Roll of Honour for the SS BURUTU sunk 3rd October 1918

Elder Dempster suffered the loss of a total of 42 ships during the period covering the First World War (4th August 1914 to 11th November 1918), and 30 of these ships were lost as a direct result of enemy action.

“The Elder Dempster Fleet in the War 1914-1918” was published privately by EDCL in 1921 to

 “pay homage and tribute to the men of a great steamship line –

Messrs. Elder Dempster and Company Limited –

which, along with other British steamship lines,

did its share in helping our far flung Empire through one of the darkest periods that ever marked the history of a nation”.

This roll of honour is taken from that book (with many thanks to Sotonmate)

Roll of Honour for the SS BURUTU

sunk 3^rd October 1918

Potter W.E.	Cmdr	Kratinger, J	Steward
Clarke, T.K.	Chief Off	Voss, H.D.	Steward
Kennedy, D.M.	2nd Off	Prince, W.	Steward
Williams, D	3rd Off	Wilson, G.A.	Barber
Martin, D.S.	4th Off	Wise, G.	Steward
Geldart, J.J.	Ch Engr	Brown, J.P	Steward
Durbrow, W.	2nd Engr	George, M	Steward
Brown, D.W.	4th Engr	Rose, G.	Steward
Coomber, A.G.	Purser	Doig, S	Stwdess
Ross, J.R.	Surgeon	Cole, W	Steward
Joseph, A	Steward	Samuel, G	Steward
Gordon, W	3rd Cook	Johnson, H	Fireman
Evans, P.S.	Scullion	Campbell, T	Fireman
Bassey, A.J.	Gunner	Smart, A	Trimmer
Jones, A.W.	Steward	Slade, J	Marconi O
Hollies, W.E.	Gunner	Barnett, G.M.	Marconi O
Grier, W	Gunner	Purdie, A	A.B.
Taylor, J	Steward	Stromdal, J	A.B.
Whitaker, W	Cadet	Johanssen, J	AB.
Alexander, J	Ch. Cook	Tonkies, J	O.S.
Cail, C.W.	Bo’s’n	Johnson, G.G.	Deck Boy
Dawson, A.F.	Butcher	Adaway, C	Deck Boy
Easthope, W	Steward	Finnegan, T	Greaser
Ford, F	Steward	Cole, T	Fireman
Flynn, P.A.	Clerk	Williams, C	Fireman
Fuchs, A	Steward	Wilson, T	Fireman
Hangaard, J	A.B.	Roberts, J	Fireman
Hodel, R	Steward	Forster, C	Trimmer
Harvey, J	Steward	Dick T	Trimmer
Hull, H	Baker	Johnson, C	Trimmer
Johnson, J.H.	Steward	Bright, C	Trimmer
Jones, R	P’tryman	Lake, E	Trimmer
Malone,  T	Steward	Thomas, A	Trimmer
Myers, R.A.	Steward	Heppell, H	2nd Steward
Kelly, G	Greaser	Westlake, A	Steward
Robinson, E	Carpenter	Jones, C.E.	Cadet
Rushton, J	Steward	Hart, R.W.	Engr. (Lagos service)
Wall, J	Greaser	Stephenson, W	Steward
Yarwood, J	2nd Cook

There were 148 lives lost in total, this list is only those crew employed by the Elder Dempster line.

Look in the pages list across the top for an SS BURUTU page, which has an account of the sinking.

progress

All of a sudden things seem to be motoring along! Thanks to more wonderful people (this time on the 1914-1918 forum) I may be able to get an answer about James Tonkies.

Also, Dave at the Town Hall will be receiving the first of my applications for putting a name on the roll.  I've enquired about whether there will be a ceremony, if I get a yes to that I'll contact some family members via Ancestry and I was thinking the vicar of the church where it used to be might want to come, and I could put a book together for him to have in the church... if the names go on this year it could be September so there's a lot of work to do!

update

So, bit of an update while the kids are sleeping - I've been given a lead on James Tonkies by the wonderful forum members at rootschat.com and have plenty of internet fodder to trawl through about the SS BURUTU. I'm not sure whether he'll be eligible for a place in the Hall of Remembrance based on what I know so far but I'll give it a go.

I'm trying to spread my (scarce) spare time between this blog and the writing, but the blog and research keeps taking over!  The book is sort of planned at the moment but only about 5% written, I don't want to share too much here as I'm sure it'll change a million times before it's done.

