William George Loveday

George William was born in 1895 (registered A/M/J), the son of William George Loveday and Mary Ann Loveday nee Pacey. William's father, George, was the son of George and Sarah Ann Loveday of Northamptonshire and he was christened in Gretton, Northamptonshire, on 15 June 1865. His mother, Mary Ann, was born in Lincolnshire. George William and Mary Ann Pacey were married in 1890 (registered A/M/J, Nottingham). According to the information they provided on the 1911 Census they had had six children of whom five were still living. Six children were named on the census between 1891 and 1911: Sarah Ann (Sissie) b. 1890 (J/A/S), Maggie Susanna b. 1893 (J/A/S), William George, b. 1895 (A/M/J), Leonard Samuel b. 1897 (A/M/J), Jessie Mabel b. 1898 (O/N/D) and Edwin Pacey b. 1900 (A/M/J). Edwin died in 1902 (death registered O/N/D) aged two years. All the children were born in Nottingham. In 1891, the year after their marriage, George (25), a saddler, and Mary (32) were living at 10 Coburn Street, Radford, Nottingham, with their first child, Sarah Ann (8 months). By 1901 they were living at 1 Bentinck Road, Nottingham, which was to be the family home for many years. George was now described as a saddler and harness maker. He and Mary had six children; Sarah (10), Maggie (7), William (5), Leonard (4), Jessie (2) and Edwin (10 months). Sadly, Edwin died the following year aged two years. The family was still at Bentinck Road ten years later. All the children were at home on the night of the census; Sarah (20) was a clerk (commercial) at a Chemists, Maggie (17) was a lace edger (lace warehouse), William (15), who was probably working for his father as a saddler, and Leonard and Jessie who were both still at school. William's father died on 16 January 1938 aged 72; he was still living at 1 Bentinck Road. Probate was awarded to his surviving son, Leonard, and his daughter Maggie's husband, Harold Granger, whom she had married in 1922. William's mother, Mary, died on 23 March 1941 aged 82. Probate was awarded to her son, Leonard. At the time of her death she was living at 57 Cobden Street, Radford.

He attended Hyson Green Baptist Church, Palin Street (Nottinghamshire Archives NC.BP38/2). In 1911 he was a saddler.

He lived in Nottingham when he enlisted.

William served in Egypt from 26 April 1915. He was lost at sea when SS Leasowe Castle, a troop ship, was sunk in the Mediterranean. His body was not recovered for burial and he is commemorated on the Chatsby Memorial, Alexandria. He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal. This account is from a local resident posted on the Woodborough village website: 'The Hussars had been fighting in the Middle East and they were returning to France where they were to be re-formed as a machine gun company. Their new title was to be the South Notts Machine Gun Battalion. They were sent to Alexandria, Egypt and had received orders to embark on a transporter ship called the "Leasowe Castle" on 23th May 1918 ¹. On 27th May, the ship was struck by a torpedo with devastating results. A very detailed account of the fateful journey may be read in the historical records of the South Notts Hussars Yeomanry by G. Fellows. The "Leasowe Castle" was one of a convoy of six transporters and they were accompanied by a number of destroyers. The weather was good, the sea was calm and a brilliant moon shone in the night sky. At 1.30 am on May 27th 1918 when the ship was about 104 miles from Alexandria, the "Leasowe Castle" was struck by a torpedo on the starboard side. The engines were immediately stopped. The troops mustered to their stations, rolls were called, boats lowered and rafts flung overboard. The Japanese destroyer "R" stood by, while the remainder of the convoy continued on their journey at full speed. We are informed that perfect order was maintained on board, the men standing quietly at their stations as if on parade, while those detailed for the work assisted in lowering the boats. Lifeboats were launched in the course of forty five minutes and the rescue attempt continued smoothly. The "Leasowe Castle" remained fairly steady, though sinking a little at the stern, with a slight list to port. All of 'B' (Warwickshire Yeomanry) Company of the Battalion went over the port side and were picked up in the water. About 1.45am. HM sloop "Lily" appeared having turned back from the convoy to assist in the work of rescue. She ran her bows up to the starboard side of the "Leasowe Castle" and made fast, so that troops were able to pass quickly on board. Meanwhile the Japanese destroyer put up a smoke screen for protection. Suddenly about 3.00am a bulkhead in the aft part of the ship gave way, and with a loud noise the "Leasowe Castle" sank rapidly. The "Lily" had a narrow escape, as the hawsers connecting her with the sinking ship were cut with an axe just in time.'

His father, George William Loveday, was his legatee. Probate: Loveday George William [father] of 1 Bentinck-road Nottingham died 16 January 1938 Probate Nottingham 8 July to Leonard Samuel Loveday [son] post office cable jointer and Harold Granger [son-in-law] plumber. Effects £2421 2s. 3d. Probate: Loveday Mary Ann [mother] of 57 Cobden-street Radford Nottingham widow died 23 March 1941 Administration Nottingham 10 June to Leonard Samuel Loveday [son] cable jointer.