Engineer at Vickers Armstrong, Scotswood Works, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland.
How Died:
Lost at sea.
Date of Death:
Saturday 31st January 1942
Place of Death:
Atlantic Ocean
Battle/Campaign:
Battle of the Atlantic.
Locally Commemorated:
Ryton War Memorial, Station Bank, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
UK Commemorated:
Tower Hill Memorial, London.
Overseas Commemorated:
-
Buried:
No known grave
Decoration and Medals:
1939-45 Star. Atlantic Star. War Medal.
Photographs:
1
Service Records:
No
Death Notice/Obituary:
Newcastle Evening Chronicle, In Memoriam; 31st January 1944.
Family Details:
Son of James and Sarah Jane Taylor, of 2 Whitewell Terrace, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
Husband of Lilian Jean Taylor, of 2 Whitewell Terrace, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
Brother: Albert. Sisters: Florence, Bessie, Polly, Nan.
Nephew: Alan. Niece: Gwyneth.
Notes :
James was an Old Blaydonian, Secondary schoolboy. He was well known in local junior football circles and was a member of Ryton Choir Boys Club.
The MV San Arcadio was a crude oil carrying tanker sailing 150 miles East of New York when she was attacked by U 107. The U Boat fired one torpedo then surfaced and fired another; it then finished off the tanker with gun fire.
James had managed to board a life raft but sadly was never seen again.
Eleven days after the sinking of the tanker nine survivors were rescued by (VP74) when they were found adrift in a life raft.
Sources Used:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Debt of Honour Register.
Newcastle Journal, 22nd July 1942.
