Joseph Harry Caplin – Mercantile Marine, S.S. Heatherside

Mess Room Steward Joseph Harry Caplin – Mercantile Marine, S.S. Heatherside

Birth and Family Background

Joseph Harry Caplin was born in 1900 at Devonport, the son of Joseph Caplin and Rose Ellen Annis, who were married in 1898 at Stoke Damerel, Devon.

1901 Census

At the time of the 1901 Census, the Caplin family were residing in Devonport. Joseph Caplin does not appear in the household on census night; however, Ellen R., aged 23, was present with her two young children, Frank E., aged 2, and Joseph H., aged 1.

1911 Census

By the 1911 Census, the family had settled in Swansea and were living at 80 Stepney Street, Cwmbwrla. Joseph Caplin, aged 41, was employed as a watchman and naval pensioner, while his wife Ellen Rose, aged 31, managed the household. Their children were Frank Edward (13), Joseph Harry (11), Elsie Rose (9), George Thomas (8), Ellen Florence (4), all attending school, and Henry John (2).

Mercantile Marine Service and Death

During the First World War, Joseph served with the Mercantile Marine, holding the rank of Mess Room Steward aboard the S.S. Heatherside.

The S.S. Heatherside was built by Short Brothers Ltd., Sunderland, in 1909, and at the time of her loss was owned by Charlton Steam Shipping Company Ltd. (Charlton, McAllum & Co.), Newcastle. She was a British steamship of 2,767 tons.

On 25^th August 1917, Heatherside was on a voyage from Newport, via Milford Haven, to Malta, carrying a cargo of coal, when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-93. The sinking occurred north-west of Cape Ortegal. Twenty-seven members of the crew were lost.

Joseph Harry Caplin
Tower Hill Memorial
credit - Benjidog Historical
Research Resources:
The Merchant Navy Memorial

Joseph Harry Caplin
Tower Hill Memorial
credit - Benjidog Historical
Research Resources:
The Merchant Navy Memorial

Joseph Harry Caplin 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.