War Stories Archives - Page 2 of 2

Cotton, George Henry

28th December 20156th November 2022
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George Henry Cotton

Rank: Able Seaman

Address: 144 Athelstan Road, Clive Vale, Hastings

Other Info: Was one of 70 survivors from a crew of 594 aboard HMS Hawke when it was sunk by German submarine U9 on 15th October 1914. His friends rejoiced at his safe return. He leaves again for the depot at Chatham.

An article in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer dated 24th October 1914 reports: “George Henry Cotton, of 144 Athelstan Road, Clive Vale, was one of the survivors of the ill-fated cruiser ‘Hawke’.

He is a man of 19 years’ experience; he came out of the Navy under the good conduct scheme in March 1906, and was called up as a member of the Royal Fleet Reserve at the beginning of August. He left Hastings on Bank Holiday, and after being at Chatham for a short time he embarked from Queenstown on the ‘Hawke’. In the North Sea the Hawke did patrol duty for several weeks. On board the ‘Hawke’ were three other Hastings men; Fred Foster (a petty officer of the Naval Volunteers), Crouch and Bevis. *

Mr Cotton, in an interview, said he saw all three of his fellow townsmen on the fatal Thursday morning just before Church, between 10 and 11 o’clock. They picked up a mail from another ship, and the letters were taken to the mess deck for distribution. Cotton was with the ‘captain of the top’ (a Petty Officer), and came up on deck with water to clean paint work. He was standing in the midship part of the craft on the port side, when suddenly there was an awful explosion.

“I looked around”, continued Cotton, “but I could see nothing but coal dust coming up through the ash hoist. I guessed what was up alright – I knew we had been torpedoed. The next thing I remember is that the bugler sounded ‘Still’ which meant that every man should wait and await orders. The Captain stood on the bridge, and I heard him give the order: ‘Out Boats’. The ship was then listing very badly. Then came the order, ‘Hands, save yourselves’. As a member of one of the boarding boats crew, I took my proper place; the crew got into the boat, bar two, and the order was given to lower. This was a matter of great difficulty, as the ship had listed so much that it was almost impossible to lower the boat. However, we lowered her to the waters edge, and the foremost fall of the boat became jammed (in contact with the ship’s side). We unhooked the after fall all right, but the foremost fall hung up; it would not unhook, and whilst the stern of the boat was down towards the water, the bow hung up in the air. The bow was resting on a bolt or socket. Eventually the boat fell down five or six feet into the water. Then I should think at least ten men jumped clean into the boat from the ship, and others missed.

We had to move away to prevent from being swamped. We got out oars, and pushed away from the ship and pulled to her stern. Fortunately the sea was calm. We picked up several hands, we rowed away a short distance to see if we could take any more. We thought we could take a few more, and did so, making a total of 49. The ‘Hawke’ was now right over on her side, and the masts almost in the water.

The cries of the poor fellows going down with the ship were dreadful, and of course I shall never forget them. The Gunner (Mr Dennis) took command of our boat. We saw the ‘Hawke’ disappear. Our boat had a hole on the starboard side, one of the planks being split, and we had to keep bailing for five hours. On leaving the scene of the disaster we went first north, then north-west and then to the southward in the hope of getting into the track of vessels.”

Asked if the crew saw the submarine which did the mischief, Cotton said: “Oh yes, and she followed our boat for hours, and was within 150 yards at the time. We pulled with all our might. After four hours we saw smoke, and then a ship’s mast and funnels. We pulled towards her, and she approached us. We fired three rockets. The craft proved to be a Norwegian steamer. The wind had now freshened, and the sea was getting rough. When we got alongside we laid on our oars; the Gunner shouted: “We are a shipwrecked crew, will you take us aboard?”. The captain replied “Yes, certainly”. We all got safely on board, and tied our boat to the stern of the Norwegian. (The captain was Mr Isak Swedswig, and the ship Indesta. Read more at wrecksite: https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?62228)

The captain and crew treated us very kindly; we were very cold, and the captain gave each of us a thimble glass of whisky. The Norwegian craft steamed back to somewhere about the spot that the ‘Hawke’ went down, but there was no wreckage or anything to be seen. One of my mess mates went up to the ship’s masts to see whether anything was coming along. He sighted the German submarine, which continued to follow us to dusk, no doubt in the hope that one of our cruisers would come to our help, and that they would be able to serve her like they served the ‘Hawke’.

