November 1941 - February 5 1942
The Singapore Voyage
Escape from Singapore - how the Emprses of Asia crew made it home.
The EMPRESS OF ASIA, after embarking troops, sailed from Liverpool for Africa on November 12th, 1941, on what was to become the ship’s final voyage. Freetown was reached on November 26th, 1941, and while en route to Capetown the attack on Pearl harbour occurred, expanding the war into the Asia and the Pacific. Christmas Day was spent at Durban where orders were received to disembark the troops on board and to proceed to Bombay.
Bombay was reached on January 15th, 1942 and the EMPRESS OF ASIA embarked 2200 troops and sailed for Singapore on January 23rd, 1942.
On February 4th, 1942 the ship, as part of a convoy that included the FELIX ROUSSEL, PLANCIUS, DEVONSHIRE, and the CITY OF CANTERBURY and led by H.M.S. EXETER, was attacked in Banka Straits by an aircraft formation. However no direct hits were encountered.
The next day, February 5th, 1942, another aerial bombardment occurred that resulted in several direct hits that soon set the mid-section of the ship ablaze. The ship was subsequently anchored and abandoned.
Many ships came to the rescue of the crew and passengers of the EMPRESS OF ASIA and were responsible for greatly reducing loss of life. These vessels included the H.M.A.S. BENDIGO, H.M.A.S. WOLLONGONG, H.M.A.S. YARRA, H.M.S. DANAE, and H.M.I.S. SUTLEJ. The H.M.A.S. YARRA, under the command of Lieutenant Commander W.H. Harrington RAN, was particularly prominent in rescue, pulling along side the burning ship and taking off over a thousand survivors. Harrington drew attention to the courageous conduct of one YARRA sailor, Leading Seaman Ronald Taylor.
The following list contains the names of the 413 crewmembers that were serving on the EMPRESS OF ASIA on February 5th, 1942.
|
NAME |
RATING |
| Abbott, P. J. | Able Seaman |
| Addison, F. W. | Engineer |
| Anderson, A. | Boy Seaman |
| Angus, H. J. | Purser |
| Atkins, D. M. | Cadet |
| Bailey, C. F. | Butcher |
| Banks, W. A. | Waiter |
| Barraclough, J. W. | Engineer |
| Barrow, L. | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S., Naval Gunner |
| Barry, R. | Boy Seaman |
| Bate, A. E. | Waiter |
| Baylis, R. | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S. |
| Beattie, A. | Cook's Boy |
| Bell, D. | Baker |
| Bellis, J. F. | Plate Sculleryman |
| Bennett, G. | Trimmer |
| Bennett, H. J. | Fireman |
| Blackburn, G. | Fireman |
| Bogle, W. | Fireman |
| Bradley, J. | Fireman |
| Brannan, W. | Fireman |
| Bree, B. M. | Barkeeper |
| Brewer, J. | Baker |
| Brierley, W. | Chief Butcher |
| Brierley, W. J. | Waiter |
| Briggs, H. W. | Steward |
| Brophy, T. | Greaser |
| Brown, | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S. |
| Brown, J. | Captain's Steward |
| Brown, J. T. | Able Seaman |
| Brown, P. | Fireman |
| Burke, P. | Fireman |
| Burns, S. | Greaser |
| Burrows, T. | Steward |
| Butcher, H. | Quarter Master |
| Butler, L. J. | Officers' Boy |
| Butterworth, R. | Fireman |
| Cahoon, J. C. | Steward |
| Cameron, T. | Able Seaman |
| Carse, D. F. | Steward |
| Carter, C. L. | Dispenser |
| Carter, J. W. | Kitchen Porter |
| Cassidy, R. | Fireman |
| Chan, K. | Carpenter/Joiner |
| Chan, L. | Carpenter/Joiner |
| Chang, T. Y. | Rustyman |
| Chapman, C. | Trimmer |
| Chegwin, H. C. | Steward |
| Christian, P. | Plateman |
| Clarke, G. H. | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S., Military Gunner |
| Clotsworthy, S. J. | Pantryman |
| Coburn, G. | Trimmer |
| Colbrae, P. | Greaser |
| Collins, H. | Barkeeper |
| Collins, J. | Fireman |
| Connor, J. | Fireman |
| Cook, C. | Butcher |
| Cook, F. | Greaser |
