McPhun, Laurence Albert

BORN HULL 1902. SON OF ERNEST EDWIN WILCOCK & LILLIAN MAUD McPHUN, AND GRANDPARENTS JOHN WILSON DONOVAN AND MARY JANE DONOVAN, WHO ALL LIVED AT 9 MILTON STREET, HULL (1911 CENSUS) & THIS CWGC ADDRESS. HIS FATHER WAS A SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICER. HIS GRANDFATHER A SEED CRUSHING ENGINEER. LAURENCE MCPHUN SERVED AS A STEWARD ON THE AUSTRALIAN HOSPITAL SHIP, SUNK ON 26/05/1918. AGED 16. HIS NAME IS LISTED ON HULL’S CLIFTON STREET SCHOOL ROLL OF HONOUR.
Kyarra SS was a 6.953 ton Australian ocean liner used in WWI as a hospital ship. Built in 1903, she measured 415 x 52 ft and was powered with 750 nhp triple expansion engines and armed with 4.7in guns on the stern. She carried 2.600 tons general cargo and Australian mails, plus hospital supplies and medical staff, Tilbury for Sydney, Australia, via Devonport to embark 1,000 Australian wounded. She was sunk on May 26th, 1918 by a torpedo to her portside amidships from UB-57 (Oberleutnant Johann Lohs). Six crew were killed.
1. BROWN (33), Fireman, HMHS Kyarra, Mercantile Marine, †26/05/1918, Born in London, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
2. MACKENZIE, DUNCAN (52), Fireman, HMHS Kyarra, Mercantile Marine, †26/05/1918, Son of the late Murdo and Catherine Mackenzie. Born at Udrigle, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
3. MCPHUN, LAURENCE ALBERT (16), Steward’s Boy, HMHS Kyarra, Mercantile Marine, †26/05/1918, Son of Mrs. Louisa McPhun, of 12, Tynemouth St., Hull. Born at Hull, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
4. MORLEY, HENRY GARNET WARMLINGTON (28), Trimmer, HMHS Kyarra, Mercantile Marine, †26/05/1918, Husband of Allison Trent Cook (formerly Morley), of The Shack, Calangir, Western Australia. Born in Australia, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
5. NANLES, JAMES ABBOTT (28), Fireman, HMHS Kyarra, Mercantile Marine, †26/05/1918, Son of Emily Nanles (nee Wiltshire), of 25, Trinity St. Barking Rd., London, and the late Abbott Nanles Born at Canning Town, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
6. SMALL, WILLIAM , Fifth Engineer Officer, HMHS Kyarra, Australian Mercantile Service, †26/05/1918, Son of Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Small, of Sydney, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial