Leading Steward James Victor McCaig (D/LX 26009) served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Born on 12th September 1919, he was the son of James McCaig and Rose Margaret McCaig (née McMillan) of 4 Edward Street, Ballymena, Co. Antrim.
James was a keen sportsman before the outbreak of the Second World War. He played football for Moatview F.C. in the Harryville area of Ballymena, Co. Antrim.
James died on 11th August 1943 aged 23 years old on H.M. Submarine Parthian (N 75). The submarine saw extensive usage in the Mediterranean, sinking Italian and Vichy French submarines off North Africa. After a refit in the United States of America in late 1941, it took on supply operations carrying aviation fuel and ammunition.
Royal Navy submarine H.M.S. Parthian based in Malta during the Second World War. Public domain photo.
On 22nd July 1943, H.M. Submarine Parthian left Malta for a patrol in the southern Adriatic Sea. Diversions on 26th and 28th July took the vessel to an area off Otranto, Italy. On 6th August 1943, a communication ordering the submarine to leave the area was not acknowledged. Parthian was due to arrive in Beirut, Lebanon on 11th August 1943 but never arrived. Common thought is that the vessel went down after striking a mine near Brindisi, Italy.
James Victor McCaig has no known grave. His name is on Panel 83, Column 2 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Plymouth, Devon.