I have attached a list of the MM casualties from this vessel - I have been investigating the possibility that many of the bodies were returned home for burial due to the circumstances of their death - the Asturias was badly damaged by enemy action. All bar one of the medical staff on board have known graves; all of the non Southampton crew have known graves so I have contacted Southampton City Council to check the possiblility of burial there. This morning I have had confirmation that some of the crew were buried there. More details to follow when Southampton have collated the info.

Chris

This has been a very humbling moment for me - 15 of the crew's graves have been found in the Southampton area

Name: ANDERSON, JOHN AITKEN
Initials: J A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: 6th Engineer
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit Text: H.M.H.S. "Asturias" (Belfast)
Age: 26
Date of Death: 21/03/1917
Additional information: Son of Barbara Polson Anderson, of 9, St. Marys' Rd., Southampton, and the late John Aitken Anderson. Born at Edinburgh.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL


Named on our records as John Anderson
Date of burial: 26/03/1917
Grave: Southampton Old Cemetery, C176 – 277
Also buried in this grave: Barbara Polson Wood


Name: ANDREWS, ARTHUR CHARLES
Initials: A C
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Waiter
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit Text: H.M.H.S. "Asturias" (Belfast)
Age: 34
Date of Death: 21/03/1917
Additional information: Son of William Thomas and Frances Mary Thomas, of 85, Stafford Rd., Freemantle, Southampton.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL


Named on our records as Arthur Andrews
Date of burial: 28/03/1917 (age 36, address 85 Stafford Road)
Grave: Southampton Old Cemetery R112 – 98
Also buried in this grave: Frederick William Andrews
Frances Mary Andrews
William Thomas Andrews


Name: BROWN, ARTHUR EDWARD
Initials: A E
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Trimmer
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit Text: H.M.H.S. "Asturias" (Belfast)
Age: 17
Date of Death: 21/03/1917
Additional information: Son of Charles Henry and Caroline Alma Brown, of 9, Cross Court, Cross St., Southampton.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL


Arthur Edward Brown
Date of burial: 28/03/1917
Grave: Hollybrook Cemetery B3 – 12

Name: EARL, JAMES WILLIAM
Initials: J W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Trimmer
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit Text: H.M.H.S. "Asturias" (Belfast)
Age: 26
Date of Death: 21/03/1917
Additional information: Son of Elizabeth Ann Knight (formerly Earl), of 8, Queen St., Southampton, and the late James Earl.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL


James William Earl
Date of burial: 28/03/1917 (age 25, address 8 Queen St)
Grave: Southampton Old Cemetery P132 – 64
Also buried in this grave: Kate Katherine Knight
John Charles Knight


Name: GLASSPOOL, EDWIN ALEXANDER
Initials: E A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Assistant Baker
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit Text: H.M.H.S. "Asturias" (Belfast)
Age: 19
Date of Death: 21/03/1917
Additional information: Son of Edwin and Barbara Glasspool, of 83, Bedford Place, Southampton.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL


This entry seems to be the most likely:
Edwin Glasspool
Date of burial: 29/03/1917 (age 21, address 158 Northumberland Road)
Grave: Southampton Old Cemetery E189 – 83
Also buried in this grave: Mary Jane Glasspool


Name: GREEN, ORLANDO WILLIAM
Initials: O W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Fireman
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit Text: H.M.H.S. "Asturias" (Belfast)
Age: 29
Date of Death: 21/03/1917
Additional information: Son of Orlando Green and the late Mrs. Green; husband of Daisy Green (nee Meager), of 29, Duke St., Southampton, Born at Southampton.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL


His name on our records is William Orlando Green and his age is given as 28 years, but this seems to be the correct person as the address is 29 Duke St
Date of burial: 26/03/1917
Grave: Southampton Old Cemetery B169 – 44
Also buried in this grave: Alice Agatha Green
Orlando Green


Name: HUMBY, ARTHUR EDWARD
Initials: A E
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Fireman
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit Text: H.M.H.S. "Asturias" (Belfast)
Age: 32
Date of Death: 21/03/1917
Additional information: Son of John Henry and Catherine Eliza Humby; husband of Florence Lydia Humby (nee Johnson), of 48, Bullar St., Southampton. Born at Southampton.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL


