No.J/27924, Able Seaman, William Bertie ASPLAND
Aged 19
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William Bertie ASPLAND was born in Soham on 23rd February 1898 (Newmarket Q2-1898 3B:529), baptised in Soham on 30th March 1898, son of John George and
Alice Maude ASPLAND (née DEWEY) of Clay Street, Soham.
1901 census...Aged 3, 'Bertie' was at Cottage, Clay Street, Soham with his father John ASPLAND [29] joiner; his mother Alice [30]; sisters Connie [5] and Ethel [4 months] all born in Soham. Also there was Harold Dewey [6] born Ely and recorded as son in law (? should be stepson). 1911 census...Aged 13, 'Bert' Aspland was at East Fen Common, Soham with his parents and sisters Connie, Ethel, May [[6] and Ivy [2], all born in Soham. The pension card has his mother at Mac Raby Cottages, East Fen, Soham. |
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HMS 'Mary Rose' was launched on 8 October 1915 by Swan Hunter, an Admiralty M-class destroyer with a complement of 80 men. sunk on 17 October 1917 by the German cruisers SMS Brummer and SMS Bremse, approximately 70 miles east of Lerwick while escorting a convoy of 12 merchant ships from Norway. Having sunk the 'Mary Rose' the German cruiser sank 9 of the merchantmen, only trawlers surviving. From the Mary Rose there were no survivors (83 killed), 3 are buried in Norway, 2 in Lerwick, the rest were never recovered. Local press report:- The recent news of the loss of H.M.S. Mary Rose gave rise for a considerable amount of anxiety in the town, as it was a well-known fact that W.B.Aspland, son of Mr.and Mrs. John Aspland of East Fen Common, was on board. Unfortunately the grave reasons for doubt have now been confirmed in an official communication received by the parents, for whom much sympathy is expressed in consequence. The deceased sailor was home on furlough some few months ago, and was then in the best of spirits and quite cheerful as to the ultimate defeat of the enemy. No photo of the Mary Rose seems to have survived, so this model must suffice photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
