South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project
The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One |
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Military History |
| Place of Service | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| Merchant Seaman | None found | None - Lost at Sea - Merchant Seaman |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| Not applicable | ~ | Barston, St. Swithin's |
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Joined | |
| Died during the sinking of SS Serbistan | Not known | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | Other War Memorials |
| At Sea near Runnel Stone, Cornwall | ~ | ~ |
Circumstances of Death
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Arthur was lost at sea on 17th November 1916 when his vessel sank near the Runnel Stone Lighthouse just off the coast of Cornwall. The following brief description of the events is provided courtesy of Graham Lockett & Wrecksite.eu The sinking of the Steam Ship (SS) Serbistan - Courtesy of Graham Lockett & Wrecksite.eu The Serbistan (1916) was on passage from St. Nazaire for Cardiff on 14.11.1916 when she was chased by a German submarine and took refuge in Brest Roads. She sailed again on the afternoon of the 16th November under the command of Captain John Griffiths. The Strick Line ship was in company with another vessel, Bayhowel. The two ships remained together throughout the night until, at 4am, in heavy sea and a terrific snow storm, the Serbistan forged ahead. Two hours later, the Captain of the Bayhowel sighted the Runnelstone Light and passed through the wreckage of what appeared to be deck fittings. Later a patrol vessel picked up a tin canister containing the Serbistan's papers and a bible with the captain's name written in it. The ship's log and 21 of the ship's books were also picked up. Lloyd's say she was on time charter to the Hudsons Bay Company, but this firm was operating ships on behalf of the French Government, so they were probably the real charterer. The World Ship Society's history of F. C. Strick & Co. shows the Serbistan's cargo on her voyage from St. Nazaire for Cardiff as war munitions. More importantly the wreck contains French munitions, mostly 75mm shells, as well as field guns and 105mm shells. These are all marked Roumannie (Romania). At the time the allies were providing guns and ammunition to Romania, shipped via Russia. Read more at Wrecksite: |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| Jul Qtr 1890 at Dudleston, Shropshire | |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| James and Eda Johnson | 1921 - Barston Schoolhouse, Barston |
| Schools | Colleges |
| Barston School | ~ |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1891 - Dudleston School House, Dudleston | 1901 - Scholar |
| 1901 - Barston Schoolhouse, Barston | 1911 - Merchant Seaman? |
| 1911 - Not found | 1916 - Merchant Seaman on SS Serbistan |
| 1916 - Aboard the SS Serbistan | |
- Despite searching various Merchant Seaman databases we were unable to find any records regarding Arthur's except this Wrecksite.eu
- We have not been able to find any information about Arthur between the 1901 census and his death in 1916.
- Arthur's father James was the schoolmaster at Barston between at least 1901 and 1921
