Joe Thornhill

Captain Joseph Henry Jackson Thornhill MBE, crossed the bar on April 9th 1997 at the age of 83 after a tragic accident.

Captain Thornhill joined the company as an apprentice in October 1929 and was appointed to the ss Quebec City on his first voyage. He was promoted to Chief Officer in March 1940 with promotion to Master in May 1951 on the mv Vancouver City.

Captain Thornhill retired from sea service on the 22nd September 1973, but remained with the Company as Assistant Cargo Superintendent until February 1974.

Captain Thornhill (known to all as Joe) was a quiet efficient master who served the company for all of his seagoing career. Many readers may not be aware that Capt. Jeo Thornhill whilst serving as Chief Officer was at the age of 28 awarded the MBE in 1941.

May we express our sympathy to his wife Vera and her sons Andrew and Peter and grand-children.

The company was represented at the funeral in Garston by Captains Griff-Jones, John Lee, Mike Thomas, and by Eric Poingdestre. Printed in the Shipmates Newsletter Issue 3 - June 1997.