I'm also a bit frustrated that this is a blog rather than a website, I'm aware that posts can disappear on these thing so I'm trying hard to organise it in a way that makes sense and of course use the tags to make sure posts are grouped together... the blog is searchable too so by the time I've got everything on here it should be pretty good. If anyone does visit I hope that they'll be able to see what it's all about.

Liverpool Hall of Remembrance

For those of  you that don't know, Liverpool Town Hall has a Hall of Remembrance where the names of Liverpool men who lost their lives in WW1 are inscribed on plaques on the walls.

The inscriptions were transcribed into a database that is searchable online here. There seem to be a few doubled up entries and possibly some errors but it's very useful. It is not a complete list by any means - apparently it was the responsibility of the families to ensure their loved-ones names were on there. I can imagine any number of reasons they didn't do it at the time. Still, I feel that everyone who lost their lives should be commemorated so I aim to get as many of the missing names from St James on to the Hall of Remembrance as I can. I am also tring to find relatives to get their approval and to let them know - assuming I can get the proof I need!

And, just as an aside, if you ever get the chance to visit the Town Hall you really should, it is a beautiful building with an amazing collection of art, objects and architecture inside.

The Anglican Cathedral also has a Book of Remembrance which apparently has 35000 names in it and is an amazing example of illuminated text. I aim to find out whether there is an index for it or something so you can find out if your relative is in there. More on that when I get any info. Maybe William is in there? Still, he'll have his name up in the Town Hall soon (fingers crossed!)

Liverpool Hall of Remembrance

An exciting development today... even though I am about a million miles from getting all this research completed and posted I thought I'd take the huge step of contacting Liverpool Council about getting the names on the Roll of Honour. I've got 25 men who are not on the list for whom I can prove their scouseness! I was surprised that the dates for living in Liverpool are confined to the war period though and that does make it a bit harder to prove but fortunately Ancestry have the Soldiers Died in the Great War entries and they usually have place of birth and/or place of residence.

So, I'm waiting to hear back about what they need from me. It's quite exciting. When I get a definite yes for whether there is a ceremony etc I will try and contact a few of the families that I've been researching.

There is also apparently a family history of the KLR type thingy on at the museum this weekend - I would love to go but if Chloe and Amy are sick I don't really see how it could work.  Will have to scratch my head over that one a bit, maybe I would actually be better going on a weekday when there are less visitors... or could I benefit from the expertise of people from the forums etc in person????

The 62 names

Transcript of names:
links to their pages on this blog - or use tabs at the top
Arthur P Beattie
William Beattie
Ernest C Benn
William Bolton
Thomas H Bramwell
Norman Bracher
Edward Burston
Samuel Butler
John Campbell
Matthew Chisam
Henry P Clarke
John J Corkish
Robert D Corran
Allan Dawson
Hugh S Elliott
William H J Elliott
John H Fitzsimmons
Thomas Girvin
Lamont Grave
Thomas W Halpin
Frederick Hamilton
Matthew T Hamilton
George J Harker
Percy H Harwood
Bertie L Hill
Isaac L Hilton
Thomas M Hulme
James Irvine
Robert Isherwood
William J Jago
Richard H Jaques
Herbert W R Jeffes
Matthew Jones
William Keam
Herbert Ledger
James Llewellin
Frank P Lloyd
Richard W Longmaid
Hugh L Loughlin
George J MacKarell
Marcus McLean
George H Mallison
Frank Morris
Alfred Mortenson
William E Noll
Owen Owen
Thomas J Pritchard M.C.
Thomas S Reay
Robert C Revera
Charles Schonewald
Henry Schonewald
Roderic D Sharpe
John Simpson D.C.M.
Thomas Simpson
Harold H Smith
Charles Stenson
James Tonkies
Samuel J Tonkies
Alfred J Trafford
Donald Tuke
James D Wilding

War Diary -13th Battalion King's (Liverpool) Regiment 28/03/1918

Battalion War Diary 13th Battalion the King's (Liverpool) Regiment

This is the Battalion diary for 22-31 March 1918 with a transcript of the narrative for the 28th March, the day that William Noll was killed. He is not mentioned in the diary.

(images from National Archives)

Transcript
28th March

At 4:30 am the enemy put down an intense barrage on the whole of our sector.  The Trench Mortar barrage on the front line was more intense than anything previously experienced. The RESERVE LINE was barraged with field guns and heavies. Under cover of this barrage the enemy launched a terrific attack with masses of troops. In spite of the intensity of the bombardment the front line stood firm and poured a devastating fire into the enemy whose attack was beaten off with colossal casualties to the attackers.

