SKIMIN, George

Mate, Franz Fischer (London)
Died: 01/02/1916
Age: 48

Remembered on Tower Hill Memorial
Remembered on family memorial in Bangor Cemetery

George Skimin was born on the 21st June, 1867, in Church Street, Bangor. His parents were John Skimin (aka Skimmon), a sailor, and his wife Eliza Skimin (nee Leay).

Like his father before him, George took to the sea and signed on as a ships boy in 1884.

In June 1892 he married his wife Jane Barnes in Ballygilbert Presbyterian Church. Her father James was also sailor.

List of those killed in the Great War
in Trinity Presbyterian Church, Bangor

Over the years his maritime career progressed. He passed his examinations in April 1896 earning his Mates certificate and gained his Master's Certificate of Competency in November 1903.

Mainly working the coasting trade, George served on various vessels, and in November 1915 signed on as Mate on the Franz Fisher.

Built by Irvine & Co., West Hartlepool in 1881 the Franz Fischer was a German owned steamer that had been requisitioned by the Admiralty for service as a collier.

She was on a voyage from Hartlepool to Cowes with a cargo of coal on 1st February 1916, when she was sunk two miles south of Kentish Knock lightvessel. Of the 16 crew members, 13 were lost.

The cause of her loss has been the source of some controversy over the years however. British records give her loss as the result of a bomb from a zeppelin – L19. However, later research, which is now more accepted, claims she was sunk by the German submarine UB-17.

George's name is recorded on the war memorial of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Bangor, and on the Roll of Honour for Bangor Masonic.

BANGOR SEAMAN KILLED BY ZEPPELIN BOMB

Captain George Skimin, a Bangor seaman, who was engaged in transport work since beginning of the war, has been killed by the explosion of a bomb from a Zeppelin. He was a son of the late Captain Skimin, Bangor, and a brother of Mr. Arthur Skimin, clerk of the Bangor gas undertaking. He was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Bangor. Deceased's widow, two sons, and daughter reside at Holborn Avenue, Belfast.

Belfast Newsletter, 12th February 1916

MORROW, David

Second Lieutenant, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, attd. 6th Rajputana Rifles
Service No: 190209
Died: 30/09/1942
Age: 29

Interred in Rawalpindi War Cemetery (Punjab, Pakistan).
Remembered on Family Memorial in Bangor Cemetery

David Morrow was born in Ballymagee Street, Bangor, on 28th June 1913. He was the son of Matthew Morrow, a plumber, and his wife Agnes Morrow (nee Moffatt).

He was educated at Bangor Grammar School and his Headmaster wrote on his death: "He was a quick-witted, clever, attractive youngster — a favourite with everyone — but, frankly, no scholar: I think he was too full of restless vitality and a craving for action for that. His figure was lithe and slight, but intensely athletic, and as he grew older he shot up very straight and tall. He took a very prominent part from the first in the school games: We have photographs of him in a small boys’ team, in the Medallion side of 1928, in the 1st XV rugby side of 1930, and in the 1st XV cricket team of 1931. He played in various positions in the back division: I remember him specially as the scrum-half of his year’s 1st XV under Fred McMurray’s captaincy.

“He was strikingly handsome as a boy and later as a young man, with curling fair hair over mobile and expressive features. His smile was characteristic of him; it was always there — a smile of complete friendliness and good nature entirely simple and natural. He had a capacity for mischief — and when he was punished for neglecting his work or getting into trouble he bore no resentment. He frequently exasperated his teachers, but no one could be angry with him for long. I seem to remember that he was fond of dogs and had a way with them, and that he was useful at times in taking charge of stray dogs that had found their way into our classrooms — to the immense delight of the boys."

After leaving school David began a succesful career in the world of insurance.

When he enlisted he went to the Officer Cadet Training Corp and was commissioned as Second-Lieutenant in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on the 7th June 1941.

