National Memorial Arberetum at Alrewas Midlands.

[ian keyl]

To all Ben Line men , I was at the above a week ago and it was very calming to walk around the site and see the names of all those British service men and women who lost thier lives in the two world wars .
There was also memorial plaques to those who had fallen sicne the end of the second world war.

Dotted around the grounds were many other memorials to the merchant navy and prisoners of war in Burma Japan and Malaya, I was very disapointed not to find one for Willaim Thomson Shipowners and the Ben LIne.
Alfred Holt ,Vesty, Cayzer group and many more were there with the company flags on the plaques and the ships names dates and position of the loss.

I am going to write to William Thomson and ask if he can get in touch with the site and see if he would like for the Ben Line men who lost thier lives to be remembered.
I will let you know the outcome.

If you live close its worth a trip as they also have a motorised tractor train to take folk around the site and a cafe.

Rgds ian.

[Billy1963]

Ben Line ships sunk or damaged WWII. Maybe you could have a small plaque made naming the ships. Can also supply the names of all crew casualties if required.

Bennevis 7th September 1940 (damaged)
Benarty 10th September 1940
Benavon 11th September 1940
Benlawers 6th October 1940
Benvorlich 19th March 1941
Benwyvis 20th March 1941
Benvrakie 13th May 1941
Benvenue 15th May 1941
Empire Protector 30th May 1941 (MOWT, Ben Line mngrs)
Bencruachan 5th July 1941
Benmacdhui 21st December 1941
Benledi 5th April 1942 (damaged)
Fort Qu'Appelle 17th May 1942 (MOWT, Ben Line mngrs)
Benalder 8th November 1942 (damaged)
Benlomond 23rd November 1942
Benalbanach 7th January 1943
Fort Babine 6th February 1943 (MOWT, Ben Line mngrs) damaged
Fort Louisbourg 29th January 1944 (MOWT, Ben Line mngrs) damaged
Samvern 18th January 1945 (MOWT, Ben Line mngrs)

[Baltic Wal]

I was there for the opening of the Convoy of Trees, and was involved with the MNWB with donners to the convoy. In addition there is a Merchant Navy Memorial book containing the names of all the seamen of the Merchant Navy, Fishing Fleet and MRA who lost there lives both at sea and as prisoner with information on how the ship was lost. I managed to get NUMAST to publish it for me. Further copies are at Liverpool Maritime Museum, NMM and IWM.

http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/showthread.php?t=4863

[Brummiepete]

I live near to the NMA at Alrewas. I will go and see why there isn't anything about Ben Line and come back to this thread.