On Tower Hill Memorial, Trinity Square, London is the name of Master Donal Duncan Halcrow serving on S.S. Catford (London) with the Merchant Navy who died 31/05/1943.
He was the husband of Rachel Halcrow, of East Boldon, County Durham.
Christine Davison has submitted the following:-
Donal Duncan Halcrow was the son of James and Margaret Halcrow, nee Duncan.
Donald was born in Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland, on 29th November 1897. His parents both came from South Ronaldsay, Orkney, according to the 1901 census, but by 1881 they were living in Leith; his father’s occupation was a ship’s master. Donald had three brothers and one sister.
He followed in his father’s footsteps in his choice of career. The earliest record of his seafaring career is his indenture at Leith in 1912, a certificate of competency for Second Mate, which was awarded on 15th June 1916. His address at that time was 6 Ryehill Terrace, Leith, which described Donald as 5 feet 7 inches tall, with blue eyes and brown hair, his complexion was said to be fair, and he had a thistle tattooed on his right arm.
On 18th March 1922, Donald passed an examination to qualify him as a Steamship Master. This was issued at South Shields and gave his address as 34, Shieldfield Road, Newcastle upon Tyne.
The marriage between Donald and Rachel Boyles took place on 11 November 1918 at Newcastle upon Tyne. The 1921 census shows them living with Rachel’s Parents, John and Hannah Boyles, her father was a Publican.
Their son John Jack was born on the 15th August 1920 at 34, Chester Street, Newcastle.
By 1939, the family were living at 2, St George’s Terrace, East Boldon.
Donald had served in World War I and was Master of S.S. Catford during World War II. In 1941, Donald was commended for brave conduct when his ship encountered enemy ships. The ship was on passage from London to Newcastle upon Tyne, carrying ballast. She foundered and sank after detonating a German Mine at the mouth of the Humber on 31st May 1943.
There was a crew of 19 and 5 passengers. Five died, including Donald and one of the passengers.
The ship had already had two lucky escapes after surviving a gunfire attack from a German plane in the Thames Estuary in 1940 and also detonating a German mine in 1941.
The family remained in the village for many years. There was a library opened in the New British Sailors’ Hostel, North Shields branch, in his memory, funded by donations of over £50 from friends and colleagues, which was raised by a film show at East Boldon for members of the British Red Cross.
Donald Duncan Halcrow is remembered at East Boldon on E46.01 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.