MORROW – September (in India), Second-Lieutenant David Morrow, third and youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Morrow, Ward Avenue, Bangor.

Belfast Newsletter, 9th September 1942.

JEFFARES, Michael Henry

Lieutenant, Royal Irish Rifles
Died: 22/05/1953
Age: 61

Interred in Bangor Cemetery.

Michael Henry Jeffares was born on the 29th April 1892 in Seskin, Co. Carlow, the son of Michael Henry Jeffares (aka Jeffers) and Catherine Jeffares nee Collier.

After school, Michael trained as a Chemist passing the Pharmaceutical License Examination in October 1915.

In July 1916, he enlisted in the 11th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers and not long after was promoted to Lance-Corporal. He transferred to the Officer Cadet Corps in November 1916.

On 1st March 1917, he received a commission as Second Lieutenant in the 5th Batt., Royal Irish Rifles going to France in May 1917. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 1st September 1918.

His brother Richard who had previously served with the South African Police, was a Captain in the 4th Batt., Royal Irish Rifles and was killed on 6th October 1917.

After the war Michael returned to his career as a Chemist in New Ross and in 1924 married a Belfast girl, Rebecca Morrison.

JEFFARES – May 22, 1953, at his residence, Thornhill, 28 Osborne Park, Bangor, Michael Henry, loved husband of Rebecca Jeffares. Interred in Bangor Cemetry. Deeply regretted by his sorrowing Wife and Family.

County Down Spectator, 30th May 1953.

COLLIER, Reginald John

Second Lieutenant, Royal Flying Corps
Service No: 16207
Age: 19
Date of Death: 12/02/1918

Interred in Bangor Cemetery

Reginald John Collier was born on 15th October 1898 at 21 Strandmillis Gardens, Belfast, to William F. Collier, an accountant, and Marion F. Collier (nee Townsend). The family later moved to Evelyan Gardens on the Cavehill Road before settling in Bangor in the early 1900s.

Known as Jack, he was educated at Bangor Grammar School and Kings Hospital School, Dublin and took up a position in the Belfast Banking Company, working in their Cromac Street branch when he enlisted in early 1917.

A BE 2E which was the type of aircraft Jack was flying.

He was also a member of the Queen's University Officer Training Corps in the years 1916-1917.

He transfered from the General List to the the Royal Flying Corp with the rank of Second Lieutenant in August 1917.

On 12th February 1918, Reginald was killed in a flying accident while training with 13 Training Squadron at RAF Yatesbury.

He is remembered on the war memorial in St. Comgall's parish church in Bangor and in the Queen's University Roll of Honour.

ROLL OF HONOUR

COLLIER – February 12, accidentally killed when flying, Reginald John Collier, Second-Lieutenant R.F.C., only son of W. F. Collier, 123, Hamilton Road, Bangor, aged 19. Funeral service in Bangor Parish Church this day (Saturday, 16th inst.), at 2.30. Funeral immediately after to Bangor New Cemetery.

Northern Whig, 16th February 1918.

APPERSON, George Johnston

Major, 13th Batt., Royal Irish Rifles
Died: 13/06/1950
Age: 59

Interred in Bangor cemetery

George Johnston Apperson was born in Wellington Place, Dundalk on the 6th January 1891. He was the eldest son of Francis Apperson, then a drapers assistant and his wife Margaret nee Johnston.

Shortly after, the family moved to Belfast were they resided in Jocelyn Avenue and, as his fathers prospects improved, to Bangor where they are recorded in the 19i1 census living in Sheridan Drive.

On leaving school George became a clerk in the firm of Messrs. W. and R. Barnett, grain merchants in Belfast and played Rugby football for North of Ireland.

On the formation of the UVF, he became a member of A Company, 1st Battalion, North Down Regiment and on the outbreak of war enlisted in the 13th (1st County Down Volunteers) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in November 1914 and received his training at Clandeboye and Seaford before going to France with his battalion.

