Thomas Henry Goss – Merchant Navy, S.S. Fort Mumford
Fireman & Trimmer Thomas Henry Goss – Merchant Navy, S.S. Fort Mumford
Early Life
Thomas Henry Goss was born in 1905 in Swansea,
the son of George Goss and Edith Mary Goss.
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| 1911 Census |
By the 1911 Census, the family were living at 1 Lewis Street, St. Thomas, Swansea. Edith, then 33, was recorded as a widow, raising her three young children alone: Thomas Henry (6), Edith May (5), and Harry (2½). Life would have been challenging for the family, with Edith supporting three children in a working‑class district of Swansea.
In 1918, Edith remarried, becoming the wife of William
Oliver Goss.
Family Life
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| 1921 Census |
By the 1921 Census, the family were living at 5 Brynsifi Terrace, Swansea. William Oliver, aged 50, was employed as an Electrician, while Edith, now 41, managed the home.
The household included William’s older children—William
Oliver (23), serving in the Temporary Army; Daniel James (21),
out of work; and Ivor Lindley (19), a Horse Driver.
Edith’s children from her first marriage were also present: Thomas
(16), out of work; Edith May (15); and Harry (12), attending Terrace
Road School.
William and Edith also had children together: Albert (11)
and Rose (9), both attending Terrace Road School, and Trevor (3).
It was a large blended family, typical of the era, with several working-age
children contributing to the household.
Marriage and Adult Life
In 1930, Thomas Henry married Gladys Mercia Ewrall
Foreman, beginning his own family life. He later lived at 14 Little
Pennington Street, Rugby, which became his recorded address during the war.
Service in the Merchant Navy
Thomas served with the Merchant Navy, working as a Fireman
and Trimmer—one of the most physically demanding and hazardous roles aboard
ship. Firemen worked in the stokehold, feeding the boilers, while Trimmers
managed the coal bunkers and ensured the vessel remained properly balanced.
These roles were essential to the safe running of steam‑powered merchant ships.
He served aboard the S.S. Fort Mumford, a
British armed merchant vessel operating during the Second World War.
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| Merchant Seamen Deaths |
According to the Merchant Seamen Deaths register, Fireman & Trimmer Thomas Henry Goss, of 14 Little Pennington Street, Rugby, lost his life in the sinking of the Fort Mumford.
Loss of the S.S. Fort Mumford – 20th March 1943, Indian Ocean
The S.S. Fort Mumford was a 7,132‑ton
British armed merchant ship, carrying 6,649 tons of war supplies
destined for the Mediterranean. She had departed Vancouver on her maiden
voyage, travelling via Lyttleton (New Zealand) and Colombo (Ceylon).
On 20th March 1943, while sailing in the Indian
Ocean, approximately 500 miles northwest of Ceylon, and en route
from Colombo to Aden, the Fort Mumford was torpedoed by the
Japanese submarine I‑27. The attack caused severe damage, and the crew were
forced to abandon ship.
Historical accounts describe that after the sinking, the
submarine’s crew acted in accordance with a wartime “disposal” policy regarding
survivors, resulting in the deaths of nearly all those who had escaped the
vessel. Only one man, Horace Bailey, a defensive gunnery rating,
survived and was later rescued by an Arab dhow.
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| Thomas Henry Goss Tower Hill Memorial, London credit - Benjidog Historical Research Resources The Merchant Navy Memorial |
Death and Commemoration
As Thomas 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.
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