Memorial at Funchal, Madeira to Alexander Stewart USN d. 1848
Location
English Cemetery, 235 Rua da Carreira, Funchal, Madeira, Rest of the World
Transcript
'SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF / ALEXANDER STEWART / SEAMAN / WHO DIED ON BOARD THE U.S. SHIP / JAMESTOWN
IN FUNCHAL ROADS / DECR 21ST 1848 AGED 40 YEARS / Farewell dear shipmate thy glass has run / Thy earthly cruize is o’er / May thy spirit waft on angels wings / To that happy heavenly shore / As a tribute of regard for the memory / of a Seaman, (who was respected by / all who knew him) this tomb is / erected by his officers and / Shipmates.'
Details
Description: Plain vertical white marble plaque, originally set between plain flanking columns plaster/cement-moulded onto the bottom of the rubble wall behind, on a similar rectangular base below just overlapping the letters of the last line: only the fragmentary capitals, bases and lower step survive. Above the columns is the trace of a curved pediment, also missing. Type: Wall monument Materials: Marble Vessel: Jamestown
People
Stewart, Alexander Age: 40 Date of Death: 21/12/1848 Cause of Death: Unknown Rank / Occupation: Seaman Organisation: unknown
Memorial at St Antony in Roseland, Cornwall to Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Spry d. 1775
Location
St Anthony's Church, St Anthony in Roseland, Cornwall, England
Transcript
'SIR RICHARD SPRY, KT/ REAR ADMIRAL OF THE WHITE /
SEVERAL YEARS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF H.M. SHIPS / IN NORTH-AMERICA, THE MEDITERRANEAN, AND PLYMOUTH. / HE WAS ENVOY TO THE EMPEROR OF MOROCCO / AND THE STATES OF BARBARY. /
HE DIED ON THE 25TH OF NOVEMBER 1775, AGED 60 YEARS. /
THIS MONUMENT AS A TESTIMONY OF GRATITUDE IS ERECTED / BY HIS AFFECTIONATE NEPHEW ADMIRAL THOMAS SPRY.'
Details
Description: Marble wall tablet, the relief in the shape of a gothic arch. The the right, seated Britannia leaning on an urn, facing the stern of a naval vessel. Type: Wall monument Materials: Marble Date Erected: Circa 1799 Artists: R. Westmacott
People
Spry, Richard Age: 60 Date of Death: 25/11/1775 Cause of Death: unknown Rank / Occupation: Rear Admiral Organisation: Royal Navy
Memorial plaque in Culross, Scotland commemorating Rear-Admiral Thomas Cochrane d. 1860
Location
Culross, Fife, Scotland
Transcript
"Cochrane Haven is so named as a tribute to Admiral Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald (1775-1860), who spent his youth in Culross. he entered the Royal Navy in 1793 and fought in the Napoleonic Wars. He served on many ships, two of which-HMS Barfleur and HMS Queen Charlotte-were commanded by Admiral Lord Keith of nearby Tuliallan estate. After a period of service as an MP for Westminster, he left Britain and is acknowledged as a hero in Chile, Peru, Brazil and Greece, all countries he helped to independence.
In 1828, Admiral Cochrane returned to Great Britain and spent many years in marine engineering research. He was also Commander-in-Chief of the North America and West Indies Station from 1848-1851.
He is buried in Westminster Abbey.
This plaque, placed here in 1995 replaces an original installed in November 1939 by HMS 'Cochrane', 'Rosyth', and the National Trust for Scotland."
Details
Description: Simple wall plaque in black Type: Plaque Date Erected: 1995 Vessel: HMS 'Speedy', HMS 'Pallas', HMS 'Imperieuse', HMS 'Arab'
Event Category
1803-1815 Napoleonic War
People
Cochrane, Thomas Age: 84 Date of Death: 1860 Cause of Death: unknown Rank / Occupation: Rear Admiral Organisation: Royal Navy
Extra
Notes: Thomas Cochrane remains one of Britain's most distinguished and controversial Admirals
Wall tablet in St Mary’s, Portsea Island, Portsmouth dedicated to William Henry Smith. d. 1891
Location
St Mary's, Portsea Island, Portsmouth, England
Transcript
"TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF / THE RIGHT HONOURABLE / WILLIAM HENRY SMITH. M.P. / FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY 1877-1880. / FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY 1887-1891. / BORN JUNE 24th 1825. AT REST OCT 6th 1891 / BY WHOSE MUNIFICENT BENEFACTIONS THIS CHURCH / WAS MAINLY BUILT AND TO WHOSE UNFAILING / SYMPATHY AND WISE COUNCIL THE PARISH OF PORTSEA OWES A DEBT WHICH IT CAN NEVER PAY / THIS WINDOW WAS DEDICATED ON THE FESTIVAL OF ALL SAINTS NOV 1st 1892"
Smith, William Henry Age: 66 Date of Death: 1891 Cause of Death: unknown Rank / Occupation: M.P. Organisation: Government Minister
Extra
Notes: William Henry Smith is most commonly associated with both, the chain of stationary stores 'W.H. Smiths' and also the character of 'Sir Joseph Porter' in Gilbert and Sullivan's, 1878, comic opera 'HMS Pinafore'.
