HMS LOUVAIN

[Guest]

Simon,

Thanks, I didn't know he was going to another ship, and not a member of the crew of the Louvain.

S.B

[Simon Mills]

1 hour ago, stevebecker said:

Simon,

Thanks, I didn't know he was going to another ship, and not a member of the crew of the Louvain.

S.B

Steve,

The Louvain was carrying over 200 passengers, mostly from England or Malta, to the Allied base on the Greek island of Mudros, where they would be transferred to the various units or ships to which they had been assigned. According to the paperwork I have, he was one of nine survivors being transferred to the Osiris II. I think she was a depot ship by that stage of the war.

SM.

[rlilly]

On 21/01/2010 at 16:22, rlilly said:

I'm truly stuck and need your expertise or advice on what to do. My grandmother's brother was Evan Edwards b1887. He was a petty officer on board the HMS Louvain when it was sank in 1918 by the Germain U boat U-22. He was one of the few that survived the sinking. However, no matter what I try I can't find out what happened to him afterwards. Before the war started he was married to Alice Edwards in Aberystwyth, Dyfed, Wales, but by at least 1908 had moved to 32 Earl Street, Liverpool. I have a couple of pictures of him with his HMS Louvain navy cap on. Family letters from Wales have him still alive as late as Nov. 1946.

So I'm not familiar with the Royal Navy, but if he was a petty officer could he be in the Auxilary or Reserves, or just the regular navy? If he died during peace time in England would the Royal Navy have a record of his death even though he would have been retired? (I wouldn't think they would, but you never know). When the HMS Louvain sunk would they have automatically send him home, or just assign him to another ship?

Any little tidbits of information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you much.

Hello to all. I'm a returning member to the forums and it has been over twelve years since I made the post above. First and foremost I would like to thank the gentlemen that assisted in helping get information on my great uncle Evan Edwards, Petty Officer aboard the ill fated ship HMS Louvain.

In 2018 I did go back and checked past forums where I had posted the same post as above. In 2015 the curator for the Royal Navy Museum in London had responded and requested I send him an email as he had information for me. To my great surprise he told the story that he had been at an auction of military items. He had purchased a display board that had pictures and medals attached. They were of course of Evan Edwards. 5 medals and two ships, the Louvain and the big surprise the Lusitania..!! He had survived both sinkings..!!

Aboard the Lusitania on its maiden voyage when it had docked in New York City harbor, many celebrations were going on in honor of this famous ship. So the White Star Line ship company decided to have a life-boat race in the harbor. My uncle's boat won the race and he received a medal for the win. On its return leg of its maiden voyage the Lusitania was struck by two torpedoes by the German U-Boat U-20. He received another medal for saving the lives of 18 passengers. They were able to lower 6 boats out out the 24. One boat sunk and its occupants all drowned. He received a third medal for surviving the sinking as well.

The Navy offered him a discharge but he turned it down. He served on a couple of other ships and then was assigned to the Dresden which was renamed HMS Louvain. The city of Louvain France had been the scene of a massacre of French citizens by the Germans, and the name Dresden was after the German city. All German names were removed from all ships at the start of the war.  He received two more medals for surviving the sinking of the Louvain. He had swam ashore to a small island along with 7 other survivors and eventually was picked up by another navy ship. He is buried next to his wife Alice in a Liverpool cemetery as he passed away in 1946.

Some ladies in Liverpool helped me get more information and I was able to get the names of my cousin Alan Edwards (Evan's grandson and my second cousin) and his family that live in Bristol, England. We have been trading emails for the past two years. It was very exciting for us and for them as well. My trip to Wales has been canceled for the past two years going on three, but will be over there once again in August 2023 to visit the naval museum and to meet my cousins.

Take care and good hunting.

Roy Lilly

Liberty Missouri U.S.

