At 00.28 hours on May 12, 1942, SS Denpark (11), sailing from Takoradi to Workington with a cargo of 5,100 tons of manganese ore in convoy SL.109, was torpedoed and sunk by U-128. The position was 22.28N, 28.10W (300 miles NW of the Cape Verde Islands ). Twenty-two crew members and three gunners were picked up by SS Nordlys (13) and SS City of Windsor (23) and landed at Clyde. The master (John McCreadie), fifteen crew members and five gunners were lost and are commemorated on Tower Hill, Panel 35 (only one DEMS gunner is known).
ADOWA ALI, Fireman and Trimmer, S.S. Denpark (Greenock). Merchant Navy. 12th May 1942. Age 46.
ALI ABOUKIR , Greaser, S.S. Denpark (Greenock). Merchant Navy. 12th May 1942. Age 42.
BUK WARMAYA, Fireman and Trimmer, S.S. Denpark (Greenock). Merchant Navy. 12th May 1942. Age 50.
GABRIELSSON , Second Radio Officer, CLIFFORD ERIC, S.S. Denpark (Greenock). Merchant Navy. 12th May 1942. Age 24. Son of John Wilhelm and Jenny Elisabeth Gabrielsson, of Hull.
HUTHART , Able Seaman, GEORGE, S.S. Denpark (Greenock). Merchant Navy. 12th May 1942. Age 40. Son of George and Dora Huthart; husband of Margaret Mary Elizabeth Huthart, of Plymouth.
KHASSIM ABDUL , Greaser, S.S. Denpark (Greenock). Merchant Navy. 12th May 1942. Age 43.
KINNELL , Apprentice, GEORGE, S.S. Denpark (Greenock). Merchant Navy. 12th May 1942. Age 17. Son of T. and Catherine Kinnell, of Greenock, Renfrewshire.
MOHAMED ALI , Fireman and Trimmer, S.S. Denpark (Greenock). Merchant Navy. 12th May 1942. Age 57.
McALLISTER , Apprentice, JAMES, S.S. Denpark (Greenock). Merchant Navy. 12th May 1942. Age 17. Son of William M. and Agnes McAllister, of Bishopbriggs, Glasgow.
McCREADIE , Master, JOHN, S.S. Denpark (Greenock). Merchant Navy. 12th May 1942. Age 42. Son of John and Mary McCreadie; husband of Winifred McCreadie, of Southsea, Hampshire.
McCRIRRICK , Second Officer, THOMAS, S.S. Denpark (Greenock). Merchant Navy. 12th May 1942. Age 21. Son of Mr. and Mrs. T. McCrirrick; stepson of Eva McCrirrick, of Galashiels, Selkirkshire.
SALEH ELMI , Fireman and Trimmer, S.S. Denpark (Greenock). Merchant Navy. 12th May 1942. Age 48.
STEWART , Chief Engineer Officer, JOHN, S.S. Denpark (Greenock). Merchant Navy. 12th May 1942. Age 57.
STURDY , First Radio Officer, ERNEST, S.S. Denpark (Greenock). Merchant Navy. 12th May 1942. Age 27. King's Commendation for Brave Conduct. Son of Robert Ernest and Minnie Sturdy, of Cresswell, Northumberland. Awarded Lloyd's War Medal.
SWABY , Able Seaman, CHARLES, S.S. Denpark (Greenock). Merchant Navy. 12th May 1942. Age 23.
WILSON , Fourth Engineer Officer, HENRY, S.S. Denpark (Greenock). Merchant Navy. 12th May 1942. Age 34. King's Commendation for Brave Conduct.Son of Henry and Elizabeth Wilson, of Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire. Awarded Lloyd's War Medal.
DEMS Gunner (Only 1 of 5 known)
SPARK , Able Seaman, HARRY READMAN, D/JX 203047. H.M.S. President III. Royal Navy. lost in S.S. Denpark. 12th May 1942. Age 24. Son of Henry R. and Annie Spark, of Whitby, Yorkshire.
Commemorative data kindly provided by Billy McGee.