Untended M.N. Grave

[Graham Evans]

In Wallasey Cemetery recently, I came across a single gravestone in an untended remote area.
This stone was engraved:- SA WEBSDALE
Seaman RNR 5975A
HMS ALMANZORA
21st July 1916 AGE 21
The Almanzora was built at H&W the same year, and was apparently used as an armed Merchant Cruiser. She also shows up as a troopship during WW2. I cannot locate any family locally of this young man, which may explain the remoteness of his last resting place. Does anyone have any info about his family, maybe they don't know where he is?

[Ray Buck]

Graham

S.A. Websdale is commemorated by the CWGC, which usually attend to the upkeep of the headstone memorials,
CWGC - Casualty Details

Ray

[Keith at Tregenna]

Friday, 21 July 1916

Almanzora, armed merchant cruiser
WEBSDALE, Samuel A, Seaman, RNR, A 5973, illness

LINK: Otranto Barrage losses, killed and died, casualty lists, July 1916

Could be that as the cause of death is recorded as illness he may not be commemorated by the CWGC ?

Is there an indication on the grave that it a war grave ?

I believe also that family could chose and some did chose not to have the graves commemorated ?

Hope this helps, will look further ASAP, Ray's link shows the father resident in Lowestoft and the surname in a quick search comes up a lot, possibly contacting local newspapers etc in the Lowestoft area may help ?

K.

[Ray Buck]

He appears to have died of an illness, From Otranto Barrage losses, killed and died, casualty lists, July 1916
Almanzora, armed merchant cruiser
WEBSDALE, Samuel A, Seaman, RNR, A 5973, illness

From The War Graves Photographic Project
It appears to be a private headstone which has been laid down

Ray

[Ray Buck]

I did a bit more research on Samuel Websdale and forwarded it to his relative’s web site
I received this reply which I post on her behalf
Hi Ray

Thank you for your email.

Samuel Augustus Websdale was an older brother of my great grandfather Harry Websdale. Sam was born 1896 in Lowestoft Suffolk the 3rd of 21 children born to Henry and Hannah Websdale.

I was aware that he was buried in a merseyside cemetery but didn't realise there was a stone. I always hoped one day to visit because I always thought that it was so sad that a young man was buried so far from home.

There were lots of lurid stories about his death but I also found a record that he died from illness aboard ship. One day when I get around to looking closer at my great grandfathers siblings (there are so many of them!!! it will take forever) I shall apply for his death cert and finally have an answer.

But thank you so much for sending the link, it was very thoughtful of you. I went to the site and would have answered the query but it seems that you have to be amember to post. Maybe you might pass my answer to the kind gent who noticed the grave.

Regards

Anne Savage (nee Websdale)

My family history can be found at:
homepage

[Tony Morcom]

I was thinking last night that this was a sad little story but now it appears there is someone out there that cares. Well done Ray and graham for bringing it up in the first place.

[Keith at Tregenna]

I RE-ITERATE: all thanks that tony mentioned above:

Graham: I am just in from work and see Ray has developed much further, could you possibly take a pic or a few of the grave and post on site ? Also the local Council should have an officer or department that is responsible for graves, certain I could look it up, but wonder as you are local if you could help ?

Ray: Although I cannot promise and need more info wonder if via With a little help from my MN friends could help in this, I do look at more to do with the Foster / Trevessa grave later in the year but may be able to help? WALHFMMNF's has not yet progressed as well as hoped, but has worked thus far and could do more if or where required.

If the CWGG are responsible for the upkeep then they would need to be contacted initially.

At present the actual state of the grave is not really known to us, hence the requests for the photos,the grave yard authority should also be able to provide a plot number and a cemetery map, all of which would be helpful.

Ever trying to help as you have all helped me:

Keith.

[Ray Buck]

Keith

There is a photograph, a better and up to date would be good, it appears to be a private headstone and not the official CWGC, it therefore may not come under the remit of CWGC, and may be the councils responsabilitypossibly has been laid down due to the safety aspect!

The War Graves Photographic Project

The plot details are with the CWGC

Grave Reference YP. 16.
Cemetery WALLASEY (RAKE LANE) CEMETERY
CWGC - Casualty Details

Ray

[Keith at Tregenna]

Hi Ray:

Thanks for the info, initially as ever I offer any help and assistance that may'be required or not.

I would hope that Graham would lead anything that may occur as he obviously discovered the grave and also, the family would need to be involved, it is not unknown that family may wish the resting place to be just that, our thoughts continue to be both tribute and commemoration, we not only require permission from the grave owner but need to respect the wishes of those related.

I would hope that continuing research will assist all / everyone.

I am long overdue a visit to friends in Wigan and could include a visit, but I would imagine that assessing what is required and finding out who is responsible etc, can only be helpful.

EG: Would weeding and grass cutting suffice or do we look at stone work etc ?

As said, would like to attempt to help if required.

I will look into all more if I can aid and assist, but would prefer not to be thought to interfere otherwise.

K.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Lowestoft, St. Magaret's Church War Memorial

1914 -1918

Listed is:

WEBSDALE, S: No further information currently

It would be interesting to verify that this could be Samuel and offer the information that he may be remembered possibly more fully in the area he may have been from originally.

The Roll of Honour list the names of those from the area.

LINK: Roll of Honour - Suffolk - Lowestoft, St Margaret's Church

K.