Merchant Marine Masters and others taken prisoner.

[larneman]

While researching the Tower Hill Monument in particular and the Mercantile Marine in WW1 in general, I have come across the fact that prisoners were taken.

Somes the whole crew, somes the master and somes the master with one or 2 others. Even mention of a Master being exicuted when he arrived on land.

What was their status. I am not talking about RNR or RN men but just MM sailors.

Where did they go in the war, what did they have to do.

Are there any published works on this subject.

Liam

[Tony Lund]

I do believe that the Captain of one British merchant ship was executed for piracy after he attempted to ram the U-Boat that was stopping his ship. I cannot remember where I saw the details but no doubt someone else will know. I know that British civilians in Germany when the war broke out were interned, presumably merchant seamen were also held as prisoners of war.

Tony.

[chrisharley9]

I do believe that the Captain of one British merchant ship was executed for piracy after he attempted to ram the U-Boat that was stopping his ship. I cannot remember where I saw the details but no doubt someone else will know. I know that British civilians in Germany when the war broke out were interned, presumably merchant seamen were also held as prisoners of war.

Tony.

this is the Merchant Navy Officer executed by the Germans

Name: FRYATT, CHARLES ALGERNON

Initials: C A

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Master

Regiment: Mercantile Marine

Unit Text: S.S. "Brussels"

Age: 43

Date of Death: 27/07/1916

Additional information: Son of Charles and Mary Fryatt; husband of Ethel Fryatt, of 42, Oakland Rd., Dovercourt. Born at Southampton.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Cemetery: DOVERCOURT (ALL SAINTS) CHURCHYARD

More details at this link

http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/irs/irshome/fea...gs/readings.htm

All The Best

chris

[Terry_Reeves]

Captain Fryatt's story can be found here.

http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/fryatt_germangovt2.htm

Terry Reeves

[larneman]

Thank you all for the great links and information.

Liam

[chrisharley9]

The Captain Fryatt Memorial at London Liverpool Street Station

All The Best

Chris