Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

A Possible, G B Griffiths, Cabin Boy

http://www2.liverpool.gov.uk/hallofreme ... fault.aspx (Search Griffiths, 2nd page)
George Bernard Griffiths
Birth, 12 Oct, 1901,
Baptised at Christ Church, Kensington,
Address, Shotwick St
Parents, Thomas & Elizabeth Griffiths, Father, Coachman.

1901 census, previous to his birth,
Shotwick St
RG13, P3500, F82, Page5

I can't see anyone with a name like this on CWGC, but they were a bit choosy about Merchant Navy deaths, depending on what the ship was involved in.
D

Bertieone wrote:A Possible, G B Griffiths, Cabin Boy

http://www2.liverpool.gov.uk/hallofreme ... fault.aspx (Search Griffiths, 2nd page)
George Bernard Griffiths
Birth, 12 Oct, 1901,
Baptised at Christ Church, Kensington,
Address, Shotwick St
Parents, Thomas & Elizabeth Griffiths, Father, Coachman.

1901 census, previous to his birth,
Shotwick St
RG13, P3500, F82, Page5

In the following census...
Address: 5 Fell Street, Kensington, Liverpool
GRIFFITHS, Elizabeth Head Married 45 1866 - Liverpool
GRIFFITHS, Thomas F Son 25 1886 Barber - Salop, Breton
GRIFFITHS, Charles L Son 18 1893 Billiard Marker - Surrey, Chiddingfold
GRIFFITHS, Harry E Son 16 1895 Butcher's Boy - Cheshire, Birkenhead
GRIFFITHS, Mary E Dtr 13 1898 School - Cheshire, Birkenhead
GRIFFITHS, George B Son 10 1901 School - Liverpool
GRIFFITHS, Clifford H Son 8 1903 - Liverpool
GRIFFITHS, Doris P Dtr 6 1905 - Liverpool
GRIFFITHS, Florance M Dtr 3 1908 - Liverpool

Got him.

Liverpool Echo 16th August 1918

IN MEMORIAM

GRIFFITHS:-In loving memory of my dear son GEORGE BERNARD, who was drowned through the torpedoing of his ship August 16 1917. Aged 15 years, 10 months. Also Thomas Griffiths, who died October 23 1917, father of the above.-From mother and all at 66, Cotswold Street, Liverpool.

Ships sunk 16th-Aug-1917

S.S. "Delphic" (Liverpool)
S.S "Athenia" (Glasgow)

CWGC record 14 Casualties on the Tower Hill Memorial.

Can anyone find his death Registration on deaths at sea

According to another roll of honour notice published on the same day his brother Len (Charles Leonard) was rescued from the same ship.

Well spotted, Katie!
D

Oh bless him, only 15. Good work Kath, where would we be without your database.

According to an entry on Google regarding the sinking of the ship from Liverpool 5 lost their lives and that corresponds with the 5 entries on the CWGC. Really do need to get his death details to get the ships name.

I have found online images of the panels at the Tower Hill Memorial. This GB Griffiths is not listed on the panels for either of the two ships Delphic and Athenia which sank on 16 Aug 1917. [The Athenia's crew were all from Glasgow.]

Could the family have used a different date for their 'in memoriam' notice, perhaps the day they were notified? We do need that death registration.
D

Not listed on the Deaths at Sea.

Yes he is
Surname and Christian Name Griffith, G (P)
Age 16
Rank or Rating O.S.
Nationality or Birthplace Liverpool
Last Place of Abode Liverpool
Name, Official Number and Port of Registry of Ship - Athenia 119, 121 Glasgow
Date, Place and Cause of Death - 16 Aug 1917 At sea Drowned
Remarks - Ship Torpedoed by Enemy Submarine
Official References - C & D

He was on the Athenia

I have the list of all those killed who are on the CWGC and I also have a list of these:-

Register General to whom reported: E
Name: Athenia
Official Number: 119121
Port of Registry: Glasgow
Date of Death: 16/8/1917
Place of death: At sea
Name & Surname of Deceased:-

G. Griffiths 16yrs-OS-Liverpool-Drowned
S. Currie 17yrs-Asst Steward-Bootle-Drowned
E. Watts 35yrs-Asst Steward-Southampton-Drowned
A. Anderson 23yrs-Asst Steward-Glasgow-Drowned
Thos Rice 19yrs-Seaman-Ireland-Drowned
J. Parry 22yrs-Asst Steward-Widnes-Drowned

Also wrote in the column besides the word drowned is "Distressed British Seamen ex S.S. Letitia"

From this I can only assume that the above were presumed drowned but were picked up.

Thoughts welcome
I could post the link to both entries for the records but I don't know if I am allowed?
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Here is a link to the Tower Hill image for the Athenia - you may need to scroll down:
http://www.benjidog.co.uk/Tower%20Hill/ ... ml#Athenia

Curious!

D

To further the debate I have just checked the Bootle War Memorial and there is a S. Currie recorded SS "Athenia"

Katie wrote:He was on the Athenia

I have the list of all those killed who are on the CWGC and I also have a list of these:-

Register General to whom reported: E
Name: Athenia
Official Number: 119121
Port of Registry: Glasgow
Date of Death: 16/8/1917
Place of death: At sea
Name & Surname of Deceased:-

G. Griffiths 16yrs-OS-Liverpool-Drowned
S. Currie 17yrs-Asst Steward-Bootle-Drowned
E. Watts 35yrs-Asst Steward-Southampton-Drowned
A. Anderson 23yrs-Asst Steward-Glasgow-Drowned
Thos Rice 19yrs-Seaman-Ireland-Drowned
J. Parry 22yrs-Asst Steward-Widnes-Drowned

Also wrote in the column besides the word drowned is "Distressed British Seamen ex S.S. Letitia"

From this I can only assume that the above were presumed drowned but were picked up.

Thoughts welcome
I could post the link to both entries for the records but I don't know if I am allowed?
-

It would appear that the above seamen were distressed British Seamen from the S.S. Letitia and they are recorded as being passengers on the S.S. "Athenia" I don't know what the IFTC will make of this.

I have checked the entries for those who were Distressed British seamen and they all have (P) recorded. So they were all classed as Passengers and not on active service.

Katie wrote: I could post the link to both entries for the records but I don't know if I am allowed?
-

It's only Findmypast that don't let us post.

The S.S. "Letitia" ran aground on 1st August 1917

http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?30440

How sad those 6 seamen survive, only to lose their lives coming home to England.

I'll drop a line to IFTC project and see what they say.

Great bit of work! What a sad story (aren't they all though?)

There's more information about the Letitia here http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/sos/ ... 150-e.html

I suppose they didn't qualify for CWGC commemoration because they weren't on the crew of the Athenia but maybe there is an argument that they weren't paying passengers? the Athenia and the Letitia were both Anchor-Donaldson line so they were being transported by their employers.

Amanda

I have sent a email to IFTC project as my thoughts are the same as yours. The Letitia was a transport ship taking wounded soldiers to Canada. I will see what reply I get.