Heroes and Rebels in the Family Tree- The story of His Majesty’s Drifter Michaelmas Daisy
This is the
story surrounding the destruction of His Majesty’s Drifter Michaelmas Daisy on
November 26, 1916 when it was sunk by a mine from the German submarine UC-14
(Alfred Klatt), off Cape St. Maria di Leuca, Italy.
HM Drifter Michaelmas
Daisy, LT136 (Lowestoft) was operated at the time of her loss by the Royal Navy. It was a British navy drifter of 99 tons,
86ft 1in length, and built in 1913 by J. Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Company, Aberdeen,
Scotland.
11 persons
were lost and no bodies were recovered.
Of those lost in this tragic event, 7 are known to be related to our
common family tree. They include:
Skipper George William Lincoln
Deckhand
William George Wright
Deckhand William
Edward James Knights
Engineman
George Samuel Knights
Engineman
Ernest Stanley Simmons
Trimmer
Walter Stone
Trimmer
John James Annis
The eleven men on board His Majesty’s Drifter MICHAELMAS DAISY.
1.ANNIS, JOHN JAMES,
Trimmer (no. 4300TS), HMD Michaelmas Daisy, Royal Naval Reserve, †26/11/1916,
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial
2.BURROWS,
WILFRED LESLIE (17), Deck Boy (no. 440SBD), HMD Michaelmas Daisy, Royal Naval
Reserve, †26/11/1916, Son of Frederick J. Burrows, of Eastleigh Rd., Taunton,
Memorial: Plymouth Naval Memorial
3.GOSLING,
THOMAS WILLIAM (36), Second Hand (no. 2704SA), HMD Michaelmas Daisy, Royal
Naval Reserve, †26/11/1916, Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Walter Gosling;
husband of Maria A. Gosling, of 16, Treefield Rd., Mina Rd., Bristol, Memorial:
Plymouth Naval Memorial
4.JONES,
LAWRENCE GEORGE (49), Leading Deckhand (no. 565SD), HMD Michaelmas Daisy, Royal
Naval Reserve, †26/11/1916, Son of Lawrence and Isabella Jones, of Liverpool,
Memorial: Plymouth Naval Memorial
5.KNIGHTS, GEORGE SAMUEL
(35), Engineman (no. 4133ES), HMD Michaelmas Daisy, Royal Naval Reserve,
†26/11/1916, Son of Robert and Johanna Knights, of 97, Wollaston Rd.,
Lowestoft; husband of Agnes May Knights, of 29, East St., Beach, Lowestoft,
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial George was born at Lowestoft on 9 December
1880, a son of Robert and Johanna Knights.
6.KNIGHTS, WILLIAM EDWARD JAMES,
Deckhand (no. 8870DA), HMD Michaelmas Daisy, Royal Naval Reserve, †26/11/1916,
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial William was born at Lowestoft on 22 February
1884, a son of George and Harriet Knights.
7.LINCOLN, GEORGE WILLIAM
(40), Skipper, HMD Michaelmas Daisy, Royal Naval Reserve, †26/11/1916, Son of
Charles and Emmeline Lincoln, of Pakefield, Lowestoft; husband of Sarah Louisa
Lincoln, of 54, Church Rd., Kirkley, South Lowestoft. Serbian Gold Medal,
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial
8.MILLER,
ALEXANDER (39), Lieutenant, HMD Michaelmas Daisy, Royal Naval Reserve,
†26/11/1916, Son of John and Ellen Cochrane Miller, of Partick, Glasgow;
husband of Agnes Smith Miller, of 62, Ibrox St., Ibrox, Glasgow, Memorial:
Portsmouth Naval Memorial
9.SIMMONS, ERNEST STANLEY (19),
Engineman (no. 4134ES), HMD Michaelmas Daisy, Royal Naval Reserve, †26/11/1916,
Son of J. W. Simmons, Skipp. R, late of the Dover Patrol and the late Mrs.