We turned back and steamed towards Aberdeen, and came across the trawler, the ‘Bevy Rennis’ of Aberdeen; the captain agreed to take us on board, and we left the Norwegian. We were splendidly treated both in the Norwegian ship and the trawler.

It was a 25 miles journey to Aberdeen, but we got there safely before daylight, and were landed about half past six. I cannot speak too highly of the kindness we received on both crafts; they gave us the best of everything they had, boiled us fish, made us hot tea, and dried our clothes. At Aberdeen we went to the Sailor’s Home. Captain Layard, of Aberdeen, visited us early, and brought a supply of tobacco, cigarettes, and pipes, and were were given clothing. As soon as possible, at nine o’clock, on permission being given, all the survivors telegraphed to their friends; naturally I was anxious to let my wife at Clive Vale know I was safe. We remained at Aberdeen till Saturday morning, then we caught the train for Chatham”.

Cotton further stated that the ‘Hawke’ sank in 70 fathoms of water and added: “If we had not been picked up by the Norwegian our boat must have been swamped, and we should have been drowned as the sea came up very rough.” Cotton, who now wears the cap of HMS Pembroke, Chatham Depot, is enjoying a deserved week’s leave of absence.

* Bertram Kirkby of Hastings was also lost on HMS Hawke.

Published: October 1914

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Whistler, Ralfe Allen Fuller

10th December 20154th March 2023
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Ralfe Allen Fuller Whistler

Rank: Second Lieutenant

Regiment: 2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry

Parents: Fuller Whistler & Mrs Gwenllian Annie Whistler (nee Robinson)

Address: Caldbec House, Battle

Other Info: In October 1914 he was wounded when serving with his father’s regiment in France. According to CWGC, Ralfe died aged 21 on 28th April 1917. He is remembered at Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, grave reference: VI.D.7

An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer dated 5th December 1914 reports: “Mr. Fuller Whistler has received an interesting letter from his son, Second Lieutenant Ralph (sic) Whistler, who is on active service with his regiment, the Highland Light Infantry.

He describes his recent narrow escape from death while on duty. He was knocked over by a bullett, which penetrated his great coat, his tunic and his order book, which was in his left breast pocket. Subsequently the Lieutenant found the bullet lying in his pocket, and has sent it home to his mother as a souvenir.

It will be remembered that the gallant Lieutenant was wounded early in October, and he only returned to the Front about three weeks ago.’

More information about Ralfe can be read on the King’s School Canterbury Roll of Honour.

Published: October 1914 & December 1914

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Jones, W

8th December 201528th January 2023
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W Jones

Rank: Private

Regiment: E Company, Royal Sussex Regiment

Address: 94 Manor Road, Hastings

Other Info: Wounded in the left arm, which subsequently needed to be amputated. Recovering in hospital at Chatham.

An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer on 14th November 1914 says: “A young Hastinger, Private W Jones, 2nd Royal Sussex Regiment, of 94 Manor Road, has had the misfortune to lose his hand in the Battle of the Aisne.

‘We had been in the firing line about two hours, and it was getting a bit warm, and one of the German officers showed his handkerchief on a sword for surrender.’ said he. ‘We took their rifles and ammunition from them, when the German Artillery opened up on us. Of course, everybody scattered. A piece of shell caught my rifle and another piece struck my hand. I was a bit dazed and did not know at first that I was wounded.’ Luckily, a comrade bandaged his hand and arm, and he got back to the village hospital.

This was on the 15th September, close to a village called Vailly. Private Jones had been in action once before on the 10th. Vailly is about 3 1/2 miles from the Aisne.

Private Jones described how the Germans would sometimes leave their trenches and run behind haystacks for cover. He shares the opinion of many that the mass formation of the Germans is largely due to the fear that their officers would not otherwise have control of the men, and that too many would surrender. ‘Our Artillery have done good work, and so have our Lancers.’ The cavalry appeared to have been very unselfish on occasion when they would get off their horses and let infantry ride if they were tired out.

‘They are very kind-hearted people’ said he, speaking of the French. ‘They will give you anything’.

