On Tower Hill Memorial is the name of Donkeyman George William Carter, serving on S.S. Ravensbourne (London) with the Mercantile Marine who died 31/01/1917.

The son of Sarah and the late Samuel Carter and the husband of Jane Ellen Carter (nee Tulip), of 20, Canterbury Street, South Shields. He was born at South Shields.

He was aboard the steamship S.S. Ravensbourne when it was mined 8 miles SE of the River Tyne 5456N 0114W. He was one of only three casualties aboard.

The mines had been laid by U-Boat UC-31, the same U-boat which laid mines which sank the Pilot boat S.S. Protector.

Rev. David Youngson has submitted the following:

George William CARTER
Mercantile Marine
Donkeyman SS Ravensbourne

He was Initiated on the 11th February 1902 when his occupation was given as a Marine Engineer aged 27; Passed 14th March 1902 and Raised on the 10th March 1903. His address was given as 7 Green Terrace, Sunderland and he died on the 31st December 1917 aged 36. He is Remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London and on a Memorial in the grounds of the Presbyterian Church, Laygate, South Shields and on a Memorial in the church of St. Michael and All Angels, South Shields.

George William Carter is remembered at South Shields on S86.009, S86.027 and in S86.086 page 3 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.