The Merchant Navy Memorial

This page includes basic information about the ships and how they were lost, a photo of the relevant panel(s) of the Tower Hill Memorial and information about those that lost their lives extracted from the CWGC database. In the table I have included information about those who served on the ships but who had a normal burial as this seems appropriate to me. In some cases further family information about the individuals may be available on the CWGC website [7].

Bamse (1875)

Bamse (1875) was a 1,007 GRT compound-engined cargo ship completed in 1875 by Turnbull, Scott & Co. for T.Turnbull & Son as Syra. From 1905 she was owned by Fred Olsen and renamed Bamse. At the time of her loss she was operated by the UK Shipping Controller and managed by F. Le Boulanger. She was sunk on 18 April 1918 by torpedo fired by German submarine UB-80 approximately 15 nautical miles West by North of Portland Bill. She was en route from Rouen to Swansea.

Casualties

Surname	Forename	Age	D.O.D	Rank	Cemetery/ Memorial	Additional Information
Harland	George Hunter	20	18/04/1918	Second Mate	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of The Late George Hunter Harland And Susannah Harland. Born At Whitby.
Morgan	Joseph Emlyn	34	18/04/1918	Second Engineer	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of John And Mary Morgan; Husband Of Rachel Anne Morgan (Nee Richards), Of 8, Penlan Rd., Loughor, Glamorgan. Born At Trefilan, Cardiganshire.
Mclean	John	55	18/04/1918	Mate	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of The Late Donald And Jeanie Donald Mclean; Husband Of Isabella Mclean (Nee Docherty), Of Commercial Buildings, Cross St., Campbeltown. Born At Campbeltown.
Warburton	Hector	15	18/04/1918	Mess Room Steward	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of George Thomas And Emily Warburton (Nee Mitchell), Of 17, Tower St. West, Sunderland. Born At Leeds.

Bamse (1881)

Bamse (1881) was a 1,012 GRT steam cargo ship completed in 1881 by Strand Slipway Co. for T.Beynon as Thomas Coats. By the time she was lost she was owned by the UK Shipping Controller and managed by Blow, Richards & Co. She was sunk on 2 October 1918 by torpedo fired by German submarine UB-112 approximately 5 nautical miles East of Cape Lizard. She was en route from Swansea to Falmouth with a cargo of patent fuel.

Casualties

Surname	Forename	Age	D.O.D	Rank	Cemetery/ Memorial	Additional Information
Hitchcock	Albert Ernest	17	02/10/1918	Assistant Steward	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of John William And Emily Elizabeth Hitchcock (Nee Robinson), Of 58, Peel St., Hull.
Lockrin	W		02/10/1918	Able Seaman	Tower Hill Memorial
Ortiga	O	23	02/10/1918	Able Seaman	Tower Hill Memorial	Born In Chili.
Porter	Bernard	49	02/10/1918	Donkeyman	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of The Late William And Mary Porter; Husband Of Sarah Porter (Nee Davies), Of 13, Lewis St., St. Thomas, Swansea, Glam. Born In London.
Pullan	William Henry	26	02/10/1918	Able Seaman	Tower Hill Memorial	Son of Sarah Pullan, of 2, Back Lane, Bramley, Leeds. Mr. Pullan was a member of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and is also commemorated on panel 31 of the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Roberts	Thomas	17	02/10/1918	Able Seaman	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of Thomas And Elizabeth James Roberts (Nee Morris), Of 4, Mersey St., Borthy Gest, Portmadoc, Carnarvonshire.
Soto	Francisco	42	02/10/1918	Able Seaman	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of The Late Mr. And Mrs. Pedro Soto; Husband Of Agnes Soto (Formerly Murphy, Nee Mcgrath), Of 40, Christina St., Cardiff. Born In Chili.
Stanford	William	18	02/10/1918	Mess Room Boy	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of Catherine Stanford (Nee Donovan), Of 10, Wells St., Canton, Cardiff, And The Late Charles Stanford. Born At Mardy, Glam.
Tillti	John Matson	58	02/10/1918	Able Seaman	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of The Late Matthew And Sophia Matson: Husband Of Matilda Matson Tillti (Nee Frankel), Of 25, Chancery Lane, Cardiff. Born At Biorko. Viborg.
Watkins	W		02/10/1918	Mate	Tower Hill Memorial
Winchester	Alfred Black	45	02/10/1918	Chief Engineer	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of John And Elizabeth Winchester; Husband Of Sarah Jane Winchester (Nee Coates), Of 7, Brabant Rd., Aigburth, Liverpool. Born At Birkenhead.

