Deaths at Sea Records 1917

[jc26red]

Hi All,

I am trying to find the death of William Richard Townsend, but I'm not having much success.  I have found him in the National  probate index but I'm not 100% sure it's the right man as  I have limited information on him.

William Richard Townsend married Emily Mabel Townsend nee Townsend Sept qtr 1907 Epsom Surrey
son Edward William Maunsell Townsend was born 1908 at Parkstone, Bournemouth
1911 Emily and her son are head of house with her sister Mary Helena Maunsell Langdon in Bexhill, Sussex

Probate for William Richard Langdon...  gives his address as Caius House Bolbrooke Bexhill on sea (different address in Bexhill to the one in 1911)  stating he died 28 November 1917 at sea.  Widow is ETHEL Mabel Townsend. 

Emily Mabel Townsend was born 1878 in Blarney, co Cork, I believe William was possibly a  relative, which would put William's birth in Ireland.  I have found one possible birth -  20 Sep 1878 RD Skibbereen son of William Townsend and Mary Townsend nee Morris - no clue if they were related as I am following Emily's line down via her mother.

Any clues would be appreciated.
Many thanks Jenny

ps.. I can't find him on 1901/1911 census in Ireland or UK

[Jebber]

Deaths at Sea 1891-1972
BT 334
Box 0068

Page 154

28 November 1917

WR TOWNSEND

Country At sea

Vessel APAPA.

[cath151]

Newspaper reports report the death of William Richard Townsend, Attourney General of the Gold Coast on the ship Apapa which sank after being torpedoed 28th Nov 1917.
IT says he was the son of Professor Townsend of "Wilderlands". Torquay.

Cathy

[JJen]

These links may be of interest  -

http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~townsend/tree/record.php?ref=6B31

1901 -

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Galway/Galway_West_Urban/Town_Parks/1375694/

JJ

[JJen]

Marriage -

7 Aug 1907, All Saints. Benhilton, Surrey
William Richard Townsend, 37,  Chief Magistrate, The Gambia, W.Africa
Father - Edward Townsend, Professor of Engineering
Spouse - Emily Mabel Townsend 30
Spouse's father - Richard Horatis Townsend, Gentleman

JJ

[jc26red]

Thank you all!!!

That’s him.  While I wasn’t expecting an ag lab sadly losing his life at sea during the war, seems WR Townsend was a little grander than I thought.  His wife was the granddaughter of the Honourable Catherine Maunsell.

Thanks again 
Jenny