More about George Jenkins Williamson

George J Williamson was the son of Mr Andrew Williamson and was born in Dundee. He was the husband of Mrs Lydia Williamson of 87 King Street, Dundee. He volunteered to join the Royal Navy in January 1904 as a Boy Seaman Second Class after working as a Message (Delivery) Boy. He carried out his initial training onboard the sail and steam cruiser HMS Northampton and its Tender, HMS Calliope. On completion he was drafted to the battleship HMS Prince of Wales where he was advanced to Ordinary Rate in March 1905. He then joined the following HM Ships Hannibal, where he transferred to the Stoker branch, and Ocean. Transferring to the Submarine Service in 1910 he was based on the following Depot Ships HM Ships Hebe, Forth and Pactolus. Whilst in the Pactolus he served on HM Submarine A10 and seems to have served on submarines based on the Pactolus until November 1916. Advanced to Stoker Petty Officer in December 1916 he was in the crew of HM Submarine K13 which sank during acceptance trials in the Clyde. Thirty two men, including six shipyard workers died and forty eight were rescued after over fifty hours under water crew. George Williamson is buried in the Faslane Cemetery, Gare Loch and is remembered by a Memorial in Elder Park, Glasgow. The submarine was raised, repaired and renumbered K22. George Williamson’s service number is 229331 and not 229381 in some accounts.

K. 13 was a K Class Submarine which sank in Gareloch, Argyll on 29.01.1917 during her sea trails with 73 men on board including contractors of the builders. 31 men in the rear section of the sub were immediately drowned when she went down, but 42 men in the forward section of the vessel were saved when the Submarine was raised 57 hours after the initial sinking.

George Jenkins Williamson   229331   Royal Navy

WILLIAMSON—Drowned at sea, on 29th January, George Jenkins Williamson, stoker, P.O., beloved husband of Lydia Smith, 87 King Street, Dundee.

Dundee People’s Journal 24th February 1917