Acting Able Seaman. M.V. San Arcadio. Royal Navy. Service Number: P/JX 289999
(Admin at H.M.S. President III.)
Early life:
Joseph was born on 26th of April 1914 and his birth was registered in the second quarter of the year at Stockton, Durham. His parents were Robert Askam and Anne Jane Askam née Winter who were married on the 26th of November 1904 at St. Paul’s Church in Thornaby.
In the 1921 census the family were living at 12, Bowser Street, Durham. Head of the household Robert was absent from this address and the family were his wife Anne, aged 36 and on household duties; The children were Elizabeth aged 16, an out of work mould runner at Clarence Potteries in Norton on Tees; Sophie was aged 13, Robert (junior) aged twelve, Joseph aged seven, Nellie aged five and all were at school whole time. The youngest was Ethel aged just three who was at home with mum.
Their father Robert died aged just 43 on the 28th of April 1926, just four days after Joseph’s 12th birthday, so this would have been a tragic blow to the family. His death was recorded at Stockton, Durham in the second quarter of the year.
Joseph married Muriel Irene Haddon in the summer of 1937 and this was registered at Keighley in the third quarter of the year. Joseph was aged 23 and Muriel was a bit older at 25.
War service:
In the 1939 register Joseph was a warp twister aged 25 and Muriel was a warper and a bit older at 27. They were living at 22, Laburnum Grove in Cross Roads.
Joseph enlisted with the Royal Navy in February of 1941 and trained as a seaman at Portsmouth. He was serving as an Able Seaman on the M.V. San Arcadio (His navy records was administered from H.M.S. President III) when he died.
This motor tanker was sunk by U-Boat 109 and was hit by two torpedoes to the bow, followed by the coup de grace of a third torpedo amidships, which broke her in two and she sank. At attempt was made to sink the stern section by firing the submarine’s deck gun but this failed. The Master and forty crew members died. Nine crew members were rescued from a lifeboat by an American seaplane in very rough conditions and they were brought to safety in Bermuda.
There is a fascinating account by author and researcher Eric Wiberg, giving details of the sinking and subsequent rescue here.
Keighley News, Saturday 25th April 1942:
(Page 28 of the WW2 scrapbook at Keighley Library)
Acting Able Seaman Joseph Askam (28) of 22, Laburnum Grove, Lees, has been reported killed in action at sea. Before his enlistment, about 10 months ago, he was employed by James Stocks and Co., Ltd., of Silsden. He was also a keen football player, playing at one time for Oxenhope Recreation Football Club. Acting Able Seaman Askam leaves a widow.
Joseph died either during the sinking itself or in one of the lifeboats which was later lost at sea.
Remembrance:
Joseph’s name is recorded on Panel 63 of the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Post war:
Muriel Irene Askam remarried, to Lawrence G. Sparrow in 1944.
She died aged 67 in October 1979 and her death was recorded at Northampton.
Information sources:
Teesside, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1939.
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915.
1921 England Census.
England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007.
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923.
England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005.
1939 England and Wales Register.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Eric Wiberg, Author.
Uboat.net
Keighley News archives at Keighley Library, WW2 Scrapbook.
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960.
Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007.