Arthur Edward Humby
Date of burial: 29/03/1917 (age 31, address 48 Bullar St)
Grave: Southampton Old Cemetery C177 – 200
Also buried in this grave: Florence Lydia Dickens

Name: KIMBER, HERBERT GEORGE
Initials: H G
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Assistant Cook
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit Text: H.M.H.S. "Asturias" (Belfast)
Age: 26
Date of Death: 21/03/1917
Additional information: Son of Sarah Ann Kimber; husband of Eliza Jane Kimber (nee Baker), of "Homestead," Cobbett Rd., Bitterne Park, Southampton. Born at Southampton.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL


Named on our records as Herbert Kimber
Date of burial: 27/03/1917
Grave: Southampton Old Cemetery F191 -173
Also buried in this grave: Sarah Ann Kimber
Eliza Jane Kimber


Name: KNELLER, ALBERT ISAAC
Initials: A I
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Mate of Hold
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit Text: H.M.H.S. "Asturias" (Belfast)
Age: 29
Date of Death: 21/03/1917
Additional information: Son of Albert and Eliza Kneller; husband of Mabel Kneller (nee Cant), of 19, Bellevue St., Southampton. Born at Southampton.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL


Named on our records as Albert Kneller
Date of burial: 27/03/1917
Grave: Hollybrook Cemetery B3 – 75
Also buried in this grave: Mabel Kneller

Name: MUNSON, JAMES GEORGE ALFRED
Initials: J G A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Waiter
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit Text: H.M.H.S. "Asturias" (Belfast)
Age: 36
Date of Death: 21/03/1917
Additional information: Son of James Ireland Munson and the late Matilda Munson; husband of Edith Munson, of 71, Northbrook Rd., Southampton. Born at Southampton.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Cemetery: SOUTHAMPTON OLD CEMETERY


James George Alfred Munson otherwise John
Date of burial: 27/03/1917
Grave: Southampton Old Cemetery B169 – 68
Also buried in this grave: Mary Ann Matilda Munson


Name: ORMAN, VICTOR CHARLES MAFEKING
Initials: V C M
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Boy (Doctor's)
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit Text: H.M.H.S. "Asturias" (Belfast)
Age: 18
Date of Death: 21/03/1917
Additional information: Son of Frank and Jessie Matilda Orman, of 3, Laundry Rd., Shirley Warren, Southampton.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL


Named on our records as Victor Orman
Date of burial: 28/03/1917 (age 16, address 3 Laundry Road)
Grave: Southampton Old Cemetery A160 – 54
Also buried in this grave: Walter James Orman
Jessie Matilda Orman
Frank Orman


Name: REEVES, ERNEST HENRY
Initials: E H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Butcher's Mate
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit Text: H.M.H.S. "Asturias" (Belfast)
Age: 25
Date of Death: 21/03/1917
Additional information: Son of Samuel and Matilda Reeves, of 14, Longcroft St., Southampton.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL


Ernest Henry Reeves
Date of burial: 28/03/1917
Grave: Hollybrook Cemetery B3 – 31
Also buried in this grave: Matilda Reeves
Samuel Reeves


Name: ROBINSON, JOHN BERTRAM ERNEST
Initials: J B E
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Assistant Laundryman
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit Text: H.M.H.S. "Asturias" (Belfast)
Date of Death: 21/03/1917
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL


John Bertram Robinson
Date of burial: 27/03/1917 (Age 44)
Grave: St Mary Extra Cemetery B12 - 42
Also buried in this grave: Edward Robinson
Maria Robinson

Name: TILLYER, JAMES JOHN
Initials: J J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Able Seaman
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit Text: H.M.H.S. "Asturias" (Belfast)
Age: 24
Date of Death: 21/03/1917
Additional information: Son of Charles and Emily Tillyer, of 60, Payne's Rd., Freemantle, Southampton.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL


James John Tillyer
Date of burial: 29/03/1917 (age 33, address 60 Paynes Road)
Grave: Southampton Old Cemetery C176 - 278
Also buried in this grave: Charles Saunder Tillyer
Emily Matilda Tillyer