In April 1916 he was wounded in several places when a bomb exploded prematurely.

On his return to duty in August 1916 he was promoted to Lieutenant but was wounded again two months later. He received his promotion to Captain in January 1917.

In March 1917 he was awarded the Military Cross: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He, single-handed, attacked a party of five of the enemy and shot two of them with his revolver. He has at all times set a splendid example of courage and determination."

In September 1917, he was promoted to Major.

When the 13th Battalion was disbanded, he served with the 12th (County Antrim) Battalion and was in command of the cadre of the 1st Battalion on their return to England in May 1919 and returned to Belfast in June.

After the war he returned to W. & R. Barnett, Ltd., the Belfast grain importers, and in October 1921 he married Dorothy Boyd. He became Barnett's manager in South America until 1925 and eventually became a director of the firm.

On the outbreak of the Second World War he volunteered again, and after serving at several home stations was appointed to command the Queen's University Senior Training Corps, holding that post until 1940. He was made an honorary M.A. of the University.

Major Apperson was very active in the ex-Service community. He was chairman of the Ulster Division ex-Officers’ Association and of the British Legion’s Club in Chichester Street. He was a member of the Council of the Royal Ulster Rifles Association and vice-chairman of the Belfast branch of the British Legion.

APPERSON – June 13, 1950, in Hospital, George Johnston, Major, M.C., M.A., dear husband of Dorothy Apperson, 151, Malone Road, belfast. House and funeral strictly private. No flowers, please.

Northern Whig, 14th June 1950

OSWALD, Oswald Charles Williamson

Brigadier-General, Royal Artillery
Died: 25th August 1938
Age: 74

Interred in Bangor cemetery

Charles Williamson was born in Meerut, India, in 1864, the son of Colonel James Williamson (formerly Oswald)† of the 29th Punjab Infantry.

Educated at St. Peter's School, York, and Woolwich, Charles enlisted with the Royal Artillery in 1883 with the rank of Lieutenant and promoted Captain on 1 January 1892.

He served in the Burmese expedition of 1887-89 were he was slightly wounded and awarded Medal with two clasps.

He had a further award for service in the Waziristan Expedition of 1894-95; served with the Chitral Relief force under Sir Robert Low in 1895 (Medal with clasp); saw action in the the campaign on the North West Frontier of India under Sir William Lockhart in 1897-98 with the Tochi Field Force in command of No 6 (Bombay) Mountain Battery (clasp); fought in the South African War, receiving the Queen's Medal; and later saw action in Persia.

He was promoted to Major in 1901, Lieut.-Colonel in 1911 and Colonel in 1914.

He served throughout the Great War in Belgium, France, Macedonia, and Palestine. He was twice wounded and mentioned in despatches and received his appointment as Brigadier-General in 1917.

In 1919 he was G.O.C. Kantara (Suez area) and acted as Brigadier-General Royal Engineers in Egypt and Palestine, retiring with the rank of Hon. Brigadier-General in 1920.

He was made a Companion of the Bath in the Kings Birthday Honours in 1917 and awarded the Order of the Crown of Italy later that year. He also received the Order of St. Michael and St. George and the Order of the Nile (3rd Class) in 1918.

In 1908 he married Margaret (Meta) Carson, a daughter of Mr. William Carson, J.P., of Carnalea House, Bangor.

Brigadier-General Oswald wrote several publications including "61, or How Some Wheels Went Round,"‡ and contributed to several newspapers.

Oswald -- August 25, 1938, Brigadier-General Charles Williamson Oswald, C.B., C.M.G., F.R.G.S. (late R.A.), of Breathtulla, Helen's Bay, Co. Down.

Belfast Newsletter, 26th August 1938

†: I would be interested if anyone was able to enlighten as to why Col. Williamson was "formerly Oswald" or why Charles adopted the surname Williamson-Oswald later in his career.

