On Chatham Naval Memorial is the name of 6710DA Deck Hand James Markwell, serving on H.M. Trawler Holdene with the Royal Naval Reserve who died 02/02/1917.

He was the son of David Markwell, of Holy Island and the husband of Rachel Markwell, of West End, Holy Island, Northumberland.

The Berwickshire News and General Advertiser 11/12/1917 reports:-
HOLY ISLAND MEMORIAL On Sunday last a tablet was unveiled in St. Marv’s Church, Holy Island, to the memory of James Markwell, who lost his life in the service of his country. When War was declared he, with others from Holy Island, volunteered for service in defence of the Empire, and in accordance with his experience was allotted to the dangerous work of mine sweeping. Unfortunately his vessel struck a mine, and another life was sacrificed to the lust of war.

It to his credit that though over age, he put duty before all other considerations, and went to do his bit with the younger men. This is the second life given by the people of Holy Island for the defence of the country. In crediting these men with noble self-sacrifice, one is apt to forget those who are left behind, to whom, perhaps greater credit is due than to the men themselves. The wives and mothers who give freely of their best, and whose “bit” is so little realised. Their lot contains no excitement that contained in the duty and surroundings or those they give, but consists of a patient submission to a nobler call. They give of their best and suffer in silence.

The tablet was unveiled in the Church during evening service, the Vicar, Rev. Irvine Crawshaw, preached a touching .sermon, making reference to the Christian life, honour, and integrity the man. The tablet was in the form of a shield, and was inscribed as follows:—“In loving memory of my dear husband, James Markwell, who lost his life serving his country in the great War, the Minesweeper, H.M.S. Holdene, February 2nd, 1917, aged 47 years. I have fought a good fight, I have kept the Faith.”

Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-

James Markwell was one of 13 children. His father David Markwell was born on April 14th 1835 at Holy Island, Northumberland and married islander Elizabeth Wilson Walker born in 1834. 

The first of their numerous family, all of who were born and baptised at Holy Island, a daughter Frances was born on May 5th 1855, followed by Sarah on April 20th 1856, David Jnr. on May 20th 1857, Elizabeth on June 29th 1858 and Martha on February 26th 1860. Sadly their daughter Elizabeth (3) died in 1861. 

David Markwell supported his family working as a fisherman. Over the next 16 years he fathered a further 8 children. Isabella was born in 1862, Christiana on June 2nd 1864, Elizabeth Margaret on December 10th 1865, George on September 20th 1867, William on March 6th 1869 and James on May 5th 1870 followed by Thomas on January 21st 1874 and John on March 25th 1877. 

By 1891 some members of the family had left home. David Markwell (50) was still working as a fisherman and had been joined by his sons David Jnr. (33) and James (19). Martha (29) and Elizabeth Margaret (24) assisted their mother in the home, Thomas (17) and John (14) were scholars. 

Elizabeth Wilson Markwell nee Walker died at Holy Island on December 28th 1893, widower David Markwell on October 23rd 1899. After the death of their parents David Jnr. (44) became head of the household at Marygate and with the help of his brothers James and John supported their sister Christiana and brother Thomas, the latter described in later documents as a cripple.

James Markwell was married in 1903 to Rachael Douglas Kyle. Born at Holy Island on February 4th 1877 she was the daughter of fisherman and lifeboat crew member George Kyle and Rachael Douglas. 

In 1911 they were living in 2 rooms at Holy Island Beal in the parish of St. Mary. Rachael had given birth to a son James in 1910 who sadly died within 3 months. At the age of 36 Rachael gave birth to their daughter Rachael Douglas Markwell on July 20th 1913. 

As early as 1911 there were already rumblings of a possibility of war with Germany which was declared on August 4th 1914 after Germany ignored  the British ultimatum to withdrew her troops from neutral Belgium. 

James Markwell DA 6710, described as 5 feet 6 and a half inches tall, dark complexion and blue eyes joined the Royal Naval Reserve at South Shields and transferred to shore base H.M.S. Ganges on the Shotley Peninsular in Suffolk on May 8th 1915 to undergo training. 

July 1st 1915 he was transferred to H.M.S. Venture then October 1st 1915 to H.M. Holdene. He was mobilised before the completion of his training and served as Deck Hand on the trawler H.M. “Holdene”

The fishing trawler “Holdene” was built in 1915 by Smith’s Dock Company, Middlesbrough but then fitted out and taken over by the Royal Navy. On February 2nd 1917 she was sunk by a mine from the German submarine UC-11 east from the Shipwash light vessel. 

Rachael was informed on February 15th 1917 that her husband was reported as missing and sadly later confirmed as believed to have been killed when his ship was sunk. James was one of 7 crew members lost, the youngest Boy Cook John Leonard Brown was only 17 years old. 

The body of Deck Hand James Markwell was not recovered for Christian burial. His sacrifice is recorded as one of 18,653 names inscribed on Chatham Memorial, which overlooks the town of Chatham in Kent. The memorial commemorates members of the Royal Navy of both World Wars who have no known grave, the majority of deaths having occurred at sea where no permanent memorial could be raised. 

His widow Rachael also commissioned a plaque within St. Mary’s Church Holy Island as testament to his sacrifice. Deck Hand 6710 DA James Markwell was 47 years old and the recipient of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. 

Rachael was awarded a pension for herself and their daughter on August 4th 1917 in the sum of 18 shillings 9 pence to be received weekly as of August 9th 1917 then diminished once Rachael turned 16 years of age on July 20th 1929. 

In 1939 Rachael was living at 77, Middleton Street, Blyth in the home of her sister Elizabeth (Kyle) and brother in law, gas works labourer, John W. Innis. 

Rachael Markwell nee Kyle (78) died at Holy Island on August 22nd 1955 and is at rest within St. Mary the Virgin Parish Churchyard. 

James and Rachael’s daughter married farmer and coal contractor Richardson Straughan Patterson on December 17th 1938. In 1939 they were living at Britannia House, Holy Island in the rural district of Northam and Islandshire comprising Holy Island and Lindisfarne. 

Richardson Straughan Patterson died on February 6th 1966, Rachael Patterson nee Markwell on April 13th 1984, both are at rest in a family grave at St. Mary the Virgin Parish Churchyard. 

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace. 

James Markwell is remembered at Holy Island on H65.01, H65.04 and H65.05 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.

He is also included in the Alnwick Gazette Almanack as “Markland”, see A11.56 page 57