Memorial
Book Of Remembrance 1939-45 Moor Line-Runciman and Co.
Newcastle upon Tyne
Memorial Name: Book Of Remembrance 1939-45 Moor Line-Runciman and Co. (NUT136)
NEWMP Ref No.: NUT136
Parish: Newcastle upon Tyne
Moor Line, Walter Runciman and Co. Pilgrim Street, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Tyne and Wear Museum Archives NZ 241638.
1939-45
1954
Vellum bound in leather
Walter Runciman & Co. Directors.
Leonard Evetts did the calligraphy,
the binding was done by by Sydney M. Cockerell
This book contains the names of the Masters, the Officers,
and the Men of the Moor Line and of Walter Runciman
and Company who in pursuit of their duty and their calling
lost their lives in the Second World War 1939-1945.
“Their inheritance endureth for ever, and their glory shall not be blotted out” Eccles. 44.13
Book of Remembrance, 15 inches high x 17 inches wide (380mm x 425mm), bound in solid blue leather cover.
Each page, 14 inches high x 16 inches wide (360mm x 410mm), carries the details of one vessel and the crew, with a brief history.
The first few pages are for Moor Line vessels, the rest are for Ministry of Transport vessels operated by Walter Runciman and Co.
The front page has, at centre top, the Runciman badge with left the badge of the Royal Navy and right the badge of the Merchant Navy.
Each page has at top an illuminated box which bears the name of the vessel, with the Runciman badge to the left and a compass rose to the right.
The red lettering below this tells the story, with the names, where relevant, listed in as many columns as it needs.
See transcript.
1. The firm were tanker operators.
Photos: James Pasby
Tyne and Wear Archives
Ref. DX 1054
British Vessels Lost at Sea 1939-45 First published 1947 by HMSO. Republished by Patrick Stephen. ISBN 0 85059 267 4
Source of quotation:
“Their inheritance endureth for ever . . .” Apocrypha, Ecclesiasticus 44 v 13
James Pasby;
Tyne and Wear Museum Archives
If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk
NEWCASTLE ON TYNE Moor Line, Walter Runciman and Co.
Flyleaf
This book contains the names of the Masters, the Officers,
and the Men of the Moor Line and of Walter Runciman
and Company who in pursuit of their duty and their calling
lost their lives in the Second World War 1939-1945.
“Their inheritance endureth for ever, and their glory shall not be blotted out” Eccles.44.13
Title page
MOOR LINE LIMITED
Page 1
S.S.
ALN MOOR
Left Halifax N.S.in convoy on 3rd February 1941 on voyage from New York to Glasgow, loaded.
Fell out of convoy on 10th February 1941 during bad weather, in mid North Atlantic (position Lat.
51o 26' N and Long. 29o 03' W) and presumed lost on 15th February 1941. There were no survivors.
Master A. Edwards A.B. H. Henderson Fireman Trimmer H.J. Kilkenny
Chief Officer B.A. Thomas A.B. J. Henderson Fireman Trimmer J. Hampton
2nd Officer A.H. Foster A.B. J. Stewart Fireman Trimmer R. Tait
3rd Officer C.B. Johnstone A.B. E. Bryson Fireman Trimmer J. McAllister
1st Radio Officer H. Gordon A.B. J. McInnes Fireman Trimmer J.A. Mulholland
2nd Radio Officer N.D. Smith Sailor R.J.W. Doyle Fireman Trimmer M. McLean
Chief Engineer F.A. Spicer Sailor J. MacGeachy Fireman Trimmer J. Kelly
2nd Engineer C.T. Dahl Donkeyman R. Keers Steward A. Pearce
3rd Engineer D.S. Wallace Fireman Trimmer H. Darroch Assistant Steward R. Noble
4th Engineer W.R. Lawrence Fireman Trimmer D. Akins Cook N.J. Hudson
Apprentice R.G. Stansfield Fireman Trimmer A. McDonald Assistant Cook J.W. Watson
Apprentice A. Rewcastle Fireman Trimmer D. Penman Mess Room Boy L. Corrigan
Bo’sun G. MacKay Fireman Trimmer D. Houston Deckhand H.J. Brown
Carpenter F.E. Setala Fireman Trimmer M. Doyle (Naval Gunner)
Page 2
S.S.