| Corbett, J. | Baker |
| Costello, M. W. | Ordinary Seaman |
| Couch, B. | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S. |
| Covell, L. P. | Cook |
| Cowell, H. | Pantryman |
| Cowley, W. F. | Engineer |
| Coyle, J. | Fireman |
| Cranny, J. | Fireman |
| Crawford, A. | Able Seaman |
| Critchley, W. F. | Kitchen Porter |
| Crofts, C. W. | 2nd Officer |
| Cropper, C. | Fireman |
| Crosby, B. | Fireman |
| Crosby, M. J. | Fireman |
| Cross, T. | Fireman |
| Crowley, S. F. | Cook |
| Crowther, J. | Pantryman |
| Cruikshank, E. | Linenkeeper |
| Cuestra, C. | Quarter Master |
| Curran, J. | Trimmer |
| Curran, M. G. | Waiter |
| Currin, F. H. | Trimmer |
| Cusack, C. | Steward |
| Dawber, J. | Trimmer |
| Denommee, R. | Trimmer |
| Diamond, T. | Storekeeper |
| Dickens, J. S. | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S., Military Gunner |
| Dignall, R. | Trimmer |
| Dignan, S. E. | Cook |
| Dolan, D. | Waiter |
| Dolan, J. | Trimmer |
| Donaldson, A. | Greaser |
| Donnelly, J. W. | 3rd Officer |
| Dougherty, W. G. | Barkeeper |
| Drummond, J. | Sanitation Engineer |
| Dudley, A. | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S. |
| Duff, P. | Greaser |
| Duffy, C. | Trimmer |
| Dunne, J. | Able Seaman |
| Durr, J. | Fireman |
| Dwyer, P. | Fireman |
| Dykes, A. | Greaser |
| Dyson, R. J. | Pantryman |
| Ealer, A. | Trimmer |
| Earl, V. | Fireman |
| Edwards, E. A. | Steward |
| Edwards, L. | Able Seaman |
| Edwards, R. | Fireman |
| Elsmore, E. A. | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S. |
| Elworthy, D. R. | Pantryman |
| Ennis, F. | Trimmer |
| Evans, W. L. | Waiter |
| Ewart, J. N. | Sailor |
| Farrell, R. T. | 1st Radio Officer |
| Fay, J. | Able Seaman |
| Feeney, L. J. | Waiter |
| Feeney, P. | Fireman |
| Feeney, W. | Trimmer |
| Ferguson, C. | Able Seaman |
| Ferrie, J. | Waiter |
| Finnigan, J. G. | Butcher |
| Flynn, F. | Cook |
| Forrest, F. | Greaser |
| Fowler, J. J. | Trimmer |
| Francis, E. | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S. |
| Fraser, G. W. | Storekeeper |
| Fuller, A. A. | Steward |
| Fulton, J. F. | Fireman |
| Fulton, T. A. | Ordinary Seaman |
| Gadson, J. | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S. |
| Gallacher, A. | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S. |
| Gardner, A. B. | Engineer |
| Gardner, J. J. | Cook |
| Gee, A. E. | Chef |
| Gibb, F. S. M. | Linenkeeper |
| Gick, J. | Cook |
| Giles, J. H. | Laundryman |
| Gillespie, F. T. | Chief Electrician |
| Gillett, C. J. O. | Boy Seaman |
| Gleaves, H. | Fireman |
| Glover, H. | Fireman |
| Glover, W. | Greaser |
| Gorman, J. | Fireman |
| Grainger, E. | Greaser |
| Gray, V. P. | Pantryman |
| Green, T. E. | Greaser |
| Green, W. | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S. |
| Grigsby, W. | Fireman |
| Gwynne, H. | Able Seaman |
| Hall, A. E. | Laundryman |
| Halliwell, A. | Joiner |
| Halsall, D. | Trimmer |
| Hampshire, I. | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S., Able Seaman, Royal Navy |
| Handley, A. W. | Able Seaman |
| Hanratty, J. | Greaser |
| Harkins, P. L. | 2nd Radio Officer |
| Harper, G. | Fireman |
| Harris, A. V. | Steward |
| Harrison, A. | Chief Engineer's Writer |
| Harrison, R. | Cadet |
| Harvey, R. P. | Waiter |
| Hatcher, H. | Quarter Master |
| Hazard, W. P. | Waiter |
| Heaven, J. | Fireman |
| Hesp, H. | Fire Patrol |
| Hesp, H. A. | Butcher |
| Heveren, E. | Trimmer |
| Hewitson, S. | Barkeeper |
| Higgins, L. | Barkeeper |
| Higgins, W. J. | Steward |
| Higgs, E. E. | Cadet |
| Hill, R. H. | Barkeeper |
| Hines, E. | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S. |
| Hogan, J. | Waiter |