‡: "61, or How Some Wheels Went Round" was a unit history of the 61st Heavy Artillery Group in the Great War. The unit, which was mainly composed of men enlisting under the 'Derby Scheme' midway through the war, served at Ploegsteert Wood in Belgium, on the Macedonian front and in Palestine. Oswald was the 61st's commander.

PATON, Norman Giles

Sub-Lieutenant, HMML No. 403, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Died: 22/08/1918
Age: 32

Recorded on Chatham Naval Memorial
Recorded on family memorial Bangor cemetery

Norman Giles Paton was born in 4 Osborne Terrace, Belfast, on 2nd October 1886. He was the son of John Paton, a commission agent (who hailed from Scotland) and Maggie Paton nee Brown. The family moved to Bangor some time before 1911 where the census shows them living in Seaforth Road.

He attended Methodist College in Belfast before working as a Manufacturers Agent in the linen trade with his father and a brother, Frank, in Linenhall Street.

Norman received a commission as Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on 31st May, 1918, and served on HMS Hermione and ML 403. He was killed when ML 403 was torpedoed in the North Sea on 22nd August, 1918. He is recoded as buried at sea.

PATON, NORMAN GILES, Sub-Lieut., Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, eldest s. of John Paton, of Ardmore, Bangor, Linen Merchant, by his wife, Maggie, dau. of Francis Brown; b. Belfast, 2 Oct. 1886; educ. Methodist College there; was associated with his father in business; appointed Sub-Lieut. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve 31 May, 1918; served on H.M.S. Hermione and M.L. 403, and was killed when M.L. 403 was torpedoed in the North Sea 22 Aug, 1918. Buried at sea. He was an enthusiastic and skilful yachtsman; unm.

Du Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour, vol. 4

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SUB-LIEUTENANT NORMAN G. PATON, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, killed on the 22nd August, was the eldest son of Mr. John Paton, Ardmore, Bangor. Deceased, who was educated at the Methodist College, Belfast, was in the linen business with his father in Linenhall Street until he obtained his commission about three months ago. His brother,
    Mr. Frank Paton, was invalided out of the Army after three year' service with the Royal Irish Rifles.

Belfast Newsletter, 24th August 1918

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ML 403 was stationed at Whitby, and was called upon to recover and defuse a German torpedo that had been fired at a northbound steamer on 21st August 1918. The steamer's crew watched the torpedo miss, and run into the rocks on the western side of the bay without exploding.

On 22nd August, it was decided to recover the torpedo, and ML 403, commandered by Lieutenant Arthur Whiting, RNVR was tasked with the recovery. ML 403 sailed out of Whitby with a crew of ten, plus two torpedo experts. A large crowd of locals gathered on the cliff above to witness the recovery.

The torpedo was safely lifted out of the water, but it would seem that around 14:00, while the torpedo experts attempted to defuse it, it exploded, setting off the depth charges and the petrol tank aboard ML 403. The explosions broke windows, brought down ceilings, and damaged roof tiles in the village of Runswick. The bow of ML 403 was blown close to the shore.

Miraculously, the coxswain, who had been feeling unwell, and who was lying in the crew fo'c's'le, survived.

Information found on the Great War Forum.

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His Majesty's Motor Launch (HMML) 403 was destroyed by explosion whilst trying to salve a German torpedo in Runswick Bay 22nd August 1918.

These launches were extremely dangerous and some were lost by fire before the fuel for their petrol engines was reduced to 1 part petrol to 2 parts parrafin. Forty of these boats were delivered to the French. They were mostly built in Canada and were 46 tons gross, 75 x 12 x 4 feet, petrol engined 440 bhp giving 19.5 knots. Most of the crews were ex Motor Boat section. MBs were used in all theatres.

Information from Dittmar and Colledge.

Portrait photo from A History of Methodist College Belfast by J.E. Henderson, courtesy of Nigel Henderson.