Frederick Mason Guest, HMT Harmattan

HMT (SS) HARMATTAN was a 4,792 ton defensively armed steamship built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Ltd., Newcastle in 1911 and owned at the time of her loss by J. & C. Harrison, Ltd., London. She was sunk by a submarine-laid mine (UC 37) in a position 7 miles north of Cap Rosa, west of Bizerta, Algeria on a voyage from Avonmouth to Saloniki. Her cargo of government stores included 6 motor lorries. Thirty-six lives were lost, including the Master.

Born at Holyhead on 25 April 1874, Frederick Mason Guest was the son of William and Harriet Guest (nee Gilbert) and husband of Ethel Agnes Ada Guest (nee Larence), of 5 Heathland Road, Stoke Newington, London. They married at St. Mary's Parish Church, Stoke Newington on 11 December 1906. He had previously resided at his parents house at Forcer Hill, Holyhead. In 1881 he lived with his parents and his three brothers, William Gilbert Guest, John Hatfield Guest (died at Holyhead in1892, aged 22) and Arthur Reginald Guest (died at Holyhead in 1913, aged 34) at 8 Church Terrace, Holyhead. A sister, Gwendolen Frances Guest was born in 1884. His father came from Whitchurch and was employed as a Railway Traffic Superintendent (Station Master) for the LNWR at Holyhead. His mother originated from Birmingham. She died at Holyhead in 1919, aged 78. His father died at Holyhead in 1925. He was a prominent Freemason at Holyhead.

In 1888 Frederick Guest commenced employment for the LNWR as an Apprentice at Port Dinorwic Station and the next year transferred to the Goods Department at Llanwrst & Trefriw. The railway employment records mention that his father was Station Master at Holyhead. Leaving the railway in 1890 he took up an apprenticeship at William Williams, Tan-y-Refail, Holyhead and then at Lairds, Birkenhead. In 1897 he passed his Second Engineer exams at London and was then 4th Engineer on SS Mobile, trading between London and New York. In the Census of 1901 he was Third Engineer on SS Manhattan moored at the Royal Albert Dock, London. He is also recorded in the same census as a visitor at the home of the Larence family at Stoke Newington, London.

Administration of his will was granted to his widow to the effect of £409.13s.10d.

Awarded the Mercantile Marine Medal and British War Medal.

Commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

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