Fifth Engineer Officer Thomas Hollran served in the Merchant Navy during World War Two. Born on 13th February 1920, he was the husband of Gladys Hollran of 159 Great Northern Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim.
Before his call up, Thomas worked for James Makie and Sons in Belfast, Co. Antrim. He died on 23rd February 1943 aged 22 years old on board MV Eulima. The 6,207-ton motor fuel tanker belonged to the Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Co. The ship was part of Convoy ON 166 en route from Liverpool, England to New York, USA when attacked by U-186.
The Type IX/C40 U-Boat captained by Kapitan Leutnant Siegfried Hesemann struck around 0700hrs on 23rd February 1943. The first torpedo damaged the vessel and U-186 returned at around 1030hrs to fire a second torpedo and finish the job.
The Eulima went down north-west of the Azores. All 54 crew members and 9 gunners lost their lives as the tanker sank.
Thomas Hollran has no known grave. His name is on Panel 48 of the Tower Hill Memorial, London, United Kingdom.