Despite never having served a day at sea, William Henry Smith rose, uniquely, to become First Lord of the Admiralty despite his lack of any naval experience.
Following his death in 1891 his widow and decedents were granted the hereditary title of Viscount Hambleden.
Statue in Tower Bridge Road, Bermondsey, London, depicting Albert McKenzie VC d. 1918
Location
Tower Bridge Road, Bermondsey, London.
Transcript
"ABLE SEAMAN ALBERT EDWARD MCKENZIE / BORN BERMONDSEY 23RD OCTOBER 1898 / HMS VINDICTIVE, ZEEBRUGGE RAID 23RD APRIL, 1918 / DIED CHATHAM 3RD NOVEMBER 1918 / AWARDED THE VICTORIA CROSS FOR / "MOST CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY / OUR LOCAL HERO"
Details
Description: Steel statue of Mackenzie in a contemporary style, on a concrete plinth made from a section of the harbour wall at Zeebrugge. Type: Statue Materials: Steel Date Erected: 24 October 2015 Vessel: HMS Vindictive
Event
Zeebrugge Raid
Event Date
1918
Event Category
1914-1918 First World War
People
McKenzie, Albert Age: 20 Date of Death: 1918 Cause of Death: Infectious Disease Rank / Occupation: Able Seaman Organisation: Royal Navy
Extra
Notes: The Zeebrugge Raid was an attempt by the British Royal Navy, during the First World War, to try and knock out the Belgian port of Bruges-Zeebrugge in use throughout the war as an Imperial German Naval base for submarines.
The raid took place on the 23rd April 1918 and Albert McKenzie there distinguished himself for his heroic dedication to duty and to his comrades. An Able Seaman aboard the lead ship in the raid, HMS 'Vindictive', McKenzie armed with a Lewis gun dutifully followed his commanding officer onto the harbour wall and fought gallantly throughout the action. Despite having his gun shot from his hands, McKenzie, a proficient boxer, fought his way through the German ranks to get back to his ship, in-spite of having received multiple wounds in both the back and the foot. For his bravery, zeal and conspicuous gallantry he was awarded the Victoria Cross. However, a few weeks after the raid he unfortunately contracted the Spanish Flu and perished, aged 20, on the 3 November 1918.
McKenzie was the first sailor from London to receive the Victoria Cross. He is burred in Camberwell Old Cemetery. Recorder: Graham Thompson. 09/08/2017
Headstone in Old Church Cemetery, Cobh, County Cork, Ireland commemorating Frederick Parslow VC, d. 1915
Location
Old Church Cemetery, Cobh, County Cork, Republic of Ireland
Transcript
'F.D. PARSLOW. VC / MASTER / S.S. 'ANGLO-CALIFORNIAN' / 4th JULY 1915, AGE 59 / AT THE GOING DOWN / OF THE SUN / AND IN THE MORNING / WE WILL REMEMBER THEM'
Details
Description: Stone headstone, with a crowned naval anchor in rope above the transcript and the carved image of a Victoria Cross below. Type: Headstone Vessel: Anglo-Californian
Event Date
1915
Event Category
1914-1918 First World War
People
Parslow, Frederick Daniel Age: 59 Date of Death: 1915 Cause of Death: War Casualty Rank / Occupation: Master Organisation: Merchant Marine
Extra
Notes: Parslow distinguished himself in action against the German submarine 'U-39' on the 4th July 1915.
It was for this action that Parslow won his Victoria Cross. Commanding the merchant ship 'Anglo-Californian', Parslow was responsible for some 3,000 horses destined for the war effort.
The 'Anglo-Californian', travelling without escort, came under contact from 'U-39' and sustained heavy damage. Parslow under great personal risk continued to alter his ships course and in doing so, successfully staved off destruction. However, as Parslow had opted to remain on the ship's bridge, without protection, he was killed when the bridge was wrecked. Following Parslow's death and in lieu of a captain, the ship's first mate and Parslow’s son, also named Frederick Parslow, succeeded to command the 'Anglo-Californian' and managed to ward off 'U-39' until two British destroyers arrived on scene to render assistance and drive the submarine away.
For his gallantry, Parslow was posthumously awarded a commission in the Royal Navy Reserve, after much debate, that he may be awarded the Victoria Cross for his distinguished command, and his disregard for personal safety that saved his crew and cargo.
Plaque in Islington Green, Islington, London commemorating Frederick Parslow VC d. 1915
Location
Islington Green, Islington, London, England
Transcript
'Master Frederick Parslow / Mercantile Marine / 4th July 1915'
Details
Description: Stone circular floor plaque with an intricate carving of a Victoria Cross above the transcript. Type: Plaque Date Erected: 04/07/2015 Vessel: Anglo-Californian
Event Date
1915
Event Category
1914-1918 First World War
People
Parslow, Frederick Age: 59 Date of Death: 1915 Cause of Death: War Casualty Rank / Occupation: Master Organisation: Merchant Marine
Extra
Notes: Parslow distinguished himself in action against the German submarine U-39 on the 4th July 1915.