| Holmes, A. W. | Engineer |
| Hornby, T. | Able Seaman |
| Hosken, G. | Able Seaman |
| Howard, W. | Fireman |
| Hughes, E. J. | Laundryman |
| Hughes, E. R. | Cook |
| Hughes, R. R. | Chef |
| Hughes, W. H. | Butcher |
| Humphrey, R. L. | Ordinary Seaman |
| Imms, H. | Waiter |
| Imms, J. | Butcher |
| Irving, W. | Chief Steward's Writer |
| Jackson, J. | Storekeeper |
| Jackson, N. | Able Seaman |
| James, A. | Fire Patrol |
| Jenkins, A. | Able Seaman |
| Johnson, J. | Fireman |
| Johnson, W. | Trimmer |
| Johnston, G. E. | Baker |
| Johnston, L. H. | 1st Officer |
| Jones, E. | Able Seaman |
| Jones, I. V. | Fireman |
| Jones, P. | Trimmer |
| Jones, R. A. V. | Waiter |
| Jones, V. C. | Boatswain's Mate |
| Joyce, E. R. | Engineer |
| Keen, A. S. | Baker |
| Kelly, J. | Steward |
| Kelly, J. F. | Waiter |
| Kelly, N. | Waiter |
| Kelly, R. | Fireman |
| Kennedy, H. | Able Seaman |
| King, H. | Greaser |
| King, W. | Trimmer |
| Kirby, A. H. | Able Seaman |
| Kirby, F. R. | Waiter |
| Knott, J. | Engineer |
| Koster, G. L. | Waiter |
| Laberge, R. | Trimmer |
| Lamont, R. | Engineer |
| Lasky, M. | Cook |
| Latham, W. | Fireman |
| Lawler, W. | Fireman |
| Lawrence, A. F. | Waiter |
| Lea, T. | Fireman |
| Leary, R. | Trimmer |
| Ledwidge, F. | Greaser |
| Lee, A. P. | Fireman |
| Lee, R. | Cook |
| Leger, J. C. | Trimmer |
| LePatourel, P. A. | Cadet |
| Lindon, J. N. | Cook |
| Lindsay, W. G. | 3rd Radio Officer |
| Lloyd, D. | Storekeeper |
| Lloyd, R. | Engineers' Steward |
| Lloyd, W. | Pantryman |
| Lloyd, W. G. | Storekeeper |
| Lomas, J. H. | Waiter |
| Longfield, A. G. | Quarter Master |
| Lorrain, A. | Kitchen Porter |
| Lumley, S. | Sculleryman |
| Lunt, H. | Fire Patrol |
| Maguire, D. P. | Waiter |
| Mahon, T. | Fireman |
| Maloney, J. | Master at Arms |
| Manley, A. | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S., Military Gunner |
| Manville, T. | Able Seaman |
| Marlow, W. J. | Waiter |
| Marshall, R. | Able Seaman |
| Masson, J. | Engineer |
| Masterson, W. J. | Waiter |
| Mawdsley, J. | Boots |
| McArthur, W. B. | Engineer |
| McCormick, D. | Fireman |
| McCormick, T. | Fireman |
| McCormick, W. | Trimmer |
| McDonnell, T. | Trimmer |
| McFeeley, D. | Trimmer |
| McGinley, W. K. | Surgeon |
| McGlone, A. | Greaser |
| McGovern, E. | Fireman |
| McGowan, G. | Trimmer |
| McGregor, R. E. B. | Steward |
| McHugh, J. | Trimmer |
| McIntyre, W. C. A. | Cook |
| McKean, R. A. | Engineer |
| McKelvie, J. J. | Cook |
| McKeown, W. | Boatswain |
| McKinnon, W. R. | Ordinary Seaman |
| McLean, H. | 5th Officer |
| McLeod, F. C. | Greaser |
| McMahon, | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S. |
| McPherson, W. | Sailor |
| McVey, J. | Fireman |
| Meakin, J. W. | Baker |
| Meikle, G. L. | Electrician |
| Millette, H. | Trimmer |
| Minshull, W. R. | Waiter |
| Mitchell, J. | Fireman |
| Mooney, G. | Trimmer |
| Moran, B. D. | Chief Purser |
| Morgan, E. | Trimmer |
| Morgan, P. | Trimmer |
| Morgan, P. | Trimmer |
| Morgan, S. S. | Waiter |
| Morriey, F. | Cook |
| Morris, H. | Boots |
| Morrison, A. | Engineers' Boy |
| Muldoon, F. | Laundryman |
| Mullen, M. | Fireman |
| Munro, J. | Fireman |
| Murdoch, A. | Able Seaman |
| Murphy, J. D. | Waiter |
| Murphy, R. M. | Officers' Steward |
| Myhill, W. | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S. |
| Neish, J. | Engineer |
| Newnes, R. | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S. |
| Nickels, K. A. | Barkeeper |
| Nimmo, W. R. | Trimmer |
| Nolan, E. J. | Kitchen Porter |
| Noone, F. | Waiter |
| North, J. | Fireman |
| Oakford, R. | Fireman |
| Oatham, R. E. | Waiter |
| O'Brien, M. | Fireman |
| O'Flaherty, J. | Fireman |
