William George Edmunds

A Seaman with H.M.S. Clan McNaughton, William died on 3th of February 1915 at the age of 42. 

William was born at Lowestoft on 10 March 1874, a son of William and Mary Ann Edmunds. William's mother died in 1891. In 1899 his father lived at 207 Clapham Road, Lowestoft and in 1914 his father lived at 16 Dove Street, Lowestoft.

William joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 2 February 1894. William was awarded the Royal Naval Reserve Long Service Medal in 1910. 

From his Royal Naval Reserve service card we know about William's civilian employment:

In 1899 he served on trawlers LT 254, LT 156 and LT 706. 

1910 serving on LT 734
31 March 1911 working ashore
29 September 1911 serving on the Silver Bird LT 724
29 March 1912 working ashore
28 September 1912 serving on the Adventure LT 80
29 March 1913 working ashore
29 September 1913 serving on the Peer (?) G. Day LT 187
30 March 1914 working ashore

William was called out for service with the navy on 2 August 1914. He was drafted to H.M.S. Hogue. He was on board the Hogue when the ship was sunk by a German submarine on 22 September 1914. William survived the sinking. Thereafter he was drafted to S. S. Clan McNaughton.

The Clan McNaughton was lost during a severe gale off the north-west coast or Ireland. All 317 men on board were lost.