Great War Dundee
This is Dundee's story of those that served in the First World War, and of the people left at home
We need you to tell us more about the life and times of Francis A. Morrell
Francis A. Morrell
Military Information
- Date of enlistment:
- Place of enlistment:
- Service no:
- Rank: Carpenter
- Service Occupation:
- Awards:
- Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
- Unit/Ship: SS Active (Dundee)
- Place of Death: Lost at Sea
- Age at Death: 27
- Date of Death: 26.12.1915
- Burial Country:
- Cemetery:
- Grave/Mem Ref no:
Personal Information
- Date of Birth:
- Place of Birth:
- Address: 184 Hilltown, Dundee
- Occupation:
- Mother:
- Father:
- Siblings:
- Spouse:
- Children:
More about Francis A. Morrell
Francis Morrell was the husband of Mrs Margaret Morrell of 184 Hilltown, Dundee and also of 21 Ann Street, Dundee.
The Active was a Dundee Whaling ship originally built in 1852. In 1914 she made her last whaling voyage and only discovered the country was at war on 4 October when she met the United States vessel Pelican at Hudson Bay. She was requisitioned by the government and altered to carry conventional cargo. On December 13th, 1915, the Active, left Leith for Archangel with a cargo of armaments for Russia. She was last spoken to on December 24th, 1915 and not heard of since. She foundered off the Orkney Isles with the loss of all 20 crew. The first crew picked for the voyage refused to sail on her as they believed she was unseaworthy.
“Nine Dundee men were lost when the ship sank and this was reported in the Peoples Journal on 8 January 1916. Two bodies were washed ashore on the Orkney Island of Rousay and are buried in the Glebe Churchyard there. One was James Scott Jamieson and the other was Dundee man, Peter Begg Brymer who lived in Strathmartine Rd.
The other Dundee men were:- Robert Nicoll Victoria Rd, John Innes Constitution Rd, David Bernard Mid St, Robert Henderson Peep o Day Lane, William Wilkie, Robert Walker, F Mansell and J Rose.
Only two of these men are recorded in the Dundee City Roll of Honour. None are mentioned in the C.W.G.C. Register or on the memorial to Merchant Seamen at Tower Hill London.” (Courier & Advertiser 03.02.2016)
The Dundee Men were:-
David Bernard 42, Steward, 14 Mid St, Dundee
Peter Begg Brymer 60, 1st Engineer, 155 Strathmartine Rd, Dundee
Robert Henderson 41, Donkeyman, 11 Peep ‘o’ Day Lane, Dundee
John Innes 53, Engineer, 43 Constitution Rd, Dundee
Francis Morrell 27, Carpenter, 184 Hilltown, Dundee
Robert Nicoll 58, 2nd Mate, 20 Hilltown, Dundee
John Rose 32, Fireman/Trimmer, 10 Dens Brae, Dundee
Robert Walker 51, Fireman/Trimmer, 1 Couper’s Alley, Wellgate, Dundee
William Wilkie 35, Cook, 95 Alexander St, Dundee
(Full list of men, courtesy of “City of Dundee and the Sea, Roll of Honour)
Information supplied by Gary Thomson
Can you tell us more about Francis A. Morrell'? Some additional facts, a small story handed down through the family or perhaps a picture or an heirloom you can share online. Contact our curator...
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