Troop Transport from Southampton: Have any studies been conducted?

[oak]

Pals,

 

I'd be very grateful if anyone could tell me if any books have been written, or studies conducted, on the topic of troop transport from Southampton during WW1 please.  Researching the sinking of HMT (formerly RMS) Connaught on 3 March 1917 - on the return voyage from Le Harve - I would like to find out which service/agency/department was in charge of the process of troop transport to France, how the ships were crewed, whether the ships sailed in convoy on the outward journey, the provision of escorts etc.

 

The City of Dublin Steam Packet Company ship RMS Connaught was requisitioned (by the Admiralty?) in 1915.  On 5 May 1915, she sailed from Holyhead to Southampton.  Until her sinking, she was used to transport troops from Southampton to France.  My understanding is that, upon the ship being requisitioned, her crew were given the option of remaining with the ship or going elsewhere (to another City of Dublin ship?).  I read somewhere that "not a single soldier was lost" during the transport of British soldiers to France during WW1.  This would suggest that the troop ships involved were escorted,  The Connaught does not appear to have been escorted on the return voyage.  Three crewmen were lost in the sinking.  (I am aware of the 2009 Forum thread about John Jones, one of Connaught's crew who was killed/drowned in Le Harve in 1915. The National Archives have a file on the sinking and I have put in a preliminary request to establish an overview of what the file contains.)

 

Kind regards,

Philip  

[brhillier]

Hello Phillip,

Not sure if you have come across this book. It does not cover troopships in particular but could provide some useful background information for you. I would expect that most troopships crossing the Channel would have been ex. Railway Ships. Amazon has the book sold by KelseyMedia.

Best regards,

Barry

 

[oak]

Many thanks Barry.

 

Apologies for the delay in replying. I've been really busy and have only now got around to checking this thread. I really appreciate you taking the time and trouble to post that information.

 

Best,

Philip