Thomas Stobbs
Tower Hill Memorial
Thomas, known as Tommy, was born in South Shields, the youngest son of John Robert and Esther Hannah Stobbs. He lived at 71 Princess Street.
Information by Pamela Siegel (nee Stobbs).
The Family Story as told:
Tommy and his best mate had gone to the Shipping Federation office to try to get a ship. But there was only one vacancy, so the lads shuffled their cards under the counter to see who would go. The card that came out was Tommy's. This was his first and last ship. The S.S. Empire Gilbert was hit on the port side by two torpedoes from U Boat U-586 and sank within 2 minutes southwest of Jan Mayen.
Additional research: James Pasby
He is remembered at South Shields on S86.037 and at Westoe in W101.08 page 75 and on our List of Ships’ crews