1914 – 1918
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND TO THE HONOUR OF THOSE
NEW ZEALANDERS OF THE MERCANTILE MARINE
WHO HAVE NO GRAVE BUT THE SEA
s.s. “ABOSSO” (LONDON)
A defensively equipped ship of 7,782 tons was torpedoed without warning by a German U-boat on 24th April 1917 whilst 180 miles West by North from the Fastnet. A total of 65 lives were lost by drowning.
Allan Edward DALE
Assistant Steward, age 39
Son of Edward Henry and Emma Jane Dale, of 27 Welham Road, Streatham, London; husband of Margaret Dale, of New Zealand.
Born at Faversham, Kent.
Pilot Boat “ALFRED H. READ”
No. 1 Pilot Boat Alfred H. Read was a steam driven cutter built in 1913 by Murdoch and Murray of Glasgow for the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board. Sir Alfred Henry Read was chairman of Liverpool Marine and General Insurance Company. In the early hours of the morning of 28th December 1917 the Service suffered one of the greatest disasters that has ever befallen it. The Alfred H. Read struck a mine on the Bar station and sank in a few minutes. Out of forty men on board only two were saved, nineteen pilots and eight apprentices being drowned. Of the thirty-nine casualties, thirty six are commemorated by the CWGC.
Henry (Harry) RAWSON
Pilot 1st Class in Lighthouse and Pilotage Authorities, aged 33
Henry Rawson was born in Auckland, New Zealand in 1884 to Mary Ann and Edwin Thomas Rawson.
s.s. “ANDROMENA”
Allan Cameron MACDONALD
Able Seaman, aged 18
Born in New Zealand.
s.s. “APARIMA” (LONDON)
An unarmed 5,704 GRT steam passenger/cargo ship completed in 1902 by William Denny & Bros. for Union Steamship Co. of New Zealand Ltd. She was sunk on 19 November 1917 by torpedo fired by German submarine UB-40 at position 50° 29′ N, 01° 58′ W – approximately 6 nautical miles from Anvil Point. She was sailing in ballast from London to Barry where she was due to take on coal. A total of 56 lives were lost by drowning. This was one of New Zealand’s worse shipping losses in the war and 17 of 30 cadets on board were amongst those lost.
Walter James BANNATYNE
Cadet, age 16 years 11 months
Son of Ellen Bannatyne, of Waikonaite, New Zealand.
Geoffrey Robert BARGROVE
Cadet
From Christchurch, New Zealand.
Harry Archibald DANIEL
First Officer
Son of the late Samuel George and Elizabeth Daniel; husband of Alice Maude Daniel, of Brighton House, 196 Hannell Street, Wickham, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Born at Kaitangata, New Zealand.
Donovan O’Bryen HOARE
Cadet, age 18
From Christchurch, New Zealand. Only son of Florence Hoare, of Patea, New Zealand.
James MACKIE
Chief Steward, aged 47
From Auckland, New Zealand. Husband of Sophia Elizabeth Mackie of South Africa. Born in Scotland.
Adam Houliston MARSHALL
Cadet
Born at Alexandra, New Zealand. Moved to Kaitangata when he was about 12.
Robert Joseph MARSHALL
Cadet
From Westport, New Zealand.
Leon Joseph MASSEY
Cadet, age 18
From Gisborne, New Zealand. Son of Mrs. Edith French Massey, of Pensions Dept., Customs Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand.
Colin Boyd MCDONALD
Cadet
Son of Captain Coll. McDonald, of Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Ian Kenneth MCKENZIE
Cadet
Nephew of Captain I. McKenzie, Devonport, Auckland, New Zealand.
[Attended Kings College, Auckland during 1912-13].
Robert Perrett Taipo MILLINGTON
Wireless Operator, age 25
From Auckland, New Zealand. Husband of Mrs. Mary Florence Millington, Featherston Street, Wellington, New Zealand. Born in England.
John Frederick PROUDFOOT
Cadet, age 16
From Christchurch. Son of Mrs. Mary Proudfoot, of Queenstown, New Zealand and the late John Proudfoot.
Alexander McKinley RAMSAY
Cadet, age 18
Son of Mrs. Elizabeth Ramsay, of 19 Bruce Street, Roslyn, New Zealand.
Thomas ROGERSON
Chief Engineer, aged 45
Born at Lower Mataura, New Zealand.
William SHAW
Cadet, age 15 years 358 days
From Greymouth, New Zealand. Son of William and Kate Shaw, of Dunollie, West Coast, New Zealand. Born at Altrincham.
John Gordon SMITH
Cadet, age 19
From Wharanui, Marlborough, New Zealand. Son of Alex Smith of Wharanui, Marlborough. Born in Scotland.
