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We need you to tell us more about the life and times of Frank Mearns

Frank Mearns

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Frank's pension record image courtesy of WFA

Military Information

  • Date of enlistment:
  • Place of enlistment:
  • Service no:
  • Rank: Able Seaman
  • Service Occupation:
  • Awards:
  • Regiment/Service: Mercantile Marine
  • Unit/Ship: S.S. Ness
  • Place of Death: Lost at Sea
  • Age at Death: 38
  • Date of Death: 25.10.1917
  • Burial Country:
  • Cemetery: Tower Hill Memorial
  • Grave/Mem Ref no:

Personal Information

  • Date of Birth:
  • Place of Birth: Ferryden
  • Address: Tayview Buildings, Church Street, Broughty Ferry.
  • Occupation:
  • Mother:

    Elizabeth Mearns, 20 Victoria Square, Ferryden, Montrose

  • Father:

    Thomas Mearns, 20 Victoria Square, Ferryden, Montrose

  • Siblings:
  • Spouse:

    Willamina Knight Gall Mearns, “Tayview Buildings” Church St, Broughty Ferry

  • Children:

More about Frank Mearns

S.S. Ness was a 3,050 ton Steamer which was torpedoed and sunk by German Submarine U-64, 10 miles South East of Cabo de Gata with the loss of 2 lives.

Frank Mearns was the son of Mr Thomas and Mrs Elizabeth Mearns of 20 Victoria Square, Ferryden, Montrose and was the husband of Mrs Williamina Knight Gall Mearns of Tayview Buildings, Church Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee. In 1915, he served as an Able Seaman onboard the Dundee registered coastal vessel Tay and Tyne. The cargo ship, SS Ness was shelled and sunk 10 nautical miles (19 km) south east of Cabo de Gata in Spain, by gunfire from the German submarine U-64 whilst on passage from Sfax in Tunisia to Gibraltar. Frank Mearns was one of two crew lost in the sinking and he is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial in London.

Information supplied by Gary Thomson.

Further information supplied by Iain Stewart and Iain Birnie

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