cclayton Posted 1 August , 2007 Share Posted 1 August , 2007 Can anyone help? I am researching my Grandfather James William Squire, Lance Corporal, Royal Welsh Fusiliers 12549 who served at Gallipoli, landing in July 1915. Acording to a family story he was wounded and evacuated but while at sea his ship was sunk. However he was rescued by a Japanese ship. My aunt has said that she always felt friendly towards the Japanese because of this despite their role in WW2. Can anyone shed any light on this incident? Carl Clayton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 1 August , 2007 Share Posted 1 August , 2007 Carl I think it may have been the troopship Transylvania which was sunk by a submarine on the 4th May 1917. She was en-route from Marseilles to Alexandria with an escort of two Japanese destroyers, the Matsu and Sakaki when she was struck in the port engine room, 2 and a half miles South of Cape Vado in the Gulf of Genoa. the Matsu came alongside to take of the troops whilst the Sakaki provided protection by steaming around trying to keep the submarine submerged. Twenty minutes later, another torpedo was seen heading for the Matsu, which caused her to go full speed astern. The torpedo struck the troopship which sank very quickly afterwards. 414 men lost their lives: 12 crew, including the Captain and 402 military personnel. TR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
historydavid Posted 1 August , 2007 Share Posted 1 August , 2007 Hello Carl and welcome to the Forum. To add to Terry's post: On 4th May 1917 HMT (da) Transylvania, built 1914, 14,315 grt, was torpedoed and sunk in position 44.15N, 08.30E by German submarine U 63, 2½ miles S from Cape Vado, Gulf of Genoa, Italy, Mediterranean Sea. She was carrying Government stores and troops from Marseilles to Alexandria. Owned by Anchor Line (Henderson Brothers) Ltd of Glasgow. 12 crewmen lost their lives. If your grandfather WAS being evacuated from Gallipoli, however, he wasn't on the Transylvania! Best wishes David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cclayton Posted 2 August , 2007 Author Share Posted 2 August , 2007 Thanks for the information about Transylvania. As you say, it doesn't quite seem to match but this is an old family story and may have got garbled along the way. Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lörscher Posted 2 August , 2007 Share Posted 2 August , 2007 Carl, it might be that he served at Gallipoli, was transfered to Saloniki, Egypt, Taranto after being wounded, served at Egypt afterwards and was torpedoed later in 1917 or 1918, because japanese destroyers first entered the Mediterranean in 1917 for escort duty. In family history Gallipoli and Rescue by Japanese remained... Just a possibility. Oliver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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