Sunderland Echo 19/03/1943
William Kirby and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Walton was the son of Thomas & Margaret (nee Stoker) Richardson on February 4th 1925. The couple had married at Easington in 1921.
He joined the Merchant Navy ay a young age and served aboard the Steam Ship White Crest (Newcastle).
The White Crest was en route from Cardiff (12 Feb), Belfast Lough (15 Feb) then on to Buenos Aires carrying a cargo of coal and coke.At 08.35 hours on 24th Feb 1942 the unescorted White Crest (Master Gordon Joures), a straggler from convoy ONS-67 due to a heavy gale on 19 February, was hit by two torpedoes from U-162 and sank capsizing after eight minutes southeast of St. John’s Newfoundland. The ship had been spotted at 02.30 hours and missed with two torpedoes at 04.45 hours. The master, 40 crew members and six gunners were lost.
Walton was lost at sea presumed drowned. He is listed on Tower Hill memorial along with 36073 of his comrades.
At the time of his death his home address was given as 11 East View Ryhope Durham.
Walton Richardson is remembered at Newcastle on NUT231 and at Ryhope on R52.01, R52.03 and R52.18
