Able Seaman William Bunting Graham was the husband of Olive Graham of Belfast. He served on S.S. Empire Lytton when it came under attack from U-442 in 1943.
Able Seaman
Able Seaman William Bunting Graham served in the Merchant Navy during the Second World War. He was the son of John Graham and Elizabeth Graham, and the husband of Olive Graham of Belfast. Able Seaman Graham died on 9th January 1943 aged 26 years old while serving on S.S. Empire Lytton.
At 0727hrs on 9th January 1943, U-442 attacked convoy TM-1 west of the Canary Islands, torpedoing S.S. Empire Lytton. The Chief Officer, ten crew members, and four gunners died as a result. H.M.S Saxifrage picked up survivors landing them at Gibraltar and H.M.S. Havelock tried but failed to scuttle the stricken vessel. At 1450hrs, U-442 found the tanker once more, firing a second torpedo but the British vessel remained afloat until a final torpedo attack at 1938hrs.
Able Seaman Graham has no known grave and his name is on Panel 43 of the Tower Hill Memorial, London, England.