Name
William Blows
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
07/09/1917
38
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
CH/11790
Royal Marine Light Infantry
S.S. "Hunsbridge"
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL
Panel 25
United Kingdom
UK & Other Memorials
Royston Town War Memorial
Pre War
William was born in Royston, Hertfordshire, on the 22nd February 1881. He enlisted in the Royal Marines on the 21st August 1900 and served on a number of ships during his service. After their marriage, his wife lived at Long Crendon, Thame, Oxon.
Wartime Service
William served aboard both HMS Magnificent and HMS Royal Arthur during the Great War. He then transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve and served aboard the S.S. Hunsbridge, a British Cargo steamer built in 1912 by Craig Taylor, of Stockton, England and originally operated as the German Cargo steamer Hornfels. She was later renamed Haidar Pascha when purchased by Bremer Atlas and renamed Hunsbridge when acquired by the British Government. On the 7th September1917 she was torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-49 when 60 miles off of Cape Spartel whilst on route from Swansea to Gibraltar with a cargo of coal and stores. William Blows was one of just three casualties suffered in the sinking.
Acknowledgments
Paul Johnson