BLYTH MOOR
Sunk on 10th April 1940 by torpedo in first Battle of Narvik when awaiting cargo for U.K.
There was no loss of life and 14 members of the crew were brought home by the Royal Navy.
Captain Nicholas and the remaining 27 men were taken prisoner and released into Sweden.
Page 3
S.S.
CASTLE MOOR
Left Halifax N.S. in convoy on 16th February 1940 on voyage from Philadelphia to Middlesbrough loaded.
Seen by the Dalemoor S.S. on 23rd February 1940 and last sighted by the ‘Merchant Royal’ on 25th February
1940 in mid North Atlantic (position approx. Lat. 47o 56' N and Long 30o 51' W). There were no survivors.
Master R. Lisle A.B. J. O’Neill Fireman Trimmer Ahmed Abdullah
Chief Officer R.P. Ware A.B. J. Floody Fireman Trimmer Mohamed Hasan
2nd Officer L. Hart A.B. T.M. Evans Fireman Trimmer Assan Abdo
3rd Officer W.A. Radcliffe A.B. A. Eichmanis Fireman Trimmer Abdo Wali
1st Radio Officer D.S. Clarke A.B. T.V. Robinson Fireman Trimmer Ali Haza
Chief Engineer T.S. Burgess Sailor W.E. Dowling Fireman Trimmer Monasa Alli
2nd Engineer A.C. McMillan O.S. G. Lewis Fireman Trimmer W.R. Jones
3rd Engineer G.E. Dawson Donkeyman Ahmed Saleh Fireman Trimmer C. Daniels
4th Engineer B.R. Isitt Greaser Yehi Ali Steward S. Gibson
Apprentice P.C. Mott Greaser Kassam Mettana Assistant Steward W.J. Fullen
Apprentice R.M. Smith Fireman Trimmer Siffia Nagi Cook S. Willis
Apprentice W.J. Graham Fireman Trimmer Ahmed Said Musa Mess Room Boy A.R. Williams
Bo’sun A.V. Fredricksson Fireman Trimmer Salem Ahmed Galley Boy H.T. Henderson
Carpenter W. Wyatt Fireman Trimmer Ahmed Hassan Deckhand A.V. Bullen
(M.N. Gunner)
Page 4
S.S.
DALE MOOR
Bombed and set on fire by an enemy aircraft on 13th June 1941 in position five miles S.E. of
Aberdeen when on loaded voyage from St. John N.S. to U.K. The ship was abandoned but later
taken in tow and safely berthed at Leith where the cargo was discharged and repairs effected.
Master G.A. Prest
Chief Officer F. Abbott
2nd Officer L.C. Brown
3rd Officer S. Moll
Radio Officer G.B. Brown
Apprentice I.D. Richards
A.B. J.P. Evans
Steward W.R. Taylor
Struck a mine and sank in North Sea off the Humber on 15th January 1945 when in S.T.O.
service between U.K. and Continent. The ship was abandoned and all crew saved after about
three-quarters of an hour in the lifeboats.
Page 5
S.S.
EAST MOOR
Torpedoed and sunk on 31st March 1942 about 360 miles due East of Norfolk Virginia (position
Lat. 37o 33’ Long 68o 19’ W) when on loaded voyage from Savannah Ga: to U.K. via Halifax N.S.
Chief Officer Sibbald and 7 men rescued from a raft by S.S. “Rookby” and 28 men in lifeboat in
charge of Second Officer were picked up by S.S. “Calgary”; both parties landed at Capetown.
Master J.B. Rodgers Fireman C. Campbell
Chief Engineer L. Symons Fireman A. Vanburgh
2nd Engineer D. Munro Fireman J. Russell
3rd Engineer T. Creevy Chief Steward H.J. Saunders
4th Engineer R. McL. McConnachie Assistant Cook C.G. Howie
Apprentice W.G. Simpson Deckhand N. Boal (Naval Gunner)
Carpenter F.A.B. Cooke Deckhand N. Sharp (Army Gunner)
Greaser J. McKenna Deckhand R. Dick (Army Gunner)
Page 6
M.V.
GLEN MOOR
Torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic on 27th November 1940 about 230 miles off West Coats of Ireland
(Position Lat 54o 33’ N and 14o 31' W) when on loaded voyage from Cardiff to the Suez area.