| O'Keefe, S. | Fireman |
| Oliver, W. | 4th Officer |
| O'Reilly, M. C. | Cook |
| O'Rourke, P. | Engineers' Steward |
| O'Shea, J. | Fireman |
| O'Toole, L. | Trimmer |
| Owen, H. J. | Chief Engineer |
| Paley, A. | Steward |
| Parker, L. | Fireman |
| Parker, V. | Cook |
| Paterson, J. R. | Waiter |
| Paterson, R. H. | Cook |
| Patten, T. | Trimmer |
| Penrith, D. F. C. | Sculleryman |
| Pitt-Brooke, R. | Cadet |
| Porter, S. N. | Fireman |
| Powell, G. F. | Steward |
| Powell, T. G. | Storekeeper |
| Powell, W. T. | Fireman |
| Prescott, B. | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S. |
| Price, L. | Steward |
| Pritchard, R. | Pantryman |
| Pritchard, T. | Engineer |
| Proctor, A. W. | Kitchen Porter |
| Punter, E. R. | Quarter Master |
| Quillan, J. | Fireman |
| Rainer, H. | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S., Military Gunner |
| Reardon, P. | Fireman |
| Redfern, W. H. | Fireman |
| Reekie, G. | Purser's Messenger |
| Reevell, W. H. | Refrigeration Engineer |
| Reid, J. | Trimmer |
| Ricketts, G. | Trimmer |
| Rigby, W. A. | Steward |
| Riley, H. | Waiter |
| Riley, J. H. | Fireman |
| Roberts, H. W. | Baker |
| Roberts, T. H. | Waiter |
| Robertson, H. | Engineer |
| Robinson, W. J. | Purser |
| Roche, F. | Butcher |
| Roche, W. | Trimmer |
| Rooney, C. | Trimmer |
| Rowed, W. G. F. | Engineers' Steward |
| Rowlands, J. P. | Fireman |
| Rowlands, R. D. | Waiter |
| Ruddy, M. | Trimmer |
| Rusk, C. A. | Waiter |
| Ryan, T. C. | Engineers' Boy |
| Sandford, M. | Trimmer |
| Savage, C. L. | Boatswain's Mate |
| Seers, J. H. | Hospital Attendant |
| Selby, W. A. C. | Printer |
| Semple, W. | Engineer |
| Shea, P. | Fireman |
| Singleton, T. | Fireman |
| Sloan, A. | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S. |
| Small, H. T. | Trimmer |
| Smallwood, H. | Kitchen Porter |
| Smith, A. | Able Seaman |
| Smith, D. | Carpenter |
| Smith, D. | Chief Officer |
| Smith, H. C. | Barkeeper |
| Smith, J. B. | Master |
| Somerville, D. C. | Engineer |
| Stainton, H. | Engineer |
| Stamp, | Fireman |
| Stanway, G. W. | Boy Seaman |
| Stewart, J. | Waiter |
| Storer, R. G. | Barkeeper |
| Swanson, G. | Fireman |
| Swift, D. | Greaser |
| Taylor, T. W. | Waiter |
| Taylor, W. R. | Waiter |
| Third, J. W. | Baker |
| Thompson, L. D. | Steward |
| Thurtel, A. | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S., Naval Gunner |
| Tilsley, W. | Chief Baker |
| Toal, E. | Fireman |
| Tomlinson, J. A. | Steward |
| Toohey, O. | Trimmer |
| Tougas, R. | Trimmer |
| Towers, J. J. | Deck Boy |
| Towler, S. | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S., Naval Gunner |
| Tozer, G. H. | Boy Seaman |
| Traynor, J. | Donkeyman |
| Tufnail, O. C. | Barkeeper |
| Vanton, M. | Barber |
| Vertis, J. | Steward |
| Walker, A. | Engineer |
| Walker, C. P. | Plate Sculleryman |
| Walker, T. | Fireman |
| Walpole, N. | Waiter |
| Watts, H. | Fireman |
| Weldon, D. | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S. |
| Wellings, W. | Trimmer |
| Wignail, W. R. | Fireman |
| Wilkinson, W. | Fireman |
| Williams, D. B. | Electrician |
| Williams, J. | Greaser |
| Williams, J. | Trimmer |
| Williams, J. | Trimmer |
| Williams, L. L. | Printer |
| Williams, R. | Able Seaman |
| Williams, R. P. | Fireman |
| Wilson, E. | Officers' Steward |
| Wood, L. | Able Seaman |
| Wooley, R. | Fireman |
| Woolvine, A. F. | Trimmer |
| Worrall, H. T. | Deck Hand, D.E.M.S., Naval |
| Wright, F. S. | Chief Steward |
| Wright, W. J. | Barkeeper |
| Wu Chiu (Win Chin) | Storekeeper |
| Yates, T. R. | Steward |
| Zulch, A. R. | Able Seaman |
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