In Newcastle upon Tyne (St. John’s Westgate and Elswick) Cemetery is the Commonwealth War Grave of:

W. Smith
Able Seaman RNVR TZ/5/216
S.S. “Macoris”
23rd February 1919 aged 24.

The brother of Miss Margaret Smith, of 145, Durham Street, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Colin Boyd has provided the following :

William was born on 5th November 1895. He was working as an apprentice electrician living with his father, David at 145, Durham Street, Elswick, Newcastle upon Tyne when he enlisted in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on 15th December 1913.

William was posted to the Drake Battalion on 22nd August 1914 and served until 6th May 1915 when he suffered a gun shot wound to the head.

After rejoining the Drake Battalion he was invalided to the UK on 26th September 1915 suffering from Dysentery.

In 1917 William transferred to HMS President III which supplied naval personnel to Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships. William died of disease while serving on board SS “Macoris” on 23rd February 1919.

Note: The number is definitely 5/216 on his records and with CWG as opposed to the usual Z. I wonder if it’s got something to do with the date he enlisted?

William Smith is remembered at Elswick on E35.09, possibly on E35.10 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.