Bandon

Bandon was a 1,456 GRT steam passenger/cargo ship (ref) completed in 1910 by Swan, Hunter & W.Richardson for City of Cork Steam Packet Co. She sank on 13 April 1917 after striking a mine believed to have been laid by German submarine UC-44 at position 51° 57' N, 07° 35' W - approximately 2.5 nautical miles South-West of Mine Head. She was en route from Liverpool to Cork with a general cargo.

Casualties

Surname	Forename	Age	D.O.D	Rank	Cemetery/ Memorial	Grave Ref.	Additional Information
Bird	Charles	36	13/04/1917	Able Seaman	Tower Hill Memorial		Husband Of Emily K. Bird, Of 4, Maylor St., Cork. Born At Cork.
Collins	Batt	41	13/04/1917	Trimmer	Tower Hill Memorial		Husband Of Mary Collins, Of 100 Great William O Brien St., Cork. Born At Cork.
Courtney	John	45	13/04/1917	Able Seaman	Cork (St. Joseph S) Cemetery	Sect. 1.	Husband Of Hannah Courtney, Of 17, St. Brigid St., Cork.
Crone	Caleb	31	13/04/1917	Cook	Tower Hill Memorial		Son Of Eliza Crone, Of 18, St. Bridget St., Cork.
Curtin	Patrick	36	13/04/1917	Fireman	Tower Hill Memorial		Husband Of Mary Ann Curtin, Of 20, Wolfe Tone St., Cork. Born At Cork.
Dowling	Michael	48	13/04/1917	Second Engineer	Tower Hill Memorial		Husband Of Hannah Dowling, Of 32, Friars Walk, Cork. Born At Cork.
Edwards	Martin	38	13/04/1917	Leading Seaman	Tower Hill Memorial		Long service and good conduct medal. Son of John and Elizabeth Jane Edwards, of Dock Lane, Penzance; husband of Mary Jane Edwards, of 6, New Town Lane, Penzance. Mr. Edwards was a member of the Royal Naval Reserve and is also commemorated on panel 23 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Ferns	Edward	49	13/04/1917	First Mate	Tower Hill Memorial		Husband Of Agnes Ferns, Of 10, Crescent, St. Lukes, Cork. Born At Liverpool.
Higgins	Patrick	43	13/04/1917	Fireman	Tower Hill Memorial		Husband Of Margaret Higgins, Of Clash Little Island, Co. Cork. Born At Cork.
Lacey	James	34	13/04/1917	Trimmer	Tower Hill Memorial		Son Of Johanna Lacey, Of 29, Roche S Buildings, Cork.
Leahy	Jeremiah	52	13/04/1917	Fireman	Tower Hill Memorial		Husband Of Mary Leahy, Of Cottages, Blackrock, Cork. Born At Cork.
Long	Jeremiah	34	13/04/1917	Fireman	Tower Hill Memorial		Husband Of Margaret Long, Of Rathbeacon, Whitechurch, Co. Cork. Born At Cork.
Louro	Simon	48	13/04/1917	Able Seaman	Tower Hill Memorial		Husband Of Margaret Louro, Of 49, Madden S Buildings, Cork. Born At Cork.
McCarty	Jeremiah	30	13/04/1917	Able Seaman	Tower Hill Memorial		Husband Of Annie Mccarty, Of 19, Caley S Avenue, Cork. Born At Cork.
McCashin	Charles	35	13/04/1917	Steward	Tower Hill Memorial		Son Of Ann Mccashin, Of Ballintemple, Blackrock, Cork. Born At Cork.
Mahoney	George	43	13/04/1917	Fireman	Tower Hill Memorial		Husband Of Margaret Mahoney, Of 15, Sun Row, Dillon S Cross, Cork. Born At Cork.
Martin	Charles	32	13/04/1917	Fireman	Tower Hill Memorial		Husband Of Irene Martin, Of 29A, St. Patrick S Quay, Cork, Co. Cork. Born In Queensland.
Mercer	Robert	67	13/04/1917	First Engineer	Tower Hill Memorial		Husband Of Ellen Mercer, Of 9, Mount Pleasant Rd., College Rd., Cork. Born At Clonmel.
O'Brien	Michael J. O.	53	13/04/1917	Second Mate	Tower Hill Memorial		Husband Of Kate O Brien Of 7, Shears St., Cork. Born At Cork.
O'Callaghan	John	37	13/04/1917	Fireman	Tower Hill Memorial		Husband Of Julia O Callaghan, Of 60, Shandon St., Cork, Co. Cork. Born At Cork.
O'Keefe	Patrick	37	13/04/1917	Fireman	Tower Hill Memorial		Husband Of Nora O Keefe, Of Beaumont Cottage, Ballintemple, Cork. Born In Cork.
O'Keefe	Robert	49	13/04/1917	Cattleman	Tower Hill Memorial		Husband Of Mary O Keefe, Of 8, Merry Pole Lane, Blarney St., Cork. Born At Cork.
O'Sullivan	William	45	13/04/1917	Cattleman	Tower Hill Memorial		Son Of Mrs. Mary O Sullivan, Of 16, Walshes Avenue, Blackpool, Cork. Born At Cork.
Sullivan	John	37	13/04/1917	Able Seaman	Tower Hill Memorial		Born At Cork.
Thompson	Joseph George	36	13/04/1917	Able Seaman	Tower Hill Memorial		Husband Of The Late Mary Thompson. Born At Cork.
Wafer	John	24	13/04/1917	Able Seaman	Tower Hill Memorial		Husband Of Hannah Wafer, Of 6, St. Dominick S Terrace, Crosses Green, Cork. Born At Wexford.
Walsh	John	42	13/04/1917	Fireman	Tower Hill Memorial		Husband Of Nora Walsh, Of 48, Great William O Brien St., Cork. Born At Cork.

