Able Seaman William John Townsend

William John Townsend was born in June 1894 to parents Robert and Elizabeth (nee Harrington) who had married on 22nd February 1887 in Clapham.

In the census of 1891 they were living at 2 Rashleigh Street, Clapham with two children Elizabeth aged 3 born in Clapham and Florence aged one born in Battersea.

In July of that year the two girls were baptised at St. Philip in Battersea and the family were living at 21 Lucas Crescent in Clapham. In December 1894 William John and his brother Charles Patrick were baptised together at St Bartholomew in Battersea. Their Father’s occupation was listed as a Plumber and the family address was now 13 Wickersley Road, Clapham.

William’s father Robert died, and was buried in Morden on 28th December 1896 aged just 29. No further trace could be found for William's Mother Elizabeth, so it's quite possible that she died too around this time.

No trace of family in 1901. it's possible that the four children went to live with various relatives.

In the census of 1911 William aged 16 is listed on HMS Impregnable along with 943 other young lads. This was a boys training ship for the Royal Navy stationed at Devonport. His Navy rank was listed as Boy 2nd Class.

Sadly no trace could be found of William’s Naval career. However the last ship he served on was HMS Iron Duke.

The Iron Duke was built at Portsmouth Dockyard and launched at the end of 1912. It was the Flag Ship of the main fleet of the Royal Navy during WW1 and inflicted significant damage on the German battleship SMS Konig at the battle of Jutland in June 1916.

William died 4th November 1918 aged 24 with the rank of Able Seaman. After surviving the war he died from influenza and pneumonia.

William was buried in Morden Cemetery Garth Road his name also appears on a stone memorial in the churchyard.

His next of kin was listed as his sister Florence who was living at 40 Banning Street, East Greenwich.