Powney, T E J (Thomas Edward John)
Withey, C H (Charles Henry), Watson, R (Robert), Shaw, G (George), Powney, T E J (Thomas Edward John), Pawley, J T (John Thomas), Lockwood, H (Henry)
Petty Officer Stoker Thomas Powney’s next of kin was his wife Mrs C Powney of 48, Connaught Road, Luton Road, Chatham, Kent. He was born on the 17th of October 1872. He left five 5 children, one of whom died in France at the beginning of the year. He served on H.M.S. Poppy.[1]
At one o’clock in the morning on the 11th of August 1917, Thomas Powney tried to board a ship in Buncrana, Ireland. The only way to do this was up a ladder.[2] When about 8 feet up, he slipped and fell backwards, hitting the back of his head. He then fell into the water between the ship and the pier.
Several seamen where immediately on the scene and eventually got the petty officer out. He was unconscious and taken aboard the ship but was in a pitiful state and soon died. It was determined later that he had fractured the back of his skull and drinking was not a factor in the accident.
Thomas was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the Victory and British War Medal and was buried with full military honours.
Date of Death: 11/08/1917 (Aged 45)
Service: Petty Officer Stoker, Royal Navy, (RFR/CH/B/1886). H.M.S Poppy.
Service Number: 166476
Burial Location: Londonderry (or Derry), City Cemetery, G. Mil. 3.
[1] H.M.S. Poppy was Arabis Class sweeping sloop. It was launched during November 1915 and sold off during April 1923.
[2] Climbing ladders to access ships was common practice at Buncrana pier.
