Suda Bay Commonwealth War Cemetery, Crete, Greece

Background

In May 2014, we went on holiday to the Greek Island of Crete. Prior to travelling I checked the Commonwealth War Grave Commission website to see if there were any graves for Lincolnshire Servicemen there as I had decided that I would visit the Cemetery and photograph and relevant gravestones in the hope that it might be of use to any relatives who may be researching said Serviceman. My check revealed one; namely a J A Frith an Officer's Steward 2nd Class serving on HMS Pelorus who died 15 October 1916. As this was a World War One grave I checked to see how many others there were and noted that there were only 19 World War One graves in total so I decided that I would photograph the 18 identified graves.

Suda Bay Cemetery

The Cemetery is to the east of Chania on land donated by the Islanders following World War Two, as British and Commonwealth forces were involved in the failed attempt to repel a German invasion of the Island in May 1941. In total there are some 1,500 casualties in the Cemetery. The First World War burials were relocated to this Cemetery from Suda Bay Consular Cemetery along with earlier burials on the Island, mainly from 1897 when the Seaforth Highlanders were part of an International Occupation Force on the Island to restore order following a number of uprisings by the Cretan people who wanted to break away from the Ottoman Empire and join Greece.

World War One Burials

The main purpose of this post is to upload the photo's that I took and to add any other information that I can find about the servicemen whose graves I photographed. Over time it may well be that I will have to edit this post if more information becomes available.

Joseph Arthur Frith

Officer's Steward 2nd Class of the Royal Navy served on HMS Pelorus.

Service No: L/7770

Born: Scunthorpe,1 May 1892
Died 15 October 1916
Cause of Death: Disease

Joseph Arthur Frith was the son of John & Annie Frith nee Gunn of 7 Frodingham Pathway, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire. This couple married in 1888 in the Glanford Brigg registration district. On the 1911 census Joseph is recorded as being an Assistant Hairdresser living at 24 Park Rd, Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire. His father John was a Railway Wagon repairer born in Harmston, Lincolnshire in 1857, whilst Annie was born 10 years later in Scunthorpe.

Ah Ping

Able Seaman in the Mercantile Marine on SS Delphinula.

Born Possibly China, 1877
Died 13 October 1918

Ralph Hedley Bisson

 

Able Seaman in the Mercantile Marine on HMT Hyperia

 

Born Liverpool, 1896

Died 15 November 1917

 

Son of Laura Annie Bisson of 55 Aubrey Street, Everton, Liverpool and late Capt. Bisson. Census records indicate that Laura was born in St Helier, Jersey.

 

The Steamer Hyperia was sunk by U Boat on 28 July 1918, North West of Port Said, Egypt.

 

Frederick Burton

 

 

Steward in the Mercantile Marine on SS Elsiston

Born 1896
Died 27 October 1917

The SS Elsiston was a Steamer built in Glasgow in 1915. She was torpedoed en route between Malta and Suda Bay, Crete on 19 October 1917.

Albert Edward Cummings

Apprentice in the Mercantile Marine on SS Corinthia

Born 1901
Died 10 June 1917

Son of James William & Mary Lizzie Cummings of 8 Beatrice Street, Sunderland, Durham

Morgan Fishburne

 

Second Lieutenant, 2nd County of London Yeomanry (Westminster Dragoons)

 

Born Milstead, Kent 1893

Died 1 January 1917

Cause of Death: Drowned

 

Son of Mrs Mary Trice of 1 Barmouth Road, Shirley, Croydon, Surrey. Mary Muckelston was born in Toddington, Bedfordshire and married William Fane at Battle Bridge All Saints, Islington on 30 December 1879. William died 27 Feb 1886. Mary then remarried to Charles James Fishburne in 1888. Charles was a Farmer born in Holkham, Norfolk. Charles died in the early part of 1900. Mary remarried 10 years later to William Trice a Carpenter born in Frinstead, Kent.

 

Albert Garner

 

 

Driver, Royal Field Artillery, "B" Bty, 68th Brigade

Service No: 93983

Born Canning Town Essex 1892
Died 1 September 1917
Cause of Death: Died at Sea

Son of John Joseph and Jane Garner of 18 Clifton Road, Middlesex. John Joseph was born in Kensal Green, Middlesex in 1856 and Jane was born in Southall, Middlesex in 1858.