There were two survivors.
Master J. Young 4th Engineer T. Lemin Asst. Engineer J.R. Henderson
Chief Officer H. Dobinson Apprentice J.C.G. Chapman Asst. Engineer H.D. Black
2nd Officer W. Gribble Apprentice W.R. Canham Asst. Engineer N.C. Snowden
3rd Officer S.N. Dykes Apprentice S.F. Creed Asst. Engineer T.E. Gallagher
1st Radio Officer A. Bromley Bo-sun D. Macisaac Steward J.E. Middleton
2nd Radio Officer L.F. Smith Carpenter L.G. Rudall Ship’s Cook T.O. Philp
3rd Radio Officer A.R. Tomlinson A.B. E.J. Kearon Mess Room Steward P. Thomas
Chief Engineer W.E. Kirby A.B. E.S. Evans Mess Room Boy A.W. Andrews
2nd Engineer J. Hastie A.B. C.S. Nordgren Galley Boy T.G. Starre
3rd Engineer W.R. Long O.S. J.G. McGarry Deckhand E. Galloway
O.S. J.G.K. Jenkins (Merchant Navy Rating acting as Gunner)
Page 7
M.V.
JED MOOR
Torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic by enemy raider on 16th September 1941 about 110 miles N. West
of outer Hebrides (position Lat 59o N Long 10o W) when in convoy on loaded voyage from Santos
to U.K. Chief Engineer and five ratings were picked up by other vessels in the convoy and landed
at Loch Ewe.
Master R. Collins Apprentice J.F. Graham Chief Steward T.M. Gott
Chief Officer L.J. Moller Apprentice K. Flatters Ship’s Cook J. Mooney
2nd Officer W.G. Evans Carpenter C.R. Hogstrom Asst. Steward S.J. Dunmore
3rd Officer J. O’Neil A.B. L.R. Gayton Asst. Steward R.F.B. Davies
2nd Radio Officer J.M. Massie A.B. P.W. Turner Galley Boy J. White
3rd Radio Officer B.S. Snowden Sailor J. Kearon Deckhand H. Wass
(Naval Gunner)
2nd Engineer J.W. Hodgson O.S. W.G. Lundberg Deckhand J. Martindale
(Naval Gunner)
3rd Engineer P.R. Thompson Asst.Engineer E.C.A. Stocker Deckhand P.C. Coombs
(Naval Gunner)
4th Engineer C. Gibb Asst.Engineer J.T. Poole Deckhand W. Hopper
(Army Gunner)
Apprentice G.H. Hall Asst.Engineer E. Dowson Deckhand S. Marshall
(Army Gunner)
Asst.Engineer J. Henry
Page 8
M.V.
NORTH MOOR
Torpedoed and sunk off the South African Coast on 17th May 1943 in position Lat 28o 27’ S
Long 32o 43’ E when on loaded voyage from Lourenco Marques to River Plate. Sank in two minutes.
Captain Peters and 26 men landed at Durban.
Chief Officer N. Roch
2nd Officer W.D. Lamb
1st Radio Officer J.F. Kehoe
Chief Engineer A. Burrell
3rd Engineer S. Whiteley
Apprentice J.G. Cowley
A.B. R.W. Elsworthy
A.B. I. Seagren
Assistant Engineer D. Johnson
Greaser C. Shaw
Assistant Cook B. Mangan
Deckhand W. Garner (Naval Gunner)
Page 9
S.S.
ORANGE MOOR
Torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel on 31st May 1940 when in convoy on loaded
voyage from Bona to River Tyne.
2nd Officer R. Jack A.B. H.A. Fairbairn
Radio Officer G.W.C. Chitty Greaser E. Vassallo
Chief Engineer A.G. Pilter Fireman Trimmer J.Y. Fenton
3rd Engineer J. Robb Fireman Trimmer T.P. Coyne
4th Engineer J.H. Green Fireman Trimmer H. Kelly
Apprentice G. Sinclair Fireman Trimmer A.G. Khan
Apprentice M.A. Campbell Ship’s Cook C. Murchison
Apprentice E. Whitfield Cabin Boy W. Thompson
Carpenter J.E. McCarthy Mess Room Boy T. Whittaker
Page 10
S.S.
