S.S. Ilston

 Both Bombay, India, and Swansea have a connection!

30^th June 1917, S.S. Ilston, a Swansea registered ship was sunk.  Ilston, was sunk after being torpedoed by UB 23 4 nautical miles southeast of The Lizard, Cornwall, with a loss of 6 crew.

Ilston was built in 1915 and was owned by Richards, Turpin & Co., Ltd, Swansea.

On June 30th, Ilston made a voyage from Swansea to France with a cargo of railway materials.

The six crew members who lost their lives were

Ali Hasan, Fireman, Indian Merchant Service

Henry Cave, 41, First Engineer, Mercantile Marine

Charles William Reginald Gent, 29, Third Engineer, Mercantile Marine

Nelson Hinson, 18, Apprentice, Mercantile Marine

Joseph Richards, Signalman, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

Said Nusair, Donkeyman, Indian Merchant Service

Those men from the UK all have information about them either from the Commonwealth War Grave Commission website or various census records. Information regarding Indian seamen is very little or no at all.

Charles William Reginald Gent

Swansea new memorial
credit - John Truman

Who was the son of Reginald Hamilton and Elizabeth Gent, of 36 Pentreguinea Road.  He was 29 years.  Commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, and the new memorial situated on the side of the River Tawe, Swansea.

Tower Hill Memorial 

Reginald married in 1881 to Elizabeth Roderick, the marriage ceremony taking place in Merthyr Tydfil.

The first record for Charles, who was born on 11^th November 1887 is the 1901 Census.

According to the 1901 Census, the Gent family was residing at 40 Kilvey Road, Swansea

1901 Census

Reginald Hamilton was absent from the census, however, Elizabeth, 41, was the head.  She was born in Llandovery, Carmarthenshire.

Her three children were David R., 18, who was a School Pupil Teacher, who was also born in Llandovery.

Charles W. R., 13, and George M., 6 both of whom were born in Swansea.

Reginald, who had been awarded a Master and Mates Certificate, during 1877, possibly could have been away to sea.

By the time of the 1911 Census, the Gent family was residing at 36 Pentreguinea Road.

1911 Census

Reginald, who was present, is 54.  His occupation is recorded as Master Mariner Steamship.  His place of birth is recorded as Liverpool.

Elizabeth is 51. Charles is 23 and his occupation is recorded as Marine Engineer, whilst George is 16 and his occupation is clerk.

Meanwhile, David at the time of the 1911 Census has moved to Plymouth and is residing with his family as visitors at 78 Greenbank Avenue, Plymouth.

1911 Census

David’s occupation is recorded as Head Teacher.

David married in 1908 at Gloucester to Mary Therese Edwards.  They had a daughter, Phyllis Mary born in 1910.

Herald of Wales

Following Charles’ death after the sinking of the Ilston the Herald of Wales, published his death on the 9^th of July.

Ali Hasan and Said Nusair

Bombay 1914 – 1918 Memorial, Mumbai

So, what information is there regarding both Ali Hasan and Said Nusair, well nothing apart from that they are both commemorated on Bombay 1914 – 1918 Memorial, Mumbai.