William Morrson was lost on the Protected Cruiser HMS Hawke in October 1914 when she was hit by submarine U9 off Aberdeen which caused 524 deaths.
William was the first child of Patrick (also known as Peter) Morrison from Sligo Ireland and his wife Mary McGee. They married in Hartlepool in 1876. Mary had been born in Hartlepool around 1856 to Irish parents John McGee, a labourer, and Mary nee Joice although the 1871 census finds them in Bradford where they seemed to live briefly.
In 1881, Mary was with her husband, given as Patrick Morrison, in Grace St West Hartlepool and young William at three years was the oldest of three boys. By 1891, his father was Peter (still the same age, details and birthplace) and William was 13 and an apprentice rigger. There were three more children. By 1901 the family were in Water St , father, still Peter, was a shipyard labourer and William was 24 and a boilersmith's labourer.
When William lost his life on HMS Hawke, his younger sister Katherine (Kate) was informed at her home in Gray Street.
