Thomas Warren Peters

Second Engineer Officer Thomas Warren Peters – Merchant Navy S.S. Stanburn

Early Life

Thomas Warren Peters was born in Pembroke in 1883, the son of David and Mary Ann Peters.

1891 Census

By the time of the 1891 Census, the Peters family was living at 2 George Street, Llanelly. David, then 40 years old, was employed as a railway engine driver, while his wife Mary Ann, aged 39, managed the household. Their children at home were Walter (11), Mary (10), Thomas (8), and Robert (4).

1901 Census

Ten years later, the 1901 Census recorded the family at a new address, 9 Herbert Road, Neath. David, now 50, had advanced to work as a locomotive foreman, while Mary Ann was 49. Their daughter Mary, aged 19, was still at home, as was Thomas, aged 18, who was employed as an apprentice engine fitter, and Robert, aged 14.

First World War Service

Thomas Warren Peters
Medal Card
credit - National Archives

During the First World War, Thomas served with the Mercantile Marine, earning recognition for his wartime service. His medal entitlement is preserved on a medal card held by the National Archives.

Marriage

Thomas Warren Peters and Mary Letitia Harris
marriage certificate
St. James church

In May 1919, Thomas married Mary Letitia Harris at St. James Church, beginning his married life in Swansea.

Death and Burial

Merchant Seamen Death

Thomas Warren Peters 
Danygraig Cemetery
credit - findagrave

During the Second World War, Thomas was serving as Second Engineer Officer aboard the S.S. Stanburn. On 29^th January 1940, the vessel was attacked by German aircraft and sunk. Thomas was among the 22 men killed in the incident.

His body was recovered and returned to Swansea, where he was buried at Danygraig Cemetery. His grave remains a lasting tribute to his life and service.

S.S. Stanburn – Merchant Navy Tragedy, 29^th January 1940

The Ship

S.S. Stanburn

The S.S. Stanburn was a British cargo ship built in 1924 under the name Hebburn. The vessel measured 2,881 gross tons and was later acquired by the Stanhope Steamship Company, which renamed her Stanburn in 1938.

Loss of the Stanburn

On 29th January 1940, the Stanburn was travelling in ballast, most likely heading to pick up cargo, when she came under attack from German aircraft. The ship was bombed and sunk off Flamborough Head in the North Sea. Survivors later reported that their lifeboats were also targeted with machine-gun fire, adding to the horror of the incident.

Of the 25 crew members on board, 22 were killed, including the captain. Only three men survived, rescued by the steamer Gripfast, which itself had recently survived an air attack.

The Wreck

The wreck of the Stanburn lies approximately 10 miles southeast by east of Flamborough Head. Surveys show the structure is relatively intact, with sections of the hull rising several metres above the seabed at a depth of around 30 to 40 metres. Despite marine growth and evidence of war damage, the wreck continues to mark the site of one of the Merchant Navy’s early wartime tragedies.

Casualties

The following men lost their lives in the sinking of the S.S. Stanburn:

Surname	Forename	Age	Rank	Cemetery / Memorial
Aldred	Leslie	18	Cabin Boy	Gateshead East Cemetery
Brown	Robert C.	17	Ordinary Seaman	Tynemouth (Preston) Cemetery
Connor	John	29	Fireman & Trimmer	Gateshead East Cemetery
Donkin	Dennis John	25	Able Seaman	Hull Crematorium
Fenwick	David	23	Second Officer	Cadoxton-Juxta-Neath (Ss. Cattwg and Illtyd) Churchyard
Fowler	John	44	Fireman & Trimmer	Newcastle-Upon-Tyne (Byker & Heaton) Cemetery
Gibson	Frank	38	Third Engineer Officer	Hull Western Cemetery
Goddard	James Pirnie	48	Cook	Middlesbrough (Linthorpe) Cemetery
Hartley	Thomas	30	Radio Officer	Redcar Cemetery
Johnson	Henry Davis	27	Ship’s Cook	Tynemouth (Preston) Cemetery
Johnson	Ronald	22	Sailor	Tower Hill Memorial
Jones	Matthew James	39	Third Officer	Llanddewi-Aberarth (St. David) Churchyard
Lewis	Christopher David	40	Master	Llansantffread (St. Bridget) Churchyard
Lewis	David Merville	20	Ordinary Sailor	Tower Hill Memorial
Main	George Walker	43	Chief Engineer Officer	Tower Hill Memorial
Mowbrey	Thomas Henry	18	Mess Room Boy	Middlesbrough (Linthorpe) Cemetery
McHugh	James	39	Donkeyman	Tower Hill Memorial
Nelson	William Donald	26	Able Seaman	Tower Hill Memorial
Newmarch	Edward	59	Chief Officer	Tower Hill Memorial
Peters	Thomas Warren	57	Second Engineer Officer	Swansea (Danygraig) Cemetery
Potts	John	33	Boatswain	Blyth Cemetery
Powell	Norman	26	Fireman & Trimmer	Tower Hill Memorial
Proctor	Norman	21	Sailor	Newcastle-Upon-Tyne (All Saints) Cemetery
Ridley	George	34	Fireman & Trimmer	Tower Hill Memorial
Routledge	George Elliott	–	Fireman & Trimmer	Bridlington Cemetery

Legacy

For Swansea, the death of Second Engineer Officer Thomas Warren Peters gave the tragedy of the Stanburn a deeply personal connection. Unlike many of his shipmates, his body was recovered and brought home, allowing his family and community the dignity of a funeral at Danygraig Cemetery.

Peters had lived through one world war and served again in the next, bringing his years of engineering experience to the Merchant Navy. At 57 years old, he was one of the older men aboard the Stanburn, showing that service and sacrifice spanned generations.

His grave at Danygraig is not only a personal memorial but also a reminder of the dedication of Merchant Navy seafarers, whose work was vital to Britain’s survival. Through his story, the tragedy of the Stanburn on 29^th January 1940 continues to be remembered within Swansea’s wartime history.