Deck Hand Sidney Swan Lowestoft drowned 1917

The edition of the Norwich Mercury dated Saturday, July 7th 1917 has a picture of him with the caption “Sidney Swan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Swan, Lowestoft, drowned.”

 

That man on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website is:-

 

SWAN, SIDNEY THOMPSON

Rank:……………………......Deck Hand

Service No:……………….4629DA

Date of Death:………….29/03/1917

Age:……………………….....27

Service:……………………..Royal Naval Reserve

…………………………….......H.M.S. "Q20."

Panel Reference:………26.

Memorial:......................CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL

Additional Information:

Son of Thompson and Elizabeth Swan, of 38, May Rd., Lowestoft; husband of the late Mrs. Swan.

CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/3053717/SWAN,%20SIDNE...

 

WW1 Naval Casualties records that Deck Hand 4629.D.A. (Ch.) Sidney Thompson Swan was “Killed or died by means other than disease, accident or enemy action” on the 29th March 1917 while serving aboard HMS Q20. His body was not recovered for burial. The next of kin informed of his death was his Guardian, Mrs Elizabeth Swan, of 38, May Road, Lowestoft. Sidney was born Lowestoft on the 10th May 1890.

 

The Naval Reservist Service Records for DA 4629 Sidney Thompson Swan, born Lowestoft on the 10th May 1890, are held at the National Archive under reference BT 377/7/51103

discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8512170

 

Sidney is also remembered at St Andrew’s Church in Lowestoft.

www.roll-of-honour.com/Suffolk/LowestoftStAndrewChurch.html

 

10th May 1890 – Birth

 

Source WW1 Naval Casualties and the National Archive Catalogue entry for his Service Records.

 

The birth of Sidney Thompson Swan was registered with the Civil Authorities in the District of Mutford , Suffolk in the April to June quarter, (Q2), of 1890.

 

(Mutford District covered Lowestoft and the nearby villages).

 

1891 Census of England and Wales

 

The 10 month old Sydney T Swan, born Lowestoft, was recorded living at a dwelling on Cumberland Square, Anguish Street, Lowestoft. This was the household of his parents Thompson Swan Junior, (aged 27, a Fisherman, born Lowestoft) and Elizabeth, (aged 21, born Metfield, Suffolk).

 

Living next door is a Thompson Swan Senior, (59 and a retired Mariner) and his wife Rachel.

 

1901 Census of England and Wales

 

The Swan family are recorded at 2 Cumberland Square. As well as parents Thompson Swan Junior (38, Fisherman) and Elizabeth, (31, now said to have been born Harleston, Norfolk), children living with them are:-

Sydney……..aged 10…..born Lowestoft

Herbert…….aged 9…….born Lowestoft

Lily………...aged 7……born Lowestoft

Edith……….aged 5……born Lowestoft

Stanley…….aged 4…….born Lowestoft

 

1911 Census of England and Wales

 

The Swan family were now living at 38 May Road, Lowestoft. Father Thompson was absent on the night of the census but may simply have been out on the fishing grounds. Mother Elizabeth, (40, born Metfield, Suffolk) has been married for 21 years and has had 7 children, of which six were then still alive. Still single and living with her are:-

Sydney………aged 20…..Drift Fisherman

Edith…………aged 15….Beatster or Net Mender

Stanley………aged 14…..Grocery Errand Boy

Percy………..aged 6……born Lowestoft

Basil…………aged 2…...born Lowestoft

Also living with them is Thompsons unmarried sister, Lily Swann, aged 18, a Beatster (Net Mender), born Mendham, Suffolk.

 

1914 – Marriage

 

The marriage of a Sidney T Swan to an Annie Coleman was recorded in the Mutford District in the October to December quarter, (Q4), of 1914.

 

Post August 1911 it became compulsory when registering a birth with the Civil Authorities in England and Wales to also record the mothers maiden name. A check of the General Registrars Office Index of Birth for England and Wales 1911 – 1983 shows one potential child of Sydney and Annie. This was a Lilian A E Swan, mothers maiden name Coleman which was recorded in the April to June quarter, (Q2), of 1915.