Bangarth

Bangarth was a 1,875 GRT steam cargo ship completed in 1906 by Sir Raylton Dixon & Co. for Rea Shipping Co. Ltd. and managed by R. & J.H.Rea of Liverpool. She was sunk on 13 December 1917 by torpedo fired by German submarine UB-34 at position 55° 14' N, 01° 23' W - approximately 13 nautical miles North-North-East of the River Tyne. She was en route from Methis to Dunkirk with a cargo of coal.

Casualties

Surname	Forename	Age	Honours/ Awards	D.O.D	Rank	Cemetery/ Memorial	Grave Ref.	Additional Information
Cook	Frank Alfred	41		13/12/1917	First Engineer	Tower Hill Memorial		Son Of The Late Alfred And Elizabeth Tully Cook; Husband Of Martha Ann Cook, Of 17, Earl Rd., Penarth. Born At Appledore.
Jenkins	Taliesin	42		13/12/1917	Second Engineer	Tower Hill Memorial		Son Of The Late Samuel And Margaret Jenkins;: Husband Of Margaret Sarah Jenkins, Of 81, Windsor Rd., Penarth. Born At Blaina, Monmouthshire.

Barbados

Barbados was a 183 GRT steam trawler completed in 1907 by Earles Shipbuilders of Hull for Hull Steam Fishing & Ice Co. Ltd. She left Hull for the North Sea fishing Grounds on 21 October 1920 and was last seen by trawler Mino on 6 November 1920 in an area where there were known to be mines, A large explosion was heard by nearby trawlers and despite a search no wreckage was found.

