The Suez voyage of April to September of 1941 from Liverpool to Suez and return.
When re-fitting was completed at Liverpool in April of 1941, the EMPRESS OF ASIA embarked approximately 2,000 soldiers of a Yorkshire Regiment of the British Army known as the Green Howards.
The EMPRESS OF ASIA sailed from Liverpool on April 24th, 1941 bound for Suez via the Cape of Good Hope. Suez was reached in early July after stops at Freetown, Capetown, Durban, and Aden. The Green Howards were disembarked at Suez and joined the African campaign of the British Army.
The EMPRESS OF ASIA sailed from Suez bound for Durban with approximately 1,000 Italian Prisoners of War. Also on board were approximately 300 civilian and military evacuees. Included were British Naval, Air Force, and Army personnel assigned to redeployment as well as about seventy Norwegian Volunteers and a small number of servicemen from the Free French, Belgian and Dutch military. Some civilian evacuees, including women and children, from the Greece and Crete campaigns were also on board.
Prince Phillip of Greece, then a member of the Royal Navy, served as a midshipman on the EMPRESS OF ASIA as he traveled to Durban.
Other notable passengers were two British Brigadier-Generals, G.S. Brunskill and E.A. Miness. Two American businessmen were also on board, Alexander Jacobs of Chicago and Victor Hughs of Queens.
At Durban the Prisoners of War were disembarked and the ship continued to New York by way of Trinidad. After completion of some repairs the ship sailed from New York bound for Halifax.
The Empress of Asia called at Halifax after completing the voyage to Suez. At Halifax, approximately 2,000 Canadian troops were embarked for transport to Britain for service in Europe. The Empress of Asia sailed from Halifax on the 16th September 1941 bound for Liverpool as part of convoy HX150.
Among the troops being transported was Willard G. (Dusty) Perrin of the The Corps of the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RCEME). Willard Perrin later would participate in the invasion of Normandy. While on aboard the ship he managed to save two menus that describe meals being provided to the troops. Thanks to the Perrin family for providing these images.
Among the troops being transported was Willard G. (Dusty) Perrin of the The Corps of the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RCEME). Willard Perrin later would participate in the invasion of Normandy. While on aboard the ship he managed to save two menus that describe meals being provided to the troops. Thanks to the Perrin family for providing these images.
After the troops were disembarked at Liverpool, further repairs and refitting were undertaken in preparation for the Empress of Asia’s next voyage.
The following table contains the names of the crew members that served aboard the EMPRESS OF ASIA during the voyage of April to September of 1941 from Liverpool to Suez and return.
| NAME | RATING |
| Abbott, P. J. | Able Seaman |
| Addison, E. | Sailor |
| Allen, C. J. | Cook |
| Allen, J. | Baker |
| Allen, L. | Able Seaman |
| Anderson, A. | Boy Seaman |
| Anderson, A. | Trimmer |
| Atkins, D. M. | Cadet |
| Baines, T. | Fireman |
| Banks, R. S. | Laundryman |
| Barry, R. | Boy Seaman |
| Beedon, H. | Steward |
| Bell, D. | Baker |
| Bennett, H. J. | Trimmer |
| Bennett, T. | Fireman |
| Berry, J. E. | Plate Sculleryman |