 

Edited 19 June , 2022 by rlilly

[KizmeRD]

Hello Roy,

Just looking at the medals to begin with, we can clearly see the WW1 trio of Star, BWM & Victory medal plus two others, one of these being an RNR Long Service Medal and the other being a commemorative medal for being one of the winning crew in a lifeboat race (issued what looks like September 1912). This last medal is useful to us in that it confirms he was a pre-war member of the RNR, and that he was indeed working aboard the RMS Lusitania (at least at that particular time). Please note however that it wasn’t Lusitania’s maiden voyage to New York - the ship was built by Cunard Line (not the White Star Line) and launched in 1906. Her first trans-Atlantic voyage to New York was in September 1907.
There’s also a naval ratings Royal Naval Reserve cap ribbon and a red petty officers badge shown too. 

Bearing in mind what you say about the connection to Aberystwyth and the fact he married an Alice, I strongly suspect him to be Evan Edwards (D3193) whose service docs say was born 17 August 1884 (the year may in fact have been conveniently mis-stated on his original enrolment into the RNR on his birthday on 17 August 1904). His record also shows clearly that he received ‘Their Lordships appreciation’ in respect of his conduct during the sinking of HMS Louvain. 
 

MB

Edited 19 June , 2022 by KizmeRD

[horatio2]

6 hours ago, rlilly said:

two ships, the Louvain and the big surprise the Lusitania..!! He had survived both sinkings..!!

I share @KizmeRD's concerns. LUSITANIA in 1912 but he does not appear to be in LUSITANIA when she was sunk on 7 May 1915 - https://www.rmslusitania.info/multimedia/downloads/                His RNR record is hard to read but he nmay have served in HMS LOUVAIN from April 1915. I think that LUSITANIA was  not manned by mobilised RNR ratings.

He served from Augst 1904 as an unqualified seaman (10903.X), re-numbered 7071.QA when qualified. His second and third five-year periods of enrolment (including WW1) were served as 2382.B, his fourth period as 3193.D and his fifth and final period as 118.E . Only three of his later records survive:-

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_fn=evan&_ln=edwards&_pl=&_q=1884&discoveryCustomSearch=true&_cr1=BT+164++&_cr2=BT+377++&_col=200&_hb=tna

[Simon Mills]

On 19/06/2022 at 07:02, rlilly said:

Hello to all. I'm a returning member to the forums and it has been over twelve years since I made the post above. First and foremost I would like to thank the gentlemen that assisted in helping get information on my great uncle Evan Edwards, Petty Officer aboard the ill fated ship HMS Louvain.

In 2018 I did go back and checked past forums where I had posted the same post as above. In 2015 the curator for the Royal Navy Museum in London had responded and requested I send him an email as he had information for me. To my great surprise he told the story that he had been at an auction of military items. He had purchased a display board that had pictures and medals attached. They were of course of Evan Edwards. 5 medals and two ships, the Louvain and the big surprise the Lusitania..!! He had survived both sinkings..!!

Aboard the Lusitania on its maiden voyage when it had docked in New York City harbor, many celebrations were going on in honor of this famous ship. So the White Star Line ship company decided to have a life-boat race in the harbor. My uncle's boat won the race and he received a medal for the win. On its return leg of its maiden voyage the Lusitania was struck by two torpedoes by the German U-Boat U-20. He received another medal for saving the lives of 18 passengers. They were able to lower 6 boats out out the 24. One boat sunk and its occupants all drowned. He received a third medal for surviving the sinking as well.

The Navy offered him a discharge but he turned it down. He served on a couple of other ships and then was assigned to the Dresden which was renamed HMS Louvain. The city of Louvain France had been the scene of a massacre of French citizens by the Germans, and the name Dresden was after the German city. All German names were removed from all ships at the start of the war.  He received two more medals for surviving the sinking of the Louvain. He had swam ashore to a small island along with 7 other survivors and eventually was picked up by another navy ship. He is buried next to his wife Alice in a Liverpool cemetery as he passed away in 1946.

Some ladies in Liverpool helped me get more information and I was able to get the names of my cousin Alan Edwards (Evan's grandson and my second cousin) and his family that live in Bristol, England. We have been trading emails for the past two years. It was very exciting for us and for them as well. My trip to Wales has been canceled for the past two years going on three, but will be over there once again in August 2023 to visit the naval museum and to meet my cousins.

Take care and good hunting.