There were no survivors

Casualties

Surname	Forename	Age	D.O.D	Rank	Cemetery/ Memorial	Additional Information
Hudson	J.E.	40	05/11/1920	Cook	Tower Hill Memorial	Husband Of Maud Hudson, Of 127, Chiltern St., Hull. Born At Hull.
Jenkinson	William	47	05/11/1920	Boatswain	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of Eliza Bowers (Formerly Jenkinson), And The Late William Jenkinson; Husband Of Kate Jenkinson (Nee Atkinson), Of 3, Emilys Terrace, Strickland St., Hull. Born At Lincoln.
Kelly	J	53	05/11/1920	Third Hand	Tower Hill Memorial	Born At York.
Kenny	P	44	05/11/1920	Fourth Hand	Tower Hill Memorial	Husband Of Florence Kenny, Of 34, Portland Place, Hull.
Pettman	D	34	06/11/1920	First Engineer	Tower Hill Memorial	Husband Of Emily Jane Pettman, Of 11, Burleigh Grove, Hawthorn Avenue, Hull. Born At Hull.
Phillips	J	52	05/11/1920	Second Hand	Tower Hill Memorial	Husband Of Mrs. Phillips, Of 14, Milton Grove, Elm St., Hull.
Reynolds	J.H.		05/11/1920	Skipper	Tower Hill Memorial
Ribee	T	19	05/11/1920	Trimmer	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of Mrs. Ribee, Of 14, Spring Gardens, Hawthorn Avenue, Hull.
Weaver	A.S.	44	05/11/1920	Cook	Tower Hill Memorial	Husband Of Minnie Weaver, Of 5, Talbot Terrace, Bean St., Hull.
Weaver	Thomas Henry	31	05/11/1920	Second Engineer	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of The Late Andrew And Isabella Weaver; Husband Of Emily Weaver (Nee Mclean), Of 8, Belgrave Terrace, Rosamond St., Hull. Born At Hull.

Barbary

Barbary was a 4,185 GRT steam cargo ship completed in 1901 by Rochardson, Duck & Co. for D.MacIver, Sons & Co. Ltd. She was sunk on 12 November 1917 by torpedo fired by German submarine UC-34 approximately 56 nautical miles North-West by South of Port Said. She was en route from Newport Monmouthshire to the Mediterranean with an unknown cargo.

Casualties

Surname	Forename	Age	D.O.D	Rank	Cemetery/ Memorial	Additional Information
Pearce	Thomas Edward		12/11/1917	Master	Tower Hill Memorial	Husband Of Susannah Pearce, Of 29, Curzon Rd., Waterloo, Liverpool.
McLaren	Bruce Lang	58	12/11/1917	Donkeyman	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of The Late Robert And Catherine Mclaren; Husband Of Mary Mclaren (Nee Sinclair), Of 8, Waterhouse St., Liverpool. Born At Liverpool.
Singleton	Thomas	17	12/11/1917	Deck Boy	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of John Singleton, Of 29, Dalton St., Salford, Lancs., And The Late Margaret Ann Singleton.

Barley Rig

Barley Rig was a 70 GRT steam "Buckie Drifter" fishing vessel that sank after striking a mine on 27 August 1914 off the mouth of the River Tyne.

Casualties

Surname	Forename	Age	D.O.D	Rank	Cemetery/ Memorial	Grave Ref.	Additional Information
Gray	John Smith	33	27/08/1914	Stoker	Tower Hill Memorial		Son Of Elizabeth Roy Gray, Of 75, College St., Aberdeen, And The Late James Morrison Gray. Born At Broughty Ferry.
Smith	Samuel	38	27/08/1914	Mate	Tower Hill Memorial		Husband Of Jessie Smith, Of 2, King St., Ianstown, Buckie. Born At Portessie, Buckie.
Smith	William	35	27/08/1914	Skipper	Tower Hill Memorial		Son Of William And Jessie Smith, Of 11, Reidhaven St., Ianstown, Buckie; Husband Of Helen Smith, Of 9, Seafield St., Ianstown, Buckie.
Smith	William	15	27/08/1914	Cook	Tower Hill Memorial		Son Of Helen Smith, Of 9, Seafield St., Ianstown, Buckie, And The Late William Smith.
Urquhart	Charles	28	27/08/1914	Engineer	Hull Western Cemetery	480. 46307.	Son Of Mary Urquhart And The Late John Urquhart; Husband Of Annie Urquhart (Nee Stephen), Of 9, Braeheads, Fraserburgh. Born Aberdeen.

