In Tynemouth (Preston) Cemetery is a headstone maintained by the Commonwealth War Grave Commission on behalf of the Ministry of Defence as a non-war headstone which reads:-
G Cuthbert
Deck Hand
S.S. Dearne
21st-22nd November 1940
Age 20
Deck Hand George Cuthbert of 46 Coburg Street North Shields died at Holyhead Dry Dock whilst serving on S.S. Dearne of a fractured skull November 21/22/1940
The Shields Daily News 11/1940 reports:-
YOUNG SHIELDS SEAMAN BURIED
Royal Navy Pays Tribute
Men of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines attended the funeral at Preston Cemetery yesterday of 20-year-old George Cuthbert. seaman son of Mr and Mrs W. H. Cuthbert. of 46 Coburg Street. North Shields who was accidentally killed at a west coast port last week.
His death was the second in the family within three months. His brother Frank, aged 16, a cabin boy in a merchant ship. was drowned in September.
The body of Mr George Cuthbert was interred at the north end of the cemetery on the forces ground. It was laid to rest near the graves of men who also have given their lives during this war.
The Rev. T. Douglas Vicar of St. Augustin’s, North Shields conducted the services at the Cemetery Church and graveside.
Family mourners were: Mr W. H. Cuthbert (father), Mr W. Cuthbert (brother). Mr P. Tomaselli (grandfather), Miss Best, Mr James Cuthbert, Mrs John Cuthbert, Mr and Mrs W. Smith, Mr and Mrs G. Bird, Mr and Mrs W. Bird, Mr and Mrs F. Toms, Mr J. Tomaselli, Mr and Mrs Carrick, Mrs Cooper, Mr and Mrs Carson, Mr and Mrs Cook, Masters J. Bird, J. Cooper, and John and George Cuthbert, Mr and Mrs N. Ryan, Mr and Mrs F. Bell, Mr and Mrs T. Bell, Mrs Grey, Mrs Bridget, Mr and Mrs J. Bell, Mrs Gregory, Miss M Ryan, Mrs Osbourne, Miss R. Tommielli, Mrs Knight and Miss L. Hall.
Funeral arrangements were carried out by E. Turnbull and Sun. North Shields
The Shields Daily News 04/12/1940 reports:-
Memorial Service
A Memorial Service is to be held on Sunday at St. Augustin’s Church for George and Frank Cuthbert, of Coburg Street. North Shields.
Frank Cuthbert, a 16-years-old cabin boy, lost his life when his ship was sunk by enemy action. and his 20-years-old brother died as the result of an accident at a West of England port.
They are the sons of Mr and Mrs W. H. Cuthbert.
The service will be conducted by Rev. T. Douglas (Vicar), and will start at 3 p.m.
There is no CWGC entry for Deck Hand Cuthbert
George Cuthbert is remembered at North Shields on N34.23 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.
