BORN HULL 31/08/1884. SON OF FREDERICK GELDARD & ADA LYON (1865-1944), OF 1 FREDERICKS TERRACE, STRICKLAND STREET, HULL (NAVAL RECORDS). A DOCK LABOURER. ENLISTED IN THE ROYAL NAVY. LOST AT SEA, ON 06/10/1917, AGED 23. COMMEMORATED ON THE PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL.
BEGONIA , British Navy, sloop; 1915; Barclay Curie; 1,250 tons; 267-7X 33-5×11-7; 2,400 i.h.p.; 17 knots; triple-expansion engines; two 4-7in. guns, two 3pdr. The sloop Begonia, Lt.Cdr. Basil S. Noake, was one of a class of vessel built during the First World War to serve two purposes as need might arise. The first purpose was that of a convoy escort; the second and more adventurous service was that of a Q-ship, the vessels having been built upon lines which permitted of their rapid and easy conversion into semblance of an ordinary merchantman.
In October, 1917, the Begonia set forth on a cruise in merchantman´s guise from which she never returned. Her crew numbered about 100 officers and men.
ref. used:
HMS Begonia was reported as missing after sailing on September 3, 1917. Patrol area was between 5°W and 15°W, probably but not necessarily sunk by a U-boat that failed to return from patrol (U 106, UB 32, UC 21).
