Tower Hill Memorial

HMS Roxburgh Photo: Royal Naval History Net

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph #: NH 7598

Gun Deck of HMS Northumberland

George Matthew Nessworthy was born 9th September 1882, at 4 Charlotte Street, South Shields the second son of Matthew and Elizabeth [nee Morrison], born 1850 at South Shields, died 1918, who were residing with Elizabeth's brother Ivan Morrison.

George Matthew was christened at St Hilda's Church, South Shields 3rd January 1883. His father, grandfather and several uncles were all mariners and several other close relatives followed the occupation of boat building. His early years were spent in Charlotte Street, a road which ran through the town's docks.

In 1891, they were residing at 4, Selbourne Street, South Shields. Durham. He joined the Royal Navy 10th November 1904 at Chatham, his trade was a Gas Stoker, Number 307653 for 12 years.

His enlistment paper described him as 5 feet 5 and a half an inches high, light brown hair, with light blue eyes. Age 23. Fresh complexion. Rating was a Seaman from the 2nd October 1905. His first ship was the Acheron, [ex HMS Northumberland], which was a base training ship for training Stokers, located at the Nore.

Northumberland was assigned to the 1st Reserve Squadron at the Isle of Portland in 1890–91 and then at Devonport from 1891–98. She was hulked in 1898 as a stokers' training ship at the Nore and renamed Acheron. From 1909–27 the ship served as a coal hulk at Invergordon, renamed C.8 in 1909 and then C.68 in 1926. The ship was sold in 1927, but was then resold and renamed as Stedmound for service at Dakar until she was scrapped in 1935.

He then trained to became a stoker from the 20th May 1905 until the 12th July 1905, his character was described then as 'Fair'. He then was based at Chatham at HMS Pembroke II [shore based barracks], from the 13th July to the 4th September.

HMS Pembroke was the name given to a shore barracks at Chatham. It was commissioned in 1878, moved ashore in 1903 and was paid off in 1983. The buildings, designed by Sir Henry Pilkington, now house the Universities at Medway.

Character now was described as 'Indifferent'.

He then served on the 'Roxburgh' from the 5th September to the 27th November 1905, where he spent 14 days in the cells. [28th November to the11th December]. Returned to the Roxburgh on the 12th December till the 21st January, again spending another 7 days in the cells, [22nd January to the 28th]. He returned again on the 29th January, and then on the 16th April spent another 7 days in the cells returning on the 24th April.

On the 1st July he became a stoker 1st Class, and again was in the cells for 14 days, [16th November until the 29th November]. He returned 30th November 1906, back to the Roxburgh and then 7th June 1907, was back in the cells for another 7 days. [8th June - 14th June]. Returned, 15th June to the 26th June, again another 7 days in the cells, [27th June - 3rd of July]. On the 3rd September 1907, he was serving back on the Pembroke. 5th September he was on the 'Hawke' until 15th November 1907. He then spent 3 days in the cells, 19th November - 21st November. Returning on the 22nd to the Pembroke.

His character was fair and he was discharged invalided with defective eyesight 5th December 1907.

He was also entitled to a Naval pension commencing from the 10th December 1907.

After his discharge, Matthew used his knowledge and training and became a seaman in the merchant marine. He returned to the North East of England where his mother still lived, his father had died at the turn of the century.

He met and married local girl, Margaret Langley, in South Shields in the early months of 1916 (he is listed in the indexes as George M (6). She was born at South Shields in 1882.

They had one child named, John Morrison Nessworthy, born 29th August 1916, Durham. He died in 1987, Sussex, aged 70 years.

They set up home at 401, South Palmerston Street. During this time Matthew was serving aboard cargo ships as third engineer. On December 29th 1916 he was aboard the "SS Lonada", a vessel of 1,286 tonnes. Five miles north east of the Shipwash Light vessel (off the coast of Harwich), it hit a mine and sank (7). Six people on board, including Matthew, were lost at sea.

Two very similar In Memoriam notices appeared in the local newspaper: "NESSWORTHY G. Matthew Lost at sea December 29th 1916. Husband of Maggie (nee Langley), 21 Alexander Street. Mourned by his wife and child."

"NESSWORTHY Matthew: Lost at sea December 29th 1916. Youngest son of Elizabeth and the late Matthew, 4 Charlotte Street, South Shields. Mourned by mother and sisters."

During his career he had signed on to the 'Sementha', on one of the the Ship's crew list on the 9th March 1909, he gave the address then as 4, Bright Street, South Shields, he previously had served on the 'Guildhall' based at Welshpool.

He signed up at Cardiff, as a Fireman, with wages of £3 15s per Month. But was given an advance of £2. He was discharged on this trip on the 22nd April 1909. Paid £2 4s 11 1/2d, at Barry.

George Matthew died on the 'SS Lonada', owned by the Port of London Authority, sailing between the Tyne and London. 1,286grt, 29th December 1916, 5 miles N by E ½ E from Shipwash LV, mined and sunk, 6 lives lost.

When George Matthew died his wife was residing at 21 Alexander Street, South Shields, Durham.

Margaret, George's widow by this time in 1919, had another child, [father unknown], named James Nessworthy, born on the 5th October 1919, South Shields, Durham, England, who died 27th May 2001, South Tyneside, Tyne & Wear, (Age 81 years).

Footnote: A Margaret Nessworthy may have been a victim of a crime in 1903, in the Shields Gazette Friday 20/11/1903, there is a report which reads as follows:

"Barmaid sent to Penal Servitude. Constance Furrilley (33), barmaid, South Shields, pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing £1 14s, and various articles of clothing, the monies and property of Margaret Nessworthy.

His Lordship reading out a long list of aliases, said whatever accused's name might be, it was quite clear it was idle to pass a short sentence upon her. The last charges against her was one of the most cruel cases of the kind he had ever had to deal with. She had robbed a poor woman who had taken her in, both of her money and her clothing. Whether penal servitude would help her he could not tell, but he would try it, Accused was sentenced to five years penal servitude".

Again the Shields Gazette Thursday 19/11/1903, under the heading Durham Assizes.

"Sentences. Constance Farilley (33), barmaid, was sentenced to five years penal servitude for stealing £1 14s and articles of clothing from Margaret Nessworthy at South Shields".

Source: Hudson & Kearns -Navy and Army Illustrated photo of the Gun Deck of HMS Northumberland. U.S. Naval Historical Center, Photograph of British ironclad battleship HMS Northumberland in harbour while serving as the Channel Fleet's Second Flagship"

Thanks to Alan Craxford for additional information

George Matthew Nessworthy is remembered at South Shields on S86.051 and on our List of Ships Crews

Detailed History of the Nessworthy Family
The CWGC entry for 3rd Engineer Nessworthy