Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

On the 5th July 1940 the M V Takoradian was sized by the Germans and Vichy French and the merchant seamen aboard were taken to Dakar French West Africa as prisoners of war. I know the ship was not released until 1943. Can anybody tell me when the men were released? My favorite uncle and guardian from the age of 11, Leonard Williams was one of the seamen taken prisoner. On his certificate of discharge logbook, it says he was Engaged on the Takoradian from 8th June 1940 and discharged on 13th August 1940. Could this have been filled in when he got back to Liverpool? so the company only had to pay is wages for the period of time he was on the ship before it was taken. My question is when was he released and how did he get home? Any information on this event would be great.
Smudge3

Smudge,

Hopefully the following may help to narrow it down. SS Kumasian was sunk Aug 5, 1941, assuming all POW's were released together.

I was hoping one of our members with FMP would have found something in the POW section, unfortunately it appears there mustn't be anything.

The significance of the discharge date, 13 August 1940, this was the agreed loss date, Ministry of War Transport. No doubt, without this agreed date the crews money would have been stopped from the moment of seizure.

Can't find anything on their release, perhaps they got home on a ship of neutrality as distressed seamen?

Sorry I was out yesterday and didn't pick this up till this morning. As you say, unfortunately, nothing showing for prisoners of war at that date with that name.

Bert/Mary
Thanks for trying. I will keep looking and will let you know if I find anything. I know he was a prisoner in a camp there somewhere. In January 1942 he started work as a Marine Surveyor & Water Bailiff for the Mersey Docks & Harbour Board until May 1946. Sometime about then, while walking into town down Scotland Road he collapsed was taken to hospital where they diagnosed Malaria, he lost his job and could never take a proper job again. They said he must have caught it while in Dakar.
Now this part I have no idea if true or not there is a rumour in the family that Lens brother Jimmy was on the Takoradian with him, they were both taken prisoner and they escaped together making their own way back home. I don’t know, I will keep looking and try to find the truth.
Thanks again will speak again soon Smudge