MV ATHELKNIGHT

At 0319 hours on May 27 ,1942, MV Athelknight (Master: Hugh Roberts) was dispersed from the convoy in position: 27.50N, 46.00W (southeast of Bermuda) when she was torpedoed by U-172. The crew abandoned ship under gunfire from the U-boat which eventually sank the vessel with a further torpedo.The crew, in two lifeboats eventually reached safety; the Master's boat after 28 days (resued by SS Empire Austin) and the 2nd Officer's boat after 27 days when it reached the Leeward Islands.
For details, see: http://www.gordonmumford.com/survive2.htm.

Four crew members and five gunners were lost. The Merchant Seamen are commemorated on Tower Hill Panel 11 but there is no information on the gunners..

GAISFORD, Able Seaman, SYDNEY RICHARD, M.V. Athelknight (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 26th May 1942. Age 34. Son of Richard Hall Gaisford and Mary Ann Gaisford.

MOORE, Ordinary Seaman, CLARENCE PATRICK MICHAEL, S.S. Athelknight (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 27th May 1942. Age 18. Son of Clarence and Agnes Moore, of Cadogan, Glamorgan.

McGRATH, Able Seaman, MARTIN, M.V. Athelknight (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 26th May 1942. Age 37. Son of Martin and Elizabeth McGrath, of Barry, Glamorgan.

POULSEN, Fireman, CHRISTIAN, M.V. Athelknight (Liverpool). Merchant Navy. 27th May 1942. Age 24. Son of Christian Constantin Poulsen, and of Ellen Poulsen, of Cadoxton, Barry, Glamorgan. His brother William George also fell.