Simmons, of Lowestoft, Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial
10.STONE, WALTER, Trimmer
(no. 4376TS), HMD Michaelmas Daisy, Royal Naval Reserve, †26/11/1916, Memorial:
Chatham Naval Memorial Walter was born
at Pakefield on 3 June 1889, a son of Arthur and Caroline Louisa Stone. In 1891 his family lived at the Prince of
Wales publican house, London Road, where his father was the publican, and this
was still their home in 1901. From 21 June 1892 Walter was a pupil at
Cunninghams School. In 1902 Walter’s father died and his mother remarried. He
gave his next of kin as his sister Hilda Stone of 128 Morton Road Lowestoft.
11.WRIGHT, WILLIAM GEORGE (37), Deckhand (no. 8866DA), HMD Michaelmas Daisy, Royal Naval Reserve, †26/11/1916, Son of William and Amelia Wright, of Lamas, Norwich. Native of
These are the
stories of the seven men of our ancestry who lost their lives in the explosion by mine aboard
the His Majesty’s Drifter, Michaelmas Daisy. Much of these stories is taken from the Our
Fallen, People of Lowestoft 1914-45 website.
Skipper George
William Lincoln, R.N.R
In 1897
George married Sarah Louisa Fuller. George and Sarah had three children: Lily Louisa (1897-1974), Gladys May
(1900-1988) and Ethel (1902-1981). In
1901 their home was at 2 Church Road, Pakefield. By 1911 they were living at 54
Church Road, Kirkley.
Among his wartime
medals, he received the Gold Medal for Good Service from the King of Serbia for
actions in the Adriatic Sea. Skipper
George William Lincoln is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial 1916.
Deckhand
William George Wright
A Deck Hand
with H.M. Drifter Michaelmas Daisy, William died on November 26, 1916 at
the age of 36. William was born at Lowestoft on March 28, 1880, the son of
William Wright (1847-1918) and Amelia Pert (1848-1930). He was baptised at St.
Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft, on June 6, 1880. By 1881 his family were living
at 2 Alice Cottages, Dove Street, Lowestoft. In 1891 their address was 3 Alice
Cottages, Dove Street. In 1901 the family lived at 4 Clarence Road, Lowestoft,
and William was a smacksman.
William
George Wright married Louisa Elizabeth Gamble on October 9, 1902 at St.
Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft. They had
two children: Alice Louisa (1903-1983) and Edward George Gamble
(1907-1940). In July 1910, Louisa
Gamble died and William moved in with his mother-in-law, who was herself, twice
widowed. By the time of William Wright’s death, his parents were living in
Lammas, Norfolk, England.
Deckhand
William George Wright is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial 1916.
Deckhand
William Edward James Knights
A Deck Hand
with H.M. Drifter Michaelmas Daisy, William died on November 26, 1916 at
the age of 32. William was born at Lowestoft on February 22, 1884, the son of George Knights
(1847-1912) and Harriet Mary Ann Moore (1852-
). He was baptised at Christchurch, Lowestoft, on March 5, 1884, and his
family lived at Eastern Square. In 1891 his family lived at 6 Pakefield Street,
and by 1901 at 2 Pakefield Street. In 1901 William was working as a
fisherman.
William
married Alice Elizabeth Turrell on November 3, 1909 at St. Margaret’s Church,
Lowestoft. They had two children: Alice Lily M. (1910-1932) and Elizabeth Ethel
Irene (1913-2001). Alice Lily Knights
died at the age of 22 and is buried in the Lowestoft Cemetery with her mother
Alice who died at the age of 62. At the
time of her husband’s death, Alice was living at 1 Sparham’s Bldgs, Whapload
Rd., Lowestoft.
Deckhand
William Edward James Knights is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial 1916.
Engineman George Samuel Knights
An Engineman with H.M. Drifter Michaelmas Daisy, George died on November 26, 1916 at the age of 35.
George was
born at Lowestoft on December 9, 1880, the son of Robert Knights (1852-1937) and
Johanna English (1852-1898). He was baptised at St. Margaret’s Church in
Lowestoft on January 2, 1881. In 1881 his family lived at 34 Crown Street. By
1891 they were living at 9 Strand Cottages, Anguish Street. Later they lived at
97 Wollaston Road.
George
Samuel Knights married Agnes Patience Rose (May) Carter on July 20, 1903 at St.
Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft, Suffolk, England and they had seven children of
whom four survived beyond childhood. Their
children were: Agnes Gertrude Eva
(1903-1904), George Samuel William (1904-1985, Frederick John (1907-1990),
Arthur Robert (1908-1988), Unknown child (Aft. 1904- Bef. 1911), Maud M
(1912-1912) and Nora Irene (1914-1985). At
the time of George’s death, his wife and children were living at 29 East St.,
Beach, Lowestoft. Agnes married Albert
Boardley in October 1920 in Lowestoft.
Agnes lived to the age of 75 and outlived her second husband.
Engineman
George Samuel Knights is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial 1916.
Engineman
Ernest Stanley Simmons
During World War One Ernest’s father was a Skipper with the
Dover Patrol. James William Simmons b. 1868 Lowestoft, Master of Fishing
Trawler married Rachel Annie Colby 25 May 1890 at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk,
England. Rachel Annie Colby was the daughter
of Nathaniel Colby, boat owner and Rachel Hannah Martin.
Trimmer
Walter Stone
A Trimmer with H.M. Drifter Michaelmas Daisy, Walter died on
26th of November 1916 at the age of 27.
Walter was born at Pakefield on 3 June 1889, a son of Arthur
and Caroline Louisa Stone. In 1891 his family lived at the Prince of Wales
publican house, London Road, where his father was the publican, and this was
still their home in 1901. From 21 June 1892 Walter was a pupil at Cunninghams
School. In 1902 Walter’s father died and his mother remarried. He gave his next
of kin as his sister Hilda Stone of 128 Morton Road Lowestoft. Walter lived at 1 Prospect Place Lowestoft.
Trimmer
John James Annis
A Trimmer with H.M. Drifter Michaelmas Daisy, John died on 26th of November 1916 at the age of 42.
John was born at Lowestoft on 6 September 1875, a son of
James and Elizabeth Cooper. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church,
Lowestoft, on 7 April 1878. In 1881 his family lived at 1 Well Yard, Saint
Peter’s Street, Lowestoft, and this was still their home in 1891 when John
worked as a fisherman.
His nephew,
Private Jonas James Annis served with the 10th Company Machine Gun,
Infantry was killed on May 3, 1917 near Arras, France. Memorial: Arras Memorial, Pas de Calaise,
France. Grave Reference Bay 10. Killed in action 3 May 1917 in France &
Flanders. Born Lowestoft, Suffolk, enlisted Lowestoft. Formerly 22505, Suffolk
Regiment. A Private with 10th Company,
Jonas died on 3rd of May 1917 at the age of 23. Jonas was born at Lowestoft on
20 July 1893, a son of Jonas and Ellen Annis. He was baptised at Saint
Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft, on 9 August 1893, and his family lived at 16
Mariners Street, Lowestoft. Jonas’ father died in 1895 and his mother married
Edward Ashby. In 1901 his family lived at Woods Loke, Oulton, Lowestoft. By
1911 they were living at 12 Fir Lane, Lowestoft, and Jonas was a brickmaker’s
labourer.
____________________________________________
Genealogy
of George William Lincoln: Skipper George William Ludham
Lincoln 1876-1916 was the son of Charles Lincoln 1847-1916 and his sister was Julia
Clutton Lincoln 1860-1946 and her husband was George Allen 1860-1952 and his
father was William Allen 1833-1901 and his father was John Allen 1802-1853 and
his father was William Allen 1773-1824 and his mother was Alice Cullingham
1745-1819 and her mother was Alice Wilson 1702-1790 and her father was John
Wilson 1687-1738 and his mother was Elizabeth Mones 1665-1716 and her father
was Philip Mewse 1629-1673 and his brother was Simon Mewse (butcher) 1641-1719
and his son was Simon Mewse (butcher) 1672-1741 and his son was Simon Mewse
1695-1736 and his daughter was Mary Mewse 1727-1797 and her daughter was Elizabeth
Curtis 1756-1831and her son was John Curtis Adams 1797-1873 and his son was William
Frederick Adams 1848-1907 and his son was George "Pikey" William
Welch-Adams 1867-1940.
