Dryden 1895
(13)
List of those commemorated:
Agnes Neilson or Dryden d. 14/08/1895
Elizabeth Harriet Scambler
James Scambler d. 18/05/1923
William Scambler d. 20/10/1917
In loving memory of
Agnes Neilson,
widow of Thomas Dryden
who died at
Closehead, Oldhamstocks
14th August 1895.
Her grand-daughter
Elizabeth Harriet Scambler
who died there in infancy.
James Scambler
died 18th May 1923.
Also his son
William Scambler
killed at sea 20th Oct. 1917
aged 30 years.
Information received from Kevin Heath and Wendy Sadler and recorded on the website: https://lostinwatersdeep.co.uk/hmt-thomas-stratton.html
SCAMBLER, William, Trimmer Cook (no. 712/TC) Born 23 July 1887 in Lennoxtown, East Dunbartonshire, Scotland
Berwick Advertiser - Friday 02 November 1917
Information has been received that the body of Seaman William Scambler, who was on board a mine sweeper in the North, was recovered Monday. Deceased who was formerly a rabbit catcher at Branxton, Oldhamstocks, is survived by a widow and one child. He was greatly respected this district and much sympathy is felt for his widow.
Berwickshire News and General Advertiser - Tuesday 13 November 1917
KILLED Mrs Scambler has official information that her husband. Wm. Scambler, is killed at sea, and was buried with full naval honours. He was formerly a gamekeeper, and was the eldest son of Mr. James Scrambler, Oldhamstocks.
The HMT Thomas Stratton was part of the 10th Cruiser Squadron and was tasked to patrol NW of the Butt of Lewis with two other trawlers, the HMT Lord Lansdowne & HMT Arley. On the night of the 19th October 1917 all three vessels sought shelter of the Butt of Lewis due to very rough weather. HMT Thomas Stratton lay with engines stopped with the Butt of Lewis lighthouse bearing S.E 1/2 S to S E x S distance 5 or 6 miles.
At 12 30 pm there was a large explosion forward on the port side. Most of the crew were in the mess deck and were killed in the explosion.
Lt A Bishop RNR was getting his meal in the chart room and instantly ran out onto the deck as far forward as the winch. He found the foremast had gone, the forward small boat damaged and the bulwark and rail was broken between the winch and the remains of the foremast.
Lt Bishop then sounded the ships steam whistle to summon help and then assisted launching the aft small boat. The survivors left HMT Thomas Stratton and when about 30 yards distant the trawler sank.
The survivors were taken onboard the Lord Lansdowne and after a search for any other survivors the remaining two trawlers headed for Stornoway on Lewis.
Sunk possibly by a mine from the German submarine U-71 NW of the Butt of Lewis (Walter Gude), or possibly by a magazine explosion.
Information kindly supplied by Ian Crawford (https://www.scottishshipwrecks.com/)
Grave in Stornoway, Lewis Photo: Guido Blokland, Findagrave.com