William was born on 28th June 1894 in Belfast, County Antrim. He joined the Navy for a short service of five years plus seven on retention, beginning training in Chatham as a Stoker 2nd Class. He was recorded as 5’3” tall with brown hair, grey eyes with a fresh complexion and had a small birthmark on his left shoulder.
HMS PEMBROKE II - 02/01/1913 - 13/05/1913
HMS LONDON - 24/05/1913 - 13/02/1914
HMS PEMBROKE II - 14/02/1914 - 31/03/1914
HMS VANGUARD - 01/04/1914 - 09/07/1917, serving aboard during the Battle of Jutland
Following his death the Star, Victory and British war medals awarded to William were issued to his widow Susan - his mother Isabella received his pension.
He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
#30-644/843
Sources:
Ireland, Civil Registration Births Index, 1864-1958
Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services, 1848-1939 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services; Class: ADM 188; Piece: 1119
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty: Naval Casualties, Indexes, War Grave Rolls and Statistics Book, First World War.; Class: ADM 242; Piece: 010 (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 113
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 643/01d
Photo courtesy of Belfast Telegraph
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