PEARL MOOR
Torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic on 19th July 1940 off N.W. Coast of Ireland when on loaded
voyage from Pepel to Immingham. Sank in one and a half minutes. Captain Rodgers and 25
other members of the crew were rescued.
Radio Officer R.J.M. Vickers
2nd Engineer G.R. Newton
3rd Engineer D.W. Carruthers
A.B. J.H. Mitchell
A.B. M. O’Leary
A.B. T. Gillen
Fireman Greaser Rajah Mohamed
Fireman Greaser Tabit Salih
Fireman Greaser Masul Mohamed
Fireman Greaser Salem Zaid
Fireman Greaser Abel Mosham
Cook T. McGhee
Mess Room Boy A.R. Turner
Page 11
M.V.
VINE MOOR
Sunk in the Atlantic on 26th July 1940 as a result of enemy action in a position approximately
330 miles W x N of Rathlin Head when in convoy in ballast from Manchester for Ocean Island.
There was no loss of life.
Page 12
S.S.
YORK MOOR
Sunk off U.S. Atlantic Coast by gunfire after a running fight with an enemy submarine on 27th
May 1942 when on loaded voyage from St. Thomas W.I. to New York. All crew got away in
boats uninjured and landed in United States. Captain Matthews was in command.
Page 13
S.S.
ZURICH MOOR
Left Halifax N.S. in ballast on 21st May 1942 bound for St. Thomas W.I. and is believed to
have been lost by enemy action on 24th May 1942
Master H.D. Hodgson Carpenter W.J.A. Clarke Fireman Trimmer G. Johnson
Chief Officer S.H. Atkinson A.B. D. McLeod Fireman Trimmer R. Hood
2nd Officer A.H. Dixon A.B. F.D. Worthington Fireman Trimmer L.F. Dickson
3rd Officer P. Armstrong A.B. G. Evans Fireman Trimmer H. Dinning
1st Radio Officer J.C. Le Seelear A.B. E.L. Baston Chief Steward N. Clark
2nd Radio Officer R.B.V. James A.B. D. Woodward Cook R. Fake
3rd Radio Officer T. Bullock Sailor K.A. Hughson Asst. Steward R.A. Thompson
Chief Engineer J.H. Anderson O.S. H. Wilson Asst. Cook H.W. Horncastle
2nd Engineer A.B. Manson Donkeyman E.J. Keegan Mess Room Boy E. Scott
3rd Engineer A.E. Bailey Greaser T. Winter Deckhand R.B. Turner
(Naval Gunner)
4th Engineer J.F. Grundy Greaser G.H. Kane Deckhand H. Richardson
(Naval Gunner)
Apprentice R.S. Dowie Fireman Trimmer M. Mills Deckhand G.E. Miller
(Naval Gunner)
Apprentice J. Telfer Fireman Trimmer A.E. Vincent Deckhand A.E. Gilbert
(Naval Gunner)
Apprentice L.F. Fletcher Fireman Trimmer P.A. Boner Deckhand W.A. Dale
(Army Gunner)
Bo’sun J. Hutchinson Fireman Trimmer H. Snape Deckhand N.W.C. Dunlop
(Army Gunner)
Page 14
MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT SHIPS
managed by Walter Runciman and Company
Page 15
S.S.
EMPIRE ADVENTURE
Torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic (off North Coast of Ireland?) on 20th September 1940 when
in convoy in ballast from Greenock to Wabana, Newfoundland. There were 18 survivors.
Captain T.O. Phinn A.B. W.J. Mather Fireman Trimmer C.W. Hughes
2nd Officer T.T.S. Morris Sailor A.T. Burton Fireman Trimmer R.H. Johnston
2nd Engineer A.G. Swan Greaser A. Somer Fireman Trimmer G.W. Hall
3rd Engineer S. McKie Greaser G.N. Kazoglan Steward W. McCormack
4th Engineer T.A. Kearney Fireman Trimmer R. Leck Cabin Boy J.A. Jackson
Carpenter H.E.M. Jacobsen Fireman Trimmer H.C. Crosland Assistant Cook O.F. McLean
A.B. W. McKimmie Fireman Trimmer J.M. Richardson Mess Room Boy M. Hope
Page 16
S.S.
EMPIRE BEAUMONT
Torpedoed and sunk on 13th September 1942 when in convoy from U.K. to North Russia.
