John James Hancock

 

M.V. British Liberty

The turn of the new year, 1940, the M.V. British Liberty (London) was sunk.

M.V. British Liberty was a British registered motor tanker of 8,485 grt. On the 6th of January, the French by Tug Commander Thomas Salomont of the brave but unfortunately unsuccessful attempt by the tugs Dogue and Trapu to rescue the MV British Liberty and its crew. M.V. British Liberty hit a mine at 16:20 in fog, however, the ship did not immediately sink. That evening, the tugs attempted to tow the M.V. British Liberty out of the minefield, but unfortunately, the MV British Liberty hit another mine while being towed. The following series of explosions sank the M.V. British Liberty, killing all those aboard.

South Wales Evening Post

The South Wales Evening Post reports the sinking of the M.V. British Liberty.  The article reports the names of those from Swansea who were lost in the sinking, J. J. Hancock.  Those who were missing, W. Wiley and G. Griffiths, and survivors from Swansea, who were S. G. Leonard

John James Hancock was 16 at the time of the sinking, so there are no official records of John.  He was the son of Thomas John Hancock and Catherine Healey.

Merchant Seaman Deaths, 1939-1953

The Merchant Seaman Deaths, 1939-1953, records that John's home address was 27 Danygraig Road. 

John James Hancock
M.V. British Liberty 
Tower Hill Memorial
credit - Benjidog Histroical Research Resources.
The Merchant Navy Memorial

John is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London