David Maurice Glyn Lewis

S.S. Amakura
credit - photo courtesy of the Allen Collection

The S.S. Amakura the 1,987-ton steam merchant ship, had a cargo of 2,260 tons of general tons which included acids and mail.

credit - uboat.net

On the 25^th of August 1942 at 10.34, the Amakua was a straggler from convoy WAT-15.  The route of 37 ships which undertook convoy WAT-15 was Liverpool – Hampton Roads, United States of America – Key West, United States of America – Trinidad – Demerara.  Amakua torpedoed and sunk by U-558, 90 mile southeast of Port Morant, Jamaica.  Of the 44 crew, 13 were lost in the sinking.  The remaining crew including the captain landed at Point Morant Lighthouse, Jamaica.

Tower Hill Memorial, London
credit - Benjidog Historical Research Resource:
The Merchant Navy Memorial

The 13 crew are commemorated at Tower Hill Memorial.

David Maurice Glyn Lewis, the Second Radio Officer was one the crew that lost his life.  He was 21 years old and was the son of John Emlyn and Ethel May Lewis.

Born 1921, David was the youngest child of John and Ethel.

John Evelyn Lewis and Ethel Mary Webb were married during 1913 at Pembroke, Pembrokeshire.

At the time of the 1921 census, the couple were resident at 9 Eden Road, Swansea.

1921 Census

John, 38, who was born at Pontardawe was employed as a Wholesale Draper, whilst Ethel, 40 was born at Pembroke Dock.  Their three children were John Cecil, 6; Eira Marguerite, 2 and 3 month old David.  Also present at the property were two servants, Gwen James, and Nellie Kathleen Moss both 20 years old.

By the time of the 1939 Register, John and Ethel had moved to Windy Ridge, Southgate.

1939 Register

John’s occupation was recorded as Wholesale Draper, whilst Ethel was a “Married Woman”.  Also present was David, whose occupation was recorded as Drapers Apprentice. Margery Jones, a servant was also present at the property.

May 1941 David arrived at Oregon, USA after embarking from Lochmonar

Oregon US, Arriving Passengers and Crew List 1888 - 1963

Following his death, the Merchant Navy produced a Record of Death of Merchant Seaman during January 1943.  

UK Merchant Seamen Deaths, 1939 - 1953

Pennard Cemetery

David is also commemorated on his parents grave at Pennard Cemetery.