Loss of the Thetis 1939

TRAPPED BODY RELEASED

DIVERS CLEAR THETIS ENGINE ROOM

The body of the 65th victim was brought out of the Thetis engine room on Saturday, the way is now prepared for the last phase of the salvage work, which was started 4 mths ago.

The last body in the engine room was found trapped in machinery near the bulkhead.

Inquest at Holyhead.

Man identified as, Acting Leading seaman, Walter L. HAMBROOK, aged 29, of Elson Lane Gosport, whose remains were despatched to Gosport for burial.

The submarine remains ground, 6ft below water at Moelfre Bay, divers will concentrate on underwater preparations for bringing her to the surface. 34 personnel still remain in the vessel

Deaths

ROBINSON, lost on the THETIS, of 14 Baytree Rd, Tranmere, Arthur, dearly beloved husband of Muriel, funeral service at St Catherines Ch, interment at Landican cemetery

3rd Oct 1939

DEATH NOTICES

TYLER, Donald Vivian, twin son of the late Mr and Mrs Walter G. TYLER, of Rockferry, interred at Maeshyfryd Cemetery, Holyhead, Sept 29th.

WATTERSON, Interred at Holyhead, Sept 29th, William the beloved husband of Lily and dear father of Majorie, 17 Kingslake Rd, Wallasey.

Nov 13th 1939

After taking evidence of identification at the resumed inquest on the last 34 Thetis victims, yesterday, the Coroner, Mr Forcer EVANS, said he would adjourn the inquest to a date to be fixed, with a view to arriving to a decision as to how the personnel of the submarine came by their deaths.

The identity of all but two of those recovered was established, evidence dealing with articles , documents and clothing in the men's possession.

One victim was identified with, "In memory of my dear mother." Tattoed on his arm.

Both unidentified bodies are naval ratings, one had tattoed a bird in flight with the name, "Jean" Underneath, a sailing ship, below which were the words, "In the days of command."

There were 99 victims in all and there remains 8 unidentified.

Evidence accepted in the following cases.

Thomas BAMBRICK, Stoker, aged 27, of Coreen, Castle Corner, Kilkenny

Norman LONGSTAFF, Able seaman, aged 26, of Arthur Terrace, Cockton Hill, Bishop Auckland.

Louis Eric GREEN, Stoker, aged 26, Thol St, Horham, Strabrooke, Suffolk

Robert Stanley BROOKE, Leading stoker, aged 26, Southdown Rd, Southdown, Bath

William Alfred MATTHEWS, Stoker, aged 21, Grove Rd, Mill End, Rickmansworth

Frank Richard BRESNER, Engine Fitter, aged 55, 3 Stuart Rd, Higher Tranmere, Bebington

Roy D. GLENN, Commissioned engineer, aged 40, Warwick St, Lemington Spa

Samuel BROAD, Electrician,, aged 38, 39 Bankville Rd, Birkenhead

William Thomas HOLE, Stoker, aged 26, Avondale Terrace, Devonport

James CRAIG, Stoker, aged 32, Whitforth Rd, Gosport

Jack CREASEY, Engine room artificer, aged 26, Carr Rd, Ealing, nr Grimsby

Harry Rushworth HORSMAN, Asst ship-fitting overseer, aged 44, 16 Kingswood Boulevard, Bebington

Arnold George CHINN, Electrician, aged 25, 29 Canterbury Rd, Rock Ferry

Harold ECCLESTON, Engine fitter, aged 38, 46 Whitecliffe St, Rock Ferry

John GRIFFITHS, Engine fitter, aged 39, 126 Grove Rd, Wallasey

Philip Lawrence QUINN, Engine fitter, aged 36, 28 Fairway Cresent, New Ferry

Cornelius SMITH, Engine fitter, aged 27, 12 Wilson Rd, Wallasey

George A. SUMMERS, Electrician, aged 33, 6 Gilbrook Sq, Birkenhead

David Norman DUNCAN, Fitter, aged 26, Montrose Terrace, Edinburgh

Thomas William MORTIMER, Telegraphist, aged 22, Thomas St, Craghead, Durham

Lieut Harold CHAPMAN, aged 28, Whitehouse, Frensham, Surrey

Lieut Patrick E. James RYAN, aged 28, Jackless Cross, North Curry, Taunton

Lieut William Anthony Weston POLAND, aged 23, Ipsden, Oxfordshire

Lieut Anthony Geoffrey JAMISON, aged 29, Main Rd, Sea Point, Cape Town, S.A.

