John Charles Caplin – Merchant Navy, M.V. San Emiliano

Steward John Charles Caplin – Merchant Navy, M.V. San Emiliano

Early Life

1939 Register

John Charles Caplin was born in 1919 in Hull, though no records survive identifying his parents, and no census entries have been located for him. By 1939, he was living in Swansea and appears on the 1939 Register at 7 Lamberts Cottage, the home of the Gilbert family.

The household was headed by Richard M. Gilbert, a Railway Goods Guard, and his wife Margaret M., who undertook household duties. Their children—Lily M., Iris, Gladys, and Cyril M.—were also present, each recorded with their respective occupations: household duties, assistant cook, café waitress, and student. Also residing in the home was John C. Caplin, suggesting a close connection with the family. Later that same year, John married Lily May Gilbert, further cementing his ties to the household.

Service in the Merchant Navy

John served with the Merchant Navy, working as a Steward aboard the M.V. San Emiliano, a tanker owned 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 M.V. 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 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 impact triggered a massive explosion 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

John Charles Caplin
Tower Hill Memorial, London
credit - findagrave

According to the Merchant Seamen Deaths records, John Charles Caplin was not among the survivors. His recorded home address was The Bungalow, Prince of Wales Docks, Swansea. As he has no known grave, he is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, alongside his shipmates and thousands of other Merchant Navy personnel who lost their lives at sea during the Second World War