The following photos were provided by David Fowler [71]: That on the left shows the grave of William Smith Snr. and William Smith Jnr., and that on the right the grave of Samuel Smith.

Contemporary Newspaper Accounts

100th Anniversary of Loss

On 26 August 2014, within a day of 100 years of the date of loss, the local newspaper The Banffshire Advertiser published an article in commemoration as a result of the research done by local historian David Fowler. The article includes first hand accounts by survivors.

Barnton

Barnton was a 1,858 GRT steam cargo ship completed in 1904 by Mackie & Thomson for Barnton Steamship Co. Ltd. and managed by Gillespie & Nicol. She was sunk on 24 April 1917 by torpedo fired by German submarine UC-21 at position 45° 40' N, 02° 12' W - approximately 40 nautical miles West by South of Pointe de Chassiron. She was en route from Bilbao to the Tyne with a cargo of iron ore.

Casualties

Surname	Forename	Age	D.O.D	Rank	Cemetery/ Memorial	Additional Information
Beverley	Andrew	44	24/04/1917	First Mate	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of The Late James And Helen Beverley; Husband Of Elizabeth Beverley (N E Wood), Of Stephen S Buildings, Newburgh, Aberdeenshire. Born At Newburgh, Aberdeenshire.
Clayton	William	51	24/04/1917	First Engineer	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of The Late Robert Walter And Emma Clayton; Husband Of Jessie Fenwick Clayton, Of Hallwells, Lundin Links, Largo, Fifeshire. Born At Kinross.
Fulthorpe	George Alexander	14	24/04/1917	Mess Room Steward	Tower Hill Memorial	(Served As Robinson). Son Of Eliza Robinson Fulthorpe (Nee Clark), Of 13, Catherine Terrace, Gateshead, Co. Durham, And The Late George Alexander Fulthorpe. Born At South Shields.
Hall	Daniel	47	24/04/1917	Sailor	Tower Hill Memorial	Born In Canada.
Hansen	Jens Peter	52	24/04/1917	Fireman	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of The Late Jacob And Ellen Marie Hansen; Husband Of Nelly Bianca Hansen (Nee Amundsen), Of 258, H. S. Edwards St., South Shields. Born At Copenhagen.
Johnson	William Allison	43	24/04/1917	Ship s Cook	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of Eva Fanny Johnson, Of 24, Rosslyn Terrace, Sunderland, And The Late Nicholas Johnson.
Marshall	Robert	49	20/04/1917	Steward	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of Robert And The Late Janet Marshall (Nee Shaw); Husband Of Elizabeth Marshall (Nee Dobbie), Of 95, Forth St., Grangemouth, Stirlingshire. Born At Cumbernauld, Glasgow.
McMann	John William	20	24/04/1917	Fireman	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of John William And Ada Mcmann, Of 35, Eldon St., Sunderland. Born At Sunderland.
McPhail	John George	23	24/04/1917	Third Engineer	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of Mary Jane Mcphail, Of 3, Belle Vue Terrace, North Shields, And The Late William Mcphail.
Mikelson	J	49	24/04/1917	Fireman	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of Karlina Mikelson, Of Katrin Dam C 19, House Brushard, Riga, Latvia. Born At Mitan.
Smith	John Murray Mcnair	35	24/04/1917	Second Engineer	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of The Late Jenkin And Isabella Gilmour Smith (Nee Murray). Born At Grangemouth.
Smith	Thomas Bain	36	24/04/1917	Fireman	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of The Late Jenkin And Isabella Smith (Nee Gilmour). Born At Falkirk.
Thomas	Moses	40	24/04/1917	Sailor	Tower Hill Memorial	Born At Jamaica.
White	Arthur	37	24/04/1917	Carpenter	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of The Late William, And Mary Ann White. Born At Middlesbrough.