William Harry WILLIAMS
Cadet, age 20
Son of Mrs Williams, Postmistress of Clevedon, Auckland, New Zealand.
s.s. “ARMADALE” (LONDON)
A defensively equipped ship of 6,153 tons was torpedoed without warning by a German U-boat on 27th June 1917 whilst 160 miles N.W. from Tory Island. A total of 3 lives were lost by drowning.
Clifford Norman BEDWELL
Chief Officer, age 29
Son of Alfred and Fanny Bedwell, of 57 Bell Road, Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand. Born at Brighton, England.
s.s. “AUSONIA”
Richard Raymond NEALE
First Officer, aged 42
From Dunedin, New Zealand. Born in England.
s.s. “AUSTRALDALE” (AUSTRALIA)
Bernard JONAS
1st Officer, aged 26.
s.s. “AVANTI” (LONDON)
A defensively equipped ship of 2,128 tons was torpedoed without warning by a German U-boat on 2nd February 1918 whilst 4 miles S.E. by E. from St Albans Head. A total of 22 lives, including the Master, were lost by drowning.
James MCINTYRE
Second Engineer, age 33
Husband of Jean Coates McIntyre, of 3 West Terrace, Penarth. Born in New Zealand.
“BAKARA”
Leslie BROWN
4th Engineer, aged 23.
s.s. “BARROWMORE”
Barrowmore was a 3,832 GRT steam cargo ship completed in 1911 by Richardson, Duck & Co. for Lochmore Steamship Co. Ltd. From 1917 she was owned by Johnston Line Ltd. and managed by Furness, Withy & Co. She was sunk on 19 February 1918 by torpedo fired by German submarine U-94 at position 49° 58′ N, 07° 54′ W – approximately 53 nautical miles North-West by West of Bishop Rock. She was enroute from Huelva to Port Talbot with a cargo of copper ore.
W.H. ROBERTSON
Fireman, aged 23.
“BOORARA”
Ernest Allen DRAKE
Fireman, aged 34.
s.s. “BIRKHALL”
A defensively equipped ship of 4,541 tons was torpedoed without warning by a German U-boat on 23rd January 1918 whilst 4 miles S.E. from Cape Doro. A total of 2 lives, including the Master, were lost by drowning.
Neil Hugh MACKINNON
Master
Son of Allan Mackinnon, of Balemartine, Tiree, and Janet Kennedy, of Balephuit, Tiree, Ayrshire, husband of Catherine Mackinnon, of 5 Preston Crescent, Dunedin, New Zealand.
s.s. “CITY OF PERTH” (GLASGOW)
A defensively equipped ship of 3,427 tons was torpedoed without warning by a German U-boat on 11th June 1917 whilst 195 miles S.S.W. from Fastnet. A total of 8 lives were lost by drowning.
Samuel TANNER
Fourth Engineer, age 22
Son of Joseph and Florance Tanner, of Bell Road, Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand. Born in New Zealand.
“GEORGIAN”
J. HAGGERSTON
Fireman, aged 37.
s.s. “HALIFAX” (HALIFAX, N.S.)
Halifax was a 1,738 GRT steam passenger/cargo ship completed in 1888 by London & Glasgow Engineering & Iron Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. for Canadian Atlantic Steamship Co. She was reported missing after sailing from St. Michael’s in the Azores on 11 December 1917 bound for Bordeaux with a general cargo.
Roger MOAG (aka Hyman LEVY)
Third Mate, age 38
Son of Francis and Ann Moag; husband of Mary Moag (nee Miley), of 449 West 206th Street., New York. Born at Dunedin, New Zealand.
William Maver MORRISON
Third Engineer, age 31
Son of the late Alexander and Mary Jane Morrison (nee Maver). Born in New Zealand.
H.M.H.S. “LLANDOVERY CASTLE” (LONDON)
An unarmed hospital ship of 11,423 tons was torpedoed without warning by a German U-boat on 27th June 1918 whilst 116 miles West from the Fastnet. A total of 146 lives were lost by drowning.
Thomas Inman KING
Able Seaman, age 27
Son of Thomas King, of McLaren Vale, Willunga, South Australia, and the late Jennie Alexandrina King. Born in New Zealand.
H.M.S. “INDIA”
SS India was a steam passenger liner operated by the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O) between 1896 and 1915. Built by Caird & Company of Greenock, Scotland, she was launched on 15 April 1896 and entered service later that year, operating on P&O’s route between Britain, India and Australia. In 1900 she became the first ship to use P&O’s new harbour facilities at Fremantle. She initially remained in service with P&O after the outbreak of the First World War. She was hired by the Admiralty on 13 March 1915 and was used as an armed merchant cruiser, serving in the 10th Cruiser Squadron. On 8 August that year she stopped off Helligvær, near Bodø, Norway, to investigate a suspected blockade runner, and was torpedoed by SM U-22. India’s sinking caused the deaths of her 160 men. The surviving 22 officers and 119 men were taken to Narvik.
