630hrs. Closed up at AS all night. Germiston shelled by raider at 1000hrs, 450 miles w of      us.

     June 6, AS 1445hrs-1500hrs Evange Chandris

     June 8, Arrived FREETOWN 1830hrs

     June 9, Depart FREETOWN 0630hrs to escort Oronsay to SL

     June 10 Orders to proceed back to SL Engine trouble

     June 11, Arrive, SL 1845hrs with one engine

     June 19, depart SL with Oronsay and Boreus 2115hrs

     June 22 Boreus left 1800hrs and we carried on with Oronsay to UK

 

HMS Galliope: Sailed August 1, 1942 on " T.124X ". Discharged July 28, 1943

HMS Pretoria Castle: Sailed July 29, 1943 for " T.124X ". Discharged September 30, 1945

HMS Mersey: Sailed October 1, 1945 for " T. 124X ". Discharged October 3, 1945

HMS Mersey: Resettlement Leave: October 4, 1945 to November 11, 1945

 

Following his years at sea with the Union Castle Line, he expressed a wish during his lifetime to be buried at sea. This was not possible, but it was decided to have him cremated at the East London Crematorium and ask Union Castle Line for their assistance. The following letter was received from Union Castle Lines

 

                              MV Balmoral Castle

                              Cape Town

                              July 18, 1978

 

Dear Mr. Stewart,

This is to inform you that the ashes of your late father Mr. James Stewart were scattered on the waters of the South Atlantic at 1900 hours, 17th July 1978. The ships position was as follows:-

 

          Latitude 31 degrees 31 minutes south,

          Longitude 15 degrees 57 minutes east.

 

This position is approximately 190 nautical miles north west of Cape Town. A short portion of  the Church of England burial service was read over the scattering.

 

                              Yours sincerely

 

                              Peter Eckford

                              Master