John was one of the two wireless operators aboard the SS City of Benares. In autumn 1940, the liner was part of a Children's Overseas Reception Board plan to evacuate British civilian children to Canada. The City of Benares also transported civilian passengers, all refugees from war seeking safety in North America.
On the night of September 17, 1940, she was carrying 407 souls. 250 miles from Rockall, the City of Benares was spotted by a German U-48 submarine. It fired three torpedoes at her; the first two missed their mark, while the third struck her in the stern. In the frantic minutes which followed, passengers scrambled to escape, while the CORB escorts tried desperately to save their child charges. Lifeboats overturned and were engulfed in the water. It took just 30 minutes for the SS City of Benares to vanish beneath the waves. Many passengers who did not go down with her died later of exposure in the lifeboats, during the long wait for the lifeboats to be rescued.
260 people were lost in the sinking of the Benares; of the 90 child evacuees, only 13 survived the sinking.
John Lazarus, one of the wireless operators aboard, stayed at his post until the end, and went down with the ship.
On the night of September 17, 1940, she was carrying 407 souls. 250 miles from Rockall, the City of Benares was spotted by a German U-48 submarine. It fired three torpedoes at her; the first two missed their mark, while the third struck her in the stern. In the frantic minutes which followed, passengers scrambled to escape, while the CORB escorts tried desperately to save their child charges. Lifeboats overturned and were engulfed in the water. It took just 30 minutes for the SS City of Benares to vanish beneath the waves. Many passengers who did not go down with her died later of exposure in the lifeboats, during the long wait for the lifeboats to be rescued.
260 people were lost in the sinking of the Benares; of the 90 child evacuees, only 13 survived the sinking.
John Lazarus, one of the wireless operators aboard, stayed at his post until the end, and went down with the ship.
John was one of the two wireless operators aboard the SS City of Benares. In autumn 1940, the liner was part of a Children's Overseas Reception Board plan to evacuate British civilian children to Canada. The City of Benares also transported civilian passengers, all refugees from war seeking safety in North America.
On the night of September 17, 1940, she was carrying 407 souls. 250 miles from Rockall, the City of Benares was spotted by a German U-48 submarine. It fired three torpedoes at her; the first two missed their mark, while the third struck her in the stern. In the frantic minutes which followed, passengers scrambled to escape, while the CORB escorts tried desperately to save their child charges. Lifeboats overturned and were engulfed in the water. It took just 30 minutes for the SS City of Benares to vanish beneath the waves. Many passengers who did not go down with her died later of exposure in the lifeboats, during the long wait for the lifeboats to be rescued.
260 people were lost in the sinking of the Benares; of the 90 child evacuees, only 13 survived the sinking.
John Lazarus, one of the wireless operators aboard, stayed at his post until the end, and went down with the ship.
On the night of September 17, 1940, she was carrying 407 souls. 250 miles from Rockall, the City of Benares was spotted by a German U-48 submarine. It fired three torpedoes at her; the first two missed their mark, while the third struck her in the stern. In the frantic minutes which followed, passengers scrambled to escape, while the CORB escorts tried desperately to save their child charges. Lifeboats overturned and were engulfed in the water. It took just 30 minutes for the SS City of Benares to vanish beneath the waves. Many passengers who did not go down with her died later of exposure in the lifeboats, during the long wait for the lifeboats to be rescued.
260 people were lost in the sinking of the Benares; of the 90 child evacuees, only 13 survived the sinking.
John Lazarus, one of the wireless operators aboard, stayed at his post until the end, and went down with the ship.
Gravesite Details
Wireless Operator, Canadian Merchant Navy. Age: Unknown.
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