Louis Atkin Luscombe

According to the 1901 Census, Louis was the adopted son of Stephen Atkin Luscombe. Stephen Atkin Luscombe was probably the son of Mary Luscombe. His birth was registered in 1848 (A/M/J) in Derby, but on the two subsequent census Mary Luscombe was a live-in domestic servant and Stephen has not yet been traced on any census until 1871 shortly after his first marriage. Although his place of birth was given as Derby on the birth index and the 1871 Census, on later census his place of birth was given as Dawlish, Devon. Stephen's first wife was Elizabeth Vallette nee Davies (b. abt 1834, Manchester) whom he married in Manchester in 1868. Elizabeth was previously married to Victor Shelly Vallette whom she married in Manchester Cathedral on 27 April 1859. They had one son, Frederick John (b. abt 1860, Salford). Victor died in 1866 aged 38 and was buried at St Luke's, Cheetham, Lancashire on 3 January 1867. In 1871 Stephen (23), a coach body maker and publican, and Elizabeth (33), were living at The Flying Dutchman, 36 Greengate, Salford, with Elizabeth's son, Frederick John Vallette (10) and their daughter Mary Elizabeth Luscombe (7 months). A servant, Letitia Berry (37), was also in the household. Stephen and Elizabeth have not been traced on the 1881 Census, but on the night of the census their daughter Mary Elizabeth (10) was at the home of her grandmother, Mary Luscombe (63), at Church Street, Sawley, Derbyshire. Elizabeth Luscombe died in 1884 aged 50 (death registered O/N/D, Salford). By 1891 Stephen (43) was living on Musters Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham. He was a widower and employed as a commission agent. Mary Elizabeth (20) was living with her father and also in the household was Walter Gregory (30, b. Salford), a domestic servant, and a boarder, Clara Emma Spray (38). Ten years later at the time of the 1901 Census, Stephen was living at 43 Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, with Mary Elizabeth (20) and Louis Atkin (5) who was described as his adopted son. Stephen was still a widower and did not give an occupation. He employed a housekeeper, Harriet Gregory (59, b. Nottingham). The record of his second marriage has not yet been found, but on the 1911 Census (43 Loughborough Road, West Bridgford) Stephen declared that he and his wife Ada Harriet (52, b. Bristol) had been married for 18 years and had one child, Louis Atkin (15). Louis was still at school. Stephen gave his occupation as 'retired commission agent'. Mary Elizabeth Luscombe was not in the household at the time of the census. Stephen Atkin died on 29 June 1917, seven months before Louis' death. It is probable that his widow, Ada Harriet, died aged 74 in 1934 (death registered September, Basford), while his daughter Mary Elizabeth Luscombe may have died aged 90 in 1961 (death registered Southwell).

He was educated at Nottingham High School and later worked for Boots.

HMS Mechanician was a cargo ship, built 1900 and owned by the Charente Steamship Company, which was requisitioned by the Admiralty as an armed merchant ship. She was torpedoed and sunk whilst on passage from London by UB-35 (Karl Stoter from 20 April 1917) 8 miles West of St. Catherine's Point near the Isle of Wight on 20th January 1918. 13 of the crew were lost. (Jane’s Ships 1919). Louis' body was not recovered for burial and he is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial. He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. UB-35 was depth charged and sunk by HMS Leven at 5103N 0146E on 26 January 1918 (no survivors); the wreck has since been located and identified by divers.

Nottingham Post obituary (abridged) 26 January 1918. 'Luscombe on January 20th drowned at sea through enemy action Signaller Luscombe, only son of Ada and the late Stephen Atkin Luscombe, age 22' Probate: 'Luscombe Louis Atkin of 43 Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, signalman in HM Navy, died 20 January 1918 at sea. Administration Nottingham, 19 June [1918] to Ada Luscombe, widow. Effects £127 5s. 1d.' Probate: 'Luscombe Stephen Atkin of 43 Loughborough-road West Bridgford Nottinghamshire died 29 June 1917. Probate Nottingham 12 September to Ada Luscombe widow and Mary Elizabeth Luscombe spinster. Effects £2555 19s. 6d.'