William Garner

Fireman, Mercantile Marine on HMT Georgian

Born Liverpool 1874
Died 9 March 1917

Son of John Garner, Husband of Jane Garner of 34 Derby St, Prescot Rd. Old Swan, Liverpool.

Harry William Gaywood

Stoker, 2nd Class, Royal Navy on HMS Azalea

Service No K/35207

Born West Ham, Essex 7 March 1895
Died 6 April 1917
Cause of Death: Killed or died by means other than disease, accident or enemy action

Son of William and Eliza Ann Gaywood of 18 Seaton St, Plaistow, E13. The 1911 census records that Harry was a labourer in some piggeries. 

William Murton

With great embarrassment, on my return home I find that for what ever reason, the picture I took of this grave does not appear to have saved to my camera. I apologise for anyone reading this post who may be disappointed by it's omission. If anyone has a photo of this memorial or is able to take one, I would be very pleased to here from them in the hope that I can have the complete set.

Able Seaman, Royal Navy on HMS Anemone.

Service No J/26036

Born Plymouth 1898
Died 23 March 1917
Cause of Death: Disease

Son of Frederic Murton of 5, Hill St, Plymouth and Elizabeth R Murton. Elizabeth died in 1904 aged 28. The 1911 census records William living with his widowed father in Plymouth, who was working for Singer & Co - sewing machine manufacturers. William was still at School.

T McClair

Fifth Engineer Officer, Mercantile Marine on SS Clan Graham

Died 4 March 1918

Probably Scottish

Everard Marsden Porter

Lieutenant, Royal Air Force Suda Bay Seaplane Base (previously Royal Navy Air Service)

Born Haddenham, Ely, Cambridgeshire 1894
Died 6 August 1918
Probate of Will: 26 July 1919, London

Son of Everard Lavender Porter, Farmer  Fruit Grower and Sarah Elizabeth of The Manor, Haddenham, Ely, Cambridgeshire.

Report of circumstances of death in Cambridge Independent Press Friday 6th September 1918

R.A.F. OFFICER’S DEATH.
Lieut. E. M. Porter Drowned While Scouting in AEgean Sea. 

We deeply regret to record the fact that Lieut, E. Marsden Porter, R.A.F., eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Everard L. Porter, of the Manor. Haddenham, was drowned while scouting in the Aegean Sea. The young officer, who was in his 25th year, was educated at Soham Grammar School and Cambridge County School, and being of an engineering turn of mind, devoted his studies in that direction until the outbreak of the war, when he joined the Huntingdon Cyclist Corps in September l9l4. In the following December transferred into the Royal Naval Armoured Car Section. with which he was drafted for active service in the East August 1915, and was at Gallipoli onwards until the evacuation. Afterwards he went to Egypt, and on returning to England and the disbandment of the Armoured Car Section, he obtained a commission in the Royal Naval Air Service, and obtained his pilot’s certificate in September. 1916. In November 1917 he was drafted again to the East Mediterranean and attached one of H.M. ships, upon which he was dispatched thither only a fortnight before he met with the unfortunate accident which resulted in the loss of a young life full of promise for the future, evidenced the following extracts from a letter dated August 8th, received from Commanding Officer confirming the sad news of his death:-

"I regret exceedingly having to cause further anguish, but I feel that you and your son’s relatives and friends must be anxiously awaiting details of the circumstances attending on the occurrence which unfortunately ended a life abounding in promise of fame and honour in the service of his King and country. "Lieut. Porter had only joined this station from Base Headquarters a fortnight ago. but in few days had made himself beloved by every one of his messmates by his never-failing optimism and cheerfulness. He was engaged in scout duty in connection with suppression of the submarine menace and was flying of. seaplane on which he was singularly skilful. On the morning of the 6th he left at dawn in the most peaceful calm weather: in fact, such conditions at to necessitate extra caution in landing, as the water, being mirror-like, is most deceiving, and most difficult to locate the surface. On returning to make the landing his machine was seen to fly at maximum speed straight into the water, and eye-witnesses say there was doubt at all that the pilot was confident that he was still a fair height from the water. The machine was completely wrecked, and sank instantly. When the wreck was brought ashore the pilot was found entangled among wires and other fabric, and resuscitation was begun at nonce. After 35 minutes work. Dr. Loutitt, R.N.V.R.. declared life extinct. "The obsequies were held the same day, he being accorded an Air Force funeral, with full honours. There was large attendance of military and naval officers, well as diplomatic representatives of England, France. Italy, and Russia. The local garrison kindly loaned their hand and a large escort. There were several lovely wreaths"