 

The local council has put the Cemetery records on line. This records a 25 year Annie Swan, wife of Sidney Swan, who was interred on the 5th May 1916. Her last address was 1 Greville Road, Milford Haven.

 

On the day

 

From a forum post

 

the following is from "Naval Staff Monographs, Home waters":

***

It was she (U 85) and UC 66 that on March 11, at 4.45 a.m., off Newhaven, i.e. in about 50°40'N-00°08'E, opened fire on the small "Q" ship, the "Bayard" (Q.20), a lugger fitted with a motor and armed with one 13-pdr. and one 3-pdr. Q.20 was on a course S.E. when a submarine on the starboard quarter opened fire. A few minutes later another on the port beam opened fire. The wind seems to have been about S.W., and bringing the ship round to N.W., Lieutenant Walter Scott, R.N.R., sighted a submarine close on the port quarter. The order was given to get the boats out. The submarine was brought on the port beam, and at a range of only about 75 to 100 yards, Q.20 opened fire. The submarine returned the fire immediately, and a shell struck the ship, wounding two men. Down went the submarine, but four rounds were got off from each gun. Two explosions were seen (note: second and third shot of 13-pdr.) in the submarine, which was about 200 - 250 feet long. H.M.S. "Forester" came steaming up and cruised round about while Q.20, which was badly holed, made for land.

 

For this action GBP 200 was awarded to the ship; Lieutenant Walter L. Scott, D.S.C., R.N.R., was awarded a bar to his D.S.C.; Skipper Joseph Cowley received the D.S.C. and two seamen a D.S.M. Lieutenant Scott never received his in person, for Q.20 was sunk in collision on March 29 (note: C-in-C Portsmouth, Telegram 580 of March 29, 1917. The date June 26, 1917, in Navy Losses is an error); her captain and twelve men were drowned and the bar to his decoration had to be presented to his widow.

 

(The only submarine involved was UC 66 (Oblt.z.S. Pustkuchen), she was not damaged at all !)

 

The Q-20, as BAYARD was also known, was run down in the dark by s.s.TAINUI ON 29th March 1917. As the TAINUI was a civilian vessel and was held to have been responsible by the court of inquiry, claims for compensation were made.

 

here is the list of those who died on Q 20. Please note, one of those lost on the day of the sinking served under an alias and another man died of injuries.

BAILEY PERCIVAL R.A. O/TELEGRAPHIST J 35282 (Dev) 29/03/17 SHIP LOSS

COOK ALFRED T. DECK HAND, RNR D A 7823 29/03/17 SHIP LOSS

HAMBLIN HERBERT H. A.B. J 3788 (Po) 29/03/17 SHIP LOSS

HINTON WILLIAM T. A.B. J 14581 (Po) 29/03/17 SHIP LOSS

KELLY JOSEPH H. 2nd HAND, RNR D A 2882 29/03/17 SHIP LOSS

LOCKEY HARRY DECK HAND, RNR D A 2689 29/03/17 SHIP LOSS

POWER JOHN J. SEAMAN, Newfoundland RNR X 2275 29/03/17 SHIP LOSS

RANKIN ALEXANDER DECK HAND, RNR S D 449 29/03/17 SHIP LOSS

SCOTT WALTER L. TY/LT, RNR 29/03/17 SHIP LOSS

STEWART JAMES B. O/SIGNALMAN J 29093 (Po) 29/03/17 SHIP LOSS

SWAN SIDNEY T. DECK HAND, RNR D A 4629 29/03/17 SHIP LOSS

TAYLOR ALFRED DECK HAND, RNR S D 3081 29/03/17 SHIP LOSS Alias WILLOWS, ALFRED

TETHER LUKE DECK HAND, RNR D A 10422 29/03/17 SHIP LOSS

TURNBULL HUGH P.MacL. A.B. J 13908 (Po) 29/03/17 SHIP LOSS

WATSON HENRY R.H. A/E.R.A. 4c M 19435 (Po) 29/03/17 SHIP LOSS

MARJORAM PERCY J. DECK HAND, RNR D A 8590 10/04/17 DIED OF WOUNDS

1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?/topic/53766-...

 

(Mildly photoshopped to minimise the visual impact of damage that was present on the original image.)

 

Done