WW2 Sinking of San Emiliano - Granville Drayton MBE

Third Mate Granville Drayton served on the tanker San Emiliano and was aboard the ship when she was torpedoed by U-155 in the early hours of 9th August 1942. The ship broke in two, sinking in flames. The master, 33 crew, and 6 gunners were lost. Granville, a strong swimmer, jumped into the sea and managed to make it to a lifeboat on board which were 11 other survivors, 4 of whom were badly injured and subsequently died. For courageous action during the sinking, Granville was awarded an MBE – though he says, "It would have been better to have had a crate of beer to share among the lads." The Archive holds Granville's wartime material which includes his audio interview, an autobiography, letters, and a report and news clippings on the sinking of the San Emiliano. #history #military #militaryhistory #war #ww2 #veteran #interview #archive #merchantnavy #ship #shipsinking #torpedo #uboat #lifeboat #lifeboatsurvival #sanemiliano