- Type of Memorial
- Cross
- WMR Reference Number
- 13363
- Description
- The Ballantrae war memorial is a grey granite Celtic cross with wheel-head and bosses set on a low tapering shaft which rests on a large square pedestal. The commemoration and names of the dead are set in lead lettering on the faces of the pedestal. The names of the WW1 dead are listed according to the year of death, including names up until 1920. The dedication is on the base of the shaft, and the WW2 names are on the 9 o'clock face of the base of the shaft. The WW1 names are on the 6 o'clock, 3o'clock and 9 o'clock faces of the pedestal. Contemporary postcards (see the 'warmescot' reference) show that the shaft, as built, was much higher. It is not known when it was lowered.
In the graveyard there is also a very interesting and unusual memorial gravestone (see the 3rd reference), which was paid for by public subscription to mark the graves of 5 WW2 seamen who are buried here, so are CWGC graves:
Name: ATKINSON, GORDON
Initials: G
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Leading Supply Assistant
Regiment/Service: Royal Navy: HMS Godetia
Date of Death: 6/9/1940
Service Number: P/MX 57914
Grave Reference: South Extn. Joint Grave 174
Cemetery: Ballantrae Parish Churchyard.
HMS Godetia (Lt.Cdr. George Victor Legassick, RNR)was a Flower Class Corvette. She was sunk in a collision with the merchant ship Marsa 3 nautical miles off Altacarry Head. (Source: Uboat.net)
Name: TRENGROVE, GEORGE HENRY
Initials: GH
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Engineer
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine: HMS Ravensworth
Date of Death: 15/9/1917
Age: 58
Additional information: Husband of Mary Elizabeth Trengove of 13 Lan St. Morriston, Swansea. Buried in joint grave with Ldg Smn Hanlan.
Grave Reference: 173
Cemetery: Ballantrae Parish Churchyard
SS Ravensworth sank on 15/9/1917 in a collision with SS Eveleen off the Copeland while in passage from Cardiff to Norway with a cargo of coal.
Name: JACK, ALEXANDER
Initials: A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Seaman
Regiment/Service: Royal Naval Reserve. HMS Transylvania.
Date of Death: 10/8/1940
Service Number: P/5838D
Grave Reference: South Extn. Joint Grave 174
Cemetery: Ballantrae Parish Churchyard
HMS Transylvania was a British liner converted into an armed merchant cruiser. She was torpedoed off Malin Head and, despite being taken in tow, she foundered with the loss of 36 lives. 300 people were rescued. (Source: Wikipedia).
Name: HANLAN, DAVID
Initials: D
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Leading Seaman
Regiment/Service: Royal Navy. (R.F.R. LPO/B/7136) SS Ravensworth
Date of Death: 15/9/1917
Age: 36
Service Number: 206086
Additional information: Son of David and Ellen Hanlan; husband of Lillie Jane Hanlan, of 18, Cross St., Holyhead. Born at Belfast. (In the same grave are buried:-Fireman M. C. Livingston, S.S. "Rowan," Mercantile Marine. 19th Oct., 1921, and Engr. George Henry Trengove, S.S. "Ravensworth," Mercantile Marine. Drowned through collision at sea 15th Sept., 1917. Age 58; husband of Mary Elizabeth Trengove, of 1, Lan St., Morriston, Swansea).
Grave Reference: 173
Cemetery: Ballantrae Parish Churchyard
Information about David Hanlan and his death on SS Ravensworth can be found at: https://sites.google.com/site/holyheadwarmemorial19141918/home/navy/david-hanlan. He is named on Holyhead War Memorial.
The Wigtownshire Free Press (13/10/1921) reported on the sinking of the SS Rowan in a triple collision of Corsewall Point. The Rowan, a Laird Line liner, was bound for Dublin from Glasgow when she hit thick fog. Her stern was clipped by the American cargo steamer West Carnak, inward bound from San Francisco. Though not severely damaged she sent out a distress call and mustered passengers on deck. The Clan Liner Clan Malcolm, following the Rowan out of Glasgow, responded to the call but struck the Rowan midships causing her to founder with the loss of 22 lives. A British Pathe film of the time shows survivors arriving at Dublin http://www.britishpathe.com/video/s-s-ss-rowan-survivors.