Private Jones’ hand and wrist were amputated on the boat, during his voyage back, as it was feared that mortification would set in. Since coming back to England he spent some time as his colonel’s place, at Teston, near Wateringbury.

Published: September 1914

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Kerswell, Ernest L

8th December 20156th November 2022
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Ernest L Kerswell

Rank: Private

Regiment: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders

Father: Mr H J Kerswell

Other Info: Mr H J Kerswell was Headmaster of Sandown School, Ore.

An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer on 17th October 1914 reads: “Private E. L. Kerswell, of the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders, A, Lower Ward, Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, Gosport, and son of Mrs Kerswell, Devonshire Road, Hastings, writes: – “I have read one or two experiences of local men serving in France in the ‘Observer’ so I thought I would like to relate one of mine.

This occurred on the 14th and 15th of last month. We had a good long march, and arrived at the place where we were to take up position at about 2:30 a.m. We were then told to entrench ourselves. As it happened, I and five other men and an N.C.O. were sent out on covering patrol. Our duty is to keep a look out in case of surprise while the entrenching is going on. On completing the trenches we were called in, and naturally, see that each man had only made sufficient cover for himself, we commenced to entrench ourselves, but were told to leave off at once, and get in where we could between other men. We had only just time to do this before over came a shower of German shells.

I was in the most awkward of position I have ever been in. On my right a drummer had dug a deep hole, and was well down into it, On my left the ground was rather higher and I kept rolling down on to the drummer. I had no cover, so began to scratch up some earth with my hands and so just managed to make a small heap, enough to cover me from view, but not nearly enough to stop a bullet.

Well, the shelling went on the whole day right up until about about 8 p.m., and we were very thankful for the darkness that came, and we were relieved, and put in reserves for the next day. We lost our Colonel, and in our platoon, six dead and several wounded.

The whole regiment lost heavily that day. The following day, being in reserve we had it fairly easy, although shells were whistling overhead all day. In the afternoon I got a very nasty hit in the right arm, and was conveyed to Le Mans Hospital, where they took out my arm a piece weighing 3 ozs. Recovering sufficiently, I was sent home and I hope to see dear old Hastings once more”.

Additional name information from the Lives of the First World War website.

Published: September 1914, October 1914 & October 1915

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Barham, William Eli Burt

7th December 201529th October 2022
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William Eli Burt Barham

Rank: Private

Regiment: 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards

Parents: Mr Edward & Maud Barham

Brother: H Barham

Address: 5 St Mary’s Road, Hastings

Other Info: Died from a scalp wound received in action on August 26th 1914.

According to the CWGC, William died aged 20 and is buried at the Guise (La Desolation) French National Cemetery, grave reference; Allied Sect 1154.

An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer on 3rd October 1914 reads: “Mount Pleasant School has reason to be proud of one of its Old Boys, Private William Eli Burt Barham, best know as ‘Burt’, whose promising career has come to an untimely end whilst fighting in the Coldstream Guards.

Private Barham won a scholarship at Mount Pleasant School, and was popular there and as a footballer for the Junior Conservatives. He was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Edward Henry Barham, 5 Manor Road, Hastings. He joined the Coldstream Guards at the age of 19, on the 19th January last, and his scholarly ability gained him the post of clerk to the Battalion.

He was of fine physique, and stood 6 feet high. In the action in which he sustained the fatal scalp wound from a shell, he was in the hottest part of the fight when less that 200 Coldstreams were opposed by 3,000 Germans. He succumbed on reaching the hospital at the base to which he had been taken.

Through the efforts of Mr W. Evans, his old Schoolmaster, and the accidental meeting with a wounded Coldstream who has since been staying at Bexhill, his parents have ascertained that their son was buried with full military honours, including the three volleys and the ‘Last Post’ in a separate grave, at a place just over the frontier from Belgium, in a French department of the Nord.

Over the grave is a cross made from cigarette boxes. When one of his comrades passed the grave he found that it had been covered with flowers by the French women, sine of whom he saw kneeling by the graveside.

Mr and Mrs Barham have received many letters of sympathy. It may be recalled that their son played his last football match for his old Club at Ore Valley on the Wednesday before he joined his Regiment”.

Published: September 1914 & October 1914

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