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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: copperbeech5 on Wednesday 26 October 11 22:31 BST (UK)
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Hi,
I am very inexperienced in this room, and hope some kind soul may be able to help!
I had a great Uncle who I believe was drowned when this boat - the RMS Leinster was torpedoed and sank. His death is dated 10.10.1918
His body was washed up a month later on the Isle of Man.
I wonder if anyone can tell me where to go to try to find a list of the people on board at the time of the disaster.
Many thanks,
Copperbeech5
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This is just a wild guess, but there is a Maritime Museum in Dun Laoghaire (from which port I think the Leinster may have departed on its last journey) which has all sorts of interesting stuff in it. You might try them if all else fails. If you just Google it I'm sure you'll find a contact address or number.
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Hi Winterbloom,
That is very helpful suggestion, I shall give it a go!
Thank you,
Best wishes,
Copperbeech5
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http://www.rmsleinster.com/moreInfo/moreinfo.htm
The book in this link has the list
CWGC should have the crew and any serving military listed however wont have civillians
Ady
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Found this on Naval Casualties:
Leinster, passenger ship, torpedoed and sunk by UB.123 in Irish Sea, over 500 lives lost; naval casualties:
BUNDAY, William J, Warship Production Inspector, HM Dockyard Portsmouth, Admiralty civilian
CAMPBELL, George R C, Lieutenant Commander (Compass Department, O/P)
CARR, Josephine, Clerk, WRNS, G 4985
CHRISTY, John, Signalman, RNVR, Mersey Z 1749, (Colleen, Queenstown, O/P)
EADE, Arthur, Sick Berth Attendant, M 4062, (Colleen, O/P)
HOUGH, Fred, Ordinary Seaman, RNVR, Mersey Z 2101
HUGHES, James, Able Seaman, SS 6769 (Dev), (Walrus, destroyer, O/P)
JOYCE, Michael, Leading Stoker, 286505 (Dev), (Hecla, depot ship, O/P)
LANGLEY, Martin, Seaman, RNR, B 4821, (City of London, armed merchant cruiser, O/P)
LEATHERBAROW, George, Leading Seaman, RNR, A 7953
NYHAN, James, Stoker Petty Officer, 307621 (Dev), (Prince, destroyer, O/P)
PILGRIM, Herbert R, Yeoman of Signals, 218657, (Colleen, O/P)
SOLOMONS, David, Air Mechanic 1c, 203095, (19th Training Squadron, RAF, O/P)
STOKES, George E F, Stoker Petty Officer, 311541 (Dev), (Blake, depot ship, O/P)
WHITE, David, Able Seaman (Leading Boatman, Coast Guard), 171678 (Dev), (Pembroke, O/P)
WILLIAMS, Thomas P B, Private, RMLI, 18195 (Ply), (Colleen, O/P)
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I will pm you with a bit more information on this - phone number etc.
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Hi Ady,
Gosh thank you for all your work tonight!
I have looked on the rmsleimster.com site, it is very informative, but doesn't have the info I am after - sadly.
My man was a soldier Herbert William Hutchinson who was going to war or who was returning home, so sadly doesn't feature in your other list either.
Your help is much appreciated.
Best wishes,
Copperbeech5
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Theres a number of Westmoreland and Cumberland Hussars who died with him
They are listed on Soldiers Died in Great War
Born,Enlisted and Resided Nottingham 57451 Private.
http://irishmedals.org/gpage40.html
Found this also :)
Your mans listed towards the end with others buried on IoM.
Ady
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Hi Ady,
Well done you! Thanks so much for your help again, it is greatly appreciated!
Kind regards,
Copperbeech5
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Just to say a huge thank you to Winterbloom and Ady for their help over this.
I have in my hand 4 copies of press cuttings from the Isle of Man, stating categorically that my man was washed up, on the island, the dates, and the fact he was lost from the RMS Leinster.
He was found still in his uniform, with the his letters from his family treasured inside his uniform - safe.
Ironically, he also had a pass, and was off home on leave - but it was never to be.
