大象传媒

The Story of the Gloucester Castle

Sailed from LiverpooI on the 21 st June bound for Cape Town On board was a young neighbour of mine, 17 year
old Joe Farnworth. Gioucester Castle was last seen on July I0 1942, when the convoy dispersed in position 02'
00~N, 12' 02'W A course for Cape Town was set and she sailed independently. On the 5th July 1942, at 1900
hours
in an aproximate postion 8 degrees north and near to Ascension Island the German merchant raider. "Michel"
with Captain von Rucksell in command atacked her. Shelled and machine gunned she sank in 15 minutes killing
85 crew and 8 women and children passengers, including Captain H Rose, 5 deck Officers including 3rd officer
Shannon. All 3 radio officers including K Vaughan, 3 engineers the Stewardess Edith Thomas. Fireman Frank
Griffiths and family friend, Ordinary Seaman Joseph Farnworth who was lying in the ships hospital having been
injured by a fall from the ships mast a few days earlier. The 8 passengers lost included Mrs Radford, Mrs
Sieve and her 2 year old son and Mrs White. The only surving was a Mr Partiger who after the war became a
Master in the Union Castle Line. The survivors were taken to Singapore and Japan wre used as slave lahour.
Three more crewmen died in Japanese hands The sinking was a mystery until the srvivors were released
after August 1945.

The submarine USS Tarpon" later torpedoed the "Michel".

Captain von Ruckstell was convicted of war crimes and sentenced to life imprisonment. He died in prison in
1948. In October 2001. I told the family of Joseph Farnworth I was sailing to Cape Town on Queen Elizabeth
2 and would be passing the estimated position of the sinking of the Gloucester Castle. I purchased a MN
poppy wreath on behalf of the Farnworth family from the British Legion and took it with me.

On the 'QE2' I discussed the situation with Captain Ron Warwick and he very kindly said that he would make
the necessary arrangements when we would be in the area or the sinking.

On Wednesday, 31st October 2001 at 0800 in a position of 08' 50's 011 l0'W we assembled on the Upper Deck
where a table had been covered with a Red Ensign with the poppy wreath laid on top.

$everal passengers with Union Castle connections joined us, also Mrs. Kim Warwick. Chief Petty Officer Peter
Russell, Chief Security Officer Andy Holloway, ex Royal Marines. and Natasha the Captain's Secretary who
passed out the Service sheets. Captain Warwick read the appropriate service of rememberance for the dead of
the 'Gloucester Castle' including the name of Joseph Farnworthth.

At the Part of the service which say's "cast the wreath" the Chief Security Officer walked aft, on One Deck
and cast the wreath into the ocean. followed by a salute. Captain Warwick completed the service followed by
a few moments of silence which was quite moving. Some of the assembled ladies were weeping and I must it
brought a little moisture to the eyes. It was a lovely service conducted very professionally and with
dignity by Captain Warwick and his Staff. The family of young Joseph Farnworth were very thankful that
last they have had a service over the "grave" and the dead of the 'Gloucester Castle' can now rest in peace.

Sunk 1900 hours July 15 1942. 93 dead

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