Stoker Petty Officer
George Jenkins
WILLIAMSON
Royal Navy
29
George Williamson was born in Dundee in Forfarshire on 16 March 1887, the son of Andrew Williamson. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 14 January 1904 and then served in the cruiser HMS CALLIOPE and the battleship HMS PRINCE OF WALES. By 15 March 1907, he was serving in the battleship HMS HANNIBAL and then joined the battleship HMS OCEAN as a Stoker First Class on 20 May 1908, serving there until 27 January 1910.
After serving at HMS VIVID at Devonport and in the Submarine Tender HMS HEBE, he was drafted to the Submarine Depot Ship HMS FORTH on 17 May 1912 and joined the Submarine Tender HMS PACTOLUS at Lamlash on 10 October 1912. He then served in HMS A10 until 20 November 1916, by which time he was a Leading Stoker.
On 29 November 1916, Stoker Petty Officer Williamson was drafted to HMS K13. On 29 January 1917, K13 was conducting acceptance trials in the Gareloch. Shortly after lunch the submarine was dived again to conduct final checks. The after end of the submarine was flooded through the Engine Room ventilators which had failed to shut properly. All of those in the after part of the submarine, including George Williamson, were drowned.
George Williamson was the husband of Lydia Williamson of 87, King Street, Dundee and had two children, Georgina and Robertina. He is buried in Faslane Cemetery in Section B, Grave 9.
One Response
George Jenkins Williamson’s widow returned to Dundee and later married my grandfather. Georgina and Robertina were my aunts. It’s difficult to know what to say. He died far too young but if not for that terrible disaster I would not be here. Respect to him and his shipmates.