| Betts, W. R. | Cook |
| Bilsborough, J. J. | Trimmer |
| Bishop, J. | Fireman |
| Blakeman, C. | Butcher |
| Bonfil, P. J. | Kitchen Porter |
| Bonitto, O. | Fireman |
| Boyle, E. E. | Able Seaman |
| Bree, B. | Barkeeper |
| Brew, T. | Fireman |
| Briercliffe, A. M. | Laundryman |
| Brierley, W. | Chief Butcher |
| Brierley, W. | Waiter |
| Brooking, S. | Able Seaman |
| Brown, E. | Barkeeper |
| Brown, J. | Able Seaman |
| Brown, J. | Engineers’ Boy |
| Brown, J. P. | Fireman |
| Brown, P. | Fireman |
| Brownsmith, A. | Barkeeper |
| Bulley, T. E. | Linenkeeper |
| Burns, J. | Fireman |
| Burrows, T. | Steward |
| Bush, H. | Fireman |
| Butler, W. D. | Waiter |
| Byrne, A. | Cook |
| Campbell, C. S. | Pants |
| Campbell, J. | Fireman |
| Cannell, J. H. | Printer |
| Caren, T. | Fireman |
| Carter, C. | Dispenser |
| Carter, J. W. | Sculleryman |
| Cashman, E. | Fireman |
| Cassidy, R. | Trimmer |
| Catterall, J. | Fireman |
| Chan, Kam | Joiner |
| Chan, Lam | Joiner |
| Chang, Tin Yau | Rustyman |
| Charles, T. | Butcher |
| Clark, G. | Trimmer |
| Clark, W. | Pants |
| Clarke, A. R. | Fireman |
| Collins, H. | Barkeeper |
| Colville, W. | Quarter Master |
| Connell, H.A. | Radio Operator |
| Conway, V. H. | Pantryman |
| Cooper, W. | Trimmer |
| Corrigan, W. | Fireman |
| Costello, M. W. | Ordinary Seaman |
| Coulson, H. | Fireman |
| Coulson, H. T. | Trimmer |
| Cowell, R. V. | Steward |
| Cox, H. | Waiter |
| Cranny, J. | Fireman |
| Craven, J. | Trimmer |
| Critchley, A. S. | Kitchen Porter |
| Crofts, C. W. | 2nd Officer |
| Cronin, R. | Waiter |
| Cropper, C. | Fireman |
| Crozier, T. | Fireman |
| Cruikshank, E. | Linenkeeper |
| Cuestra, C. | Able Seaman |
| Cundle, L. J. | Pantryman |
| Cunningham, P. | Fireman |
| Currin, F. H. | Trimmer |
| Davies, H. | Fireman |
| Day, R. | Laundryman |
| Dean, J. | Greaser |
| Deane, J. | Quarter Master |
| Dehert, L. | Butcher |
| Dias, H. | Fireman |
| Dignam, S. E. | Cook |
| Dixon, F. | Cook |
| Dolan, D. | Waiter |
| Dolan, J. | Trimmer |
| Donnelly, J. W. | 3rd Officer |
| Dow, J. | Trimmer |
| Drummond, J. | Sanitation Engineer |
| Duff, P. | Fireman |
| Duffy, C. | Trimmer |
| Dumphy, J. | Fireman |
| Dunn, W. | Fireman |
| Dutton, S. | Fireman |
| Dutton, S. | Steward |
| Edmonds, D. | Waiter |
| Edwards, E. A. | Steward |
| Edwards, L. | Quarter Master |
| Elliot, C. W. | Butcher |
| Elworthy, D. R. | Pantryman |
| Evans, E. W. | Sailor |
| Ewart, J. N. | Steward |
| Feeney, L. J. | Waiter |
| Feeney, W. J. | Trimmer |
| Felton, C. | Quarter Master |
| Fenlon, N. | Fireman |
| Ferguson, D. | Waiter |
| Ferguson, T. | Trimmer |
| Ferrie, J. | Waiter |
| Fitzpatrick, J. | Greaser |
| Flynn, F. | Cook |
| Forrest, E. | Fireman |
| Fowler, R. | Fireman |
| Fox, C. A. | Able Seaman |
| Fraser, G. W. | Storekeeper |
| Fulton, T. A. | Steward |
| Gardner, J. J. | Kitchen Porter |
| Garner, J. A. | Waiter |
| Gee, A. E. | Chef |
| Gibb, F. | Waiter |
| Gick, J. | Kitchen Sculleryman |
| Gillespie, F. T. | Chief Electrician |
| Gillett, C. J. O. | Boy Seaman |
| Ginley, M. | Greaser |
| Glover, W. F. | Fireman |
| Gonsky, J. | Pants |
| Gorman, M. | Trimmer |
| Grant, J. | Barkeeper |
| Grant, N. H. | Fireman |
| Green, T. | Fireman |
| Greggs, E. | Fireman |
| Griffen, H. G. | Steward |
| Grimes, J. | Sailor |
| Gubbings, F. C. | Waiter |
| Gwynne, H. | Able Seaman |
| Hall, T. T. | Waiter |
| Halliwell, A. | Joiner |
| Hatcher, H. | Able Seaman |
| Hazard, W. P. | Waiter |
| Healey, T. | Fireman |
| Hesp, H. | Fire Patrol |
| Hickey, J. | Officers’ Steward |
| Higgins, J. | Greaser |
| Higgins, W. | Steward |
| Higgs, E. E. | Ordinary Seaman |
| Hitchcock, T. W. | Plate Sculleryman |
| Hobdell, H. J. | Cook |
| Hockey, T. | Trimmer |
| Hodges, G. | Cook |
| Holling, G. | Boots |
| Holmes, A. W. | Engineer |
| Horan, E. T. | Waiter |
| Hornby, T. | Able Seaman |
| Hosken, G. | Able Seaman |
| Howard, A. | Engineers’ Boy |
| Howard, G. G. W. | Fireman |
| Howarth, J. | Trimmer |
| Howe, F. L. | Waiter |
| Hughes, R. | Cook |
| Hughs, E. | Cook |
| Humphrey, R. L. | Ordinary Seaman |
| Irving, W. | Chief Steward’s Writer |
| Jackson, J. | Trimmer |
| James, A. | Fire Patrol |
| Jennison, J. | Fireman |
| Jensen, A. | Able Seaman |
| Johnston, G. E. | Baker |
| Johnston, L. H. | 1st Officer |
| Jones E. | Able Seaman |
| Jones, E. A. | Steward |
| Jones, J. | Fireman |
| Jones, P. | Fireman |
| Jones, P. | Trimmer |
| Jones, V. C. | Boatswain |
| Joyce, E. R. | Engineer |
| Kearney, G. | Greaser |
| Kelly, J. | Waiter |
| Kelly, N. | Waiter |
| Kelly, W. | Fireman |
| Kenny, D. R. | Washhouseman |
| Kerr, T. J. | Trimmer |
| Kinsella, M. | Fireman |
| Kirby, A. H. | Able Seaman |
| Kirkham, W. | Fireman |
| Knott, J. | Engineer |
| Lafferty, C. | Trimmer |
| Lane, L.R. | Radio Operator |
| Lamb, | Trimmer |
| Lamb, P. J . | Trimmer |
| Lamont, R. | Engineer |
| Larkin, E. | Officers’ Steward |
| Larkin, F. | Baker |
| Lasky, M. | Cook |
| Lavelle, P. J. | Fireman |
| Law, L. C. | Steward |
| Lawson, W. | Fireman |
| Ledwidge, F. | Greaser |
| Lee, R. | Cook |
| LePatourel, P. A. | Bridge Cadet |
| Little, J. G. | Trimmer |
| Lloyd, D. | Storekeeper |
| Lloyd, J. | Greaser |
| Long, D. | Waiter |
| Longfield, A. G. | Able Seaman |
| Lorrain, A. | Cook |
| Madden, T. | Trimmer |
| Maguire, D. | Waiter |
| Maguire, W. | Baker |
| Mann, L. | Storekeeper |
| Manning, J. | Greaser |
| Marlow, F. | Fireman |
| Marlow, W. J. | Waiter |
| Marshall, R. | Able Seaman |
| Masson, J. | Engineer |
| McArthur, W. H. | Engineer |
| McBide, P. | Greaser |
| McCabe, S. | Waiter |
| McCoy, W. | Fireman |
| McFeely, D. | Trimmer |
| McGinley, J. F. | Cook |
| McGinley, W. K. | Surgeon |
| McGorian, H. T. | Trimmer |
| McGowan, W. | Trimmer |
| McGuire, T. | Trimmer |
| McHugh, J. | Fireman |
| McIntosh, A. J. | Waiter |
| McKean, R. A. | Refrigeration Engineer |
| McKenna, D. | Trimmer |
| McKeown, W. | Boatswain |
| McKillop, E. D. | Butcher |
| McKinnon, W. R. | Boy Seaman |
| McLean, H. | 5th Officer |
| McLeod, F. C. | Fireman |
| McLoughlin, A. | Fireman |
| McPherson, W. | Sailor |
| McVey, J. | Fireman |
| McVey, V. | Trimmer |
| Meikle, G. L. | Electrician |
| Merry, P. | Fireman |
| Milburn, J. W. | Engineer |
| Miller, W. | Trimmer |
| Milner, A. | Fireman |
| Minshull, W. R. | Waiter |
| Moran, B. | Purser |
| Morgan, A. | Steward |
| Morgan, E. | Donkeyman |
| Morgan, J. | Fireman |
| Morgan, P. | Trimmer |
| Morrey, F. | Cook |
| Morton, J. J. | Cook |
| Muldoon, F. | Steward |
| Mullen, J. | Trimmer |
| Murdoch, A. | Able Seaman |
| Murphy, J. D. | Waiter |
| Murphy, J. N. | Trimmer |
| Murphy, W. | Able Seaman |
| Newman, R. H. | Fireman |
| Nickels, K. A. | Barkeeper |
| Nimmo, W. R. | Trimmer |
