Alfred Davies – Mercantile Marine, Steam Trawler Taurus

Second Engineer Alfred Davies – Mercantile Marine, Steam Trawler Taurus

Birth and Background

Alfred Davies was born in 1867 in Swansea. Despite searches of available records, no official civil or census documentation relating to his life has been identified.

Mercantile Marine Service and Death

During the First World War, Alfred served with the Mercantile Marine, holding the rank of Second Engineer aboard the steam trawler Taurus.

Taurus (A-655) was built by Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Company Ltd., Hull, in 1883, and at the time of her loss was owned by G. Craig, Aberdeen. She was a British iron steam trawler of 128 tons.

On 14^th July 1917, Taurus was presumed sunk by a mine laid by the German submarine U-71, commanded by Walter Gude, while operating east of the Shetland Islands. Nine members of the crew were lost.

Alfred Davies
Tower Hill Memorial
credit - Benjidog Historical Research Resources:
The Merchant Navy Memorial

Alfred Davies was among those who lost their lives. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, which honours members of the Merchant Navy who died during the First World War and have no known place of burial