1947 Mumbles Lifeboat Disaster - Crew
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| Edward, Prince of Wales and SS Samtampa credit - Jeffrey Phillips |
The crew struggled to stand upright in the strong winds and
rain gusting across the pier gangway.
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| The Mumbles Lifeboat Crew William Ronald Thomas, Ernest Griffin, Richard Smith, William R.S. Thomas, William Gilbert Davies, William Noel and William Howell |
The crew was Coxswain William John Gammon, holder of the RNLI’s highest award – a Gold Medal for leading the rescue of 42 officers and crew from a torpedo-damaged Canadian frigate caught in a storm off Port Talbot in October 1944 – chose his crew carefully. When the lifeboat, Edward, Prince of Wales, launched at 12 minutes past 6 into the gale force wind, driving rain and rough seas her eight-man crew consisted of Coxswain Gammon, Mechanic Davies (RNLI Bronze Medal holder), Second Coxswain William Noel, Assistant Mechanic Ernest Griffin, Bowman William R.S. Thomas, William Ronald Thomas (William Noel’s brother-in-law), Richard Henry Smith (due to be married in three days) and William Howell.
This blog will look at the official records.
William John Gammon
William John Gammon
William was born in 1900, was the son of Richard Gammon and
Susan Croacker, who were married in 1897.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the Gammon family was living
at Dickslade, Mumbles.
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| 1901 Census |
Richard, 25, was a Fisherman, and Susan was 24 years old. Their two children were
Elizabeth E., 3, and 3-month-old William J.
By the time of the 1911 Census, there had been a further
three children born. The Gammon
family was living at 2 Gloucester Place.
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| 1911 Census |
35-year-old Richard was now employed as a Dock Labourer, and
Susan, who is recorded as Susie, is 34 years old. Their children are
Elizabeth Ellen, 13; William John, 10; Olive, 7; Ronald
James, 5; and 6-month-old Sidney Richard Thomas.
A decade later, at the time of the 1921 Census, the family
had moved to 51 Gloucester Place.
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| 1921 Census |
Richard, 45, who was employed at Swansea Harbour Trust, Tin
& Sheds, was unemployed, and Susie, who is also 45 years old. The children who are present at the property
at the time of the census are
William, 20, whose occupation is recorded as W. H.
Whittenham Esq. Tin Sample, like his father, is unemployed. Olive, 17, Shorthand
Typist; Ronald, 15, an Office Boy; Sidney Richard, 10; and 8-year-old Kathleen
S.
William married in 1925, Ella M. Kift.
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| 1939 Register |
William and Ella are recorded on the 1939 Register as living
at 31 Thistleboon Road. William’s occupation is recorded as a Dock Labourer.
William Noel
William was born in Cardiff in 1905. Son of John and Catherine Noel.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the Noel family was living
at 62 Taff Embankment, Cardiff.
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| 1911 Census |
John was absent; however, Kate was 34 years old. Her children, who were present, were
John, 15; Florence, 13; George, 8; William, 6, who all
attended school; and 4-year-old Harold.
Also present was 18-year-old servant Lina Simpson.
The Noel family had moved to Oystermouth by the time of the
1921 Census, and they were running the George Hotel.
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| 1921 Census |
John, 25, who is a Motor Mechanic, but is out of work;
Violet G.,8; William, 16, who is an Apprentice to Sea Services; and Margaret,
who is 1 year old.
Employed by John are two servants who are sisters, Catherine,
23, and Winifred Lewis, 16.
At the time of the census, six visitors were staying at the
hotel
Winifred E. Rees, 26, Housekeeper; Lulu G. Rees, 27; Sarah
Elizabeth Morgan, 27; Dorothy M. Gilbert, 27, who were all Shorthand Typists;
George L. Lewis, 26, who is a Colliery Clerk; and 25-year-old John Ivor Bevan,
who is a Steel Works Chemist.
Ernest Griffin
The only official record for Ernest is the 1939 Register.
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| 1939 Register |
Ernest and his wife, May, are living at 101 Mumbles Road. Ernest's occupation is recorded as Engine Fitter I.C.
William Ronald Thomas
William was born in 1913 and was the son of Alfred Thomas
and Ellen Bancroff, who were married in 1902 at St. Gabriel's church.
The Thomas family at the time of the 1921 Census was living
at 10 Clifton Terrace.
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| 1921 Census |
Alfred, 43, was currently unemployed Dock Labourer; Ellen
was 42 years old. Their children were
Sidney, 13; Elsie, 11; William Ronald, 8; Edwin Caleb, 6,
who all attended school. The youngest
child was Arthur Leslie, 3.
William married Jane Blodwen Jones in 1936.
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| 1939 Register |
At the time of the 1939 Register, they were living at 8 Clifton
Terrace. His occupation was recorded Coal
Haulier.
William R.S. Thomas
The only official record for William is the 1939 Register.
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| 1939 Register |
William, who at the time is living at Bungalow Café,
Bracelet Bay. His occupation is recorded
as Munitions Work. Also present is his
wife, Eileen, whose occupation is Housekeeper (Paid)
Richard Henry Smith
Richard was born in 1911, was the eldest child of William R.
and Margaret Smith.
At the time of the 1921 Census, the Smith family was living
at 2 Hill Side Terrace.
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| 1921 Census |
William R., 41, was a Builder's Mason. Margaret was 37 years old. Their children present at the time of the
census were
Richard, 9; Leslie, 8; Dorothy, 6; Kathleen, 4, who all
attended school. The youngest children
were Sidney, 1, and 3-month-old Wilfred.
At the time of the 1939 Register, Richard was still living
with his parents at 2 Hall Bank.
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| 1939 Register |
William is a Mason; Margaret undertakes the household
duties. Their children are
Richard and Leslie, who are builders’ labourers. Wilfred and William, who are Errand Boys.
William Lewis Howell
William was born in 1914; he was the youngest son of Edward
Howell and Drusilla Lewis. They were
married in 1907.
At the time of the 1921 Census, the Howell family was living
at 6 George Bank.
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| 1921 Census |
38-year-old William, who was an unemployed Transport
Worker. Drusilla is 32 years old. Their children are
Frances, 13; Mary, 12; George, 11; Violet, 8; and William
Lewis, 6, who all attended school. The youngest
child is 3-year-old Hilda.
William married in 1938 Dinah M. Trotman
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| 1939 Register |
The 1939 Register records that William and Dinah are living
at 25 Thistleboon Road. A few doors away
from William Gammon. William’s occupation
is recorded as Quarry Labourer.
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