Name: WHITE, JOHN ALBERT
Initials: J A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Third Assistant Cook
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit Text: H.M.H.S. "Asturias" (Belfast)
Age: 18
Date of Death: 21/03/1917
Additional information: Son of Charles Henry Jerome White and Florence Francis White, of 9, Floating Bridge Rd., Southampton.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL


John Albert White
Date of burial: 26/03/1917
Grave: Hollybrook Cemetery B3 - 007
Also buried in this grave: Charles Henry Jerome White
Florence Frances White

May They Rest In Peace

My most sincere thanks to Nina Fairbrother of Southampton City Council

Top man, Chris !

I know just how much time and effort goes into locating these individuals who are buried in the UK and all credit to you for persevering.

Andy.

Great work, Chris. Well done!

Magnificent work.

Gentlemen

Its not over yet. Finding them in Southampton was a hunch on my part. The RAMC casualties from the this ship are all buried in Torquay so my reckoning is that some of the crew were buried with them. Am also checking the closed churchyards in the Southampton area.

Thanks for all of your kind comments

Chris

Well done Chris,

Mention of the Asturias made my ears ***** up because one of my War Memorial men was evacuated to England on his way home from Gallipoli via Malta.
JRR Tolkien was also one who was brought home by this ship.

You have made a real difference to the Remembrance and the story of these men.

Excellent.

We will remember them.

Nigel

an update

I just realised that Waiter James Munson is already listed as being buried at Southampton Old Cemetery - a mistake on my behalf - odd the only one of the Southampton men who died was originally reported as being buried in Southampton

Using Geoffs search engine & not using the date option I have found an additional 9 of the Asturias crew who in the main look as though they died of wounds after the incident

All The Best

Chris

Geoffs search engine lists a total of 34 names for this ship

3 have known graves

Munson, Paxton & Pitfield

Im having one of those odd feelings - I never found the lost crew of a ship before

Chris

Well done Chris,we will remember them

Recieved toady from Dave Jacobs of the Friends of Soutampton Old Cemetery

KIMBER at F 191 173
There is a memorial, and the relevant inscription reads

In Loving Memory
HERBERT GEORGE
THE DEARLY BELOVED HUSBAND OF
ELIZA KIMBER
WHO LOST HIS LIFE ON HMS ASTURIAS
MARCH 21st 1917
AGED 24 YEARS


Yes, it does say HMS rather than HMHS

GLASSPOOL at E 189 83
This plot has no visible stone.

ANDERSON at C 176 277
There is a memorial here, but it is somewhat overgrown, and has also been vandalised. Originally a cross on a substantial plinth, the cross has been detached, and also the plinth has been toppled so that any inscription is hidden.
It is possible that members of Friends of Southampton Old Cemetery may be able to right this later.

TILLYER at C 176 278 ( nowhere near the above by the way, such is the illogical numbering scheme here)
A kerbed grave with a headstone. The relevant inscription is

In Loving Memory Of
JAMES JOHN
THE BELOVED SON
AND ONLY CHILD OF
C AND E TILLYER
WHO LOST HIS LIFE ON
HMHS ASTURIAS
MARCH 21st 1917 AGED 24 YEARS


HUMBY at C 177 200
This plot has no visible stone

GREEN at B 169 44
This plot has no visible stone

MUNSON at C 169 68
A memorial with this inscription

WAITING (in an oval cartouche)
SACRED
TO THE MEMORY
OF
JAMES GEORGE ALFRED
(JIM)
THE DEARLY LOVED HUSBAND OF
EDITH MUNSON
DIED ON ACTIVE SERVICE AT SEA
MARCH 21st 1917 AGED 36
SADLY MISSED


ORMAN at A 160 54
This plot has no visible stone

EARL at P 132 64
This plot has no visible stone

ANDREWS at R 112 98
At first sight this entire area appeared covered in thick brambles, but on inspection luckily there is a clear patch at the back where this memorial could be approached. It was covered in ivy, which we cleared, revealing this inscription on the face of the tombstone