Norrie DAVIES
Stoker, Mercantile Marine Reserve, aged 20
Son of Mrs Jemima Davies of 386 Colombo Street, Christchurch, New Zealand. Originally from West Gore, New Zealand.
H.M.S. “KILDONAN CASTLE”
John TALL
Asst. Steward, aged 44.
H.M.S. “MOTAGUA”
Robert Scott POLLOCK
Greaser, Mercantile Marine Reserve
Brother of Jessie Grigor, Lowe Street, Lower Riccarton, Christchurch, New Zealand.
H.M.S. “VICTORY”
Francis George MURPHY
Deck Hand, aged 21.
s.s. “HUNTSTRICK” (LONDON)
A defensively equipped ship of 8,151 tons was torpedoed without warning by a German U-boat on 8th June 1917 whilst 80 miles W.N.W. from Cape Spartel. A total of 12 lives, including the Master, were lost by drowning.
Ernest George BRIANT
Greaser, age 19
Born at Wellington, New Zealand.
s.s. “IBERIAN” (LIVERPOOL)
A defensively equipped ship of 5,223 tons was torpedoed without warning by a German U-boat on 31st July 1915 whilst 9 miles S. by W. from Fastnet. A total of 7 lives, including the Master, were lost by drowning.
David PROUDFOOT
Greaser, age 34
Born at Dunedin, New Zealand.
s.s. “KELVINBANK”
A defensively equipped ship of 4,072 tons was torpedoed without warning by a German U-boat on 13th June 1917 whilst 100 miles North from Cape Wrath. A total of 16 lives, including the Master, were lost by drowning.
Herbert John COLLEY
Master, age 41
Husband of Mabel Mary Colley, of Wellington, New Zealand.
R.F.A. “LADY CORY WRIGHT”
RFA Lady Cory-Wright was a cargo ship that had been built as a civilian collier in 1906, became a Royal Fleet Auxiliary mine carrier in 1914 and was torpedoed and sunk with significant loss of life in 1918.
S.P. Austin & Son Ltd. of Sunderland built her in 1906 for William Cory and Son. She was named Lady Cory-Wright after either Lady Mima, wife of Sir Cory Cory-Wright, 1st Baronet or Lady Elizabeth, wife of Sir Arthur Cory-Wright, 2nd Baronet.
In August 1914 the War Department requisitioned Lady Cory-Wright for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, who used her as a mine carrier. On 26 March 1918 she was in the English Channel steaming from Plymouth to Malta laden with a cargo that included 2,762 mines, 370 depth charges, 2,100 torpedo detonators and 1,000 primers B.E. when the German submarine UC-17 torpedoed her about 14 miles off The Lizard. Lady Cory-Wright’s Master and all but one of her crew were killed.
After Lady Cory-Wright sank many of her mines were left floating in the area, and her one survivor reportedly was found clinging to a floating mine. In 2009 her wreck still contained many unexploded mines and detonators.
Frederick George BLACKWOOD
3rd Engineer, aged 25
only son of J.H. and the late C.L. Blackwood, Queen Street. Onehunga, New Zealand
“LANDONIA”
Charles Adolphus MILLAR
First Engineer, aged 31.
s.s. “LIMERICK” (LONDON)
A defensively equipped ship of 6,827 tons was torpedoed without warning by a German U-boat on 13th June 1917 whilst 140 miles W.S. from Bishop Rock. A total of 8 lives were lost by drowning.
Matthew HARDING
Donkeyman, age 33
Son of Samuel and Jane Harding; husband of Lilian Harding (nee Wright), of 8 Bower Road, Hackney Wick, London. Born at Wellington, New Zealand.
s.s. “LLWYNGWAIR” (SWANSEA)
A defensively equipped ship of 1,304 tons was torpedoed without warning by a German U-boat on 26th April 1918 whilst 5 miles S.S.E. from Start Point. A total of 8 lives, including the Master, were lost by drowning.
John George Edward HARRIS
Second Engineer, age 26
Son of George Thomas and Margaret Mabel Harris; husband of Gwenllian Harris (nee Davies), of 32 Percy Street, Cwmbwla, Swansea. Born at Wellington, New Zealand.
