Biography of Edgar Wilson

Charles Edgar Coates Wilson

Born on 16^th January 1903, “Edgar,” as he was known, served an engineering apprenticeship  before going to sea as an engineer-officer in the Merchant Navy, rising to the rank of Chief Engineer (Extra First Class).  At the outset of his seagoing career he sailed for Furness, Withy as a junior engineer aboard the “London Merchant” (which later, as the “Politician,” was the inspiration for Sir Compton Mackenzie’s “Whisky Galore”), departing from Manchester.  In the winter of 1927 Edgar Wilson left England for a sojourn in India, sailing as Third Engineer aboard the tramp steamer “Akbar” (Bombay & Persia Steam Navigation Co.).  Pay on foreign service was much higher than in home waters and the social life of a ship’s officer on the Indian coast was good.  Edgar was also employed in a junior managerial position ashore whilst in India, working in a shipyard or engineering shop. 

After his time away he worked his passage home as Fourth Engineer of the tramp steamer “Torbeath.”  Upon his return he was taken very ill, convalescing at the family home.  Subsequent appointments comprised:

March 1930: Third Refrigeration Engineer aboard “Highland Monarch,” from London to South America via France and Portugal.

February 1930: Third Engineer aboard twin-screw cargo liner “Tairoa.”

May 1930-January 1931: Second Refrigeration Officer aboard the “Murillo,” then Third Engineer aboard “Meissonier.”  Both ships sailed out to South Africa, from London and Shields respectively, returning to London and Southampton.

January 1931-October 1937: Second Engineer aboard the steamer “Kirnwood,” sailing from ports in Northern England and South Wales bound for Canada.

Edgar married Florence Annie Fowler Cowley, a 27-year old clerk with the local Co-op society, at the Westbourne Methodist Church, West Hartlepool, on 7 March 1932.  Flo, as she was known, administered the Co-op dividend from the offices of their main store on the corner of Park Road and Stockton Street.  She was the daughter of George Cowley, a local Police Constable.  Edgar and Flo lived firstly at the Wilsons’ summer house at Dalton-on-Tees, subsequently moving to Alverstone Avenue and then, prior to outbreak of the Second World War, to 39 Greta Avenue, West Hartlepool.  The couple had two daughters, Joan (born 1937) and Anne (born 1938).

From May-September 1938 Edgar sailed as 2^nd Engineer aboard the steam tramp “Ousebridge,” owned by the West Hartlepool shipping company of Crosby, Magee & Co.  His next ship was the “New Westminster City,” fitted with triple-expansion machinery from the Central Marine Engine Works.  Edgar signed off this ship as Second Engineer at Liverpool just six days after Britain declared war on Germany.  He spent a precious three weeks at home with his family before returning to sea, joining the tramp steamer “Saltersgate” at Cardiff as Chief Engineer.

In June 1940 the Nazis were sweeping across France and “Saltersgate,” under the command of Captain Stubbs, and with Edgar Wilson as “Chief,” was ordered to evacuate wealthy British expatriates from the French Riviera.  The 700 evacuees, one of which was the writer W. Somerset Maugham, were united in their glowing praise for the selfless conduct of the ship’s 36-strong crew under the most gruelling of conditions.

Excerpts from personal testimonials sent to Edgar’s wife read as follows:

“I have such grateful memories of your husband’s kindness to myself on his ship . . . I won’t ever forget it.”  A second wrote that “We all thought the world of our Chief Engineer.  Don’t tell him this – for it upsets his sense of modesty – but I think you are a lucky woman and he thinks he is a lucky man to have such a good wife.  With a deep sense of gratitude for his kindness. . . .”  A third wrote of having “found new friendships . . . with those of the Engineer Officers’ mess.  Thanks Chief!  You hate flattery and I can’t say this to your face but I can honestly and sincerely write you’re one of the kindest men I’ve been privileged to know.”  A fourth wrote of “a laurel wreath for patience and endurance awarded to our Chief Engineer!!!” 

The story has it that upon going aboard the humble tramp ship, one elderly aristocratic lady, obviously used to better things, enquired as to the location of the “games deck.”  “It’s all over the ship, madam!” replied the ship’s steward.  Nevertheless, contemporary newspaper-cuttings etc. (e.g. “The Joke of the Cream” by William Hickey, “Daily Express,” Monday, July 15 1940) attest to the shocking overcrowding, the want of water, cabins given over to invalids and a possible submarine attack during the voyage home to Liverpool.  Upon docking, three cheers were raised for the crew of the “Saltersgate” in recognition of all they had done.  “Saltergate” went on to play a part in the D-Day landings, as part of the “Mulberry Harbour.”

From July 1941 to March 1943 Edgar was Chief Engineer aboard the “Clumberhall,” a Gray-built steamer owned by the West Hartlepool Steam Navigation Co.  In December 1941 the ship encountered very heavy weather in the North Atlantic.  Coal sometimes ran short, leaving some ships no choice but to take on either the bare minimum or an inferior grade.  As a consequence, the “Clumberhall” ran short of fuel whilst westbound, leaving her a sitting duck for any prowling U-boat.  Luckily, she was towed into St. John’s Newfoundland, by the Admiralty tug “Prudent” (the episode did not reflect badly upon Edgar, whose Discharge Book shows nothing but the highest praise for conduct and ability.

From July 1943 until the end of the war Edgar was Chief Engineer aboard the “Empire Torridge.”  He received the 1939-43 Star for his war work, most of which involved the North Atlantic convoys.  After the war the “Empire Torridge” was bought by the Kyriakides Shipping Co. and renamed “Huntress.”  She was then crewed by British officers and seamen, but the engine-room and stokehold crews were Hong Kong Chinese.  Edgar continued to sail as Chief Engineer aboard the “Huntress” until his 47^th birthday.  At times, his wife and daughters accompanied him.

He left the “Huntress” to sail mostly on coastal and short-sea routes, but eventually left the Merchant Navy due to ill health, being discharged from his ship at Quebec.  Ashore, Edgar became Shift Manager at the North Tees Power Station, Stockton-on-Tees.  He passed away on 1 August 1971.  Edgar was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the Garden of Remembrance, Stranton Grange Cemetery, Hartlepool.

Source: “The Wilsons of Whitby and West Hartlepool,” Vol. 4 by Stuart James Wilson.  See images.           

Related items :