South Shields-born William Garbutt Magrs was serving on board the Hartlepool-built steamship Kepwickhall when this photograph was taken, in the Indian Ocean, on May 10th, 1935. William had joined the ship as an Able Seaman on 29th September, 1934, in West Hartlepool. The voyage tooke the ship out to the India and Australia, arriving back in Hartlepool 13th June, 1936. The Master on this trip was E.J. Harris.
Date (of image) : 1935
Donor : Mr. Paul Magrs
Creator : unknown
Location
William Garbutt Magrs in tropical white uniform, possiblty taken when on a voyage to the Indian Ocean on the Hartlepool-built steamship Kepwickhall. William was made bosun in May 1940, aged 31, while serving on the steamship Embassage, and was on board when the ship was sunk by the German submarine U-557, on 27th August, 1941. He was awarded a medal for saving the lives of two of the other survivors; 39 crewmen were lost.
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