On the Tower Hill Memorial is the name of First Engineer George Cockburn, serving on S.S. Willingtonia with the Mercantile Marine who died 25/08/1918.
He was born at Newcastle.
Rev. David Youngson has provided the following:
1st Engineer George COCKBURN
Mercantile Marine SS Willingtonia
A Marine Engineer, he was Initiated into 2568 Delaval Lodge Masonic Hall Maple Street Newcastle upon Tyne on the 4th February 1917; Passed 1st May 1917 and Raised on the 11th June 1917. He died on the 25th August 1918 aged 40 and is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
The S.S. Willingtonia, ship number 140705, was a steel hulled steam cargo ship (3228 grt). She was built on the Tyne by the Iron Shipbuilding Company Limited of Newcastle and completed in January 1918. Owned by the Ericsson Shipping Company Limited of Newcastle she sailed from Barry en route to Corfu with a cargo of coal. She was torpedoed and sunk by the German U Boat UC 27, commanded by Oberleutnant zur See Otto Gerke, on the 25th August 1918 thirteen miles SW x W of Marittimo, Italy. Four of the crew were lost.
The Presbyterian Roll of Honour at Jesmond reads:-
Chief-Engineer George Cockburn
The above was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Cockburn, who had been members of the Church since its opening in Burdon Terrace.
He was educated at Dame Allan’s School and Rutherford College, Newcastle, and at the outbreak of War was Chief-Engineer of a merchant vessel.
At the time of his death he was Chief Engineer of H.M. Transport “Willintonia” he being drowned when this vessel, on 25th August, 1918, was sunk by enemy Submarine in the Mediterranean whilst carrying coal to the Fleet.
The Captain of the Transport reported he had lost his life in courageously attempting to save some of his shipmates.
The Admiralty issued a Certificate testifying to his zeal and devotion to duty. He was specially mentioned in the London Gazette on 15th February, 1919.
At the date of his death he was 40 years of age.
George Cockburn is remembered at Gosforth on G9.05, at Jesmond on J1.09 and J1.16 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.
