TOPIC: Died at sea

The homeward voyage of the Canada, which has arrived at Southampton with troops from the Cape, was so unusually full of sorrowful incidents that a complete damper was put on the spirits of all on board.

The ship left Table Bay on July 18, and the following day Gunner Findley of the Hants Militia Artillery, jumped overboard, and was drowned. It is believed that his mind was affected.

Some days afterwards Lieutenant Poole, a Yeomanry officer, died of dysentery, and was buried at sea. Among those who were nearest to that part of the deck from which the body was committed to the deep was Captain Shaw-Stewart, of the 17th Lancers, son of Sir Michael and Lady Octavia Shaw-Stewart, of Fonthill Abbey, Wilts. Just after the service had commenced he fell overboard.

Again, as in the case of Findley, every possible attempt was made at rescue. The boats remained out for fully an hour, but though some of the lifebuoys thrown over immediately the cry of "Man overboard!" was raised, were recovered, nothing was seen of Captain Shaw-Stewart from the moment he touched the water.

The date of this tragic occurrence was Sunday, July 28th, when the ship was three days the other side of Las Palmas. The explanation which finds most general acceptance is that the ill-fated officer, being desirous of taking a snapshot of a funeral at sea, climbed on to the rail to make a more effective use of his kodak, and then, suddenly overbalancing himself, fell headlong into the sea.

The Western Gazette, Friday 9th August 1901

"The news was received at Rye on Wednesday afternoon that Trooper Lewis Lewns, of the East Kent Imperial Yeomanry, had died on board ship coming home from South Africa. Deceased, who was a nephew of the late Mr. Carlton Lewns, a well-known Hastings man, was formerly a cyclist of the "E" Company, 1st C.P.R.V., and throughout the campaign in South Africa had suffered no mishaps beyond being thrown from his horse. On the way down country to Capetown he contracted malaria, from which he succumbed when the ship was only a few days out. He was much respected at Rye, and quite a gloom was cast over the whole town.

The Hastings and St. Leonards Observer, Saturday 15th June 1901

His birth was registered at Rye, as Frederick Louis Lewns, in the fourth quarter of 1878.

BereniceUK wrote: "The news was received at Rye on Wednesday afternoon that Trooper Lewis Lewns, of the East Kent Imperial Yeomanry, had died on board ship coming home from South Africa. Deceased, who was a nephew of the late Mr. Carlton Lewns, a well-known Hastings man, was formerly a cyclist of the "E" Company, 1st C.P.R.V., and throughout the campaign in South Africa had suffered no mishaps beyond being thrown from his horse. On the way down country to Capetown he contracted malaria, from which he succumbed when the ship was only a few days out. He was much respected at Rye, and quite a gloom was cast over the whole town.

The Hastings and St. Leonards Observer, Saturday 15th June 1901

His birth was registered at Rye, as Frederick Louis Lewns, in the fourth quarter of 1878.

Deaths At Sea (FmP) shows the cause as enteric.

His parents placed a memorial in St Mary the Virgin, Rye detailing his sad demise:

"TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN MEMORY OF
FREDERICK LOUIS LEWNS
TROOPER 33rd COMPANY EAST KENT IMPERIAL YEOMANRY
(PRIVATE E Coy 1st CINQUE PORT RIFLE VOLUNTEERS)
YOUNGEST SON OF EDWARD KITCHEN AND MARY ANN LEWNS
WHO DIED AT SEA JUNE 4th 1901
ON BOARD THE SS TINTAGEL CASTLE WHILST ON
HIS HOMEWARD VOYAGE FROM THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA
AGED 22 YEARS
"UNTIL THE DAY DAWNS"
THIS TABLET ERECTED AS A TRIBUTE OF AFFECTION BY HIS SORROWING PARENTS"

Memorial

"Trooper P. Gunn, who left Oundle [Northamptonshire] to join the Bucks Imperial Yeomanry for service in the Transvaal, was invalided home from enteric fever, but just before reaching Gravesend, on Saturday, a relapse set in and he succumbed."
The Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury, Friday 15th June 1900

P. H. Gunn is named on the Buckinghamshire County memorial, as a member of the10th Battalion 2nd Bucks Squadron, Imperial Yeomanry.

The death of a Philip Henry Gunn was registered at Strood, Kent, in the second quarter (April-June) of 1900. If it's the same man, doesn't that mean he was buried on land somewhere?

Hello Berenice

The medal roll states died Gravesend and this record on FmP shows he is buried there:

First name(s) Philip Henry
Last name Gunn
Birth year 1879
Residence Port of London Hospital
Age at death 21
Burial year 1900
Burial date 11 Jun 1900
Burial ground Municipal Cemetery
Place Gravesend, Municipal Cemetery
County Kent
Country England
Record set Kent Burials
Category Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records
Subcategory Parish Burials
Collections from England, Great Britain
North West Kent Family History Society

Transcription © North West Kent Family History Society