G37 GEORGE PATRICK CLIFFORD WETHERALL

G037 GEORGE PATRICK CLIFFORD WETHERALL. Midshipman Royal Navy on HMS Russell. Born 12 December 1896 at Ashbourne, Staffordshire. Only child of the Reverend of Arthur Grant Molesworth and Elizabeth Wetherall nee Boam of King Street, Ashbourne, Derbyshire. In 1901 he was residing with his parents at The Firs, Coulsdon Road, Catherham, Surrey. 15 September 1909 he was appointed rank of Midshipman. Died on HMS Theseus of injuries 27 April 1916 aged 19 years from an explosion of mine on the sinking of HMS Russell The mine was laid by German submarine U73.

At rest in Plot G Grave 37, Capuccini Naval Cemetery, Malta.

The following extract creditied to Aquilina Kevin -

While manoeuvring outside the harbour, she struck 2 mines laid by German mine laying submarine U-73 (Cdr. Gustav Siess) on the 23-04-1916. U-73 laid 22 mines at about 50m. a part in front of Grand Harbour before proceeding to Cattaro. Before sinking, the RUSSELL floated for 20 minutes before capsizing, her huge hull showing above the water before being engulfed by the waves. 126 sailors died and 625 were saved including the Admiral and the Captain. Mysteriously, several survivors died days later of gas poisoning.