From Philip Pawley 28th July 2007

I came across your website and wonder if you could help or point me in the right direction.

My great grandfather, Henry Gilbert Lovell, b. 1854, died on board the SS Garth Castle on 31st October 1918, age 65.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website gives his rank as "Greaser" in the Mercantile Marine on the SS "Garth Castle".

Apart from the fact that I haven't been able to trace the official death registration, I would be interested in finding out any details of his service on this ship.

 

11th July 2008

I made contact some time ago about my great  grandfather Henry Lovell, who died on board the Garth Castle in 1918.

He apparently died from influenza rather than as a result of enemy action! (There was an outbreak of influenza on board the Garth Castle - over 21 men died in

the space of 10 days!).

I have also been able to locate site of Henry's grave in the South Queensferry Cemetery. The Cemetery staff very kindly sent me a photograph of his grave stone.

I have been able to find the Ship's log and crew lists for the Garth Castle covering the period 1916 to 1918 and have this morning received the crew list for 1916! According to the latter, Henry was previously on the Kildonan Castle when he signed on  the Garth Castle in  October 1915.

The Kildonan Castle apparently was commissioned as a hospital ship on 6th October 1915 - perhaps that's why Henry moved ships?

Now to look up the crew list for the Kildonan in 1915...

Regards,

Philip

Name: LOVELL, HENRY GILBERT

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Greaser

Service: Mercantile Marine

Ship:  S.S. "Garth Castle"

Age: 65

Date of Death: 30/10/1918

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: 460. Cemetery: DALMENY AND QUEENSFERRY CEMETERY