William Ernest Bates – Mercantile Marine, S.S. Isleworth

Assistant Steward William Ernest Bates – Mercantile Marine, S.S. Isleworth

Birth and Family Background

William Ernest Bates was born in 1877 in Lorraine, France, the son of Henry and Eliza Bates. Despite extensive searches, no further official civil or census records relating to William have been identified.

Mercantile Marine Service and Death

During the First World War, William served in the Mercantile Marine, holding the rank of Assistant Steward aboard the S.S. Isleworth.

S.S. Isleworth

The S.S. Isleworth was built by R. Thompson & Sons, Sunderland, in 1896, and at the time of her loss was owned by Britain Steamship Company Ltd., London. She was a British steamship of 2,871 tons.

On 30^th April 1918, Isleworth was on a voyage from Bilbao to Middlesbrough, carrying a cargo of ore, when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine UC-17. The sinking occurred approximately three miles south-west of Ventnor Pier, Isle of Wight. Twenty-nine members of the crew were lost.

William Ernest Bates
Tower Hill Memorial
credit - Benjidog Historial
Research Rescources: 
The Merchant Navy Memorial

William Ernest Bates
Tower Hill Memorial
credit - Benjidog Historial
Research Rescources: 
The Merchant Navy Memorial

William Ernest Bates was among those who lost their lives. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, which honours members of the Merchant Navy who died during the First World War and have no known place of burial.