William Francis Hambley, Steward
William Francis Hambley, Steward (Galley Boy), Mercantile Marine, SS Connemara, died on 3 November 1916, aged 15, due to a collision at sea.
Born at Holyhead, he was the son of George Henry Hambley and Alice Hambley (nee Rainey). In 1901 the family lived at 9 Well Street, Holyhead. William was then 1 month old. His father was a Ship's Cook born at Holyhead and his mother originated from Garston, Liverpool. His siblings included Thomas Henry Hambley (1903-1954), George Owen Hambley (1906-1983), Louie Hambley (1907-1908), Francis Arthur Hambley (1910-2000) and Arthur Hambley (1915-1939).
By 1911 the family had moved to 4 Shand Street, Garston where his father was employed as a Dock Gateman for the LNWR. In this census William was recorded as living with his aunt Margaret Jane McLeod (nee Hambley) and family at 6 Queen's Street, Avonmouth. His aunt's husband was Thomas McLeod who was then employed as a Ship's Steward and would later lose his life whilst serving on the SS Royal Edward in the Mediterranean Sea in August 1915.
The family, including William, later moved to live at 21 Cross Street, Holyhead.
At the time of his death the local newspaper reports that his father, George Henry Hambley, was himself on active service and recovering in a Malta Hospital.
William's body was recovered and buried at Maeshyfryd, Cemetery, Holyhead, grave reference A/10.
The grave also contains the remains of his aunt Margaret Jane and her second husband, Thomas Richard Wright, who was a survivor of the loss of HMS Tara. The gravestone also commemorates the loss of Thomas McLeod.