Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 23 December 1939

Ex-Swintonian’s Adventures

One of “Graf Spee’s” Prisoners

Released At Montevideo

Members of an old Swinton family learned on Saturday that the son and brother they had given up for lost had been held captive on the German pocket battleship, the Graf Spee, and had been taken off safe and well at Montevideo.

He is Radio Operator Alexander Taylor, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Taylor, now of 1, Mount Road, Burnley, but who for many years lived in Swinton, Mr. Taylor was for a long period employed by the Mexborough and Swinton Traction Company.

One of Radio Operator Taylor’s sisters is Mrs. A. W. Hillerby, of Hill Crest, Piccadilly Road, Swinton.

Reported Missing.

Taylor, who was educated at Swinton Bridge School before his parents left for Burnley was reported missing when the Liverpool steamer “Huntsman.” of 8,196 tons, was sunk. His family had no news of him since September, although he usually sent monthly letters by air mail. His mother and father, however, refused to give up hope. When the Graf Spee reached Montevideo, after being harried and battered by the three British cruisers, the owners of the “Huntsman” received a cablegram from the chief officer that sixteen European members of the crew were safe. Among the men taken off was Radio Operator Taylor.

Missing Since December 7th.

The Huntsman” was listed as missing and presumed lost on December 5th and it is believed that the transfer of officers and men to the “Graf Spee” and an oil tanker occurred on the preceding day.

The “Huntsman” was bound from India to London by the Cape route.

Mr. Taylor, who is 23, has been a radio operator since he was 18.