Able Seaman Hamilton Loughlin

Remembering today: Able Seaman Hamilton Loughlin - D/JX 181582 - Royal Navy, Born Carrickfergus 1914 lost at Sea on board S.S Georgic 14th July 1941.

Hamilton was the son of Hamilton and Robina Loughlin and husband of Johanna Mary Loughlin. In 1941 Hamilton was serving on board the Steamship S.S Georgic: she was the White Star's last Liner having been build in Harland & Wolff in 1931. In 1940 she was converted to a troop ship and requisitioned by the Royal Navy for the war effort. On 7 July 1941, Georgic was docked at Port Tewfik in the Gulf of Suez. German aircraft were sweeping the skies in that area and spotted Georgic, which they proceeded to attack, resulting in two bombs being dropped, with one striking Georgic‍ 's stern. A large fire ensued, spreading to the ship's dummy funnel which was holding ammunition. This ammunition exploded, seriously damaging the stern area of the vessel. The order was given to abandon ship, with Georgic now sinking by the stern. Six crew were reported as Killed and Lost at Sea, Hamilton Loughlin was one of the six.

His body was never recovered and he is forever remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial (pictured). ‪#‎LestWeForget‬

Fireman Thomas Milliken

Remembering today: Fireman and Trimmer Thomas Milliken, Mercantile Marine serving on board S.S “Rathlin Head” (Belfast). Thomas was the son of James and Sarah Milliken of Eden Carrickfergus. He was one of three killed on board S.S Rathlin Head following a torpedo attack on 26th May 1918.

Thomas was 22 years old and his body was never recovered. He is forever remembered on Tower Hill Memorial, London. ‪#‎LestWeForget

RATHLIN HEAD official number 110510 built in 1899, Ulster SS. Co., Ltd. (G. Heyn & Sons), Belfast.

25/5/1918: Torpedoed and damaged by U-46 (Hillebrand), SW of Ireland in position 49.40N, 12.00W, on a voyage from Swansea & Milford Haven - New Orleans in ballast.

Torpedoed again on 26th May, her Master, Captain W. J. Campbell succeeded in limping her to port with the assistance of a tug some two days after the attack, but three lives were lost. She was repaired and re-entered service, and following the war was returned to her owners in February 1919. She was demolished 10 years later in Rosyth by the Alloa Shipbreaking Co. Ltd.

Salvage of s.s. "RATHLIN HEAD" by H.M. Tugs "CARTMEL" and "FLYING SPRAY" and H.M. Trawler "GEORGE ANDREW" between the 26th and 28th May 1918.

The three seamen lost on RATHLIN Head were

Issac Cinnamond - Fireman and Trimmer - 26/5/1918

Thomas Milliken - Fireman and Trimmer - 26/05/1918

William James Rawe - Fireman and Trimmer - 26/5/1918.

Sergeant Trevor Barkley Boyd - Royal Air Force Reserve

This week Carrickfergus remembers Sergeant Trevor Barkley Boyd - 1145139 - Royal Air Force Reserve.  Born in Greenisland, Carrickfergus in 1922 he was killed in the air on a bombing run over Burma on 23rd/24th February 1944 aged 22.

Trevor was the son of Edgar and Margaret Jessie Boyd of Greenisland and like many others in Northern Ireland during the war enlisted with the Royal Airforce Reserve.  He was assigned to a B-24 Liberator bombing crew as one of the 11 man crew.  On the evening of 23rd February 1944 he has the B-24 crew of BZ951 were on a bombing mission en route to Sinde in Burma when the aircraft was lost in the sky due to an explosion.  Records on the event are vague but it appears that the entire crew were lost and none of the men were ever recovered for burial.  The entire crew including Trevor are remembered on the Singapore Memorial, Malaya on column 43 (pictured).

Singapore Memorial

The crew included another County Antrim man, flight Sergeant David Nelson from Larne.

At this stage I have been unable to find out anything more about the Boyd family or stories Trevor's service.  If anyone has any information at all please do get in touch.

We will remember them.

Details of the crew of B-24 BZ951:

ALLITT, Flight Lieutenant, ROBERT EDWARD, D F C, 40594. Royal Air Force. 23rd February 1944. Column 431. 

