Edward Fogh Gerner – Merchant Navy, MV Corabella

Chief Engineer Officer Edward Fogh Gerner – Merchant Navy, MV Corabella

Early Life

Edward Fogh Gerner was born in 1883 in Blyth, Northumberland, the son of Christian Edward Gerner and Mary Hope, who had married in 1876 in Tynemouth.

1901 Census

By the 1901 Census, the family were living at 51 Waterloo Road, Blyth St Mary. Mary, then 44, was recorded as the head of the household, with her husband Christian absent. Living with her were her children: Emily Winsbery (23); George Hope (20), a Tailor; Edward Fogh (18), working as an Apprentice Fitter; Ann Richardson (15); Christian Hay (4); and Robert Hope (7). Also present was Ann Hope (77), visiting the family. It was a large and multigenerational household typical of industrial Blyth at the turn of the century.

1911 Census

By the 1911 Census, the family had moved to 19 Victoria Parade, Blyth. Mary, now 53, was again listed as the head of the household, with Christian still absent. Her children at home were Emilie Winship (33); Edward Fogh (28), now a Marine Engineer; Ann Richardson (25); Christian Henry (14), an Apprentice Marine Engineer; and Robert Hope (11), still in school. Also living with them was Mary Hope (5), Mary’s granddaughter. These records show Edward progressing steadily from engineering apprentice to a skilled maritime professional.

Marriage and Later Life

In 1936, Edward married Sarah A. Fuller at Pontypridd, marking his connection to South Wales. By this time, he had established himself as a senior and experienced marine engineer.

Service in the Merchant Navy

MV Corabella
credit - wreckstie 

Edward served with the Merchant Navy, rising to the rank of Chief Engineer Officer—the senior engineering authority aboard ship, responsible for all mechanical operations, maintenance, and the safe running of the vessel’s engines. His expertise placed him aboard the MV Corabella, a Canadian cargo motor vessel operating during the Second World War.

Loss of the MV Corabella – 30^th April 1943

The MV Corabella was a Canadian cargo motor vessel of 5,682 tons, built in 1937. On 30^th April 1943, she was sailing from Takoradi to Freetown and onward to the United Kingdom, carrying wartime cargo.

While on this voyage, the Corabella was torpedoed by the German submarine U‑515. The attack caused catastrophic damage, and the vessel sank. Of the 48 people on board, 9 were lost, including Chief Engineer Officer Edward Fogh Gerner.

As Chief Engineer, Edward would have been deep within the ship’s machinery spaces at the time of the attack, performing some of the most dangerous duties aboard any wartime vessel. His death reflects the immense risks faced by Merchant Navy personnel, whose work was vital to sustaining Britain’s war effort.

Edward Fogh Gerner
Tower Hill Memoria
credit - findagrave

Death and Commemoration

As Edward has no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, which honours the thousands of Merchant Navy men and women who died at sea during both world wars.