Thomas Edwin Cottle – Merchant Navy

Able Seaman Thomas Edwin Cottle – Merchant Navy

Birth and Family Background

Thomas Edwin Cottle was born in 1902 at Mumbles. He was the son of Thomas Cottle and Sarah Henry, who were married in 1897 at Swansea.

1911 Census

At the time of the 1911 Census, the Cottle family were living at 11 Village Lane, Mumbles. Thomas Cottle (43) was employed as a bricklayer, and his wife Sarah (42), born in Lancashire, managed the household. Their children were Thomas (9) and Lillian Mary (8), both attending school, and Dorothy, aged 10 months. Thomas Cottle senior died in December 1911, later that same year.

First World War Naval Service

Royal Navy Registers of Seamen’s Services

Royal Navy Registers of Seamen’s Services confirm that Thomas Edwin Cottle served during the First World War. He entered service as a Boy, Class II, and was later promoted to Ordinary Seaman, reflecting early maritime training and experience.

1921 Census

By the time of the 1921 Census, the family had moved to 6 Village Lane, Mumbles. Sarah Cottle (50), now widowed, was the head of the household. Her children were James Henry (21), a labourer employed at the Crown Spelter Works, Swansea; Thomas Edwin (20), a brickworks labourer formerly employed by Mrs Mapeis & Sons, but then out of work; Lillian Mary (18), a domestic servant employed by Mr Smale, dairy proprietor of Newton Road; and Dorothy (11) and Charlie (9), both attending school.

Later Maritime Employment

Incoming Passenger Lists

In 1938, Thomas Edwin Cottle was again working at sea. He appears on Incoming Passenger Lists aboard the Royal Netherlands Steamship Company Ltd vessel Colombia, which sailed from Kingston, Puerto Colombia, Curaçao, Trinidad, and Barbados, arriving at Plymouth in February 1938. 

1939 Register

The 1939 Register records the Cottle family residing at 49 Overland Road. Sarah Cottle was recorded as undertaking unpaid domestic duties. Her children were listed as James, employed as a mason’s labourer (heavy worker); Thomas E., employed as an Able Seaman; Dorothy, working as a housemaid (daily); and Charles, employed as a general labourer (heavy worker).

Second World War Service and Death

During the Second World War, Thomas Edwin Cottle served with the Merchant Navy, holding the rank of Able Seaman.

S.S. Mill Hill

The S.S. Mill Hill was a British cargo steamer of 4,318 tons, built in 1930, and owned by the Mill Hill Steamship Company Ltd, managed by Counties Ship Management Co Ltd.

On 30^th August 1940, while sailing from Boston to the River Tees, Mill Hill was carrying a cargo of 3,755 tons of pig iron and 3,000 tons of steel when she was torpedoed without warning and sunk by the German submarine U-32. The attack was sudden and catastrophic, and all 34 members of the crew were lost, including Able Seaman Thomas Edwin Cottle.

Commemoration

Thomas Edwin Cottle 
Tower Hill Memorial, London
credit - Benjidog Historical Research Resources
The Merchant Navy Memorial

Thomas Edwin Cottle has no known grave, and his name is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

South Wales Daily Post

His death was later reported in April 1941 by the South Wales Daily Post, reflecting the delays that often occurred before losses at sea could be officially confirmed and communicated to families during the war.