BEATEY, Warrant Officer, THOMAS ATKINSON, 1104751. Royal Air Force. 23rd February 1944. Age 28. Son of Thomas Beatey, and of Catherine Beatey, of Percy Main, Northumberland. Column 433.

BOYD, Sergeant, TREVOR BARKLEY, 1145139. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 23rd February 1944. Age 22. Son of A. Edgar and Margaret Jessie Boyd, of Greenisland, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. Column 435. 

FLETCHER, Sergeant, WILLIAM KENNETH, 1601738. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 23rd February 1944. Column 436. 

FRASER, Flight Lieutenant, FRANCIS JAMES, 66511. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 23rd February 1944. Age 25. Son of James and Janette Fraser, of Hove, Sussex. Column 431. 

HOUGHTON, Flight Lieutenant, RAYMOND DOUGLAS, 109364. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 23rd February 1944. Column 431. 

NELSON, Flight Sergeant, DAVID, 533351. Royal Air Force. 23rd February 1944. Age 26. Son of Hugh and Nancy Nelson, of Ballyhampton, Larne, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. Column 435. 

O'DONNELL, Pilot Officer, ERNEST WILLIAM, J/86852. Royal Canadian Air Force. 23rd February 1944. Column 444. 

RICHARDSON, Flight Sergeant, HERBERT ARTHUR, 517958. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 23rd February 1944. Age 29. Son of Herbert George and Selena Richardson, of Southsea, Hampshire. Column 435. 

MERRIMAN, Flying Officer, SYDNEY, 1791. Royal Indian Air Force. 23rd February 1944. Age 21. Son of Ernest and Gladys Merriman, of Agra, India. Column 445. 

Remembering Alexander Hill – J/21769 Royal Navy

Remembering Alexander Hill – J/21769 Royal Navy – Lost at Sea 21 February 1917 aged 20.

Alexander Hill was born in Ayrshire 9 March 1897 the son of Samuel and Elizabeth Hill and brother of James, Samuel (Killed in action 1915), Mary, David and Elizabeth.  His father was originally from Carrickfergus but his mother of Scottish and it was here that all of the Hill children were born.  Between 1906 and 1910 the family moved to Carrickfergus and by 1911 were living in the North East Division of Eden.  Alexander was by now 14 and had left school to work in the Barn Mills Flax Mill along with his brother Samuel and sister Mary. 

In January 1913 Alexander left a job as a farm labourer and joined the Royal Navy as a boy sailor on board HMS Impregnable from 18^th January 1913 to 15^th September 1913, then HMS Crescent 16^th September 1913 to 13^th January 1914, HMS Vivid 14^th January 1914 to 30^th January 1914 and HMS Foresight 31^st January 1914 to 20^th February 1917.  On 9^th March 1915, his 18^th birthday he was officially enlisted for a 12 year service at which time his service papers list him as 5 foot 3 inches, brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion.  It was also around the time of his 18^th birthday that Alexander joined the Carrickfergus Total Abstinence Loyal Orange Lodge 1537. 

Throughout his time in the Navy his reports are of a high standard and listed as being of very good character.  On 31^st December 1916 he is promoted to the rank of Able seaman while on board HMS Foresight.   It is also while serving onboard Foresight in the Aegean Sea that he is transferred for service on board HMS Alberta.  Alberta was a 1586 gross tonne steamer owned by M Langlands & Sons and built in Dundee in 1905.  During the war she acted as a fleet messenger carrying messages between ships, fleets bases and commanders.  While on a voyage from Styros to Mudros in the Aegean Sea she hit a mine laid by German Sub UC23 (Captained by Johannes Kirchner) and was sunk with the loss of 33 soles including Alexander. 

Alexander’s body was never recovered and remains lost at sea, he is forever remembered on Plymouth Navy Memorial Panel 21.  

H.M.S Alberta

     

Ordinary Seaman Robert Robinson Millar

Remembering Ordinary Seaman Robert Robinson Millar – D/JX 170164 – Royal Navy – Missing presumed killed 16 February 1942 aged 17 while serving on Naval Base HMS Sultan, Singapore. 

Robert was born in Carrickfergus in 1925 the son of James and Agnes Millar (nee Robinson)

We will relatively little about Robert’s life prior to the Second World War but when he was 16 he enlisted into the Royal Navy and following training was assigned to the H.M.S Prince of Wales in 1941. 