Thanks again!
Best wishes,
Copperbeech5
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You're more than welcome. I'm delighted to hear that you found out so much and can think of him now in a personal way. I had a great uncle that drowned and when I found out all about it, it made such a difference. We all remember him now specially on that day. Regards, Siobhan
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Philip Lecane has a book called "Torpedoed! The RMS Leinster Disaster" (published in 2005) in which you can find a pretty detailed list of the unfortunate people on it. Hutchinson is mentioned on page 210 of it.
Radio Cymru did an hour long programme on the tragedy a couple of years ago.......I'd offer you a copy, but it's in Welsh and I'm not sure if you could follow it.
Trebrys
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Hi Trebrys,
Thanks so much for taking the time to reply to my post, and great information too!
Thanks for the offer of the book, but I think I will look for one in English!!
Thanks again,
Best wishes,
Copperbeech5
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Hello Copperbeech,
I am interested in reading through the lost passenger list, to find out if Annie Ruff, QMWAAC who is on our village War Memorial, was one of those lost in the sinking of the Leinster.
Such macic to read your letter.
Brian Howett
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Hi Startiger,
Firstly welcome to Rootschat!
Secondly, thank you so much for taking the trouble to make you post for me, and great picture - it is so sad that all these people perished from such a wide area, I don't know where abouts Annie was from, but like with my Gt uncle, I felt an enormous relief to find where he was laid to rest, and I guess to understand what happened.
Rootschat is SUCH a good team, and you meet such great folk - not to mention learning a lot!!
I have posted a pic of HW Hutchinson's grave in the I.O.M, and I was touched by the care it was maintained with, and also the poppy cross. One day I hope to visit him myself.
Kind regards,
Copperbeech5
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Hello Copperbeech,
Thanks for your reply.
It is getting ever more intrigueing, as I am told our "Annie" was not on the Leinster passenger list.
I have just discovered that there are three Annie Ruffs all born at about the same time, and fairly local.
I shall be searching the local papers of the time on microfische tomorrow.
I was on an ex-Servicemens trip to Ypres, the man sitting next to me on the coach told me of his experience. He had researched his grandfather, CWGC had provided him with the grave location. Arriving at the graveyard he was met by two elderly ladies, who asked who he had come to find. They took him directly to the grave, and said "we remember him, we nursed him when he died".
Brian
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Hi Brian,
Well good luck with your search for your Annie, if you can find any details these guys on here will have it cracked in no time!
Wow, what an incredible story from your Ypres trip, one trip you will never forget for sure. There some really good folk out there.
Best Wishes,
Copperbeech5
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Hi copperbeech5
I am one of the team involved in the website www.rmsleinster.com and was interested in your posts about your relative who died on the RMS Leinster and was buried on the Isle of Man. I also work with the National Maritime Museum in Dun Laoghaire which is hosting a special display and a series of events in connection with the Centenary of the sinking next October. A colleague of mine, who is also involved in both the rmsleinster website and the Maritime Museum, visited the Isle of Man earlier this week and took part in a small ceremony at the graves of the RMS Leinster casualties (including Private Hutchinson) who are buried there. He suggested I contact you to let you know that your relative had been remembered. If we can be of any assistance with information about the RMS Leinster please let me know either by reply or by contacting us at the www.rmsleinster.com website.
Best Wishes
Meinwen
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Hi Meinwen,
Thanks so much for getting in touch with me re: William Herbert Hutchinson.
I don't know why he was on the Lenister - but had always understood that he was on his way "home", but sadly as we know that was never to be.
I was delighted to hear that you have remembered him in the recent ceremony - that is lovely, thank you.
I have also made contact with you at through your website as you suggested - if I can help any further please don't hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards,
Copperbeech5
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Hi copperbeech55
Thanks for your message. I see that you were also on contact with Barry Hillier, and Philip Lecane has been in touch with you. I will contact you directly before we all get a bit confused!
Meinwen
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Great to make contact - Thanks!!