Post by Admin on Apr 8, 2024 12:12:22 GMT
Ian HowellBarry War Museum & Heritage Centre
After over 100 years three Barry Seamen who’s graves have been unmarked at Merthyr Dyfan cemetery since World War One are to be officially commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. With a lot of amazing research and support by my friend John Anzevino we have opened a number of lost grave cases. As a result William Maxwell (Merchant Navy) and two brothers Thomas and John Scandlon (Royal Navy Reserve) will now receive CWGC headstones which are currently on order to be produced. All three died of, or as a result of their service. Once installed it is hoped to hold a dedication service for all three.
William Maxwell was a Glaswegian by birth, born in the city in 1858, but in 1910 he married Eliza Ann Rich from Barry. William had already experienced the horror of his ship being torpedoed by a German submarine - in the late summer of 1917.
Undaunted, he signed on for further service aboard the SS Eskmere.
The Eskmere sailed from Barry in early October 1917 with a crew of 28. Several of these men were from Barry.
stability for the ship at sea.
The crew of the Eskmere may have thought that there was no immediate danger of attack from an enemy submarine. However, Oberleutnant zur See Johannes Lohs, the commander of the UC-75, had other ideas.
LINK
Billy McGee -
Keith At Tregenna Is this the man, whose grave they have found, as he is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial.
MAXWELL, Chief Steward, WILLIAM, S.S. "Eskmere" (Liverpool). Mercantile Marine. Drowned, as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine, 13th October 1917. Age 59. Son of the late William Maxwell; husband of Eliza Ann Maxwell (nee Rich), of 36, Fryatt St., Barry Dock, Glam. Born at Glasgow.
After over 100 years three Barry Seamen who’s graves have been unmarked at Merthyr Dyfan cemetery since World War One are to be officially commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. With a lot of amazing research and support by my friend John Anzevino we have opened a number of lost grave cases. As a result William Maxwell (Merchant Navy) and two brothers Thomas and John Scandlon (Royal Navy Reserve) will now receive CWGC headstones which are currently on order to be produced. All three died of, or as a result of their service. Once installed it is hoped to hold a dedication service for all three.
William Maxwell was a Glaswegian by birth, born in the city in 1858, but in 1910 he married Eliza Ann Rich from Barry. William had already experienced the horror of his ship being torpedoed by a German submarine - in the late summer of 1917.
Undaunted, he signed on for further service aboard the SS Eskmere.
The Eskmere sailed from Barry in early October 1917 with a crew of 28. Several of these men were from Barry.
stability for the ship at sea.
The crew of the Eskmere may have thought that there was no immediate danger of attack from an enemy submarine. However, Oberleutnant zur See Johannes Lohs, the commander of the UC-75, had other ideas.
LINK
Billy McGee -
Keith At Tregenna Is this the man, whose grave they have found, as he is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial.
MAXWELL, Chief Steward, WILLIAM, S.S. "Eskmere" (Liverpool). Mercantile Marine. Drowned, as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine, 13th October 1917. Age 59. Son of the late William Maxwell; husband of Eliza Ann Maxwell (nee Rich), of 36, Fryatt St., Barry Dock, Glam. Born at Glasgow.