RMS Leinster 1918 – 2018

The attached ‘Expression of Interest Form’ is for relatives of those connected with the loss of RMS Leinster, and other interested parties, who wish to receive an invitation to attend the commemoration at Dún Laoghaire on 10th October 2018.

RMS Leinster EOI Form – English

Completed forms need to be returned to:-
Commemorations Unit (RMS Leinster Commemoration)
Dept. of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
3rd Floor, Joyce House
8/11 Lombard Street East, Dublin 2

Email: commemorations@chg.gov.ie

The closing date for receipt of forms is Friday, 29th June 2018.

These photographs tell a story of friendship. Over 100 years ago those pictured served on the Mail Boats of the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company, plying back and forth from Holyhead to Kingstown (Dun Laoghaire). The two ladies – Ellen Cooke and Ruth Jones were Stewardesses. The gentleman, Joseph Dodson Inglis, was a Steward.

Ruth Jones (top right) was from Holyhead, but born at Birkenhead. She initially trained as a Nurse in Manchester before joining the company in 1909. She left in 1912 to get married. She eventually moved to the USA with her husband and raised a family. She is pictured (bottom right) with Joseph Inglis the day before she left the service.

Ellen Cooke (top left) was born at Holyhead and joined the company in 1906 serving for many years. She is pictured with Ruth Jones (bottom left). It is believed that her full name was Sarah Ellen Cooke and she married Thomas Henry Sadler in 1920. Her husband was then employed as a Ticket Collector for the company. They later became proprietors of the ‘George Hotel’ at Holyhead. *

Joseph Dodson Inglis (top centre) was born at Dublin. He married Ida Plant at Manchester in 1915 and lived at Newry Street, Holyhead. He was a survivor of the sinking in the English Channel of HMT (RMS) Connaught in March 1917. The vessel was then employed as a Troop Transport, sailing between Southampton and Le Harve, France. Unfortunately he did not survive the sinking of RMS Leinster in October 1918. His grave is the sea.

The Christmas Card was sent by Ruth Jones to her friend Ellen Cooke.

These images have been provided by Philip Lecane of the National Maritime Museum of Ireland, Dun Laoghaire and reproduced with the kind permission of Karen Thaler, the grand-daughter of Ruth Jones.

* research in progress.

The Holyhead War Memorial (The Cenotaph) was unveiled in September 1923. It serves to commemorate 288 men and women from the town lost during the Great War of 1914 – 1918 and 140 from the Second World War, 1939 – 1945. Guardsman David Williams, lost during the Falklands conflict, is also commemorated.

The twenty-five who perished on RMS Leinster are listed on a single panel. Two others are included on the Army panel – Lieutenant William James Singleton and Private Owen Hughes.

Lady Alexandra Phyllis Hamilton, 42, was an unmarried member of a well known British aristocratic family. Her father, Sir James Hamilton, was the Duke of Abercorn in the Irish Peerage. She was travelling back to the UK accompanied by the family cook, Mrs Martha Bridge and servant Eleanor Strachan.

When RMS Leinster was sinking it is reported that she gave her lifejacket to her servant, saying “I’m a strong swimmer”. Sadly all three ladies perished. Only the body of Martha Bridge, a spinster aged 27, was recovered for burial.

The Hamilton family was connected by marriage to the Spencer family. Lady Alexandra Phyllis Hamilton was the the Great-Grand Aunt of Lady Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales and also a second cousin of Winston Churchill.

Photograph published in the Leeds Mercury of 14 October 1918 (findmypast website).

RMS Leinster_Courtsey of INFOMAR

Recent images of the wreck of RMS Leinster show the extent of destruction caused by the two torpedoes. This is the last resting place of many who sailed with her on 10th October 1918. Later this year the wreck will receive the full protection of the Irish Government.

Images are from the INFOMAR website.

One of a number of artefacts at the Holyhead Maritime Museum, remindful of a time when the ships of the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company were a significant part of Holyhead life, providing valued employment for many.

Members of the ‘RMS Leinster Centenary Commemoration Group’ met up with Philip Lecane, author of ‘Torpedoed’ (the story of the tragic loss of RMS Leinster ) at Holyhead when he recently passed through the port.

L-R. Cllr. Ann Kennedy, Mayor of Holyhead, Philip Lecane, Edwyn Hughes, Dr Gareth Huws, Norman Williams, Eric Anthony and Peter Scott Roberts (all of Holyhead Maritime Museum).

Norman, Eric and Peter all lost grandfathers on the Leinster.

With thanks to Alan Williams, Stena Port Manager, for arranging access.

The RMS Leinster Centenary Commemoration Service will take place at St. Cybi’s Church, Holyhead on Wednesday, 10 October 2018 at 11.00am. This will be followed by wreath laying at the Holyhead War Memorial (The Cenotaph) and then a social gathering at St. Mary’s Church Hall for refreshments and meeting of families (invitation only).

This cutting from a West Country newspaper tells the tragic story of a young married woman, Virginia Maud Frizzell (nee Carter), of Teignmouth, Devon who became separated from her husband as they boarded RMS Leinster in the early morning of 10 October 1918.

She had married Private Robert Frizzell in April of that year. He was originally from Dublin but was serving with the Canadian Army. They had gone to Ireland to visit his relatives.

Another newspaper report linked the couple to Newry Street in Holyhead but research has failed to find a connection with the town. It is possible that the couple may have stayed overnight at a lodging house in Newry Street prior to traveling to Ireland.

Virginia Maud Frizzell is buried in an unmarked grave at Mount Jerome Cemetery, Dublin. Private Robert Frizzell rejoined his unit in England and later settled in Canada and remarried. He is believed to have died at Toronto in 1955.

The cutting is from The Western Times of 15 October 1918 and reproduced from ‘Findmypast’.

Representatives from the Holyhead Maritime Museum were privileged to be invited by the island’s MP, Albert Owen, to Westminster as part of Anglesey Day and given an opportunity to tell the story of RMS Leinster and the plans for the centennial commemoration at Holyhead in October 2018.