William George Wallace
Memorial: Hambrook - Whiteshill Common
Regiment: Merchant Navy
Medals: 1914–15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Rank and number: Able Seaman
Parents: Frank and Rhoda Harriet (nee Hibbard) Wallace
Marital status: Single
Home address: 47 Abingdon Road, Fishponds, Bristol
Pre-war occupation: Able Seaman
Date of birth: 18/11/1898
Place of birth: Frenchay
Date of death: 19/01/1945
Buried/Commemorated at: Unknown
Age: 47
Further information:
William served during WW1 with the Royal Navy from November 1914 initially with a “boy” rank. He served most of WW1 as an Able Seaman on HMS Marlborough and saw action at the Battle of Jutland. He continued to serve in the Royal Navy until November 1928.
William joined the Merchant Navy in 1929 and served on Merchant Ships during the WW2. He was serving on the cargo ship Port Saint John (Ship Number 166332) and the record of his death states “Injuries sustained as a result of a fall from Upper Tween Deck into Lower Hold”. The ship was berthed in Sydney harbour (Australia) at the time. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that he had fractured his neck.
William was born on 18 November 1898 Frenchay. Baptised St John the Baptist Church, Frenchay 14/01/1899.
On the probate records, his home address was given as 47 Abingdon Road, Fishponds. His estate of £116 was left to Kathleen Lear (married woman). The same address was on the death entry, and he possibly lodged there when in Bristol, as it was the home of Clifford and Kathleen Lear and their children (1939 Register).
William is not listed on the Commonwealth War Graves Register, nor can I find him on the list of medals awarded to Merchant Seamen during WW2.
By kind permission, this information is based on the following source(s):
Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Findmypast, Volunteer Researcher John Davis.