Honouring the Men who gave their lives whilst serving in the Merchant Navy
and whose names are on the Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll

S. S. ARANDORA STAR (London)  -  WW2

S.S. Arandora Star was a 12,847 GRT steam passenger/refrigerated cargo vessel that was hit by a torpedo fired by German submarine U-47 on 2 July 1940 at position 55° 20' N 10° 33' W. She did not sink immediately but foundered at position 56° 30' N 10° 38' W. Apart from the crew, a large number of German and Italian POWs and internees were lost. - benjidog.co.uk

​ In July 1940, SS Arandora Star was sunk by submarine action at a position over 100 miles west of Bloody Foreland in Donegal; more than 800 souls were lost, including German and Italian internees and British naval and military personnel.
Some of those who were lost were brought by tide and current to Colonsay where they were laid to rest. These events caused a deep impression locally, and the islanders have maintained an interest in the tragedy and a concern for all those who were affected by it.

Brisbane Man Lost
In Arandora Star
Mr. John Mulcahy, 29, junior second engineer of the Arandora Star, was not among the survivors of the ship which was torpedoed off the Irish Coast-, on Tuesday, according to a cable received yesterday by his mother, Mrs. J. Mulcahy, of Laidlaw Parade, Brisbane.
The cable read: 'Deeply regret inform you Mr. J. Mulcahy. serving on board Arandora Star recently sunk by enemy action is not among survivors; therefore can only presume lost. Offer our sincere sympathies — Blue Star Line.
Eldest son of the late Mr. J. A. Mulcahy, who was Deputy Commissioner of LandTax, Brisbane, Mr. Jack Mulcahy was educated at St.Laurence's Christian Brothers' College, South Brisbane. He served his engineering apprenticeship with Wildridge and Sinclair, of Brisbane, and while with that firm travelled extensively in Queensland installing refrigeration machinery. He joined the Blue Star Line five years ago, in the Tuscan Star, as an engineer, and was last in Brisbane in April, 1939, when the California Star made her maiden voyage to Australia. He had served in many ships of the line. In recent months ships in which he was serving had been acting as transports to France and Norway.
A brother, Mr. J. D. Mulcahy, is a member of The Courier-Mail staff, and a sister. Miss Betty Mulcahy is with the Taxation Department. His other brother, Mr. B. Mulcahy, is a grazier at Nanango, and he has one other sister, Miss A. Mulcahy, living at Sherwood.