S.S Bray Head, lost at Sea 14th March 1917

NAME; Atkinson, James

RANK; Fireman and Trimmer

SERV. NO;

UNIT/SERVICE; Mercantile Marine

REGIMENT; S.S “Bray Head” Belfast

BORN; Carrickfergus

LIVED; Thomas Street, Carrickfergus

ENLISTED;

FATE; Died 14^th March 1917 aged 33

CEMETERY; Body Lost at Sea and never recovered

CHURCH; St Nicholas Church of Ireland, Carrickfergus

MEMORIAL; Tower Hill Memorial

REMARKS;  James was the son of James and Jane Atkinson of Carrickfergus and husband to Matilda Atkinson (nee McConnell) of Thomas Street Carrickfergus.  Brother to Samuel, David and George who also served - brother also to Lizzie, Kate, Annie, Sara, Thomas, Nora and Jessie.  The S.S Bray Head was a steamer ship built in 1874 by C.S Swan and Hunter, Newcastle and operated by the Ulster Steam Ship Company Ltd.  On 14^th March 1917 while en route from St Johns, New Brunswick to Belfast with a general cargo she was attacked and sunk by gunfire from U-Boat U44 commanded by Kapitanleutnant Paul Wagenfuhr.  She was sunk 375 miles NW by W of Fastnet, 21 soles were lost including James Atkinson, Captain John Currie Hoy from Whitehead and 6 other men from Carrickfergus.  20 of the crew did survived and were finally picked up by H.M.S Adventure having been adrift in their lifeboat for 5 days.  James body was lost at sea and never recovered, he is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial London and on the St Nicholas Church memorial plaque.  

 

 

 

S.S Bray Head

NAME; Cameron, James

RANK; Fireman and Trimmer

SERV. NO; UNKNOWN

UNIT/SERVICE; Mercantile Marine

REGIMENT; S.S “Bray Head” (Belfast)

BORN; Carrickfergus

LIVED; Patterson’s Row, Carrickfergus

ENLISTED; Carrickfergus

FATE; Killed at Sea 14^th March 1917 aged 34

CEMETERY; Body Never Recovered

CHURCH;

MEMORIAL; Tower Hill Memorial

REMARKS; Son of William and Ann Jane Cameron and husband of Lizzie Cameron (Nee Breenan)

NAME; Carroll, William

RANK; Seaman

SERV. NO;

UNIT/SERVICE; Mercantile Marine

REGIMENT; S.S. “Bray Head” – Belfast

BORN;

LIVED; 4 Albert Drive, Carrickfergus

ENLISTED;

FATE; Killed / Lost at Sea 14^th March 1917 aged 17

CEMETERY; Body Never Recovered

CHURCH;

MEMORIAL; Tower Hill Memorial

REMARKS; Son of Henry and Ellen Carroll of 4 Albert Drive, Carrickfergus

  

NAME; Dalton, Thomas

RANK; Fourth Engineer Officer

SERV. NO;

UNIT/SERVICE; S.S “Bray Head” (Belfast)

REGIMENT; Mercantile Marine

BORN; Glasgow

LIVED; Eden, Carrickfergus

ENLISTED;

FATE; Killed in Action 14^th March 1917 aged 24

CEMETERY; Body Never Recovered

CHURCH;

MEMORIAL; Tower Hill Memorial

REMARKS; Son of David and Harriet Dalton of Eden Carrickfergus

NAME; Hilditch, Samuel

RANK; Ordinary Seaman

SERV. NO;

UNIT/SERVICE; Mercantile Marine

REGIMENT; S.S “Bray Head” –( Belfast)

BORN;

LIVED; North Street, Carrickfergus

ENLISTED;

FATE; Died 14^th March 1917 aged 21

CEMETERY;

CHURCH;

MEMORIAL; Tower Hill Memorial – London

REMARKS: Son of Robert and Sarah Hilditch (nee Ross) of North Street Carrickfergus

  

NAME; Stewart, Joseph

RANK; Fireman and Trimmer

SERV. NO;

UNIT/SERVICE; Mercantile Marine

REGIMENT; S.S. “Bray Head” Belfast

BORN; Carrickfergus

LIVED; Schomberg Street, Carrickfergus

ENLISTED;

FATE; Lost at Sea, 14^th March 1917 aged 25

CEMETERY; Body never recovered

CHURCH;

MEMORIAL;

REMARKS; Son of Hugh and Agnes Stewart, husband of Sarah Stewart (nee Blair) of Schomberg Street, Carrickfergus