Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence

Lest We Forget
British Legion
The Royal British Legion

HMHS ASTURIAS

The ASTURIAS was built in 1907 for the Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. and went into service on the Southampton - Buenos Aires run. When war with Germany was declared in 1914 she was requisitioned by the Admiralty and converted into a Hospital Ship. Within a few months she was handed over to the Army and was soon employed making regular crossings to France carrying back the wounded from the Western Front. She had accommodation for 896 patients, but on one occasion due to very heavy casualties at the Front, she transported 2,400 sick and wounded. She served in the Eastern Mediterranean during the Dardanelles Campaign, returning wounded from Gallipoli, Egypt and Salonika to the UK. In March 1917 after landing her wounded at Avonmouth, she was attacked by German submarine and struck by a torpedo which blew off her stern, killing 35 of her crew. She was declared a total loss, but her hulk was put to use as a floating ammunition store at Plymouth for the rest of the war. Remarkably, her hulk was repurchased by Royal Mail Line in 1920 and rebuilt as a Cruise Liner, renamed ARCADIAN she operated Mediterranean and West Indies cruises until 1930, and was finally scrapped in 1933.

Known deaths

There are 38 deaths listed here. Some died as a result of the torpedoing and a few died later of injuries.

ANDERSON John Aitken
6th Engineer, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 26. Son of Barbara Polson Anderson, of 9, St. Marys' Rd., Southampton, and the late John Aitken Anderson. Born at Edinburgh. SOUTHAMPTON OLD CEMETERY. Section 277, C.176.
ANDREWS Arthur Charles
Waiter, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 34. Son of William Thomas and Frances Mary Thomas, of 85, Stafford Rd., Freemantle, Southampton. SOUTHAMPTON OLD CEMETERY. Section 98, R.112.
BROWN Arthur Edward
Trimmer, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 17. Son of Charles Henry and Caroline Alma Brown, of 9, Cross Court, Cross St., Southampton. SOUTHAMPTON (HOLLYBROOK) CEMETERY. Section B3. Grave 12.
CROOK William Henry
Fireman, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 4 April 1917. Aged 42. Son of Ellen Crook and the late James Crook; husband of Anne Elizabeth Crook (nee Hope), of 27, Anglesea Terrace, Southampton. Born at Southampton. SOUTHAMPTON OLD CEMETERY. Section P136 Grave 071.
CROSS Stanley Henry
Greaser, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 25. Son of Henry and Maria Henrietta Adrienne Cross, of 5, Winchester Place, Craven St., Southampton. Born at Landport. SOUTHAMPTON OLD CEMETERY. Section B010. Grave 250.
DONCOM Edward Thomas Baden
Ordinary Seaman, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 16. Son of William Joseph and Amelia Doncom, of 88, College St., Southampton. TOWER HILL MEMORIAL.
EARL James William
Trimmer, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 26. Son of Elizabeth Ann Knight (formerly Earl), of 8, Queen St., Southampton, and the late James Earl. SOUTHAMPTON OLD CEMETERY. Section 64, P.132.
FLUX Henry Charles
Fireman, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 18 April 1917. Aged 31. Son of the late John James and Ellen Flux; husband of Annie Caroline Flux (nee Joiner), of 2, Stanley Rd., Totton, Southampton. Born at Southampton. SOUTHAMPTON (HOLLYBROOK) CEMETERY. Section B3. Grave 055.
GLASSPOOL Edwin Alexander
Assistant Baker, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 19. Son of Edwin and Barbara Glasspool, of 83, Bedford Place, Southampton. SOUTHAMPTON OLD CEMETERY. Section 83, E.189.
GOSNEY Thomas Henry
Trimmer, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 30 March 1917. Aged 16. Son of Henry William Edwin and Jessie Alice Gosney (nee Byrne), of 31, Endle St., Southampton. TOWER HILL MEMORIAL.
GREEN Orlando William
Fireman, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 29. Son of Orlando Green and the late Mrs. Green; husband of Daisy Green (nee Meager), of 29, Duke St., Southampton, Born at Southampton. SOUTHAMPTON OLD CEMETERY. Section 44, B.169.
HALL Charles Henty
Fireman, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 28. Son of William and Ellen Hall, of 1, Dock St., Southampton. No known grave. Commemorated on TOWER HILL MEMORIAL.
HART J R
Private 393109 (1532), H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Royal Army Medical Corps. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 24. Son of William and Elizabeth Hart, of 2, Southcross St., Leadgate. Born at Saddleworth, Yorks. Buried in LEADGATE (ST. IVES) CHURCHYARD.
HARVEY George Bevis
Engineer, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 58. Son of the late William and Ellen Harvey; husband of Ann Rebecca Harvey (nee Reeves), of 95, Albert Rd., Chapel, Southampton. Born at Southampton. Buried in SOUTHAMPTON OLD CEMETERY. Section 129. O.144.
HUMBY Arthur Edward
Fireman, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 32. Son of John Henry and Catherine Eliza Humby; husband of Florence Lydia Humby (nee Johnson), of 48, Bullar St., Southampton. Born at Southampton. Buried in SOUTHAMPTON OLD CEMETERY. Section 200, C.177.
HUNT Reginald Ernest
Assistant Pantryman, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 20. Son of Charles and Sarah Ellen Hunt, of 19, Shirley Park Rd., Shirley, Southampton. Born at Blandford. No known grave. Commemorated on TOWER HILL MEMORIAL.
