WILLIAM THOWLESS

From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

Photographs and extra help courtesy of Jane

Born: 3rd June 1906, Antwerp, Belgium.

Died on or since: 13th August 1942; age 36; killed by enemy action.

William had worked his way up to Chief Officer for the Merchant Navy Cadet and was expecting to be promoted to Captain when he was killed.

Residence: 2, Market Road, Chelmsford, Essex.

Rank: Chief Officer.

Regiment: Merchant Navy, M.V. ‘Waimarama’

Memorial Reference:

Panel 116.

Tower Hill Memorial,

London.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Albert & Margaret Anna Thowless; husband of Margaret Mary Thowless, of West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire.

CENSUS

1911   1, Vienna Villa, Beach Road, Dovercourt, Essex.

William was 4 years old and living with his parents.

Albert Thowless, 33, a Pilot – Master Mariner, born at Sandhurst College, Berkshire.

Margaret Anna Thowless, 31, born St. Margaret’s, Liverpool, Lancashire.

1 female general domestic servant.

1921   Horsford Lees, The Lane, Dovercourt, Essex.

William was 15 years old. He attended School and lived with his parents and brother.

Albert Thowless, 43 years & 4 months old, a London Trinity House Pilot – own account.

Margaret Thowless, 41 years & 4 months old, Home Duties.

Albert Edwin Thowless, 16 years & 5 months old, at School, born Antwerp, Belgium.

1 female general domestic servant.

William was educated at Ipswich School – he left the school in 1922 and immediately went to sea as a Merchant Navy Cadet.

http://www.ipswichschoolmuseumandarchives.co.uk

On the 18th June 1941, Uppingham, Rutland, William married Margaret Mary Dolphin, born July 1913, Uppingham, Rutland, a Domestic Science Teacher – daughter of George Dolphin, an Architect, Surveyor and Sanitary Inspector, and Georgina Dolphin (nee Johnson), of Deans Terrace, North Street, Uppingham.

Margaret and William had one daughter.

Probate to Margaret Mary Thowless – widow and Albert Thowless – father, a Master Mariner.

William is also remembered on the Ipswich School Chapel war memorial.

A family note: The little bird hitched a lift on the ship, somehow I think the bird was attached to him, I think this was taken in his own cabin.

1st MAY 1940 – S.S. ‘MATAKANA’

 William was a crew member of the S.S. ‘ Matakana,’ a British refrigerated cargo ship bound from Australia to Britain with a cargo of frozen beef. He was 33 years old, 6ft in height, with a medium complexion, brown hair and brown eyes. William gave his address as Hereford Lees, The Lane, Dovercourt, Essex. On the 1st May 1940, Matakana ran aground in heavy seas on Mayaguana Island, Bahamas and was wrecked. Her crew of 78 were rescued by the American ship S.S. ‘Panama’ near Flat Clay Island. The rescued crew travelled on the S.S. ‘Panama’ for repatriation to England via New York.

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=CHP19400510.2.62

13th August 1942 – M.V. ‘WAIMARAMA’

 ‘OPERATION PEDESTAL’ was a British operation to get desperately needed supplies to the island of Malta in August 1942. Winston Churchill instructed that he be kept informed as to the progress of this convoy at every stage. If only one of the 14 Merchant ships reached Malta, the convoy would be considered a success. Convoy WS21S. was sent to reach and relieve Malta in August 1942, accompanied by the biggest Royal Navy escort assembled at any point in the Second World War. At 8.10hrs on the 13th August 1942, two Junkers 88 dive-bombers suddenly came screaming out of the sun, and a concentrated attack of bombs fell on and around the ‘Waimarama’, which was carrying high explosives. Four bombs exploded amid the spirit and ammunition. ‘Waimarama’ blew up and caught fire with a spectacular roar, with clouds of billowing smoke, to disappear in a few seconds. A loss of 93 of the 95 people on board. The two survivors were picked up by H.M.S. ‘Ledbury’.