“LUX”
Robert TAIT
2nd Engineer, aged 41.
s.s. “MALOJA” (BELFAST)
S.S. Maloja, was built 1916 Harland & Wolff Ltd. 12,431 gross tons. Owner Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co. The Liner and was built for the Far East Trade. The steamship dimensions were 550 x 62 x 34 feet and she was powered by 1.164 nhp quadruple expansion engine giving 19 knots, the steamship liner was defensively armed.
The P. & O. liner Maloja, Commander. C. E. Irving, R.N.R., the largest ship in the company’s fleet, left London on Saturday, February 26th, 1916, for Bombay with 456 persons, of whom 121 were passengers, with a general cargo. On the 27th February 1916 at about 10.30 a.m. she struck a mine two miles S.W. of Dover Pier and foundered in a very short time, taking with her 155 of those on board.
Edith MABERLEY
Stewardess, aged 54
Born at Dunedin, New Zealand.
s.s. “MELANIE” (LONDON)
A defensively equipped ship of 2,996 tons was torpedoed without warning by a German U-boat on 16th June 1918 whilst 2 miles East from S. Cheek, Robin Hood Bay. A total of 5 lives, were lost by drowning.
Allan Chamberlain MURRAY
Third Engineer, age 23
Son of Peter and Alice Selina Murray (nee Chamberlain), of 51 Campbell Street, Wanganui, New Zealand. Born at Wanganui, New Zealand.
“MENAPIER” (BELGIUM)
Reynolds Hamilton KITSON
Pilot, aged 35
From Wellington, New Zealand.
s.s. “PERSIA” (GREENOCK)
A defensively equipped ship of 7,974 tons was torpedoed without warning by a German U-boat on 30th December 1915 whilst 71 miles S.E. by S. from Cape Martello, Crete. A total of 334 lives, including the Master were lost by drowning.
Stuart Wavel BOYD
3rd Officer, aged 31
From Hastings, New Zealand. Born in Canada.
Frank Thomas HERBERT
Chief Steward, age 52
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert, of Pahiatua, New Zealand. Born in Berkshire.
Augustine Russell KANE
Purser, age 58
Brother of the late Mary Kane, of 51 Bolton Street, Wellington, New Zealand, and of Elwood William Kane, Clerk of the House of Representatives, Wellington.
s.s. “SAINT NINIAN”
Frederick PETERSEN
Fireman/Trimmer, aged 30
s.s. “SEANG CHOON” (BURMA)
Robert Mutch Masson DUNBAR
3rd Officer, aged 23
s.s. “SEISTAN” (SWANSEA)
A defensively equipped ship of 7,974 tons was torpedoed without warning by a German U-boat on 23rd October 1917 whilst 3 miles N. by W.W. from Farnborough Head. A total of 5 lives were lost by drowning.
Frank Harold JAMES
Third Engineer, age 27
Son of Frank and Jane Mary James, of Puramahoi, Takaka, Nelson, New Zealand. Born at Takaka, New Zealand.
s.s. “TURRITELLA”
Arthur STEERS
2nd Engineer aged 28
From Dunedin, New Zealand.
s.s. “UMGENI” (LONDON)
Drowned on Friday, 9th November 1917.
Albert Edward William SCULLY
Third Engineer, age 25
Son of Mrs. E. Scully, of Port Nelson, New Zealand. Born at Nelson, New Zealand.
s.s. “VENTNOR”
Joseph Albert EVANS
Deck Hand, aged 51
s.s. “WIMMERA” (MELBOURNE)
A ship of 3,022 tons was mined on 26th June 1918 whilst 24 miles N.W.W. from Hooper’s Point, New Zealand. A total of 16 lives, including the Master, were lost by drowning.
Archie Howard BROOKES
Third Officer, age 37
Husband of Lovina Averline Phyllis Weatherall (formerly Brookes, nee Cunningham), of 7 William Street, Mount Eden, Auckland, New Zealand.
Herbert James KELL
Master, age 44
Husband of Christina Mary Kell of “Rexcourt”, Symonds Street, Auckland, New Zealand. Born in Australia.
Douglas Lodder MOWATT
Fourth Engineer, age 25
Son of Sarah Ann Mowatt, of 30 Thompson Street, Wellington, N.Z., and the late William Meffan Mowatt. Born at Wellington, New Zealand.
John MULVENNA
Able Seaman, aged 27
Alexander John NICHOL
Chief Officer, aged 40
Henry VERGE
Chief Steward, aged 52
s.s. “YOCHOW” (LONDON)
Drowned as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine on Wednesday, 20th March 1918.
Ernest Arthur SHATTOCK
Chief Officer, age 43
Husband of Ethel May Shattock (nee Simon), of 147 Knowles Street, St. Albans, New Zealand. [Royal Naval Reserve, retired]
© 2019 P.R.Lascelles
Forgotten Heroes 