SCOTT, William

William is recorded on the memorial in
First Presbyterian Church, Bangor

Able Seaman, HMS Majestic, Royal Navy
Service No: 216800
Died: 27/05/1915
Age: 31

Remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial
Remembered on family memorial in Bangor cemetery

William was born in Fisher's Hill, Bangor, on 18th November 1883. He was the son of William Scott, a boatman, and his wife Agnes Scott (nee Gray) and their second child the other being their daughter Jane Gray who had been born in Fisher's Hill on 12th March 1882.

Sadly, in 1884, when just eight months old, William lost his father to typhoid fever at the young age of 27.

In February 1891, William's mother remarried. His new step-father, William Smiley, was a blacksmith who was a widower with one daughter, Jane, who was born in August 1875.

The family continued to live in Bangor. Firstly in Ava Terrace where, on 6th December 1891, a sister Ruth was born and then in Ruthville, where three other siblings where born – Agnes May born 25th October 1893, Mary Elizabeth born 11th April 1896, and John Henry born 23rd April 1899.

The family then moved to Albert Street, Bangor, where, in the 1901 census, William is recorded as a clerk.

On 18th April 1902, William enlisted in Royal Navy (giving his date of birth as 18th April 1884) where he served on several ships such as Calliope, Royal Oak, and Magnificent.

HMS Majestic

Although he signed on for usual 12-year term in 1902, just over seven years later, on 9 May 1908, William's service document records 'Shore purchase' which usually means he purchased his release from service. It also records he joined the RFR (Royal Fleet Reserve) on 10 May 1908.

On 3rd March 1909, William, now working for the Milfort Weaving Company, married Annie Allen Johnston in St Annes Parish Church, Belfast.

Annie was living at 6 Castleton Avenue, Belfast, and it was here on 6th March 1909, there first child, Agnes May, was born.

William and his family moved subsequently to Parkmount Street, Belfast where they had three other children – Annie Eveline born 8th August 1910, Hilda Jean born 23rd February 1912, and Ruth Gray born 14 August 1913.

On the outbreak of war,  William was recalled for service and joined the  Majestic on 2nd August 1914.

It was on Majestic that William was lost when it was torpedoed on 27th May 1915.

The following is extracted from the Wikipedia page on Majestic:

Sinking of the Majestic

"When World War I broke out Majestic, together with the rest of the squadron, was attached to the Channel Fleet during the early stages of the war before being detached for escort duties with Canadian troop convoys. She then had spells as a guard ship at the Nore and the Humber. In early 1915, she was dispatched to the Mediterranean for service in the Dardanelles Campaign. She participated in bombardments of Turkish forts and supported the Allied landings at Gallipoli.

"On 27 May 1915, while stationed off W Beach at Cape Helles, Majestic became the third battleship to be torpedoed off the Gallipoli peninsula in two weeks. Around 0645 hours, Commander Otto Hersing of the German submarine U-21 fired a single torpedo through the defensive screen of destroyers and anti-torpedo nets, striking Majestic and causing a huge explosion. The ship began to list to port and in nine minutes had capsized in 54 feet (16 m) of water, killing 49 men. Her masts hit the mud of the sea bottom, and her upturned hull remained visible for many months until it was finally submerged when her foremast collapsed during a storm."

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SCOTT – Lost, with sinking of H.M.S. Majestic, on 27th May 1915, William Scott, aged 31 years (late of Milfort Weaving Company, Ltd). Inserted in fond remembrance by his mother, Mrs. Wm. Smiley, Ruthville, Bangor, and his wife, Kylene Terrace, Croft Street, Bangor.

North Down Herald and County Down Independent, 25 June 1915.