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Post Info TOPIC: SS Thordis - Captain Bell
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SS Thordis - Captain Bell
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9, Masterton Drive

Hartburn

Stockton-on-Tees

TS18 5JG

Tel: 01642 656085

Email: Billy1963@ntlworld.com

Dear PWSTS,

While engaged in some local research I discovered the grave of a Redcar Captain whose unarmed Merchant ship SS Thordis was the first to engage a German U-boat in 1915 during WWI. For his actions he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and rank of Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve. The Germans did not take kindly to the ramming of their U-boats and in 1916 executed by firing squad a captured British Merchant Navy Captain by the name of Charles A. Fryatt from the SS Brussels for attempting to ram a U-boat one month after the Thordis incident.


Captain Bell died in 1932 and was buried in a family grave in Redcar Cemetery. I recently visited his grave and laid a MN wreath in his memory, which happened to be 93 years to the day his gallant action took place. Unfortunately as you can see by the attached document which appeared in Stocktons Remember When  & Evening Gazette, Capt. Bells head stone is in a poor state and is in much need of repair.


I am in contact with a local group called "Friends of Redcar Cemetery" who I am working alongside with to raise the necessary funds to cover the cost of repair and cleaning of his headstone. The amount needed to cover the cost of removing the headstone, repair cleaning and remounting quoted from Lords Memorials comes to £1.200 inclusive of VAT.

I am also contacting a number of local businesses, associations and groups, such as the RBL, RNA  etc. to see if anyone could please possibly help to achieve this goal by my asking for a donation towards these costs . As 2008 is the 90th Anniversary of the cessation of WWI, I think it would be a fitting tribute to the memory of Captain Bell. Any donations would be most appreciated and should be made out by cheque to the group "Friends of Redcar Cemetery", and forwarded to the above address, which will then in turn be passed on to their treasurer Mrs. Dorothy Ahmed.

Thanks for your time.

Rgds Billy McGee

redcar.jpg



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British Merchant Navy at War


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Donations up to the 29th November 2008 stand at £540.00. Struggling at the moment to find how to raise the rest, but never the less pleased with what has been raised.

Thanks

Billy

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The restoration of Captain Bell's headstone is due to take place within the next week or so. Thanks to all those who donated to the cause.

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Captain Bell's headstone is now fully restored. The base slab was removed and cemented back in position. The memorial cross was cleaned and because this was marble came up like new.This was then refitted to the base was also cleaned. As the lettering came up like new there was no need to reletter.The whole memorial looks brand new the whole memorial is fitted to the base with stainless steel rods to the exact standard of any new memorial stone.

 



-- Edited by British Merchant Navy at War on Sunday 6th of July 2014 01:16:04 PM

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Andy


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Great effort Billy you cant beat marble (you get what you pay for). The photograph isnt loading any chance of adding it again please mate?



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The remaining funds have been used to purchase a headstone for the grave of Joseph Croft buried locally in Stockton-on-Tees who perished in the Samptampa tragedy in 1947. His grave which, I found some years ago remained unmarked and a recent appeal in the local paper to find any family to ask for permission, found his surviving twin brother who only lived two minutes from my home. This headstone will be fitted early 2010.

-- Edited by British Merchant Nay at War on Friday 18th of December 2009 07:52:54 PM

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For 63 years he lay in an unmarked grave. Joseph Croft now has a permanent headstone erected in Durham Road cemetery.

Billy

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glancon


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Brilliant, yet another great effort by you, a pretty remarkable man yourself. Thankyou.

Thank you Joseph Croft also.

Best Wishes,

Glancon

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