SS (HMT) Lancastria Sinking 1940

**Adrian Roberts** · 03-23-2008, 08:23 PM

If 2477 survived, then even the lowest estimates of the number of dead bring the total on board to well over 3000. So, if the British government is worried about compensation, then already it is too late and there would be a case for such claims - if anyone really wanted to pursue them.

But, as Roxy says, Captain Sharpe was attempting to save as many as possible. Surely both he and the British Government would have come into even more criticism if he was found to have turned people away, for any reason other than the seaworthiness of the ship with that number aboard.

Would a compensation claim really succeed at this date? I can't help thinking that there is something else going on here; either that or no-one in the MoD has the imagination and initiative to take a decision (I guess the latter is more likely than some conspiracy theory)

Could the German government be sued for allowing over 8000 people onto the Wilhelm Gustlaff? Or the Russians for sinking her? Somehow I doubt it. The idea of compensation wouldn't even have occurred to people at the time.

**spidge** · 03-23-2008, 08:57 PM

I agree Adrian. I will stick to being a cynic!

**Kyt** · 06-17-2008, 01:21 PM

RIP

and

Medal honours victims and survivors of 1940 Lancastria tragedy - Times Online

**spidge** · 06-17-2008, 01:55 PM

Hi Kyt,

Link does not open.

**Kyt** · 06-17-2008, 02:01 PM

ooops, no idea why I posted the wrong link. Should be OK now

Brian S · 06-17-2008, 03:26 PM

October last year a File was opened at T.N.A. that contains all the official enquiries into those lost on the Lancastria.

WO361/5 is the Reference

Pathfinder · 06-17-2008, 06:28 PM

It's good to know that they have a medal to commemorate the lives lost on the ship. And as before, if it'd gotten back to England, Sharp would have been a hero, but I say he was already one; taking on so many soldiers and trying to reach the safety of England.

**Hugh** · 05-13-2010, 04:31 PM

London Gazette 8 October 1940 - For services when the ship was bombed and sunk.

Dunbar, James - Chief Engineer - OBE(Civ)
Grattidge, Harry - Chief Officer - OBE(Civ)
Sharp, Rudolph - Captain - OBE(Civ)

Beattie, Frederick Entwistle - Chief Steward - BEM(Civ)
Stone, William Herbert - Gunner - BEM(Civ)
Thomson, David Irvine Jardine - Boatswain's Mate - BEM(Civ)

Dover, Arthur - Extra Second Steward - Commendation
Hyde, Wilfred John - Senior Assistant Purser - Commendation
Murphy, Michael - Quartermaster - Commendation

Duncan, James - Second Engineer - Posthumous Commendation
Hill, John - Surgeon - Posthumous Commendation
Roberts, Richard Goronwy - Senior First Officer - Posthumous Commendation

Regards
Hugh