The value of this steadfastness against tremendous odds cannot be estimated – it gave the enemy his first check at a point where he was to be subsequently checked throughout the day. The enemy came back again in a second attack with even greater numbers. The Battalion on our right were pressed back and the enemy poured in behind “C and “D” companies from the right flank. What happened on the left flank is not known. All that is known is that these two companies, attacked on all sides, mounted the parapet and fought to the finish on the ground on which they stood.

Under cover of the barrage the enemy came on up the hill to the reserve lines. Owing to the nature of the ground, he could not be observed along most of the battalion front until nearly on our wire. The barrage lifted and in dense waves the Germans swept onto our lines, it was the beginning of a fierce battle which lasted until 2pm.

            The courage, coolness and endurance of the garrison were beyond praise. Every rifle and Lewis Gun brought  a tremendous volume of fire to bear on the approaching masses.

            In spite of his losses the enemy continued to push on until the thin line remaining could go no further and turned down the slope. Our men mounted the parapet to keep him under fire as long as they could keep him in sight.

            The first attack on the first line had been beaten off and our line was everywhere intact.

            On the right we were in touch with the 7^th Bn K.S.L.I. and on the left with the 1^st Bn NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. Our Bn HQ on the road (N.26.c.0.8) was also the Bn HQ of the 1^st Bn NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS and their HQ also garrisoned the trench in this vicinity.

            The road- through which a trench had been dug the night before – was held by a L.G. and a Rifle Grenade Post. All communication by wire was lost from the commencement of the action. Communication was however kept by lamp with the Brigade and by this means some field guns were brought to cover our front on the EASTERN side of the Menin Road.

            The enemy now resumed his barrage on our position by firing green lights. An intense barrage came down for 10 or 15 minutes. As soon as it lifted the enemy immediately came on to another attack, this also was repulsed with heavy loss to the enemy. Our flank and our left flank was becoming exposed. Twice again the enemy fell back, each time bringing down the barrage on our position with green lights and pushing on his attack as soon as it lifted. About midday the enemy’s fourth attack penetrated on our right. A block was immediately made and maintained about 150 yards from the Road on the SOUTHERN side approximately N.25.d.7.4.               A defensive flank was put out about N.25. Central and a few men lined the banks of the NEUVILLE VITASSE ROAD to guard our rear as far as was possible. During the morning one company of the 4^th Bn ROYAL FUSILIERS had come up to reinforce and was distributed with two platoons on the SW side of the MENIN ROAD, and two platoons, and two platoons near the ST. MARTIN-SUR-COJEUL ROAD in N.25.a.

            From midday onwards only about 500 of 600 yards of the reserve line remained in our hands, the troops on both flanks having fallen back some hundreds of yards. It was evident that when the next hostile attack came the position would inevitably be surrounded and would hold out no longer. However it was decided to hold on, though the Brigade message informed us that no reinforcements were available. At 2pm a message from Brigade instructed us to rendezvous in N.24. central if withdrawal became necessary. Withdrawal to support of the 4^th Bn ROYAL FUSILIERS in the GREEN LINE was then decided upon and orders were issued for an immediate withdrawal. It commenced at 3.30 pm, the movement from the front line being covered by small posts and blocks and the defensive flank on the right remaining in position until all the garrison of the reserve Line had moved off to the SW of NEUVILLE VITASSE ROAD by the SUGAR FACTORY. The enemy moving forward for another attach severely harassed the withdrawal and it was only by great gallantry and initiative by individuals that the enemy was warded off until the line was clear.

By 5pm all troops had passed through the GREEN LINE with all wounded evacuated and without anyone being cut off. The Battalion re-organised under cover of the ridge in N.24.Central and at dusk moved back into Brigade Reserve and occupied trenches in M.22.c.

28th March 1918: the first battle of Arras

The King's Liverpool Regiment
The following is taken from the Regimental History by Everard Wyrall:-

THE FIRST BATTLE OF ARRAS, 1918: 28TH MARCH (This is the day that William Noll was killed whilst serving with this battalion)

On the 28th of March the enemy launched a great attack north of the Somme River from Puisieux to north-east of Arras.

This attack was a considerable extension of the original front of attack. But it had been foreseen and arrangements had been made to meet the assault. The enemy attached the greatest importance to this attack, in which he hoped to recapture the Vimy Ridge and carry the ground east of Lens.

