Ref ID: 5055
Name
William John Gillespie.
Description
Belfast Telegraph Newspaper Photograph of Stoker 1st Class William John Gillespie.
Life Story
Name: William John Gillespie.
Service Number: SS/107919.
Rank: Stoker 1st Class.
Battalion: HMS Hawke.
Regiment: Royal Navy.
Born: 1884, Dunmurry, Lisburn.
Died: 15th October 1914.
Address: Wolfhill Cottage, Ligoniel
.
William Gillespie. son of William and Maria Gillespie, lived at Wolfhill Cottages, Ligoniel, Belfast
.
The 1901 Ireland Census has William living at 181 Dunmurry Town, Antrim with his mother and sister Maria, 20 years, occupation, Machinist In Stitching Factory. Williams occupation at this time is given as General Labourer
.
William joined the Royal Navy on the 23rd January 1909.
He served on a number of ships throughout his career, including the following: HMS Acheron, HMS Tyne, HMS Pembroke II, HMS Falmouth, HMS Sentinel, HMS Cressy, HMS Juno, before ending on HMS Hawke.
William was transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserves on the 2nd February 1914, however he was recalled for service on the 5th August 1914.
William, aged 30 years, was a Stoker 1st Class within the Royal Navy when while serving aboard HMS Hawke he Drowned, Died At Sea, his ship having been attacked and sunk by a German Submarine, U 9, in the North Sea on the 15th of October 1914
.
His Pension Application Form shows his mother Maria as claimant.
A Naval Pension Log Book shows his mother as clamant.
..
William received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914 Star
.
He is Remembered at Chatham Naval Memorial, United Kingdom.
To Remember Is To Honour
.
Theme
Shankill Roll of Honour
Date
1914
Classification
Newspaper, , Photograph - Belfast Telegraph
