Friday 12 June 2015

Haworth, Thomas Henry - Able Seaman Mersey (Z/2662)

(No soldier photo available)
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.
Drowned when H.M.S. "Otranto" was wrecked on 6th October 1918 near Kilchoman, Islay.
Age 25
Buried Kilchoman Military Cemetery, Isle of Islay

Newspaper Report:

SEAMAN THOMAS HAWORTH ON THE OTRANTO

Able Seaman Thomas Henry Haworth, younger son of Mr. Enoc Haworth, inside manager at Albion Mill, and of 6 West View, Helmshore, is among those lost by tghe sinking of the Orient liner Otranto off the coast of Ireland after collision with the steamship Kashmir.  Deceased, who was 25 was a overlooker at Albion Mill up to January, 1917, when he went to sea in order to serve in the war.
He had been on the Otranto most of the time, and a sad feature of the case is that he was on his way home on leave when the collision happened.  He is on the roll of honour of Helmshore Primitive Methodist Chapel, and was a Sunday school teacher there up to a short time before leaving the village.  He was regarded as one of Helmshore's most promising young men, and had a kindly disposition and a gentlemanly bearing.  He was a studious young man, and at Haslingden Technical School had taken certificates in arithmatic, bookkeeping, cotton weaving, and cotton designing.
The parents received official notification on Saturday afternoon.  On Sunday morning there arrived a letter from him saying how much he was looking forward to a good time at home.
On Wednesday morning word was received that his body was among those that had been washed ashore on the island of Islay and identified.  The body has been buried in a little cemetery close to the island Church. 

Newspaper Memorials:

In loving memory of Thomas Henry Haworth, A.B. (R.N.V.R), who lost his life when H.M.S. "Otranto" was wrecked on October 6th 1918, near Kilchoman, Islay.

"Dearer to memory than words can tell,
Are thoughts of him we loved so well."

Ever remembered by his father, mother and brother.

"A good life is often too short,
But a good name lives for ever."

From auntie, uncle and Edith, Clough End View.

"He gave his greatest gift - his life."

From Edith and Cyril, Clough End View

"He was a good lad, true and kind,
He proved to us in heart and mind,
And while on earth with us he stayed,
He earned the crown he wears to-day."

From Aunt Libby, Hud Hey.