ARTHUR PALMER ATHROLL
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Image from the Suffolk Chronicle & Mercury – 1917
Born: 10th August 1896, Ipswich.
Baptised on the 23rd July 1905, at St. John the Baptist Church, Ipswich, with his sister, Winifred Polly Athroll, and brothers, Ernest William Athroll, and Francis Hustleton Athroll – family home at 362, Spring Road, Ipswich.
Died: 9th July 1917; age 20; died by drowning, through the sinking of H.M.S. Vanguard, after an internal explosion of the vessel at Scapa Flow. Served 5 years.
Residence: 55, Kemball Street, Ipswich.
Occupation: Van Boy.
Enlistment Location: Chatham, Kent. Signed up for 12 years on the 10th August 1914. Height: 5ft 3ins, fresh complexion, grey eyes & dark brown hair.
Service:
Ganges II – Boy II Class – 11th May 1912 – 7th September 1912
Ganges II – Boy II Class – 8th September 1912
Ganges II – Boy I Class – 2nd October 1912 – 2nd October 1912
Berwick – Boy I – 3rd October 1912 – 9th January 1913
Pembroke I – Boy I Class – 10th January 1913 – 24th January 1913
London – Boy I Class – 25th January 1913 – 13th February 1914
Pembroke I – Boy I Class – 14th February 1914 – 30th March 1914
Vanguard – Boy I Class – 31st March 1914
Vanguard – Ordinary Seaman – 12th June 1914
Vanguard – Able Seaman – 3rd June 1915 – 9th July 1917.
Rank: Able Seaman; Service Number: J.17242 (Ch)
Regiment: Royal Navy, H.M.S. ‘Vanguard’.
Grave Memorial:
21.
Chatham,
Kent.
Relatives Notified & Address: Second son of Benjamin & Harriet Athroll, of 54, Kemball Street, Ipswich.
CENSUS
1901 4, Grimwade Cottages, Woodbridge Road, Ipswich.
Arthur was 4 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
Benjamin Athroll, 36, a Roadman Labourer, born Playford, Suffolk.
Harriet Athroll (nee Palmer), 42, born Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.
George Herbert Athroll, 12, born Rushmere, Suffolk.
Alfred John Athroll, 9, born Ipswich.
Lily Marian Athroll, 9, born Rushmere.
Winifred Polly Athroll, 7, born Ipswich.
Ernest William Athroll, 1, born Ipswich.
1911 55, Kemball Street, Ipswich.
Arthur was 14 years old, a Grocer’s Van Boy. He was living with his parents & siblings.
Benjamin, 47, a Roadman Labourer – Borough Council.
Harriet, 42.
Lily, 19, a General Upholsteress.
Winifred, 17, a Dress & Mantle Maker.
Ernest, 11.
Frances Hussleton Athroll, 5, born Ipswich.
Arthur’s eldest brother, George Herbert Athroll, died on the 16th June 1906, at his home, 52, Kemball Street, Ipswich and was buried at Section H.H., Ipswich Old Cemetery.
H.M.S. ‘Vanguard’:
http://www.gwpda.org/naval/vanguard.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb0AsAQFq0w
Ipswich men lost on the Vanguard:
Henry Metcalf
Private RM
age 19
John William Warne
Petty Officer
age 36
William Henry Warne
Boy 1st Class
age 17
Images and information courtesy of Wendy Sadler
Henry Metcalf was my Great Uncle – my Grandmother’s younger brother
We have visited Scapa Flow twice on the anniversaries of the sinking of HMS Vanguard and hope to be going to the Centenary commemorations this year.
Centenary commemorations
It finished with an emotional nighttime service in St Magnus Cathedral at exactly the same time the explosion occurred on the Battleship -11:20pm. A 2-minute silence was observed, and then the descendants were given the opportunity to view the Book of Commemoration and the Ensign flag that has been attached to the Vanguard, underwater, since 2009.
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