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I am looking for info on a Robert Strasenburgh Pearce born 1888 Southampton, England. He was the Captain of the SS Waimarama which was a merchant ship and he was killed when it was sunk Aug 13 1942.
I have been told he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in WW1.
Where can I research his naval records
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Hello Alan,
I have just finished searching this site myself and you might find it equally fascinating: www.blacksheepindex.co.uk
If you click onto the Great War link, you can search for newspaper reports of individuals in alphabetical order and you might find something there - although you will have to order the report from the site owners.
Another possibility is via the National Archives Navy List 1782-1984. (National Archives website).
However, www.veteransagency.mod.uk/service_recs/service_recs.htm will lead you directly to the Ministry of Defence website where you can search all service records. If the man you are looking for was a captain, you shouldn't have too much trouble finding him. If his service records pre-date those held by the MOD, then they would have been transferred to the National Archives.
You may have to provide a proof of consent letter in order to obtain copies of certain records but have a look at the MOD/National Archive site for full instructions.
Good luck.
Pam
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Hello Alan,
I have just finished searching this site myself and you might find it equally fascinating: www.blacksheepindex.co.uk
If you click onto the Great War link, you can search for newspaper reports of individuals in alphabetical order and you might find something there - although you will have to order the report from the site owners.
Another possibility is via the National Archives Navy List 1782-1984. (National Archives website).
However, www.veteransagency.mod.uk/service_recs/service_recs.htm will lead you directly to the Ministry of Defence website where you can search all service records. If the man you are looking for was a captain, you shouldn't have too much trouble finding him. If his service records pre-date those held by the MOD, then they would have been transferred to the National Archives.
You may have to provide a proof of consent letter in order to obtain copies of certain records but have a look at the MOD/National Archive site for full instructions.
Good luck.
Pam
P.S. Have you tried the Imperial War Museum? If you search google under SS Waimarama, there are lots of references you could try, one of which is the museum.
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SS WAIMARAMA (August 11-13, 1942)
British merchant ship of 11,100 tons, loaned from the Shaw Savile Line and now part of the fourteen ship convoy Operation Pedestal to the relief of the besieged island of Malta. The 'Operation Pedestal' convoy was the most bombarded convoy in the entire war. The Waimarama was sunk by German Junkers 88 dive bombers off Cape Bon. Direct hits by four bombs ignited aviation fuel stored in cans on her deck. The ship exploded in a sheet of flame and smoke. In less than five minutes the ship was gone. Of her crew of 107, only 27 men survived.
A total of 209 ships in 61 convoys, made the journey to and from Malta from July 9, 1940, to December 31, 1942. Thirty of these ships were lost, resulting in the deaths of 264 seamen. (Britain lost 22 ships, USA 4 ships, Holland 2 and Norway 2).
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International Veterans Rendezvous
OTHER INFORMATION: I am an ancestor of Captain Strasenburg Pearce who was the Captain of the SS Waimarama when it was sunk off Malta in 1942, he was killed ...
www.fortressweymouth.co.uk/navy1.htm - 477k - Similar pages
http://www.fortressweymouth.co.uk/navy1.htm
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Lloyds dictionary gives some detail. Capt R.S.Pearce . 87 crew lost including all officers , 12 of the crew, 2 gunners and 4 naval ratings were saved. I reall the Operation Pedestal documentary and the very moving account of the loss of one cadet by a surviving cadet, who I assume is Mr Treves
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Frederick Treves referred to in this account is an actor - have seen him in several TV productions
When several bombs struck the ship, the deck cargo of aviation spirit caught fire and within seconds the 11,100 ton ship blew up with a roar and disappeared in an inferno of fire and smoke. The few surviving members of her crew were left clinging to wreckage and surrounded by flames. Ordering hoses to be played on the upperworks, Hill slowly edged his ship into the flames. Volunteers went over the side with ropes and recovered several of the WAIMARAMA's men, among them cadet Frederick Treves who had had a miraculous escape. Along with radio officer John Jackson who was a non-swimmer, he was blown clear of the ship but having helped Jackson to some floating wreckage, he became separated from him. From LEDBURY's bridge, Jackson was spotted in a clearing in the flames but due to the intense heat and extreme danger it proved impossible to approach him any closer. Petty Officer Charles Walker who was a strong swimmer and captain of the ship's water polo team, immediately went over the side with a rope's end and struck out with it towards Jackson; he reached him, tied the rope round him, and together they were hauled to safety.
But not quite! Jackson was pulled on deck but at that moment Hill, fearing his ship would be engulfed in the flames, had already ordered "Full Astern" when Yeoman of Signals Landown shouted "Sir! Petty Officer Walker is still in the water". The engines were stopped, put Full Ahead to take the way off the ship while Walker was hauled on board, then Full Astern until LEDBURY was clear of the flames. For this act of selfless bravery, in saving another's life, Charles Walker was awarded the George Cross. The Official Citation records that he did so in the knowledge that, due to the intense heat and danger to his ship, she might be obliged to turn away at any moment and abandon him.
For his part in OPERATION PEDESTAL Roger Hill was awarded the DSO.
In retirement Roger Hill settled in New Zealand, where he died aged 91, on 5th May 2001. On 27th September 2002, at a ceremony attended by members of his family and former shipmates, his ashes were scattered off Grand Harbour, Valetta.
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