Albert George HILLS, Stoker, aged 35, Hampshire St, Buckland, Portsmouth

Edward Arthur KENDRICK, Able seaman, , aged 31, Milton Ave, Harlesden, London

Alfred Horace DUNN, Stoker, aged 22, St Annes St, Gilpach, Bargoed, Glamorganshire

John Albert READ, Leading seaman, aged 22, Highland Rd, Southsea

Thomas William KENNY, Leading stoker, aged 27, Grosvenor Buildings, London

Thomas WILSON, Able seaman, aged 22, Oving Rd, Chichester

George Albert HARWOOD, Acting petty officer, aged 24, Endell St, Long Acre, London

Peter Francis O. JACKSON, Chief engine room artificer, aged 35, Wyniscote, Pitville Ave, Mossley Hill, Liverpool

The funeral of the victims, to be buried at Holyhead will take place on Thursday, they will be buried with 30 of those who lost their lives in the disaster.

DEATH NOTICES

Wednesday November 15th and 16th

GRIFFITHS, lost on HMS Thetis in June, John, dearly beloved husband of Rose, 120 Grove Rd, Wallasey, interment at Rake Lane, cemetery, tomorrow, Thursday at 2.30pm.

SMITH, aged 22, Cornelius [Neil], dearly beloved husband of Mamie, and loving daddy of Adrienne and Cornelia, [late of the 7th Kings Regt, Liverpool], 42 Buchanan Rd, Wallasey, [late 14 Rooney St], always remembered by all at 12 Wilson Rd, forever in our thoughts, all at 31 West Quay, Ramsey, I.O.M. Service at Methodist Ch, Brighton St, tomorrow, Thursday at 3pm, interment at Rake Lane cemetery at 3.30pm.

16th November

SMITH, aged 22, Neil, dearly beloved son of James and Elizabeth SMITH, 82 Garnett Ave. Not just today but every day, in sorrow we remember, sadly missed by father, mother, brothers and sisters.

From his brothers and sisters

No morning dawns, no light returns

But what we think of thee.

BRESNEN, Lost on HMS Thetis in June, aged 55, Frank Richard, dearly beloved husband of Wilhelmina, and loving daddy of Minie, of 33 Stuart Rd, Higher Tranmere, Birkenhead, service at St Catherines Ch today Thursday at 9am, interment at Bebington cemetery.

BROAD, aged 38, Samuel of 39 Bankville Rd, Tranmere, dearly beloved husband of Eileen, and dear daddy of Ann and Eileen. Requiem mass at St Josephs Ch, North Rd, Birkenhead, today Thursday at 2pm. Interment at Bebington cemetery.

ECCLESTON, aged 38, Harold, dearly beloved husband of Ellen, 46 Wycliffe St, Rock Ferry, service at St Pauls Ch, Tranmere tomorrow, Friday at 1.30pm, interment at Bebington cemetery at 2pm.

SUMMERS, of 42 Townsend St, Birkenhead, George Albert, dearly loved husband of May, and dear daddy of Agnes, Betty and little Billy, interment at Flaybrick Hill cemetery, today, Thursday at 3.30pm.

November 17th, 1939

FORTY, FOUR IN ONE GRAVE

THETIS VICTIMS LAID WITH MATES

HOLYHEAD SCENE

The third and final funeral here in connection with the Thetis disaster took place at Maeshyfryd Cemetery, Holyhead, yesterday afternoon, when fourteen of the victims were buried. The remainder of the 34 victims taken from the submarine last weekend have been removed home for interment.

Two of the 14 bodies, both naval ratings, have not been identified. A request has been made for one of the victims to be buried at sea, but, owing to rough weather, this was not considered advisable.

Names of the 12 identified, Lewis GREEN, William MATTHEWS, Roy D. GLENN, Harold CHAPMAN, Peter F. JACKSON, Arthur G. JAMESON, Harold R. HORSMAN, Thomas KENNEY, William POLLAND, James CRAIG, Jack CREASEY, Patrick E. J. RYAN.

The remains were interred in a large grave, were 30 bodies previously taken from the Thetis, already lay.

The coffins were conveyed to the cemetery on motor lorries, and laid in one of the chapels, each covered with a Union Jack. A naval guard with rifles reversed kept vigil at the door, the ceremony was closed to the public.

Floral tributes, large in number, included wreathes from the, Minesweeping Division, Thetis Funeral Party and St Thomas C.E, 20th, Blackburn Scout Group.

The funeral service was conducted by Archdeacon MORGAN of Bangor, assisted by Canon R. HUGHES, Vicar of Holyhead.

At the graveside was a naval guard of honour and firing party. At the close of the service a volley was fired over the graves, and the "Last Post" and "Reveille" were sounded by naval buglers.

Among those present were Capt KITSON, Commander-in-Chief, Western Approaches, and Com L. M. SHADWELL, representing Rear Admiral Submarines, Mr J. WATTERS was present on behalf of Messers Cammell Laird and Co.

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