BORN HULL 1896. SON OF JAMES JOSEPH GELENTON (1867-1943) & KATE SHEPERDSON (1870-1954). HE HAD THREE BROTHERS AND THREE SISTERS. HE JOINED MESSRS W.H. COCKERLINE AS A SHIP APPRENTICE, AGED 14, ON 6TH JUNE 1910.
On 29 June 1916, he was aboard S.S. Teano captured and scuttled by the German Navy. Rescued by the Wilson Line Molina. Landed Saturday 1st July 1916. On 20 October 1917, he was aboard S.S. Colorado torpedoed Start Point. 4 lives lost.
He married Beatrice Ellen Wetherall(1897–1967) in December 1917.
HIS WIFE BEATRICE & EIGHT MONTHS OLD DAUGHTER, DOREEN, AT 20, BOYNTON STREET, HULL AND AT 51, GLOUCESTER STREET, HULL (MERCHANT SEAMAN LOG OF DECEASED SALIORS ADDRESS).
On 13 September 1918, he was aboard S.S. Buffalo torpedoed off Corsewall Point. 10 lives lost including the ships Master.
LOST AT SEA ON 23/12/1918, WHEN HIS SHIP HIT A MINE. HE IS LISTED ON THE TRINITY HOUSE MEMORIAL. HIS DEATH WAS REPORTED IN THE HULL DAILY MAIL ON THE 16TH JANUARY 1919, WITH HIS PHOTOGRAPH.
HIS YOUNGER BROTHERS, THOMAS ARTHUR AND GEORGE WILLIAM GLENTON, WERE BOTH LOST AT SEA DURING WW2.
The GITANO was posted missing in January 1919, lost with all 28 hands, presumed mined after passing Flamborough Head on 20/12/1918. The master was engaged chiefly in the general trades to the Baltic and had been running regularly and continuously throughout the Great war. The usual route to Gothenburg is due north-east from the Humber Roads, so she would normally be well out to sea when passing Flamborough Head..
Wreckage reported washed up at Tvedestrand, 30 miles NE of Chistians and, Norway.
The officers and crew of the GITANO were:- W. J. Decent, Master, Regent House, Ings Road, Hull. – J. W. Barron, chief officer, Sulby, Ings Road, Hull. – J. J. Glenton, Second officer, 51 Gloucester Street, Hull. – F. C. Wilson, Boatswain, 159 Durham Street, Hull. – J. Hedgcock, chief engineer, 24 Clumber Street, Hull. – C. A. Kay, Second Engineer, 22 Camden street, Hull. – E. Hatfield, Donkeyman, 95 Manchester Street, Hull. – R. Rippon, steward, 65 Exmouth Street, Hull. – P. H. Robinson, assistant steward, Adderbury Grove, Beverley Road, Hull. – A. J. Parker, Wireless Operator, Docking, Kings Lynn. – E. Cresswell, Seaman Gunner, Woodlands, Doncaster. – H. Hardy, Seaman Gunner, Glenburg Cottage, Gubberwick, Lerwick. – T . W. Cook, Seaman Gunner, Albion street, Rowledge, Sussex. – R. Simpkins, Cadet, Westbourne Villas, Hessle. – G. G. Barnes, Cadet, 171 Maldas Road, Colchester. – And twelve seamen and firemen of foreign nationality.