JONES George Robert
Scullion, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 16. Son of George Robert Jones, of 12, Chaplin St., Highfield, Southampton, and the late Alice Elizabeth Jones. No known grave. Commemorated on TOWER HILL MEMORIAL.
KIMBER Herbert George
Assistant Cook, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 26. Son of Sarah Ann Kimber; husband of Eliza Jane Kimber (nee Baker), of Homestead, Cobbett Rd., Bitterne Park, Southampton. Born at Southampton. Buried in SOUTHAMPTON OLD CEMETERY. Section 173, F.191.
KNELLER Albert Isaac
Mate of Hold, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 29. Son of Albert and Eliza Kneller; husband of Mabel Kneller (nee Cant), of 19, Bellevue St., Southampton. Born at Southampton. Buried in SOUTHAMPTON (HOLLYBROOK) CEMETERY. Section B3. Grave 75.
LAWES Randolph Blair
Waiter, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 21. Son of Effie Chard (formerly Lawes), of 4, Malmesbury Rd., Southampton, and the late Thomas Lawes. No known grave. Commemorated on TOWER HILL MEMORIAL.
MANGER Charles Robert Prioux
Trimmer, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 1 April 1917. Aged 29. Son of Peter Le Petuil Manger and the late Marie Manger; husband of Fanny Margaret Manger (nee Feeney), of 8, Derby Rd., Southampton. Born at Guernsey. Buried in SOUTHAMPTON OLD CEMETERY. Section 279, C.176.
MUNSON James George Alfred
Waiter, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 36. Son of James Ireland Munson and the late Matilda Munson; husband of Edith Munson, of 71, Northbrook Rd., Southampton. Born at Southampton. Buried in SOUTHAMPTON OLD CEMETERY.
ORMAN Victor Charles Mafeking
Boy, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 16. Son of Frank and Jessie Matilda Orman, of 3, Laundry Rd., Shirley Warren, Southampton. Buried in SOUTHAMPTON OLD CEMETERY. Sec 54, A.160.
PAXTON George Edward
6th Engineer, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 26. Son of Donald James and Lucy Paxton, of 6, Paxton Terrace, Millfield, Sunderland. Buried in SUNDERLAND (BISHOPWEARMOUTH) CEMETERY. 15. CC. 1681..
PITFIELD J W
Fifth Engineer Officer, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 0. Buried in DORCHESTER CEMETERY, DORSET. Gen. 266/1..
REEVES Ernest Henry
Butcher's Mate, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 25. Son of Samuel and Matilda Reeves, of 14, Longcroft St., Southampton. Buried in SOUTHAMPTON (HOLLYBROOK) CEMETERY. Section B3. Grave 31.
ROBINSON John Bertram Ernest
Assistant Laundryman, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 0. Buried in SOUTHAMPTON (ST. MARY EXTRA) CEMETERY. B12. 42.
SEABORN Walter William George
Fireman, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 31 March 1917. Aged 28. Son of Alfred Seaborn, of 7, Craven St., Southampton, and the late Adelaide Seaborn. Born at Southampton. No known grave. Commemorated on TOWER HILL MEMORIAL.
SHAW W D
Waiter, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 34. Son of Mrs. Shaw, of 53, New Rd., Southampton. Born at Southampton. No known grave. Commemorated on TOWER HILL MEMORIAL.
SHORE Harry Edwin Gerald
Seaman, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 18. Son of Thomas William and Kate Shore, of 13, Western Esplanade, Southampton. No known grave. Commemorated on TOWER HILL MEMORIAL.
STONE Harold Thomas
Steward, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 17. Son of Walter Rufus and Annie Frances Stone, of 6, Middle Rd., Sholing Common, Southampton. Buried in SHOLING (ST. MARY) CHURCHYARD. Plot 293. Sec.E. Row 25. Grave 1.
STONE Robert
Fireman, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 65. Son of the late Thomas and Sarah Stone; husband of Elizabeth Jane Stone (nee Nash), of 122, Radcliffe Rd., Northam, Southampton. Born at Southampton. No known grave. Commemorated on TOWER HILL MEMORIAL.
TILLYER James John
Able Seaman, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 24. Son of Charles and Emily Tillyer, of 60, Payne's Rd., Freemantle, Southampton. No known grave. Commemorated on SOUTHAMPTON OLD CEMETERY. Section 278, C.176.
TOWERS George
Private 2578, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Royal Army Medical Corps. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 34. Buried in HINCKLEY CEMETERY. 3. 53..
TRENERRY Bridget
Stewardess, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 65. Daughter of the late John and Mary Murphy; wife of the late Edmund Trenerry. Born at Dublin. No known grave. Commemorated on TOWER HILL MEMORIAL.
TUBB Percy Newton
Fireman, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 24 March 1917. Aged 20. Son of Mary Ann Tubb, of 22, Marsh Lane, Southampton, and the late Newton Tubb. Buried in SOUTHAMPTON OLD CEMETERY. Section 102. N. 152.
WEST Henry Seymour
Fifth Engineer Officer, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 26. Son of Henry and Eliza West; husband of May West (nee Winfield), of Colaba, Grange Lane, Netley Abbey, Southampton. Born at St. Anthony-in-Roseland, nr. Falmouth. No known grave. Commemorated on TOWER HILL MEMORIAL.
WHITE John Albert
Third Assistant Cook, H.M.H.S. Asturias (Belfast), Mercantile Marine. Died 21 March 1917. Aged 18. Son of Charles Henry Jerome White and Florence Francis White, of 9, Floating Bridge Rd., Southampton. Buried in SOUTHAMPTON (HOLLYBROOK) CEMETERY. Section B3. Grave 007.

Last updated 17 September, 2022

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