The Prince of Wales was completed by Cammell Laird Shipbuilders of Birkenhead in the March of 1941 and whilst not fully operational was sent into action with the Bismarck in May. After battling with and causing damage to The Bismarck the PofW herself was damaged and sailed home for repairs, during the June and July of 1941. Once repairs were complete in the August the PofW conveyed Prime Minister Churchill and his staff to meet President Roosevelt off the coast of Newfoundland to sign the Atlantic Charter. Around the third week of September the PofW joined Force H in Malta on Operation Halberd before returning home. On October 25th the Prince of Wales left the Clyde with Repulse for Singapore via the Cape of Good Hope and arrived on the 2nd December. On the 10th December with Repulse she was sadly sunk following a torpedo attack by Japanese aircraft. 

Robert along with others who survived the sinking was taken to Singapore and assigned to HMS Sultan Naval Base.

Robert had not seen the end of fighting would soon be caught up in Winston Churchill called the "worst disaster" and "largest capitulation" in British military history, that being the Fall of Singapore to the Japanese. 

Singapore was the major British military base in South-East Asia and nicknamed the "Gibraltar of the East". The fighting in Singapore lasted from 8–15 February 1942.

It resulted in the capture of Singapore by the Japanese and the largest surrender of British-led military personnel in history. About 80,000 British, Indian and Australian troops became prisoners of war, joining 50,000 taken by the Japanese in the earlier Malayan Campaign.

As the Japanese attacked, their troops were ordered to take no prisoners as they would slow up the Japanese advance. A pamphlet issued to all Japanese soldiers stated:

"When you encounter the enemy after landing, think of yourself as an avenger coming face to face at last with his father’s murderer. Here is a man whose death will lighten your heart."

As a result thousands of allied servicemen were killed along with up to 50,000 natives.  We know nothing about Robert’s death except that he is reported as missing presumed dead during the Fall of Singapore, 16 February 1942.  It is very likely he died prior to this date during the intense fighting prior to surrender on 15^th February. 

Robert Robinson Millar was only 17 when he was killed, a world away from his native town of Carrickfergus. His body was never recovered and he is forever remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial Panel 101 Column 3.  His name also appears on the Second World War Plaque located in Carrickfergus Town Hall.  

#LestWeForget 

Plymouth Naval Memorial 

Private Richard McDermott - 12892 - 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers

Remembering today: Richard McDermott - 12892 - 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers - Killed in Action 16 February 1917 France aged 20.

Richard was born in Carrickfergus in 1897 the son of Adam and Barbara McDermott (nee Carson) and brother of Thomas, Matthew, Barbara, Jane, William, Mary, Elizabeth, Agnes & Lindsay.

By 1911 Richard was living with his family at their home on Irish Quarter South and working in the local mill.  The entire family were members of the St Nicholas Church of Ireland Congregation. On Ulster Day 1912 he signed the Ulster Covenant in Carrickfergus Court House in the presence of W.H Howe.

When war broke out Richard enlisted into the Royal Irish Rifles in September 1914 as Rifleman 11772 before transferring to the 6th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers. 

After training in Ireland he moved to Basingstoke, England in April 1915 for final training. On the 7th of July 1915 the Battalion sailed from Liverpool for Gallipoli via Mudros. They landed at Sulva Bay on the 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 6th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. 

Following his tour of the Balkans Richard was transferred to 1st Battalion and after a period of rest at home was posted for active service on the Western Front in 1916.  He was killed in action on 16 February 1917 aged 20 in France and is buried in Fins New British Cemtery, Sorel-Le-Grand, VII C.29.  

