Chief Steward and Purser Thomas Gill Goldsworthy served in the Merchant Navy during the Second World War. Born in 1894, he was the son of John Jenkins Goldsworthy and Margaret Goldsworthy (née Hilditch) of Irish Quarter, South Gate, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim.
Thomas’ brother John Jenkins Goldsworthy died while serving with 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in The Great War on 14th September 1917. Thomas also saw action during The Great War, having over 30 years’ service in the Merchant Navy. In that conflict, one of his ships came under attack from a torpedo. Thomas survived, cast adrift in a lifeboat for 2 days. Following The Great War of 1914-1918, Thomas moved to England. There, he married Laura Lockett of Prescot, Lancashire, England in March 1921.
The British Cargo Steamer S.S. Fircrest sank by an enemy U-Boat on 25th August 1940. Copyright unknown.
The Carrickfergus-born seaman died on 25th August 1940 aged 46 years old, leaving a wife in Liverpool, Lancashire, England. when the British Cargo Steamer S.S. Fircrest. came under attack. Built in 1907, the 5,394 ton vessel was en route from Wabana, Conception Bay, Newfoundland to Middlesborough, North Yorkshire, England. Submarine U-124 attacked the vessel as it sailed in Convoy HX-65A carrying a cargo of 7,900 tons of iron ore. S.S. Fircrest went down 23 miles north of the Butt of Lewis, Hebrides, Scotland leaving no survivors from the 39 person crew. A total of 4 torpedoes from U-124 also sank S.S. Harpalyce on the same day.
Thomas Gill Goldsworthy has no known grave. His name is on Panel 49 of the Tower Hill Memorial, London, England. His name is also on a family memorial at North Road Cemetery, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim.