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Thomas Sydney Horn was born in Amble in 1899 and lived in Oswald Street, Amble with his parents, James (a master mariner) and Christiana, and siblings.
Thomas received his master's ticket for foreign going steamships in 1924. By 1934 he was master of the Norman Star and by 1938, the Sydney Star, operating out of Australia.
In 1941 the ship was carrying troops and ammunition in convoy to Malta when it was attacked, shelled, torpedoed and badly damaged. A destroyer came alongside and transferred the 484 officers and men and a number of the crew. Captain Horn refused to abandon ship, determined to make port in Malta. The following morning the ship was again attacked by torpedo planes and Stukas which the crew fought off. The ship reached Malta. Captain Horn was awarded the OBE as he belonged to the Merchant Marine. The commander of the destroyer received the DSO.
The episode led to a debate in the House of Commons about the treatment of merchant seamen who were regarded as civilians and therefore safe in conflict. The admiral of the Fleet thought this a false idea and that merchant seamen should be regarded as fighting men.