In Kilbrandon Old Churchyard, Seil, Argyll, is the Commonwealth War Grave with a private headstone of Chief Officer Neil McDougall Morton, serving on S.S. Belgian Prince (Newcastle) with the Mercantile Marine who died 31/07/1917.

The headstone reads:

In
Sacred and loving memory
of
Neil McDougall Morton
of Sunderland
aged 27 years
Chief Officer of Belgian Prince
Torpedoed and cruelly
murdered by the Huns
on 31 July 1917
(Body washed ashore at Cuan Ferry
on 23rd Sept.)
He gave his life that
we might not starve

Erected
by his mother.

Neil McDougal Morton was born in Durham.  His first names have been various spelled as “Neil” or “Niel”,  and “McDougal”, “McDougall”, “McDoughall”,

He was married to Jane Morton, of 15, Beechwood Street, Sunderland.

Acknowledgments to Martin Briscoe, whose website is listed below.  Martin says it is possible that Chief Officer Morton’s body is the only known burial after the sinking of the S.S. “Belgian Prince”.

He also tells us:
I told the story of the SS BELGIAN PRINCE to someone from an Oban Heritage Group and told her how a few years ago I suggested that perhaps the local church could do something on the anniversary of the sinking but nothing happened.  I did tell the two nearest museums – Seil Island and Easdale.  They were very interested and hopefully now have something about the incident.  As far as I am aware the only known grave of anyone from the ship is at Kilbrandon.

As a result:
“Yesterday nine of us gathered at Neil MacDougall Morton’s graveside, laid a wreath and told his story – thanks to you for inspiring me! All the people attended from three historical groups south of Oban so given the little time we had we thought it was a really good turn out.
It was such a success for the people there that it was suggested we have more communication.
I thought of each of us in turn selecting a grave – any one – that may be researched and a story told, as we did yesterday and may meet monthly or so.
Thank you for bringing Neil’s grave to the fore – it has been such an enriching experience!”

Neil McDougal Morton is remembered at Sunderland in S140.48 Part 8 page 175,  in the Mercantile Marine Roll of Honour 1917  and  in our List of Ships’ Crews.