There were 63 survivors.
3rd Engineer C. Kay
Fireman Trimmer A.W. Hartrey
Fireman Trimmer R. Carter
Fireman Trimmer P. Winslow
Deckhand I.I. Jones
Page 17
S.S.
EMPIRE BLESSING
Torpedoed and sunk on 19th March 1945, 10 miles West of Flushing during S.T.O. operational
service. There was no loss of life
Page 18
M.V.
EMPIRE DAWN
Sunk by shell fire and torpedo from German raider No.20 on 12th September 1942
1000 miles West of Capetown when on ballast voyage from Suez to Trinidad via Durban.
Captain Scott and 18 other members of the crew were picked up by the raider and landed in
Batavia becoming prisoners of the Japanese.
3rd Officer G.F. Marshall A.B. P. Morris Asst. Steward J.A.B. Spalding
1st Radio Officer S.M.F. Dwane A.B. A.C. Flanagan Cabin Boy A. Starck
Chief Engineer J.T. Young A.B. R. Gordon Mess Room Steward F.W. Collins
2nd Engineer W. Douglass Sailor D. Curran Deckhand H. Gibbs (Gunner)
3rd Engineer T. Fawcett Sailor J.P. Wright Deckhand J.H. Heard (Gunner)
5th Engineer E. Hughes O.S. A.C. Titchener Deckhand D.N. Cook (Gunner)
Carpenter T.B. Partington Greaser T. Brown Deckhand F. Platt (Gunner)
A.B. E.J. Davies Greaser T.C. Canavan Deckhand W.J. Wareham (Gunner)
A.B. E. Edwards Ship’s Cook T.C. McCormack Deckhand J. Phinn (Gunner)
Page 19
S.S.
EMPIRE HAVEN
Bombed shortly after sailing from Algiers on 9th August 1943 and taken on tow to Gibraltar
4th Engineer R.S.C. Coulter
Page 20
S.S.
EMPIRE STATESMAN
Left Freetown on 19th November 1940 on voyage from Pepel to U.K. Fell out of convoy on
21st November 1940 and never heard of again. Presumed lost by enemy action on 5th December
1940
Master J. Brown Bo’sun W.F. Russell O.S. J. Hunnam
Chief Officer J. Anderson Carpenter A.T. Hunter Donkeyman P. Orr
2nd Officer J.W. Madden A.B. P.J. Robertson Greaser W.K. Nicol
3rd Officer J. Brown A.B. T. Davis Greaser N.W.G. Nicol
1st Radio Officer W.R. Turnbull A.B. J. Chapman Chief Steward H. Roberts
2nd Radio Officer J. Butchart A.B. J.H. Carr Ship’s Cook J.S. Gibson
Chief Engineer F. Whitehead Sailor M.L. Henderson Mess Room Steward W.I. Cairns
2nd Engineer C. Harrison Sailor W. Price Galley Boy S. O’Donnell
3rd Engineer B.A. Cosgrow O.S. P.J.G. Mann Cabin Boy J. Troup
4th Engineer M.J. Morgan O.S. P. Gray Deckhand R.W. Couldrey
5th Engineer P. Blance O.S. G.T. Gray (Naval Gunner)
Page 21
S.S.
OCEAN VAGABOND
Torpedoed and sunk on 10th January 1943 in North Atlantic when on loaded voyage from
British Columbian Ports and Botwood Newfoundland to U.K.
1st Radio Officer J.W. Wilson
Page 22
S.S.
SAMSELBU
Sunk by enemy action on 19th March 1945 in the English Channel during S.T.O. operation
service. There was no loss of life.
Page 23
Walter Runciman and Company: Office Staff
Captain T.T. Davidson East Yorkshire Regiment. Killed in action at the capture of Goch
Germany on 27th February 1945
Sub. Lieut (A) W. Thirlaway R.N.V.R. Killed on active service on 22nd October 1942, when
flying from Royal Naval Air Station, Inskip, Lancashire.
Page 24
This book was written out by Leonard Evetts,
and bound by Sydney M. Cockerell in the year
of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred and fifty
four.
NamesNUT136
War Memorial Indexes
County Durham Index
Newcastle Index
Northumberland Index
Over The Tees Index
This is a work in progress. Interested in helping, contact 2014@newmp.org.uk
