Empire Gilbert torpedoed off Iceland on route to Archangel

lpearce · Post by **lpearce** » Fri May 09, 2008 6:57 pm

My Uncle was lost on the Empire Gilbert when it was sunk off Iceland, below is what I have found.
I would be interested in any more information.

Alfred a merchant sailor on the ‘Empire Gilbert’ was lost when the ship was torpedoed by a U-Boat.
The Empire Gilbert had been on route from the Tyne via Loch Ewe on the North West of Scotland and Reykjavik to Archangel with War Materials for the Russians.
At 01.18 hours on 2 Nov, 1942 , the unescorted Empire Gilbert (Master William Williams) was torpedoed and sunk by U-586 north of Iceland, position 70.15N, 13.50W - Grid AA 9468
The master, 46 crew members, including Alfred Purdy, and 17 gunners were lost. One crew member and two gunners were taken prisoner by the U-boat and landed at Skjomenfjord, Norway on 5 November.
Alfred is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial in London.

The U-586 continued patrols until it was sunk at 1230hrs on 5 July, 1944 near Toulon, in position 43.07N, 05.55E, by the attack of USAF Sq 233 B-24 aircraft. In U-586’s patrols it sunk two ships, including the ‘Empire Gilbert’, and damaged another.

Les

Post by **paddyscar** » Fri May 09, 2008 10:20 pm

Hi Les:

Perhaps you could let everyone know where this piece is from - military records, local newspaper? Also, it might help to know where you have already looked, so others don't go over ground you've already covered.

Frances

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Sat May 10, 2008 12:30 pm

Hello Les,

If you Google "Empire Gilbert""loch ewe" you’ll get about 10 sites referring to this incident. The very interesting story of one of the survivors, Reginald Urwin, is here
http://www.murrayarmstrong.com/tm/rurwin.htm

On this thread there’s a lengthy discussion on the ‘Empire Gilbert’ etc. including a list of those lost and possibly useful links. http://www.mercantilemarine.org/showthread.php?t=699

Hope there is something new there,
Alan

lpearce · Post by **lpearce** » Sun May 11, 2008 12:05 am

Alan,
Thanks for the help.
you are right the log of the sole sailor to survivor, Reginald Urwin give so much detail of the Empire Gilbert movements from leaving the Tyne, to joining the convoy at Loch Ewe up to Iceland and the final moments.

Thanks
Les

Post by **Liz Turner** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:58 pm

Les

If you've not already come across this site - http://uboat.net/boats/u586.htm - you'll find some more information about U-586 here. (It was sunk in 1944). My own grandfather was lost following torpedo action by U-37 and I've recently found this site and http://www.ubootwaffe.net/ops/ships.cgi?boat=586;nr=2 to be helpful. There are forums on the sites and people are happy to help answer questions if they can.

Here's another interesting web site in case you've not seen this one either:- http://www.warsailors.com/convoys/arctic.html

Liz