Percy Richings
 

Stoker 1st Class, Royal Navy on HMS Azalea

Service No 306006

Born 16 December 1882, Farringdon, Berkshire
Died 7 April 1917
Cause of Death: Killed or died by means other than disease, accident or enemy action

Son of Albert J & Clara E Richings of Block Green, Faringdon, Berkshire

James John Robertson

 

Seaman, Royal Naval Reserve on HM Trawler Tanager

 

Service No L 141

 

Born 2 November 1896 Lerwick, Shetland Isles, Scotland

Died 29 March 1917

Cause of Death: Killed or died by means other than disease, accident or enemy action

 

Son of James & Agnes Robertson, of 3 Queen's Place, Lerwick, Shetland Isles, Scotland. James Snr was a postman in 1901.

 

Caleb John Sherwood

 

 

Serjeant, Army Service Corps 904th Mechanical Transport Company

Service No M/225116

Born 1880 Eynsham, Oxfordshire
Died 27 April 1917
Probate of Will: 11 August 1917, Oxford
Cause of Death: Pneumonia

The service record survives. Enlisted 5 June 1916. Occupation Coach Smith. Served at home until 28 March 1917 when he was transferred to Egypt. It was during this transfer that he died. The circumstances behind his death was that he was saved from HT Arcadian when torpedoed 15 April 1917 and transported to Suda Bay, Crete. He arrived in a very serious condition on 26 April and died at 3am on 27 April 1917. 

 

Husband of Louisa Sherwood nee Bourton of 35 William Street, Windsor, Surrey. They married at the Independent Chapel, Bicester, Oxfordshire on 9 August 1902. They had a daughter Doris Louisa born in Bicester on 12 July 1903. 

 

Henry Smith

 

 

Second Lieutenant, Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars (Worcestershire Yeomanry)

 

Born 1877 Aberwystyth, Cardiganshire, Wales

Died 1 January 1917

 

Husband of Mabel Esther Smith nee Hampton of Oaklands, Ledbury, Herefordshire. This couple married in Ledbury in 1903. Prior to the War Henry was Landlord of the Crown Hotel, Evesham, Worcestershire.

 

Newspaper report Birmingham Daily Post - Saturday 17 March 1917

 

SEC, LIEUT. H. SMITH (DROWNED).

 

Second Lieutenant Henry Smith, formerly Landlord of the Crown Hotel, Evesham, has been reported missing. Information has now been received that his body was discovered at Crete. He was on board the Ivemia when it was torpedoed in the Mediterranean New Year’s day.

 

Newspaper report Cheltenham Chronicle - Saturday 24 March 1917

 

SEC. LIEUT. H. SMITH.

 

Sec.-Lieut. Henry Smith, Worcester Yeomanry. was one the officers missing after the sinking of the transport Ivernia on New Year's Day in the Mediterranean, Information has now been received that his body has been recovered Crete. Lieut. Smith became landlord the Crown Hotel. Evesham, eight years ago last October, and was extremely popular in the locality. The eldest son of the late Mr. Geo. Smith, a well-known auctioneer of Aberystwyth, and of Mrs. Edmunds, of The Feathers Hotel. Ledbury, He was brought up an engineer, and became very efficient in his profession. At the outbreak of the S. African War was that country, and joined the South African Volunteer Mounted Force. He fought throughout the campaign. and received the South African medal with four bars. joined the Worcester Yeomanry on Jan. 5 1915. and was gazetted second-lieutenant on July 28th last.