Genealogy
of William Edward James Knights: William Edward James
Knights 1884-1916 was the son of George Knights 1847-1912 and his father was Daniel
Knights 1823-1895 and his sister was Frances Knights 1812-1858 and her daughter
was Sarah Boggis 1840-1907 and her daughter was Ellen Elizabeth Doy 1876-1944
and her husband was George Henry Vemply Burwood (House Painter/Sign Writer)
1875-1960 and his father was George Vemply Burwood 1844-1917 and his father was
George Dalley Burwood (Sailor) 1821-1845 and his father was George Salter
Burwood (Sailor) 1789-1879 and his father was Henry Bell Burwood (Fish
Merchant/Boat Builder) 1766-1851 and his father was George Burwood 1743-1823
and his mother was Judith Salter 1707-1773 and her mother was Judith Farrow
1680-1718 and her mother was Anne Mewse 1654- and her father was Philip Mewse
1629-1673 and his brother was Simon Mewse (butcher) 1641-1719 and his son was Simon
Mewse (butcher) 1672-1741 and his son was Simon Mewse 1695-1736 and his
daughter was Mary Mewse 1727-1797 and her daughter was Elizabeth Curtis
1756-1831and her son was John Curtis Adams 1797-1873 and his son was William
Frederick Adams 1848-1907 and his son was George "Pikey" William
Welch-Adams 1867-1940.
Genealogy
of William George Wright: William George Wright 1880-1916
was the father of Edward George Gamble Wright 1907-1940 and his daughter was Kathleen
"Susan" Lilian Wright 1937-2011 and her husband was Ernest J Fisher
1934-2017 and his mother was Ena Valarie Adams 1916-2012 and her father was Francis
"Frank" Henry Adams 1884-1965 and his brother was George
"Pikey" William Welch-Adams 1867-1940.
Genealogy
of George Samuel Knights: George Samuel Knights 1880-1916
was the son of Robert Knights 1852-1937 and his father was George Knights
1824-1872 and his sister was Eleanor Knights 1819-1896 and her daughter was Eleanor
Ann Thacker 1841-1916 and her husband was Henry Hensby Snowling Grimble
1841-1912 and his father was Benjamin Snowling Grimble 1815-1865 and his mother
was Mary Snowling 1793-1866 and her father was William Snowling 1761-1830 and
his brother was Oliver Snowling 1771-1861 and his daughter was Judith (Julie)
Snowling 1795-1883 and her daughter was Eliza Dye 1835-1873 and her daughter
was Caroline Forster 1864-1906 who was the wife of George “Pikey” William Welch-Adams
1867-1940.
Genealogy
of Ernest Stanley Simmons: Ernest Stanley Simmons 1896-1916 was
the son of Rachel Annie Colby 1864-1908 and her mother was Rachel Hannah Martin
1841-1925 and her brother was Henry Lincoln Martin 1838-1872 and his son was Stephen
Henry Martin 1868-1960 and his son was Arthur Edward Martin 1912-1987 and his
wife was Violet Irene Doy 1917-1999 and her father was Charles Henry Doy Sr.
1879-1916 and his mother was Harriet Elizabeth Adams 1855-1913 and her brother
was William Frederick Adams 1848-1907 and his son was George "Pikey"
William Welch-Adams 1867-1940.
Genealogy
of John James Annis: John James Annis 1875-1916 was the brother of
Jonas Annis 1871-1895 and his wife was Ellen Gowing 1871-1955 and her second
husband was Edward Ashby 1857-1947 and his son from his first marriage was James
Alfred Ashby 1884-1917 and his wife was Gertrude Eliza Cook 1886-1964 and her
mother was Mina Forster 1862-1941and her sister was Caroline Forster 1864-1906
who was the wife of George “Pikey” William Welch-Adams 1867-1940.
Genealogy
of Walter Stone: Walter Stone 1889-1916 was the son of Caroline
Louisa King 1860-1935 and her sister was Lydia King 1857-1935 and her husband
was George William Brown 1854-1890 and his brother was Alfred James
"Ollie" Brown 1849-1937 and his wife was Mary "Minnie"
Durrant 1852-1940 and her mother was Maria Welch 1826-1896 and her father was Sherrard
Welch 1791-1856 and his brother was John Welch 1787-1884 and his son was John
Welch 1812-1884 and his daughter was Susannah Welsh 1847-1898 and her son was George
"Pikey" William Welch-Adams 1867-1940.
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