Roy Lilly

Liberty Missouri U.S.

 

Roy,

One of the vessels I am currently invertigating is the HMS Louvain and her subesequent loss in the Kea Channel (Aegean) on 20th January 1918. We hope to be able to provide more information in a few weeks, but in the meantime I can confirm that one of the witnesses interviewed at the Board of Inquiry was Petty Officer Evan Edwards (2382.B). There isn't very much (only two pages) but if you can send me a PM with your e-mail address then I'll be happy to forward the two images to you.

Regards,

Simon.

 

 

[Simon Mills]

On 24/01/2022 at 01:16, Simon Mills said:

Steve,

Yes, there is a reference to a Lieutenant G.P. Gilpin RNVR, on his way to join the Osiris II. By the way, the reference to the Kelos Strait is incorrect. The ship was sunk in the Kea Channel, although I have occasionally seen it also referred to as the Kea Strait.

Although the numbers vary, depending on which source you use, the log of the escorting destroyer (HMS Colne) reports picking up 231 survivors.

Hope this helps,

S.

Steve,

Further to my note above, It appears that Lieutenant Geoffrey Richard Purcell Gilpin may have been one of the officers interviewed at the Board of Inquiry into the loss of the HMS Louvain. His testimony only accounts for three pages but if you would like to PM your e-mail address to me then I'll be happy to forward the three images.

Regards,

Simon.

Edited 12 July , 2022 by Simon Mills

[Michael latimer]

Hello everyone, I have been recently going through my grand father’s personal items, and have come across something that may be of interest to the forum. My grand father was a Mr Philip Ernest kirton abbott. Who was a survivor of HMS LOUVAIN. 
I have found a typed full detailed  account of his first hand experience from the time just before the torpedo struck the ship to him being rescued. It is rather late this evening, but I will add the information tomorrow evening and attach a picture of the typed piece of paper 2 sides, it is in red ink and has faded some what, but I can just about read it. 
 Many thanks Michael Latimer 

 

 

[Michael latimer]

Makes very interesting reading 

Edited 19 August , 2022 by Michael latimer

[KizmeRD]

Welcome to the Forum Michael, and I look forward to reading your GF’s account, when it’s posted.

MB

[Michael latimer]

I am copying this word for word from my grandfathers typed paperwork, a few words have completely faded or are on a folder line, so I will leave as a blank line when typing. some paragraphs are hard to read, so I apologise if I doesn’t flow. Also he states that they were in the DORO CHANNEL, when struck, but I have seen statements that it happened in the kea channel. 

my grandfather was 22 at the time and live until he was 83 in Hinckley Leicestershire 

              ——————————-

Short narrative of the torpedoing of H.M.S “LOUVAIN” in the eastern Mediterranean on January 2 9.30pm 1918

     EXPERIENCE OF A SURVIVOR

While we were peacefully traversing the waters in the doro channel at 9.30pm the 30th january, we were struck. I was at the time playing bridge in the fore peak when all at once there was a loud explosion and the lights immediately went out and we were plunged into total darkness.

I jumped from the table, roped my way to my bunk and felt around for my life belt, which I recovered without much difficulty, feeling my way to the entrance of the peak. I started to ascend the ladder, while I was thus employed I heard a voice enquiring which was the way out of the latter named place, i instantly recognised it to be an air service chap, one of my bridge partners. I made it known to him to catch hold of my shoulders, which he did do.

We then arrived on deck, thinking probably that it was a collision and of little consequence, but however it proved to be a torpedo. Groping along the port-side I got amidships and unlaced my boots, placed them side by side with perfect precision (I remember this with perfect equanimity) by the rail. I then went through the officers companion way and noticed the paymaster emerging from the cabin, but I was needles of his intentions and took no further notice, but calmly walked to my boat No1 starboard.

