Photo: Geordie at War Project
In Gateshead East Cemetery is a family headstone which reads:
In
loving memory of
Edward
the dearly beloved son of
Edward and Elizabeth Tait
who died March 14th 1910
aged 22 years
Isabella their youngest daughter
died August 7th 1883 aged 11 months
Adam Norman their eldest son
died February 17th 1895 aged 9 years
Also our dearly loved son
William Johnson Tait,
Engineer (Merchant Service)
who lost his life at sea
through enemy action
February 11th 1918 aged 26 Years.
Also the above Edward Tair
the dearly loved husband of
Elizabeth Tait
died December 4th 1924 aged 72 years
and Elizabeth
beloved wife of the above
Edward Tait
and a dear devoted mother
died November 15th 1941 aged 86 years.
Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
William was the youngest son of Edward (cask merchant) and his wife Elizabeth (nee Johnson) who originated from Northumberland. William was born at Gateshead in 1891. The couple had seven children but only 4 survived. His siblings included Elizabeth, Mary Annie, Sarah Jane and Edward.
The 1901 census shows the family living at 34 Eastbourne Avenue with Edward trading as a wholesale grocer and carter.
By 1911 census the household had moved to 208 Alexandra Road. It showed Edward was now an employer and was in business as a cask merchant who was buying and selling casks. Other family members are working too. The children although grown up were all single at this time.
Elizabeth was a draper’s assistant, Mary Annie a draper and milliner and William was an apprentice engine fitter which was to be useful as in the future he became an engineer with the Merchant Marine. William's parents were residing at 208, Lincoln Terrace, Alexandra Road, Gateshead.
On the 11th February 1918 William was serving aboard S.S. Merton Hall (Liverpool), ship number 96342, which was a defensively armed merchant ship. The vessel was sailing from New York to La Pallice, France carrying a cargo of steel when it was torpedoed and sunk without warning by the German U Boat U-53 commanded by Kapitänleutnant Hans Rose. The vessel was 30 miles from Ushant. He was drowned as a result of this enemy attack alongside 57 shipmates including that of the Master.
Monies due to William amounting to £120.18.0d were left to his father.
He was awarded the Mercantile Marine War Medal for his services.
Acknowledgements: Rev. David Youngson
William Johnson Tait is remembered at Gateshead on G39.004, G39.33 and G39.51 and on our List of Ships’ crews
