The SS ARAKAKA(2) was sunk on the 23rd June 1941 with the loss of all hands
and 12 personnel from the Admiralty. The crew of the ARAKAKA, including the
3 Roberts Brothers are commemorated on panel 9 at the
Tower Hill Memorial site.

 

They shall not grow  old, as we that are left grow old, age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn, at the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we shall remember them.

by

Laurence Binyon

Name Rank Age "Last place of abode" as ships articles
George Bell Assistant steward 26 Unknown
Walter Briley 4th Engineer 21 Barrow In Furness
Thomas Robert Chambers 2nd Radio Officer 20 Menai Bridge Anglesey
James Clarke Fireman & Trimmer 24 Unknown
James Thomas Coole Chief Engineer 61 Liverpool
James Creer Fireman & Trimmer 20 Liverpool
John Diamond Assistant Steward 35 Unknown
Robert Fenelon Fireman & Trimmer 28 Unknown
John Halsall 2nd Engineer 50 Liverpool
Robert Hargreaves Fireman & Trimmer 48 Liverpool
Horace Buckley Heys Boatswain 36 Blackpool
Edward Hollingsworth Sailor 23 Unknown
William Edward Hughson cook 28 Liverpool
Alexander Charles Jack 3rd Officer 21 Irish Republic
Charles Johnson 1st Radio Officer 45 London
Martin Kearney Donkeyman 45 Liverpool
Patrick Kelly Fireman & Trimmer 32 Liverpool
William Guilliland McKenzie Chief Officer 46 Liverpool
Henry McLoughlin Fireman & Trimmer 50 Unknown
Francis William Nice Chief Cook 29 Liverpool
William Elgar Owens 2nd Officer 30 Cheshire
Cadwaladr Emrys Roberts 3rd Engineer 36 Liverpool
James Roberts Fireman & Trimmer 44 Liverpool
John Roberts Able Seaman 24 Liverpool Brother of Stanley & Leslie       
Leslie Roberts Sailor 21 Liverpool Brother of Stanley & John
Stanley Roberts Able Seaman 26 Liverpool Brother of John & Leslie
William Silvester Steward 34 Unknown
Harold Arthur Smith Steward 33 Liverpool
Walter Thomas Talent Able Seaman 20 Liverpool
Harold James Turnbull Able Seaman 24 Liverpool
William Walker Master 60 Unknown
Albert Cyril Wetherill Able Seaman 22 Unknown
Ronald Gordon Whale 3rd Radio Officer 21 Colwyn Bay
Francis Williams Fireman & Trimmer 29 Liverpool
Not listed on the monument are the names of the 12 admiralty personnel who also perished. I  only have the names of the 3 members of the RAF who were:
Squadron Leader SL Portass RAFVR, Flight Lieutenant S Proud RAFVR, Corporal RHR Wrighton RAF.

 Acknowledgement: Sound files courtesy of the Australian Army Band, Brisbane.