RMS Medway

[Archivist_47]

William James Smith 1852 Stoke Damerel - 8 Nov 1897, died aboard the RMS Medway, five days out of Southampton. His wife returned to the family home in Barbados to sort out his effects. She, Harriet Cherrie Smith (Miles) 12.1866 Bournemouth - 18 Nov 1933 Folkestone, returned to England the following year. Where is he buried?

[CaroleW]

Where is he buried?

Possibly at sea?  Where was the ship headed? 

No English death reg on freebmd

[Archivist_47]

Headed for Southampton from Barbados.

[CaroleW]

died aboard the RMS Medway, five days out of Southampton

Reads as though it only left Southampton 5 days before he died. 

[seaweed]

There were several ships with the name MEDWAY sailing in 1897.
The vessel with the official number 77028 would be the most likely. She was owned by the Royal Mail Steam Packet co. and was a regular trader to Barbados.
If he died at sea, FindMyPast should have details of his demise in the Deaths At Sea Register.
It may record if he was buried at sea. If not, if he was buried at sea, it should be recorded in the vessels official Logbook. Available from Southampton Archives.

[Archivist_47]

Thanks Seaweed. He was an employee of the Royal Mail Service based in Barbados and was accompanying his wife back to England from there. There must be a record in the Probate Office. His wife inherited his assets and later purchased two hotels in Folkestone, Kent.

[JenB]

There must be a record in the Probate Office.

You can find the entry easily using https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#calendar

Search for him in 1898.

[Archivist_47]

Thank you so much. This opens up another line of enquiry into the movements of my great grandmother following her husband's death .