David Stephen Lewis – Merchant Navy, S.S. Kolchis

Fireman David Stephen Lewis – Merchant Navy, S.S. Kolchis

Early Life

David Stephen Lewis was born in 1900 in Swansea. Very few records survive concerning his early life or family circumstances, and much of his personal history remains obscured by time. What is known comes primarily from wartime documentation relating to his service at sea.

Merchant Navy Service

Merchant Seamen Deaths

David served with the Merchant Navy, holding the rank of Fireman, one of the demanding engine‑room roles responsible for maintaining the ship’s boilers and ensuring the continuous operation of the vessel’s machinery. According to the Merchant Seamen Deaths register, David served under the alias “Peter McDonald”, a practice not uncommon among seafarers for reasons now lost to history. His recorded address was 7 Pier Street, Swansea, placing him firmly within the maritime community of the town.

The S.S. Kolchis

S.S. Kolchis
credit - wrecksite

The S.S. Kolchis was a Greek cargo steamer of 2,219 tons, built in 1909. She had previously sailed under the name Waldinge until being renamed in 1938. Like many neutral and Allied merchant ships of the early war years, she continued to operate on long trans‑Atlantic routes despite the growing dangers posed by U‑boats and severe weather conditions.

Final Voyage and Loss of the Ship

On 23 November 1940, the Kolchis was on passage from Sorel to Sydney (Nova Scotia), and onward to Belfast and Cardiff, carrying a cargo of grain. During this voyage she went missing, disappearing without sending a distress signal and leaving no survivors or wreckage to confirm her fate. Importantly, she was not torpedoed by German submarine U‑123, which was initially suspected; later assessments confirmed that U‑123 had no involvement in her loss.

David Stephen Lewis
Tower Hill Memorial
credit - Benjidog Histroical Research Resources.
The Merchant Navy Memorial

The disappearance of the Kolchis remains unexplained, though the heavy seas, winter storms, and the inherent vulnerability of older cargo steamers may have contributed to her sudden loss. Among those who perished was Fireman David Stephen Lewis, serving under the alias Peter McDonald.

Commemoration

With no known grave but the sea, Fireman David Stephen Lewis is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. His name stands among those of thousands of Merchant Navy personnel who gave their lives during the Second World War, ensuring that his service and sacrifice are not forgotten.