On Tower Hill Memorial is the name of Carpenter Charles Atkinson, serving on S.S. Ramillies (Cardiff) with the Merchant Navy who died 08/05/1941.
The son of Mary A. Atkinson, of Wallsend, Northumberland.
Charles Atkinson was born on the 26th October 1919 at 16 Long Row, Bigges Main, Longbenton, Northumberland, the son of Charles Atkinson, [born 1874], son of Charles and Margaret, and his wife Mary Ann [nee Thornton], born 11th August 1878, [she was widowed by 1939, where she was residing at 3 Strawberry Gardens, Wallsend]. They had children but we believe it was at least seven. Rosina Thornton, [born 25th October 1899?], Anthony Hugh, born 9th February 1900, baptised 1st April 1900, George, born 1903, Katie, born 1908, baptised 16th February 1908, Joseph Edward, born 3rd May 1909, baptised 1st June 1909, [Joseph was a Merchant Navy Seaman and was awarded Merchant Navy Medals R.97479. 1939-1945], he died on the 23rd August 1962, [left effects of £3239 19 shillings 11 pence to Blanche], he married Blanche Irene, born 27th January 1914, also in 1939 was residing at 3 Strawberry Gardens, Wallsend, she was a ARP Volunteer as a First Aider. They moved later to 251 Station Road, Wallsend. John, born 27th August 1916, a sailor in the Merchant Navy, Thomas, M, Apprentice fitter Shipyard, born 17th March 1922, [was residing at 3 Strawberry Gardens, Wallsend in 1939 and was a part time A.R.P. warden].
In 1901 the family were residing at 6 Byker Hill, Byker Square, this was where Rosina and Anthony were born. Charles’ father was a Shipyard General Labourer, and was unable to read.
By 1911 the family were residing at 6 Low Row, Bigges Main, Wallsend, Northumberland, and one child had passed away by this time.
Charles and his older brother Joseph both were in the Merchant Navy. Joseph Survived, however Charles died on the ‘S.S. Ramillies’ Ship number 148293.
The vessel was built by William Gray and Company of Central Marine Engineering Works, West Hartlepool, was a shipbuilding firm from 1874-1963. They were the largest firm of shipbuilders in the Hartlepools and also lasted longer than any other local shipbuilding firm. For a hundred years the company ensured the towns prosperity by giving jobs to thousands of local people.
William Gray and Co always maintained its reputation for being in the vanguard of technological and technical innovation. The company regularly topped the output for British shipyards in the last decade of the nineteenth and early 20th century. Between 1883 and 1887 the yard expanded through the acquisition of one ten acre site (Central) and a three berth shipyard (Jackson).
Towards the end of the 19th century, demand was for bigger ships which could carry more cargo. This led to the opening, in 1887, of another Gray shipyard at the end of the Central Dock. In 1890 William Gray was knighted. He was active in the civil life of Hartlepool having been the first mayor of West Hartlepool among many other achievements.
In 1896 Matthew Gray died in 1896, followed two years later by both Sir William Gray, and Thomas Mudd. This left Sir William’s younger son, William Cresswell Gray, as Chairman of the company.
During WWI output was 30 cargo-liners and tramps built to private order, 13 vessels built to Admiralty order and 30 standard “WAR” tramps built for the Shipping Controller. King George V and Queen Mary visited the yard to boost morale. The yard had a 100-ton hammer head crane which was a Hartlepool landmark until it was demolished in the 1960s. The Company went into voluntary liquidation in 1962. The various yards were either acquired, auctioned or demolished in 1963.
Source : Carl Racey
‘SS Ramillies’ was part of a merchant ship convoy [OB-317], on route from [the] Tyne, via Oban to Baltimore. The convoy dispersed at 08.00 hours on the 7th May, 1941, U-97, [commanded by Korvettenkapitn Udo Heilmann], spotted two merchants on west course southeast of Cape Farewell and four hours later two others that followed the first group. All ships had been dispersed from convoy OB-317. The U-boat chased the first ships and fired at 17.04 hours a torpedo at the Ramillies (Master William Henry Macey), but missed and was not able to fire at the ships of the second group because they were too far away.
So the U-boat had to overtake the first group again during the night and fired at 12.14 hours on 8 May another torpedo at the same ship but again missed. At 18.13 hours, a third torpedo was fired which hit the Ramillies and stopped her but did not sink. At 18.48 hours, a torpedo was fired that malfunctioned, but the second at 19.03 hours hit the ship in the stern and caused her to sink fast in the vertical. The master, 25 crew members and three gunners were lost. Eleven crew members and one gunner were picked up by the British merchant Geddington Court Ship number 132665, and landed at Halifax.’
Source : U Boat Net
Charles Atkinson was residing at 3 Strawberry Gardens, Wallsend at the time of his death.
John Seldon, a nephew has added some personal information: His mother Mary Ann refused to believe that he was missing and always waited for him to walk through the door on his return. Sadly, that never happened. It is known, from war time records of the sinking that two lifeboats were launched one of which made it to shore with some survivors. Charlie was in the lifeboat that failed to make it to shore.
John has also dedicated this poem to his uncle.
For Uncle Charlie
Uncle Charlie your lifeboat didn’t make it to shore,
Your Mother sadly, would see you no more.
For our tomorrow, you gave your TODAY,
It was in the Atlantic Ocean, 1941, on the 8th May.
Mary Ann suffered the loss, the sorrow and pain,
But always believed she would see you again.
She endured the sadness and tears she oft wept,
As at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, you slept.
Your life you gave, you made the ultimate sacrifice,,
Like millions more, you paid a very high price.,
Each year at the 11th hour on the 11th of November,
The world stands still as in silence, we Remember.
As the years pass and the generations anew,
Your memory lingers on, we will not forget you.
As a fitting tribute I write, in verse and in rhyme,
It will not, like us fade with the passing of time.
Acknowledgements: John Seldon
Research: Cynthia Kent/James Pasby
Charles Atkinson is remembered at Wallsend in W7.06 and W7.19 on page 39 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.
