Early
in the First World War, H.M.S Hawke, commanded by Capt. Hugh P.E.T.
Williams, was engaged in various operations in the North Sea. On 15
October 1914 Hawke, sailing with her sister ship Theseus, was torpedoed
by German submarine U-9. The submarine's first torpedo missed Theseus
but hit Hawke, igniting a magazine and causing a tremendous explosion
which ripped much of the ship apart. Hawke sank in a few minutes with
the loss of her captain, 26 officers and 497 men; only 70 of her 594
crew survived.
Of
the 497 men who lost their lives on board 99 years ago, Carrickfergus
today remembers SS/103005 - Stoker Andrew McAllister and SS/107927 -
Stoker Marriott Robert Donald and SS/188608 Able Seaman William Johnston.
Andrew
McAllister was born in Carrickfergus on September 1st 1887 and prior to
enlisting was living in Patterson's Row, Woodburn with his wife Susan
McAllister. Andrew and Susan were members of Joymount Presbyterian
Church.
Marriott (Martie) Donald was born in Carrickfergus on 25th October 1886
and prior to the war was living in Red Brae Cottage. He was the eldest
son of Robert and Isabella Donald, brother to Sarah, John, Nellie and
Mabel and husband to Bella Donald.
Neither Andrew or Martie were ever recovered from the wreckage and their
bodies were lost at sea. Today they are remembered on Panel 5 of the
Chatham Naval Memorial.
This site aims to record the details of all those men and women from the Borough of Carrickfergus who served during the Two World Wars. The blog is a work in progress and is constantly being updated - all the information collected will go towards The Carrickfergus Roll of Honour book which will hopefully be published in 2014.
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