Research enquiry; Captain Edward Earnest Fenwick (1914-1989)

[Garthpool2012]

Hello Expats Forum;
I wonder if anyone can help me?

My name is Jessica, I am researching the story of the Garthpool,
an old four masted square rigged 'windjammer,' that was wrecked
off the Cape Verde Islands, on the 11th of November, 1929.

I have discovered a lot in the course of my research, working towards
the first draft of a book; I have many archives, including articles,
a growing photo collection and various other snippets and records.

There were 34 crew members, who all survived the wrecking;
my main inspiration for researching this story, is that amongst
the crew was my great grandfather, Christopher Bedford Steel, (1907-1943)
one of 4 passengers.

I've been looking into the stories of all the crew, i.e. who they
were, their time on the Garthpool & the adventure they had in
the Cape Verdes, and ultimately, what became of them long after
the wrecking; I've been discovering a lot of fascinating and interesting details.

I am writing here as one of the 8 apprentices, Edward Earnest Fenwick,
ended up here in Singapore, an 'ex pat', who died in 1989 aged 75.

I wonder if anyone may of known him circa 1950's-1980's?

Captain Edward Earnest Fenwick was born in Hull in 1914;
his first ship was the Garthpool, that he joined in September 1928.
He went on to serve on various ships through the 1930's/40's.
(Source; Ancestry)

References to Singapore begin circa the late 1940's/early 50's;
he lived at Joo Chiat Place in the 1950's, maybe into the 1960's.

He was part of The Straits Steamship Company, as he was
Captain of the ''Bruas'', circa 1955/56 and much later, circa 1978,
he was Captain of the ''Rajah Brooke.'' (Source; a local newspaper
and Marine News, a journal found through a google books search.)

He was married twice and had two children; I'd love to possibly
contact his descendants, to discover more about him, his character,
any relics or record of his time on the Garthpool, namely any photos
or a diary, etc.

Any information would be most appreciated.
I look forward to hearing from anyone who may be able to help.

All the best,
Bye for now,
Jessica S. Fox
London, England

[zzm9980]

I'd suggest contacting these two groups:

http://myjoochiat.com/about-us.htm
http://www.singaporeheritage.org/

Good luck!

[Garthpool2012]

Hello zzm9980,
Thanks very much for the links and your good wishes,
they're most appreciated.

All the best,
Bye for now,
Jess

[JR8]

I believe the Fenwick family have strong connections with Newcastle. That is where the department store or their name originated.

[Zeenit]

Contact a lady at the British Association office here is Singapore. She has been working there for 25 years and if he was know to the British community in Singapore she would know of him personally. She has an amazing memory and will be happy to help.

the email address is info@britishassociation.org.sg
Or try David Haines and he ian be found on fb under UCL group, he been here since 1976 at least and knew every British Expat back then.


Good luck.