In Thornaby on Tees Cemetery is the Commonwealth War Grave of:

Martin J. Spayne
Fireman and Trimmer
S.S. Fort Michipicoten
(Formally Serjt. R. E.)
12th March 1945

R.I.P.

He was the son of Martin and Elizabeth Spayne, of Thornaby on Tees and the husband of Amy Spayne, of Thornaby on Tees.

Billy McGee has submitted the following:-
Cargo ship Fort Michipicoten, 7,152grt, (MOWT, Maclay & McIntyre) had been sailing from Africa to Italy when Fireman & Trimmer Martin Spayne became ill. Once in Italy he was transferred to another ship and brought back to the U.K. where his condition worsened. On the 12th March 1945 he died, cause of death was later established as “Black Water Fever” (Malignant Malaria). He is buried with full war grave status. Martin Spayne also served during WWI in the Royal Navy, after he lied about his age and signed up for service in 1917. In 1939, he joined the Royal Engineers until 1943, when he volunteered for the Merchant Navy because of a shortage of men.

Martin Joseph Spayne is remembered at Thornaby on T70.01 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.