#WeWillRememberThem 

Thanks to Nigel Henderson for this paper clipping

Fins New British Cemetery

 

After training in Ireland they moved to Basingstoke, England in April 1915 for final training. On the 7th of July 1915 they sailed from Liverpool for Gallipoli via Mudros. They landed at Sulva Bay on the 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 6th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. - See more at: http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/alliedarmy-view.php?pid=6334#sthash.22OSImWL.dpuf

After training in Ireland they moved to Basingstoke, England in April 1915 for final training. On the 7th of July 1915 they sailed from Liverpool for Gallipoli via Mudros. They landed at Sulva Bay on the 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 6th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. - See more at: http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/alliedarmy-view.php?pid=6334#sthash.22OSImWL.dpuf

After training in Ireland they moved to Basingstoke, England in April 1915 for final training. On the 7th of July 1915 they sailed from Liverpool for Gallipoli via Mudros. They landed at Sulva Bay on the 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 6th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. - See more at: http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/alliedarmy-view.php?pid=6334#sthash.22OSImWL.dpuf

After training in Ireland they moved to Basingstoke, England in April 1915 for final training. On the 7th of July 1915 they sailed from Liverpool for Gallipoli via Mudros. They landed at Sulva Bay on the 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 6th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. - See more at: http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/alliedarmy-view.php?pid=6334#sthash.22OSImWL.dpuf

Corporal Nathaniel Cousins - 9019 - 3rd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles

Remembering today:  Corporal Nathaniel Cousins - 9019 - 3rd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, died 16 February 1915 while on home service. 

Nathaniel was born in Carrickfergus on Christmas Eve 1875 the son of Abraham and Matilda Cousins (nee Doherty).  In 1899 he married Isabella Robinson and together they had four children, Ernest Barry, John Robinson, Albert and Gertrude.  By 1911 the family were living on Wilton Street in Belfast, Nathaniel was working as a general labourer. 

When war broke out in 1914 he enlisted into the 3rd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.  Little is known about his training and service except that he remained for home service.  He died on 16th February 1915 and was buried with military honours in Grangegorman Military Cemtery (Dublin) - CE 583

Thanks to Irish Regiments of World War One for this picture

Remembering Corporal Nathaniel Cousins

NAME; Cousins, Nathaniel

RANK; Corporal

SERV. NO; 9019

UNIT/SERVICE; 3^rd Battalion

REGIMENT; Royal Irish Rifles

BORN; Carrickfergus 1876

LIVED; Wilton Street, Woodvake Belfast

ENLISTED;

FATE; Died, Home, February 16^th 1915

CEMETERY; Grangegorman Military Cemetery (Dublin) - CE 583

CHURCH; Church of Ireland

MEMORIAL; N/A

REMARKS; Prior to the war he worked as a labourer in Belfast, he was the husband of Isabella Cousins and father of Ernest Barry, John, Albert, Gertrude and Matilda.  He died on 16^th February 1915 while on home service.  He is buried in Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Dublin. 

Robert Cambridge - New Zealand Army - Service Number 33162

Robert Cambridge was born in Carrickfergus on 1 November 1883 the son of Robert (Snr) J.P and Elizabeth (nee Reid) Cambridge and brother of Eleanor, Mary, Annie, Norah, Louisa and Thomas Reid. 

NZ Reinforcements Cap Badge

Robert grew up in Carrickfergus and was schooled at Belfast Inst, by 1901 he was living with his extended family on High Street and working as a Clerk.  His family were well known in the town, Robert (Snr) was a respected business man as a grocer and then a timber merchant as well as a local J.P and member of the council.

In 1902 Robert enlisted into the 29th Imperial Yeomanry (Irish Horse) seeing action in the Boer War were he is recorded as being awarded a medal with two clasps.  On his return from war he met and married Anita Wilson in Barton-Upon-Urwell, Lancashire in 1906.  Shortly after the couple emgirated to New Zealand in search of a new life.

By 1916 Robert and Anita were living at 144 Hills Road, St Albans Christchurch (NZ) where he was working as an ironmongery buyer for the distinguished DIC Department Store.  He was also treasurer of the local Veterans Association.

Robert enlisted into the New Zealand army in August 1916 and is described in his medical inspection as being 5 foot 6 1/2 inches, 10 stone with afresh complexion, light blue eyes and black hair turning grey.  On 23rd August he joined the 23rd Reinforcements as a corporal and was promoted to training sergeant on 20th November.  He transferred to G Company on 7th October and on 15th January 1917 was moved to Featherstone Military Camp on the lower North Island.