| Noakes, H. | Fireman |
| Nolan, E. J. | Plate Sculleryman |
| Nyland, T. | Fireman |
| Oatham, R. | Steward |
| O’Hanlon, M. | Trimmer |
| O’Hara, H. | Fireman |
| Oliver, W. | 4th Officer |
| O’Neill, O. M. | Plate Sculleryman |
| O’Reilly, M. | Cook |
| O’Toole, L. | Trimmer |
| Owen, H. J. | Chief Engineer |
| Owens, G. | Steward |
| Partington, R. M. | Able Seaman |
| Pate, G. | Trimmer |
| Paterson, R. H. | Cook |
| Patten, T. | Trimmer |
| Penman, W. | Greaser |
| Piercy, D. B. | Steward |
| Pitt-Brooke, R. | Purser’s Cadet |
| Powell, D. | Storekeeper |
| Price, L. | Steward |
| Pritchard, T. | Engineer |
| Pritchard, W. | Steward |
| Proctor, A. | Kitchen Porter |
| Punter, E.R. | Quarter Master |
| Quillan, J. | Fireman |
| Ramsbottom, J. R. | Cook |
| Raw, W. P. | Waiter |
| Read, G. C. | Storekeeper |
| Reekie, G. | Purser’s Messenger |
| Reid, J. | Trimmer |
| Reynolds, H. | Able Seaman |
| Ridley, E. A. | Engineer |
| Rigby, N. | Chief Baker |
| Rigby, W. A. | Steward |
| Riley, A. J. | Waiter |
| Riley, J. | Fireman |
| Roberts, H. | Plateman |
| Roberts, H. W. | Baker |
| Roberts, W. J. | Pants |
| Robertson, H. | Engineer |
| Robertson, H. | Trimmer |
| Robinson, E. V. | Waiter |
| Robinson, M. | Fireman |
| Robinson, W. J. | Purser |
| Rose, A. | Trimmer |
| Russell, A. | Steward |
| Ruth, T. | Trimmer |
| Ryan, T. C. | Officers’ Boy |
| Ryder, T. E. | Butcher |
| Salinas, P. | Quarter Master |
| Savage, A. | Greaser |
| Savage, C. | Boatswain |
| Sayers, R. G. | Cadet |
| Scotland, G. | Trimmer |
| Seddon, J. | Fireman |
| Semple, W. | Engineer |
| Shea, J. | Trimmer |
| Singleton, B. G. | Trimmer |
| Singleton, J. | Fireman |
| Smallwood, H. | Butcher |
| Smith, D. | Carpenter |
| Smith, D. | Chief Officer |
| Smith, F. | Plate Sculleryman |
| Smith, J. B. | Commander |
| Smith, T. | Fireman |
| Soley, J. A. | Laundryboy |
| Stack, J. E. | Waiter |
| Stainton, H. | Engineer |
| Stanton, M. | Fireman |
| Stanway, G. W. | Boy Seaman |
| Starkey, P. | Fireman |
| Steadman, S. J. | Ordinary Seaman |
| Stephens, W. | Steward |
| Sunter, P. | Waiter |
| Sweeney, E. | Barkeeper |
| Swift, D. | Greaser |
| Tempest, K. S. | Engineers’ Steward |
| Terry, R. | Boots |
| Tetart, P. | Fireman |
| Third, J. W. | Baker |
| Thomas, R.D. | Radio Operator |
| Thompson, J. | Fireman |
| Thompson, L. D. | Waiter |
| Tillsley, W. | Confectioner |
| Tomlinson, J. A. | Steward |
| Tozer, G. | Boy Seaman |
| Traynor, J. | Greaser |
| Trust, T. | Officers’ Boy |
| Tufnail, O. C. | Barkeeper |
| Tully, A. | Trimmer |
| Turnbull, W. E. | Engineer |
| Turnock, B. H. | Steward |
| Wafer, J. | Fireman |
| Watton, G. F. | Waiter |
| Watts, H. G. | Fireman |
| Weaver, W. | Barkeeper |
| West, H. | Able Seaman |
| White, E. | Trimmer |
| Whittaker, H. T. | Engineer |
| Williams, D. B. | Electrician |
| Williams, H. | Able Seaman |
| Williams, J. | Greaser |
| Williams, J. E. | Trimmer |
| Wilson, F. H. | Waiter |
| Wilson, W. | Waiter |
| Windsor, J. | Steward |
| Winslow, C. | Trimmer |
| Woods, J. | Fireman |
| Woods, T. | Butcher |
| Woodworth, J. C. | Waiter |
| Woolerton, W. | Cook |
| Wright, F. S. | Chief Steward |
| Wright, J. | Fireman |
| Wright, J. D. | Trimmer |
| Wright, T. | Trimmer |
| Wright, W. T. | Barkeeper |
| Wu Chiu (Win Chin) | Storekeeper |
| Yegliss, P. | Pantryman |
| Young, P. | Fireman |
| Young, W. | Steward |