Alfred Hedley Phillips – Merchant Navy, S.S. British Emperor

Second Engineer Officer Alfred Hedley Phillips – Merchant Navy, S.S. British Emperor

Birth and Family Background

Alfred Hedley Phillips was born in 1905 at Swansea. He was the son of William Phillips and Melita Rose Jones. Melita had previously married Ernest Isaac Llewelyn in 1902; following Ernest’s death in 1903, she married William Phillips in 1904 at Swansea.

1911 Census

At the time of the 1911 Census, the Phillips family were residing at 8 Castleton Place, Mumbles. William Phillips (30) was employed as a general labourer, and his wife Melita (30) undertook household duties. Their children were Alfred, recorded as Hedley (6), and Ivy (4). Also present was Maggie Phillips (20), William’s sister.

1921 Census

By the 1921 Census, the family were still living at 8 Castleton Place, Mumbles. William Phillips (40) was employed as a fitter’s mate with the Mumbles Railway and Pier Company, based at 12 Rutland Street, Swansea, while Melita (40) continued with household duties. Their children were Alfred, again recorded as Hedley (16), a fitter’s apprentice with the Eastern Engineering Company, Swansea; Ivy (14) and Betty (8), both attending school; and William (3 months).

Merchant Navy Service

S.S. British Emperor

Alfred later went to sea and served with the Merchant Navy, attaining the rank of Second Engineer Officer. During the Second World War he was serving aboard the British tanker British Emperor.

Loss of S.S. British Emperor and Death

German auxiliary cruiser Pinguin

On 7^th May 1941, British Emperor was captured and sunk by the German auxiliary cruiser Pinguin during operations in the Indian Ocean. The ship’s crew of 44, including Second Engineer Officer Alfred Hedley Phillips, were taken on board Pinguin as prisoners of war.

Merchant Seamen Deaths

On the following day, Pinguin was engaged by the British heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall and was shelled and sunk. The destruction of Pinguin resulted in catastrophic loss of life, with 341 members of her crew and approximately 200 prisoners of war killed. Alfred Hedley Phillips was among those who lost their lives during this action, making his death part of one of the most tragic single incidents involving captured Allied merchant seamen during the war.

Commemoration

Alfred Hedley Phillips
Tower Hill Memorial, London
credit - Benjidog Historical Research Resources:
The Merchant Navy Memorial

Alfred has no known grave, and his name is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, which honours merchant seamen who lost their lives during the Second World War and whose place of burial is unknown.