Sidney Baker – Merchant Navy, S.S. Holystone

 Fireman and Trimmer Sidney Baker – Merchant Navy, S.S. Holystone

S.S. Holystone

Sidney Baker was the Swansea victim of the sinking of the S.S. Holystone on 15 February 1941, during the Second World War. Commonwealth War Graves Commission records describe him as the son of Albert and Margaret Baker, and record his rank as Fireman and Trimmer in the Merchant Navy.

Early Life and Family

Sidney was born in 1900 at Bonymaen, Swansea, the son of Albert Baker and Margaret Jane Jones.

1901 Census

At the time of the 1901 Census, the Baker family were residing at Pentregraig, near Bonymaen, Swansea. Wiltshire-born Albert (28) was employed as a mason, and his wife Margaret (31) managed the household. Their children were George (3) and Sidney (1).

1911 Census

By the 1911 Census, the family were still living at Pentregraig. Albert (38) was working as a stone mason, and Margaret (41) remained at home. Their children were Sidney (11), Winifred (9), Irene (7), who attended school, along with Mary Ann (4) and Rhoda (2). Their eldest son George (14) was recorded as a collier’s boy and was boarding at the home of William Western in Aberaman, Aberdare.

1921 Census

At the time of the 1921 Census, the family were residing at Tycoch-y-Cwm, Bonymaen. Albert (50) was employed by the Middle Bank Colliery Company as a bricklayer, and Margaret J. (51) remained at home. Their children included George (24), employed at Graigola Fuel Works, King’s Dock, Swansea, as a fuel worker; Sidney (21), working for the Wagon Repairs Company as a machinist; Irene (17), undertaking household duties; Mary Ann (14); Rhoda (12); and Granet (9), the younger children attending school.

Merchant Navy Service and the Sinking of S.S. Holystone

Merchant Seamen Deaths

By the Second World War, Sidney had entered service in the Merchant Navy. At the time of his death, his recorded home address was Croft Cottage, Mansel Street, Bonymaen, as noted in the Merchant Seamen Deaths Register.

At 00.38 hours on 15^th February 1941, the unescorted Holystone (Master John Stewart Bain), which had dispersed from Convoy OB-284 on 13 February, was struck on the port side aft by a torpedo from the German submarine U-123, approximately 500 miles south-southwest of Iceland. The U-boat had unsuccessfully attacked another vessel from the same dispersed convoy, the Penolver, on 14 February and was pursuing that ship when it sighted the larger Holystone. The submarine commander decided to attack the freighter instead, firing five single torpedoes between 22.15 hours on 14^th February and 00.12 hours on 15^th February, all of which missed. The sixth torpedo struck its target.

The explosion was catastrophic. The ship disappeared in a very heavy detonation, likely caused by the explosion of the magazine for the stern gun. The master, 35 crew members, and four gunners were lost.

Sidney, serving as a Fireman and Trimmer, was among those who perished. His duties would have placed him deep within the engine and boiler rooms, maintaining steam pressure and the operation of the ship’s engines—essential and dangerous work, particularly during long Atlantic convoy voyages under threat of submarine attack.

Commemoration

Sidney Baker
Tower Hill Memorial, London
credit - Benjidog Historical Research Resources:
The Merchant Navy Memorial

Sidney Baker has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, which honours Merchant Navy personnel who lost their lives at sea and have no known resting place.

His death stands as part of the heavy sacrifice made by the Merchant Navy during the Battle of the Atlantic