Sailor – Lewis W.E. – H.M.S. Clan McNaughton (picture)

March 1915

Mexborough Times, March 6th

Conisbrough Sailor Drowned
Goes down with the Clan McNaughton
Sailor W.E.Lewis
H. M. S Clan McNaughton

Mr and Mrs William Lewis, 44, Silverwood view, Conisbrough, received the sad news, dated from the Admiralty Thursday, February 25 that their son, Walter Elliot Lewis, aged 17 years, had gone down with HMS Clan McNaughton in the Irish Sea. The vessel was reported missing on February 18, was last signalled on February 3.

The young sailor was formerly a scholar at Morley Place school, which Mr William Smith is headmaster. He was also a regular attender at the Baptist Church. Previous prior to joining the Navy, The missing youth was employed in the electrical department at Cadeby Pit.

On enlistment about twelve months ago, he proceeded to Shotley naval barracks near Harwich. Enlistment embraced two-year service in the naval school and 12 years as a seaman.

After 12 months in the naval school he became a member (number J29613) of the crew of HMS Clan McNaughton. His conduct seems to be most exemplary.

A further letter has been received from Miss Agnes Western of the Royal Sailors Rest Portsmouth, sympathising with his parents in their bereavement. The sad mother possesses a temperance certificate of the Royal Naval society. The young sailor is a second son of a family of 10 members.

His eldest brother, William, enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery last September. He has been on a short visit to Conisbrough, arriving last Saturday, to sympathise with his parents, and returned to the border camp, Aldershot, on Monday.

Much sympathy is expressed to the parents by a large number of Conisbrough residents by whom the youth was well known and very highly respected.