It was for this action that Parslow won his Victoria Cross. Commanding the merchant ship 'Anglo-Californian', Parslow was responsible for some 3,000 horses destined for the war effort.
The 'Anglo-Californian', travelling without escort, came under contact from U-39 and sustained heavy damage. Parslow under great personal risk continued to alter his ships course and in doing so, successfully staved off destruction. However, as Parslow had opted to remain on the ship's bridge, without protection, he was killed when the bridge was wrecked. Following Parslow's death and in lieu of a captain, the ship's first mate and Parslow's son, took command of the 'Anglo-Californian' and managed to ward off U-39 until two British destroyers arrived on scene to render assistance and drive the submarine away.
For his gallantry Parslow was posthumously awarded a commission in the Royal Navy Reserve, after much debate, that he may be awarded the Victoria Cross for his distinguished command, and his disregard for personal safety that saved his crew and cargo.
See also M6603. Recorder: Graham Thompson. 09/08/2017
Memorial in St Helen’s Bishopsgate commemorating Sir Andrew Judde d. 1558
Location
St Helen's Bishopsgate, City of London, England
Transcript
[Right hand panel] 'To rvssia and mussova / To spayne gynny withovte fable / Traveld he by land and sea / Bothe mayre of London and staple / The commenwelthe he norished / So worthelie in all his daies / That ech state fvllwell him loved / To his perpetvall prayes'. [Left-hand panel] 'Three wyves he had one was mary / Fower svnes one mayde had he by her / Annys had none by him trvly / By dame mary had one dowghtier / Thvs in the month of September / A thowsande fyve hvnderd fyftey / And eyght died this worthie stapler / Worshipynge his posterytye.' [Below] 'Sr. ANDREW JUDDE Knt.'
Details
Description: A small painted wall monument of two bays divided and flanked by Corinthian columns, above, an entablature on which is an achievement of arms. Each bay has a round arch with carved spandrels and a mask at the apex; below the arches are kneeling figures of a man and four sons and wife and one daughter, with a prayer desk on each side of the middle column. Type: Wall monument Position: East wall Materials: Stone
People
Judd, Andrew Age: 76 Date of Death: 1558 Cause of Death: unknown Rank / Occupation: merchant Organisation: unknown
Extra
Notes: Judde could not have visited Russia or Guinea, see H.S. Vere Hodge's biography. Elspeth M. Veale suggests that his voyages have been confused with those of Thomas Bannister. Bibliography: Survey of London: Volume 9, the Parish of St Helen, Bishopsgate, Part I. (LCC, 1924); H.S. Vere Hodge 'Sir Andrew Judde' (Tonbridge, circa 1953) pp. 82-109.
Memorial formerly at Temple Church, City of London to William Cock d. 1724
Location
Temple Church, City of London, England
Transcript
‘Near this Pillar Lies / The body of William Cock Esqr / Descended from an Ancient Family, of the / Town and County of New-Castle upon Tyne. /He was at first at Volunteer in the Royal Navy and / initiated in Action at the ever famous / Battle of La / Hogue in 1692, under the Command of the Honble George / Churchill (Brother to the Renowned John Duke of Marlbroh) / Who being convinced of his Springing Worth and Spectator / of his Active and courageous Behaviour / from that Time became / His Friend and Patron. After which he was honoured with the / command of sundry ships of war in the Several Reigns of King / William the third, Queen Anne of Blessed Memory, (to whom / his Heart and service were entirely devoted) and also of his / present Majesty King George: in which services he acquitted / Himself with Zeal and Fidelity to his Prince and Country. He was an able and expert officer, stead and always collected in Ac / tion, Abounded in polite Litterature, / of an exquisite and clear / Judgement and Usefull Science: Never was a more sincere friend / or a greater Enemy to Dissimu - / lation, Equalled by Few, Excelled by None, in the / constant Practice of all social virtues. At length on the 26th / of November 1724 / He paid the inevitable Debt of / Nature and entred / into Immortality, Most deservedly / lamented by his / Companions in several Naval Engagements / wherein He eminently distinguished / Himself, and by All Others that knew / his many excellent Qualities / Aetat: 49.’
Details
Description: White marble, oval cartouche, surmounted by a coat of arms, flanked by naval and military trophies. Type: Wall memorial Position: South west of the round Materials: White marble
Event
Battle of La Hogue
Event Date
19/5/1692
Event Category
War of the English Succession
People
Cock, William Age: 49 Date of Death: 26/11/1724 Cause of Death: unknown Rank / Occupation: unknown Organisation: Royal Navy
Extra
Notes: This memorial was apparently destroyed during the bombing of Temple Church on 10 May 1941. Bibliography: Mrs Arundell Esdaile ‘Temple Church Monuments’ (1933, London) p. 136 Recorder: B. Tomlinson
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Commemorating seafarers and victims of maritime disasters
