James Cecil Cole – Merchant Navy, Fishing Vessel Caerphilly Castle

Deck Hand James Cecil Cole – Merchant Navy, Fishing Vessel Caerphilly Castle

Early Life

James Cecil Cole was born in 1910 in Llanstadwell, Pembrokeshire, the son of James Thomas Cole and Elizabeth Thomas, who had married in 1904 in Freystrop, Pembrokeshire.

1911 Census

By the 1911 Census, the family was living at 113 High Street, Neyland. James’s father, James Thomas, aged 35, was employed as a shipwright, while his mother Elizabeth, aged 37, cared for their two young sons: William George, aged 4, and James Cecil, aged 1.

Growing Up

1921 Census

By the 1921 Census, the family had moved to 13 Kentington Road, Neyland. James’s father, now 45, was working as a wheelwright at Pembroke Dockyard. His first wife had died, and he had remarried; his new wife, also named Elizabeth, aged 31, was listed as his spouse.

The children at home were William G., aged 14, and James Cecil, aged 11, both attending school. Also present was Daniel Evans, aged 67, the father‑in‑law of James Thomas.

Marriage and Adult Life

1939 Register

In 1937, James married Florence A. Owen in Swansea. The couple appears on the 1939 Register living at 17 Gerald Street, Swansea. James was employed as a Trawler Man, while Florence undertook household duties.

Service in the Merchant Navy

James later served with the Merchant Navy as a Deck Hand, a role requiring strength, seamanship, and resilience. He served aboard the Fishing Vessel Caerphilly Castle, a small British fishing vessel that continued to operate during the Second World War despite the increasing threat from enemy aircraft.

Loss of the F.V. Caerphilly Castle – 27^th January 1941

The F.V. Caerphilly Castle was among the many small vessels lost during the war. Although built for commercial fishing, trawlers like her were essential to Britain’s food supply and coastal operations, placing them directly in harm’s way.

On 27^th  January 1941, the Caerphilly Castle was sunk during an air raid. Lightly built and carrying no defensive armament, the vessel had little chance once spotted from the air. The attack resulted in the loss of several crew members, including Deck Hand James Cecil Cole.

Death and Commemoration

Merchant Seamen Deaths

James Cecil Cole
Tower Hill Memorial
credit - Benjidog Histroical Research Resources.
The Merchant Navy Memorial

According to the Merchant Seamen Deaths register, James Cecil Cole lost his life on 27^th January 1941 when the F.V. Caerphilly Castle was destroyed in an air raid. As he has no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, which honours the thousands of Merchant Navy personnel who died at sea during both world wars