Lost on the steamship Rio Verde (originally built as the Austriana).
William was born at West Hartlepool on August 28th, 1890, and baptised at Christ Church on September 21st. His parents were James William (a Shipyard Rivetter born in Wheldrake, Yorkshire, around 1852), and Mary Ann Richardson.
The 1891 Census shows William living with his parents at No.27, Crimdon Street, West Hartlepool, with four siblings; Emily (aged 11), Charles (aged 7), Robert Matthews (aged 4), and Harry (aged 2). Also shown living here at this time is a Boarder, 17-year old John Robert Atkinson, a Shipyard Plater.
William married Laura Paxton in 1909, and the 1911 Census shows them with a son, Norman, living at No.40, South Road, West Hartlepool. William is listed as a 3rd Engineer. This Census also shows William's parents now living at No.4, Dyke Street, West Hartlepool, with children Robert Matthews (now aged 25), Harry (aged 23), Hannah (aged 18), and Maggie (aged 16).
William was lost when his ship, the steamship Rio Verdewas torpedoed and sunk off Portpatrick, on the west coast of Scotland, on February 21st, 1918. His body was later recovered and laid to rest with naval honours at Kirkmaiden Cemetery, Drummore, Wigtonshire, on February 25th, 1918.
