Cyril Hancock – Merchant Navy, M.V. San Emiliano

Assistant Steward Cyril Hancock – Merchant Navy, M.V. San Emiliano

Early Life

Cyril Hancock was born in 1922, though no surviving records identify his parents, and no census entries have been located for him.

Service in the Merchant Navy

Cyril served with the Merchant Navy as an Assistant Steward aboard the M.V. San Emiliano, a tanker operated by Eagle Oil and Shipping Co. Ltd., London. As a steward, he formed part of the essential civilian workforce that kept Britain’s wartime supply routes functioning—often under extreme danger from German U‑boats patrolling the Atlantic.

The Final Voyage of M.V. San Emiliano

M.V. San Emiliano

The San Emiliano began her final voyage from Swansea on 29^th April 1942, joining Convoy OS 27, which consisted of 48 ships and 11 escorts bound for Freetown. Before reaching West Africa, the tanker detached from the convoy and proceeded alone to the oil refinery at Curaçao, arriving on 27^th  May 1942.

After loading petrol, she sailed in convoy to Trinidad on 29^th May, then continued independently to Takoradi, arriving on 16^th June. Once unloaded, the vessel returned alone to Curaçao, arriving on 17^th July, where she loaded high‑octane fuel. She departed for Trinidad on 29^th July, arrived on 31^st July, and on 6^th August 1942 set sail independently for Cape Town.

The Attack and Sinking – 9^th August 1942

On 9^th August 1942, the San Emiliano was struck by two torpedoes fired by the German submarine U‑155. The explosions triggered a massive fireball that destroyed the ship almost instantly.

The attack is featured in the acclaimed documentary series The World at War (“Wolf Pack: U‑Boats in the Atlantic 1939–1944”), which includes footage of survivors being rescued.

Of the 48 crew members, only 8 survived the sinking.

Death and Commemoration

Merchant Seamen Deaths

According to the Merchant Seamen Deaths records, Cyril Hancock, of 52 Gerald Street, Swansea, was not among the survivors of the San Emiliano.

Cyril Hancock
Tower Hill Memorial, London
credit - findagrave

As he has no known grave, he is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, alongside his shipmates and the thousands of Merchant Navy personnel who lost their lives at sea during the Second World War.

King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct

Cyril Hancock was awarded the King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct, an honour created during the Second World War to recognise acts of notable courage by civilians and Merchant Navy personnel.

The commendation acknowledged bravery that did not fall within the criteria for higher gallantry medals but was nonetheless exceptional. Recipients were issued an official certificate and a silver laurel‑leaf emblem worn on the ribbon of the War Medal 1939–1945.

Merchant Navy seafarers were among the most frequent recipients, as they faced constant danger from U‑boats, mines, and air attack while transporting vital supplies across the world’s oceans. Cyril’s award places him among those whose courage was formally recognised, even though the precise circumstances of his commendation are not recorded. It stands as a testament to his bravery during the final moments of the San Emiliano.