WW1 Mercantile Marine Casualty Pair - Shillcock, S.S. Wayfarer

Pair to William Shillcock (S.S. Wayfarer):
a) British War Medal, 1914 - 1918
b) Mercantile Marine War Medal, 1914 - 1918

Correctly impressed William Shillcock. Medals in NEF condition.

SHILLCOCK, William, Fireman, S.S. Wayfarer: Listed in the CWGC records for the Mercantile Marine (Part VII) as having drowned as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine on the S.S. “Wayfarer” (Liverpool), of 9,599 gross tons, on 11 April, 1915. Aged 41, born in Chester, he was the husband of Elizabeth Shillcock of 37, Upper Stanhope Street, Liverpool. Only two were killed in this incident (although the national archives records on line (BT 351/1) states his birth date is1861, which would have made him 54 in 1915.

Approximately a third of the size of the Lusitannia, the Harrison Liner Wayfarer, was severely damaged by an explosion on Sunday 11 April 1915, at about 3.30pm, 60 miles WNW of the Scilly Isles bound from Avonmouth for London. Described as a transport, she carried a general cargo and was capable of a speed of 13 knots per hour. At first it was not obvious as to whether the explosion was caused by a torpedo, a mine, or whether it was due to internal causes. Just before the explosion the passengers and crew were, fortunately, about to practice life boat drill. It was obvious immediately that the Wayfarer was badly damaged and the order to launch the ship’s boats was given. Whilst the weather was fine, a choppy sea made this difficult and there was an unconfirmed report that one of the lifeboats had been upset. The Wayfarer appeared to be doomed, but a large collier hove in sight, and rescued those drifting about in the boats. Later the steamer Newlyn came up, took 120 men off the collier, which took the Wayfarer in tow, and endeavoured to tow her into a port.

Code: 53454