Baron Ailsa

Baron Ailsa was a 1,836 GRT steam cargo ship completed in 1912 by Greenock & Grangemouth Dockyard Co. Ltd. for Kelvin Shipping Co. Ltd. and managed by H.Hogarth & Sons. She was sunk on 9 May 1918 by torpedo fired by German submarine UB-72 approximately 18 nautical miles West-North-West of The Smalls. She was en route from Queenstown to Barry with a cargo of government stores.

Casualties

Surname	Forename	Age	D.O.D	Rank	Cemetery/ Memorial	Additional Information
Ali Hasan			09/05/1918	Fireman and Trimmer	Bombay 1914-1918 Memorial, Mumbai
Black	Daniel	58	09/05/1918	Steward	Tower Hill Memorial	Husband Of The Late Frances Black. Born At Newcastle-On-Tyne.
McIntosh	Leonard Victor	20	09/05/1918	Leading Seaman	Tower Hill Memorial	Son of Robert and Hannah Elizabeth McIntosh, of 6, Connaught Terrace, Jarrow. Mr. McIntosh was a member of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and is also commemorated on panel 31 of the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Mouat	Thomas	53	09/05/1918	Boatswain	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of The Late Peter And Grace Mouat. Born In Shetland.
Oliver	Walter Herbert	18	09/05/1918	Wireless Operator	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of Walter And Isabella Oliver, Of 27, Great Western Rd., Aberdeen. Born At Tibbermore.
Osborne	Percy	19	09/05/1918	Able Seaman	Tower Hill Memorial	Son of Samuel and Elizabeth Osborne, of Nottingham. Mr. Osborne was a member of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and is also commemorated on panel 30 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Qaid Said			09/05/1918	Fireman and Trimmer	Bombay 1914-1918 Memorial, Mumbai
Robertson	James	27	09/05/1918	Mess Room Steward	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of The Late James And Jessie Robertson. Born At Glasgow.
Routledge	Colin Easton	18	09/05/1918	Sailor	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of Robert Henry Eugene And Alice Routledge, Of 20, Baring St., South Shields. Born At Bootle.
Somerville	William	24	09/05/1918	Third Engineer	Tower Hill Memorial	Son Of The Late David And Eliza Jane Mcpherson. Born At Perth.

Baron Blantyre

Baron Blantyre was a 1,844 GRT steam cargo ship completed in 1908 by Grangemouth & Greenock Dockyard Co. for Furness, Withy & Co Ltd as Castle Eden. From 1913 she was owned by Kelvin Shipping Co. Ltd. and managed by H.Hogarth & Sons. She was sunk on 3 October 1917 by torpedo fired by German submarine U-89 at position 43° 15' N, 10° 30' W - approximately 60 nautical miles North-West by West of Cape Finisterre. She was en route from the Clyde to Huelva with a cargo of coal.

Casualties

Surname	Forename	Age	Honours/ Awards	D.O.D	Rank	Cemetery/ Memorial	Grave Ref.	Additional Information
Buchan	Robert	33		03/10/1917	Second Engineer	Tower Hill Memorial		Son Of Margaret Ann Buchan (Nee Murie), And The Late Robert Buchan; Husband Of Maggie Crawford Buchan (Nee Allan), Of 11, Lawrence St., Partick, Glasgow. Born At Glasgow.

Losses in WW1

Bamse (1875)

Casualties

Bamse (1881)

Casualties

Bandon

Casualties

Bangarth

Casualties

Barbados

Casualties

Barbary

Casualties

Barley Rig

Casualties

Contemporary Newspaper Accounts

100th Anniversary of Loss

Barnton

Casualties

Baron Ailsa

Casualties

Baron Blantyre

Casualties