Photo: Peter Holt

An account of his funeral reads:

"A Remarkable Funeral
It was a few days after the magnificent example of daring and heroism displayed on the memorable attack on Zeebrugge, April 22nd, 1918, that a telephone message was received by the Mayor asking him if he would attend a service at Ven. Bede's Church. It was a funeral service to be conducted by Rev. J.O. Aglionby. This touching service was in its way quite unique as far as this town was concerned. William Leonard Sutherland, the deceased warrior, only 19 years of age, was in H.M.S. Conqueror in the Battle of Jutland and in the attack on Zeebrugge was in H.M.S. Vindictive

It may be remembered that much astonishment was expressed that men had succeeded in landing on the quay at all. It was as Sutherland was stepping back on board H.M.S. Vindictive that he was killed. It was said to have been the last shell fired at H.M.S. Vindictive.

The Admiralty intimated to Sergt. Sutherland of the Borough Police Force (the father) that if he desired, they would forward the body to Sunderland for burial, which was done.

The cortege on the occasion of this funeral consisted of a R.G.A. battery firing wagon bearing the body, a firing party and buglers of the Yorks. and Lancs. Regiment, a party of the Naval Reserve, Comrades of the Great War, a body of Borough Police, representatives of the fellow workmen from Messrs. Austin's Shipyard (in whose blacksmiths' shop deceased had formerly worked), and others.

The Mayor represented the Sunderland Corporation, also among the mourners was to be seen Able-Seaman F. Groothers, who landed with Sutherland on the quay at Zeebrugge."

The body was interred in Mere Knolls Cemetery.A Mayor's Note Book W.F. Vint, pages 90-91.

Acknowledgements: James Pasby

William Leonard Sutherland is remembered at Monkwearmouth on M46.19 and on our List of Ships’ crews

The CWGC entry for Able Seaman Sutherland