A M Williamson

 

Second Engineer, Mercantile Marine on SS Clan Graham

 

Born probably Scotland

Died 4 March 1918

 

Of all the graves, this has proven the toughest to add information to other than the correction of the name of the ship. this is shown as Ann Graham on the Commonwealth War Graves commission website whereas the gravestone clearly states SS Clan Graham. The SS Clan Graham was badly damaged (the engines were destroyed) in a U boat attack of the coast of Eastern Crete and partially sunk. This is the probable cause of A M Williamson's death. After the War she was raised and towed to Devonport dockyard, arriving in August 1919 for fitting as an Admiralty Storeship. She remained as such until damaged by fire in 1921.

 

Robert Harry Wood

 

 

Acting Serjeant, Army Veterinary Corps No 3 Vet Hospital

 

Service No SE/18729

 

Born 1882, Stoke Lacy, Herefordshire

Died 1 January 1917

 

Parents Richard Allen Wood & Leah Wood nee Milner who married in 1867. Richard died in 1904 leaving Leah to run their Farm at Stone House, Ullingswick, Herefordshire with the couple's sons . The 1911 census records Robert as Harry working as a groom for Elizabeth Gravenor on Bodenham Moor, Herefordshire.

 

International Occupation

 

During 1897 Crete which was ruled by the Ottoman Empire. The islanders were seeking to join Greece following that country gaining freedom from Ottoman rule. In order to maintain order, the Great Powers agreed that there should be an International Force occupy the Island in the capacity of what we would now recognise as "Peacekeepers". The UK forces were represented by the Seaforth Highlanders and the Highland Light Infantry. There is a memorial to the Seaforth Highlanders which again was moved to the Cemetery from the Suda Bay Consular Cemetery in Chania.

 

 

In addition individual gravestones were moved. I did not photograph these as the campaign already appears to be well documented on the internet.

 

Civilian & Other gravestones of interest

 

Finally, I did take photographs of all of the apparently civilian casualties. The information recorded on the stones is to say the least sparse, and where I have found additional information I have added it, but hopefully the stories behind the remainder of the individuals will one day be recognised.

 

John A Gout

 

 

James & Elizabeth Bell Lindsay

 

 

George Brooks Almond

 

 

Died 26th December 1891 at Chania, Crete aged 36 years.

 

Superintendent, Eastern Telegraph Company in Crete

 

Son of Captain Almond (P & O Company)

 

Newspaper Announcement Cornishman - Thursday 06 February 1879

 

MARRIAGES. Almond— - Joly.— Jan. 22nd, at Smyrna, Mr. George Brooks Almond, superintendent Eastern Telegraph Company, Scio, and eldest son of Mr. John C. Almond, commander. Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company's service to Elizabeth Sarah, eldest daughter of Mr. Stephen Joly, British Vice-Consul, Smyrna.

 

Esme & Isabella Howard

 

 

Sir Esme Howard (later 1st Baron Howard of Penrith) served as Consul General to Crete in 1903 -06. This appears to be a memorial to him and his wife Isabella, as the couple are buried in Arundal Roman Catholic Cemetery, West Sussex.

 

Lillian M D Rawlins

 

 

Archibald Knox Brown

 

 

Born 1856

Died 14th January 1907

Probate of Will: 31 July 1907, Dundee

 

Archibald Knox Brown was a Mining Engineer of Dudhope House, Dundee, Scotland

 

Newspaper Announcement - Dundee Courier - Friday 18 January 1907

 

DEATHS Brown. - At Canea, Crete on 14th inst., Archibald Knox Brown, M.I.M.E., M.A.I.M.E., only son the late Archibald Brown, Inverdovat, Fifeshire

 And Finally.... Two German Gravestones

 

There are also two gravestones for Germans. They appear to be for civilians. There is some suggestion that they were buried there by mistake. However if anyone with contacts with German researchers can shed more light on who these individuals were, then it would resolve a mystery.

 

Carl Wagner

 

 

Johann Trojer

 

SOURCES

The above information has been collated using the census information as well as information from the following sources:-

 

www.cwgc.org/

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ War Office: Service Medal and Award Rolls Index, First World War in particular Mercantile Marine records.

http://home.ancestry.co.uk/ Databases; British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920, UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919, Great Britain, Royal Naval Division Casualties of The Great War, 1914-1924, UK, Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919

http://www.findmypast.co.uk/ GRO Consular Death Indices (1849 to 1965)

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ For newspaper reports.

http://www.freebmd.org.uk/

 

and of course google.