In Affectionate Memory Of
DEAR
LITTLE FREDDIE
THE BELOVED SON OF
W AND F ANDREWS
WHO DIED JULY 24th 1881
AGED 2 YEARS AND 4 MONTHS
Of Such Is The Kingdom Of God
ALSO THEIR BELOVED SON
ARTHUR CHARLES
WHO DIED AT HIS POST ON THE
HOSPITAL SHIP ASTURIAS
MARCH 21st 1917
AGED 36 YEARS
Only Those Who Have Loved And Lost
Know The Meaning Of Gone.
ALSO OF
FRANCES MARY ANDREWS
MOTHER OF THE ABOVE
WHO DIED April 23rd 1929
AGED 77 YEARS
At Rest
AND
WILLIAM THOMAS ANDREWS
WHO DIED FEBRUARY 12th 1939
AGED 86 YEARS
Reunited

Name: STONE, HAROLD THOMAS
Initials: H T
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Steward
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit Text: S.S. "Asturias" (Belfast)
Age: 17
Date of Death: 21/03/1917
Additional information: Son of Walter Rufus and Annie Frances Stone, of 6, Middle Rd., Sholing Common, Southampton.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL

ST MARYS SHOLING section e, row 25 number 1 (plot number 293).

Another 5 of the graves have been found at Southampton Old Cemetery

Name: CROOK, WILLIAM HENRY
Initials: W H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Fireman
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit Text: H.M.H.S. "Asturias" (Belfast)
Age: 42
Date of Death: 04/04/1917
Additional information: Son of Ellen Crook and the late James Crook; husband of Anne Elizabeth Crook (nee Hope), of 27, Anglesea Terrace, Southampton. Born at Southampton.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL

Name: CROSS, STANLEY HENRY
Initials: S H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Greaser
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit Text: H.M.H.S. "Asturias" (Belfast)
Age: 25
Date of Death: 21/03/1917
Additional information: Son of Henry and Maria Henrietta Adrienne Cross, of 5, Winchester Place, Craven St., Southampton. Born at Landport.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL

Name: HARVEY, GEORGE BEVIS
Initials: G B
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Engineer (Strkpr.)
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit Text: H.M.H.S. "Asturias" (Belfast)
Age: 58
Date of Death: 21/03/1917
Additional information: Son of the late William and Ellen Harvey; husband of Ann Rebecca Harvey (nee Reeves), of 95, Albert Rd., Chapel, Southampton. Born at Southampton.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL

Name: MANGER, CHARLES ROBERT PRIOUX
Initials: C R P
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Trimmer
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit Text: H.M.H.S. "Asturias" (Belfast)
Age: 29
Date of Death: 01/04/1917
Additional information: Son of Peter Le Petuil Manger and the late Marie Manger; husband of Fanny Margaret Manger (nee Feeney), of 8, Derby Rd., Southampton. Born at Guernsey.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL

Name: TUBB, PERCY NEWTON
Initials: P N
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Fireman
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit Text: H.M.H.S. "Asturias" (Belfast)
Age: 20
Date of Death: 24/03/1917
Additional information: Son of Mary Ann Tubb, of 22, Marsh Lane, Southampton, and the late Newton Tubb.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL

By my reckoning from the information that I received is that there are 34 casualties from the ships crew; 3 have known graves; I have found 20 of the graves; 9 of the crew were reported missing instead of dead

Name: FLUX, HENRY CHARLES
Initials: H C
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Fireman
Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
Unit Text: H.M.H.S. "Asturias" (Belfast)
Age: 31
Date of Death: 18/04/1917
Additional information: Son of the late John James and Ellen Flux; husband of Annie Caroline Flux (nee Joiner), of 2, Stanley Rd., Totton, Southampton. Born at Southampton.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL

Grave Found at Hollybrook Cemetery

Chris

Reminded me of your efforts this morning ! Looking in a photo album of a lady who attended wounded troops at Southampton Docks in WW1,Miss MJ Tebbutt is seen wearing an "Iron Cross" made from a biscuit tin lid (about 15 inches across) and it says:

"Presented to Colonel Hardy on the ASTURIAS after the successful evasion of a torpedo"

Sotonmate