"After a bombardment of great violence," state the official despatches, "three fresh German divisions advanced to the assault along the northern bank of the Scarpe River: they were supported by the two German divisions already in the line. The enemy's immediate objective was to gain the general line Vimy-Bailleul-St. Laurent-Blangy. On the following day three special assault divisions were to carry the Vimy Ridge.

"Immediately south of the Scarpe four German divisions were engaged, to two of which were assigned the tasks of capturing Arras and the heights overlooking the town. This assault, the weight of which fell on the 3rd and 15th British Divisions, was supported by powerful attacks in which eleven hostile divisions were engaged along our whole front southwards to beyond Bucquoy."

A second attack, north of the Scarpe, launched during the afternoon after another heavy bombardment, was also completely repulsed and, broken and disappointed, the enemy fell back to his original line.

The 13th King's were heavily engaged by the enemy's great attack on the 28th of March.

The battalion story relates that "at 4.30 a.m. the enemy put down an intense barrage on the whole of our sector. The trench-mortar barrage on the front line was more intense than anything previously experienced. The Reserve Line was barraged with light guns and heavies. Under cover of this barrage the enemy launched a terrific attack with masses of troops. In spite of the intensity of the bombardment, the front line stood firm and poured a devastating fire into the enemy, whose attack was beaten off with colossal casualties to the attackers. The value of this steadfastness against tremendous odds cannot be estimated; it gave

the enemy his first check at a point where he was subsequently checked throughout the day. The enemy came back again in a second attack with even greater numbers. The battalion on our right was forced back and the enemy poured in behind "C" and "D" Companies from the right flank. What happened on the left is not known. All that is known is that these two companies, attacked on all sides, mounted the parapet and fought to a finish on the ground on which they stood.

"Under cover of the barrage the enemy came on up the hill to the reserve lines. Owing to the nature of the ground he could not be observed along most. of the battalion front until nearly on our wire The barrage lifted and in dense waves the Germans swept on to our lines. It was the beginning of a fierce battle which lasted until 2 p.m.

"The coolness, courage and endurance of the garrison were beyond praise. Every rifle and Lewis gun brought a tremendous volume of fire to bear on the approaching masses. In spite of his losses the enemy continued to push on until the thin, line, wavering, could go no further and turned down the slope again. Our men mounted the parapet to keep him under fire so long as they could keep him in sight.

"The first attack on the front line had been beaten off and our line was everywhere intact."

"The enemy now resumed his barrage on our positions by firing green lights. An intense barrage came down for ten or fifteen minutes. As soon as it lifted the enemy immediately came on to another attack. This also was repulsed with heavy loss to the enemy. Our flanks were still intact, but it was known that, further to the left, the enemy was making progress, and our left flank was becoming exposed. Twice again the enemy fell back, each time bringing down the barrage on our positions with green lights and pushing on his attack as soon as it lifted. About midday the enemy's fourth attack penetrated on our right. A block was immediately made and maintained, about 150 yards from the road on the southern side. A defensive flank was put out and a few men lined the bank of the Neuville-Vitasse road to guard our rear as far as. possible.

"From midday onwards only about five or six hundred yards of the reserve line remained in our hands, the troops on both flanks having fallen back some hundreds of yards. It was evident that, with the next hostile attack, the position would immediately be surrounded and would hold out no longer. However, it was decided to hold on, though the brigade message informed us that no reinforcements were available. At 2 p.m. a message from brigade instructed us to rendezvous in N.24 central (about seven hundred yards east of Wancourt) if withdrawal became necessary. Withdrawal to support of the 4th Royal Fusiliers in the Green Line was then decided upon and orders were issued for an immediate withdrawal. It commenced at 3.30 p.m., the movement from the front line being covered by small posts and blocks, and the defensive flank on the right remaining in position until all the garrison of the reserve line had moved off to the south-west of Neuville Vitasse road by the Sugar Factory. The enemy, moving forward for another attack, severely harassed the withdrawal, and it was only by great gallantry and initiative of individuals that the enemy was warded off until the line was clear. By 5 p.m. all troops had passed through the Green Line with all wounded evacuated and without anyone being cut off. The battalion reorganised under cover of the ridge in N.24 central, and at dusk moved back into brigade reserve and occupied trenches in M.22.C" (about 1,200 yards north-west of Mercatel).

There is no casualty list in the diary of the battalion, but in the Brigade Diary there is a list which gives the losses of the King's men as one officer killed, two wounded and eight missing, and in other ranks twenty-one killed, ninety-two wounded and 254 missing.