John Joseph Garton – Merchant Navy, S.S. Brittany

Able Seaman John Joseph Garton – Merchant Navy, S.S. Brittany

Early Life

John Joseph Garton was born in 1902 in South Shields, Durham, the son of David Garton and Annie Elizabeth C. Gill, who had married in 1888 in South Shields. John’s father died while he was still a young child, and in 1906 his mother remarried, becoming the wife of John Coaster.

1911 Census

By the time of the 1911 Census, the family were living at 42 Green Street, Durham. John Coaster, aged 36 and born in Germany, was employed as a Ship’s Carpenter, while Annie, aged 39, managed the household. The home was a busy one, with Annie’s children from her first marriage—Davie (22), a Barber; Frank (18), a Messroom Steward; Annie (15); Tom (12); Mary May (10); and John (9)—all present, with the younger children attending school. John and Annie also had a son together, Robert Coaster (5). The household additionally included a niece, Mary Petters (32), and several boarders, many of them Scandinavian seamen, reflecting the maritime character of the neighbourhood.

Early Adulthood

1921 Census

By the 1921 Census, John was living at 67 Bowman Street, South Shields, in the household of Charles Hanman, a Danish-born seaman who was out of work at the time. Hanman lived with his wife Annie (25) and their children Nancy (7), Charles (5), and John (2). Also present were Annie’s siblings: John Garton (19), recorded as a Seaman but currently unemployed, and Mary Garton (20), working as a Shop Assistant. An elderly uncle, Thomas Gill (83), was also part of the household.

In 1935, John married Doris M. Morrish of Swansea, the wedding taking place in Bristol. The couple later settled at 18 Tower Street, Cirencester, which became John’s recorded address during the war.

Service in the Merchant Navy

John served with the Merchant Navy, working as an Able Seaman, a skilled deck rating responsible for navigation duties, lookout work, and the general operation and safety of the ship. His service placed him aboard the S.S. Brittany, a British merchant vessel operating during the height of the Second World War.

Merchant Seamen Deaths

According to the Merchant Seamen Deaths register, Able Seaman John Joseph Garton, of 18 Tower Street, Cirencester, lost his life when the Brittany was sunk in 1942.

Loss of the S.S. Brittany – 29^th–30^th October 1942

S.S. Brittany 
credit - wreckstie

On 30^th October 1942, the S.S. Brittany was sailing as part of Convoy SL‑125, travelling from Buenos Aires and Freetown to The Mersey with a cargo of 7,132 tons of hides, rice, and cotton. As the convoy passed near Madeira, it came under attack during one of the most intense U‑boat operations of the war.

The Brittany was torpedoed by the German submarine U‑509, which had been shadowing the convoy. The torpedo struck with devastating force, causing severe structural damage and rapid flooding. The ship sank, resulting in the loss of 14 of the 59 people on board.

The survivors—the Master, 32 crew members, seven gunners, and three passengers—were rescued by the British auxiliary patrol vessel HMS Kelantan (F 166), commanded by Lt. A. E. Jones. They were later landed safely at Gourock on 8^th November 1942.

Convoy SL‑125 suffered multiple attacks over several days, making it one of the most fiercely contested convoy battles of the Atlantic campaign. Among those who perished was Able Seaman John Joseph Garton, serving far from home in one of the most dangerous roles of the war.

Death and Commemoration

John Joseph Garton
Tower Hill Memorial, London
credit - Benjidog Historical Research Resources
The Merchant Navy Memorial 

As John 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.