To my astonishment I found that she was full to overflowing . I jumped in however and shouted for them to lower the forward faul, which they had not done. I then endeavoured to release her, but alas the ship was on her underway to that extent that the faul was bearing a headed strain and finding that it was impossible to effect any further assistance. I glanced at the side of the ship and found that the water was a foot from the main deck. I looked up glad to see a raft thrown from the boat deck into the water. I dived from my boat and after a few strokes I reached the side of the raft. I Grasped it with my right hand and was swirled aft with it. To my great surprise I observed No2 starboard boat was laying off the ship and her fauls were nearly parallel with the surface of the water. Proving a very great menace to the people endeavouring to escape from the doomed ship. I however drifted onto the boat itself, but my raft was destined to go onto the ropes, so I made  an attempt to force her on the outside but the pull was to strong and I went unprotestingly into the swirling chaos expecting at any moment to be strangled or something or the other, but I was lucky enough to prop my head up once again and take a sweet breath of gods air.

Clambering upon the raft I seated myself in the centre, intending to take a survey of my surroundings, but alas I had no sooner become comfortable than bang! And up and down I was once more thrown until my cheeks to were the point of bursting, then just as I thought that the last had come my raft started to race up to the surface (much like catching the last car) and I was pulled after it, wondering how many knots she could be doing. Well in a few moments we arrived up the top, the raft giving a leap to the height of about 3 feet and when she was in open air again and then all was peaceful again and I regained my seat once more.

Looking at the ship she was much like a destroyer on full speed, for as the stern settled down slowly and still going on her course the weigh aft was white with foam. Around me were heads and arms bobbing about and here and there one could hear the cry of some individual as he gasped his last. While a little distance away I was surprised to see a bunch of lights burning steadily and as i surmise they were calcium cylinders placed on life belts to enable persons to be ascertain there position.

As I was thus meditating a fellow crawled up beside me followed by four more and after we had become perfectly balanced and secured rough oars, we settled the question, whether we should row to the land or not.

____________destroyer______our escort had settled, we would row to her. We therefore kept our eyes upon her and was pleased to see her steam up To a spot and drop a depth charge, it went off with a loud report and up into the air went a volume of water and a flash of fire. 

We of course supposed it to be a torpedo and we’re dismayed for she slipped away in the shadow of the mountain. There was land on either side north and south at a distance of 10 miles. But what was our joy when in half an hour we were rewarded by seeing her steam up at a distance of a thousand yards and lowered her boats. We then all started rowing with a will but our course was not undisturbed for a raft came quite close and asked to take them on ours, as there raft was sinking. But we rowed away, as it would have been madness for us to have attempted to take anymore onboard like this. We eventually arrived near the destroyer, she threw a few lines and we managed to hold one, they towed us up quite near and took us off. I was the last off the raft  and as they told me they had no further use for the thing I let it go and jumped up the side of the destroyer, they told me to go to the hatch and I found myself in the midst of a cheerful crowd of survivors, most of them officers and I must pass word of comment on the hospitable way in which the destroyer treated us all.

       P.E.K ABBOTT

[Simon Mills]

21 hours ago, Michael latimer said:

 Also he states that they were in the DORO CHANNEL, when struck, but I have seen statements that it happened in the kea channel. 

Hello Michael,

Thank you for posting your grandfather's recollections of the loss of the HMS Louvain. Very interesting...

I can confirm that the Louvain was indeed sunk in the Kea Channel, in fact we were surveying there only a couple of weeks ago. I can't release any of the results or data yet, but if something relevant comes up then I will post it here if and when I can. The reference to the Doro Channel is almost but not quite correct, as the Cavo D'Oro passage was a little further ahead on the Louvain's direct course to Mudros.

I did a quick search of my records and can confirm that Private P.E.K. Abbott (No. Ply/16557) is included in the official list of survivors., but beyond that there is no further information.

Regards,

Simon.

[seaJane]

On 20/08/2022 at 18:44, Michael latimer said:

roped

I would suggest groped here

On 20/08/2022 at 18:44, Michael latimer said:

needles

heedless?

On 20/08/2022 at 18:44, Michael latimer said:

faul

I think this and others should be "fall."

On 20/08/2022 at 18:44, Michael latimer said:

weigh

way or wake?

I am only suggesting these as possible correct transcriptions, so forgive me if they are exact as your grandfather wrote them. A wonderful story to have in your possession, and thank you very much for copying it out here.

seaJane