In South Shields (Harton) Cemetery is the Commonwealth War Grave, with a private headstone, of Able Seaman George Whitley serving on S.S. Halo with the Merchant Navy  who died 21/03/1941.

The husband of Elizabeth Whitley, of South Shields.

The headstone reads:

In loving memory of
my dear husband George Whitley
killed by enemy action March 21st 1941
aged 52 years.

The CWGC commissioned a new headstone in 2005 due to the damage to the original memorial.

This headstone, erected at the foot of the grave, reads:

G. Whitley
Able Seaman
S.S. ‘Halo’
21st March 1941 age 52

George had resided at 105, John Williamson Street, South Shields.

Friday, 21st March 1941
‘SS Halo‘ ship number 143426, (2,365t) cargo ship, was sunk by a mine off Beckton Pier, River Thames as she arrived from the Tyne with a cargo of coal – she was later salvaged and on the 22nd January 1945 was torpedoed, W of Flushing, by an E Boat whilst sailing from Caen to Antwerp, she sank in tow the following day.
Day 566. All times BST. Blackout ends: 06.38, begins: 19.50
Source: North East Diary 1939-45

George Whitley is remembered at South Shields on S86.037, panel 19, at Westoe in W101.08, page 90 and on our List of Ships’ Crews.