On 12th February 1917 Robert died suddenly from disease (possibly septic poisoning) - His burial took place from Christchurch with full military honours, his remains were removed from Featherstone Camp where he had died and moved to his home in St Albans.  The service at the graveside was conducted by Rev John Paterson of St Paul's Church at which comrades, work colleagues and members of the Veterans Association attended.  The pall-bearers were all members of the veterans association and were reported as Mr D Lee, Mr G Cresswell, Mr J Timbrell, Mr H Alpe, Mr W Simpson and Mr Bradwick.  Due to the distance from his home, it was only in the weeks after his death that Robert's family in Carrickfergus were made aware of his death by cablegram.  I can find no record of his wife or any descendants in New Zealand after his death. 

He is buried in Christchurch (Linwood) Cemetery block 35 lot 264 (pictured).

#LestWeForget

*With thanks to Inst in the Great War for picture 

 

New Zealand World War I soldiers of the 23rd Reinforcements, F Company, 23 Platoon at Canvas Camp, Featherston, Wairarapa, Wellington region

Carrickfergus Remembers Corporal James Sempey

NAME; Sempey,  James

RANK; Corporal

SERV. NO; 19751

UNIT/SERVICE; 12^th Battalion“B Coy”

REGIMENT; Royal Irish Rifles

BORN; Ballyclare

LIVED; Carrickfergus

ENLISTED;

FATE; Killed in Action 10 February 1916 aged 29

CEMETERY; Mesnil Ridge Cemetery, Mesnil – Martinsart – Somme, France – G.7

CHURCH; Unknown 

MEMORIAL; 

REMARKS; James was born in Ballyclare in 1888 the son of Hugh and Isabella Sempey and brother of Hugh junior (who also served with the Army Service Corps).  Prior to the war he was living in Carrickfergus with his wife Sarah and working in the Sullatober bleach works, he was also a member of the Sullatober Flute Band.

James enlisted into the 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in late 1914 and following training was posted to the Western Front in October 1914.  On 10th February 1916 James was hit by bomb and killed instantly aged 29.  

By the time of his death James was living in Ballyclare with his wife and four children who were informed of his death in a letter from Rev A Gibson, Presbyterian Chaplain (Lurgan) who in the course of his letter wrote “Your husband was killed yesterday by a shell.  He and several others were in a field close to a village when a shell burst near to them, and, unfortunately your husband received a wound at the base of the skull which killed him instantly and three others were injured.  Your husband was a fine man and was held in high esteem by the officers and men of his regiment.  His loss will be keenly felt by all of us and we shall miss him very much.  He gave his life in a great cause and he has not died in vain.” 

James body was buried at Mesnil Ridge Cemetery, Mesnil – Martinsart on the Somme.

The Battalion war diary notes the following - The month of February found the 12^th Rifles still at Ribeaucourt although various companies were detached on work parties to units in the surrounding areas.

 On February 3, there was an exciting episode when a French pilot landed his machine near to the 12^th Bn. Apparently he had ‘lost his way’ and had to stay the night.

 The next day, the Frenchman repaid (one assumes) the officers of the Bn. for their generosity. The war diary records:

 “French pilot took the following officers for a short trip in the aeroplane:- Lt. Col. G. Bull, Captain G. Thompson, 2^nd Lts. Hanson, Moore and Stuart.”

Frivolities over, the Bn. marched into billets at Mesnil (a village behind British lines) on February 8, taking over from the Rifle Brigade.

 A three day ‘settling in’ period followed but on February 10, a German aeroplane ‘with British marks’ dropped four bombs on Mesnil, killing one man and wounding three others.

Leading Seaman Andrew Hunter

NAME; Hunter, Andrew

RANK;  Leading Seaman

SERV. NO; 3341 / C

UNIT/SERVICE; Royal Naval Reserve

REGIMENT; S.S. “Karnak”

BORN; Carrickfergus 5 January 1872

LIVED; Glasgow

ENLISTED; Unknown 

FATE; Drowned at Sea 14 January 1918 age 35

CEMETERY; No known grave, body not recovered.

CHURCH;

MEMORIAL; Portsmouth Naval Memorial – Panel 31

REMARKS; Andrew was born in Carrickfergus 5th January 1872 the son of Andrew and Annie Hunter, he was husband of Nellie Hunter, of 3, Nicholson St., Glasgow.  He drowned at sea on 14th January 1918 while on board S.S Karnak.  His body was never recovered and he is forever remembered on Portsmouth Naval Memorial.