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Ernest was the son of James S. Warren[born in Trinity] and Annie Alcock,
and the grandson of William Warren and Margaret Piercey
Ernest died in 1925
Ernest was the captain of a ship. He was kidnapped towards the end
of WW I while doing some undercover work ?? for the Admiralty. After
the war he was held captive in Australia for some time. An extortion
scheme was put in place by a gang.
His father, James, spent a considerable
amount of money in this matter.
Ernest was eventually discovered, the gang arrested and he was returned
to England. He had been heavily drugged and did not survive long. He
and several others were kept in what was supposedly a mental hospital.
Below is a letter that he wrote to his father during the war describing
a sea battle.
"Nosilla"
24 Courtland Avenue The Drive, Ilford
Aug 22, 1915
My Dear Father & Sister
You will be pleased to hear that I am safe back again in England, and
I am sure it is through an unseen providence. They are taking two plates
out of my vessel just now where a Torpedo struck me, and failed to explode.
The Admiral think it is marvelous, and apart from that I had only one
man die from pneumonia, as a result from shock and being exposed?.
I have been in Bombay Colombo and off Aden, I was off the latter port
when they took it but only for a short time in 30 hours we had the Turks
and Germans out of it again and in a fortnight they completely gave
up and surrendered.
I was ordered on to the Dardanelles and remained there 11 days and I
saw some pitiful sights. I was for 6 days and nights in sight and near
the trenches watching the effect of shell fire and through all that
& after making the same trip as the Royal Edward, which was blown up
with two others. I escaped alright but had some shells come mighty near
me.
Two ships of my own class were struck and badly damaged longside of
me killing 14 in one and nine in the other before they got away. The
admiral told me he was glad to shake hands with me and that he was pleased
I did not have cold feet (that is the term they use for Fright). Two
days after that he told me he was going to give me mails and dispatch
for the Government in London. I said to him I will land them or sink
with them. He said he knew and felt I would not let them fall into the
hands of any one hostile.
I left at night and steamed with lights out all the way and I can tell
you it makes you sit up a bit. I feel thankful to God that I got him
with them safe and behind London docks with the Royal Pennant flying.
(They)?? sunk 11 ships in my track and yet I got clear and came in alright
it is wonderful. I knew a lot of those men that are gone and you can
hardly realize that it is so.
One sad thing about my stay in the Dardanelles was Lord ????? Walden,
Captain Alex? And Lieutenant Shirring?? Cer??? on board out of the Trenches
in the dark and asked me for a whiskey and soda. I gave it to them and
made up a hamper of cold boiled ham and beef and anything I had cooked
and going back Shirring got killed, and bring him away from home in
the first place. I was sorry it upset me.
Then again after I arrived home they made an attack with their air ships
dropped one bomb in the street running parallel and one in our station
but the worst was at Leyrim? about 10 miles from here. I took the children
down to see it and it was an awful sight. They were digging in the ruins
for two little girls that they did not find.
Now about Percy I cannot find him if I had his number and the Barracks
he was in I could find out about him and where he is. I’m afraid that
he is away before this for I cannot get any news from anyone of a man
of that name. Rest assured I’ll do my best to discover his whereabouts
and so will Julia. She went everywhere but could not find him.
Will ???? you all, and ????? you bearing up I am mighty glad you are
over on that side, for it is anything but safe here. Still Father dear
such is life a man must be British and do his duty. If I die to-day
I’ll not have to do it again next year and after all a man is born to
die, and if I ran away to-day death would run faster and catch me somewhere
and someday.
You would hardly think this was war if you were here in London but for
the soldiers always on the move. Cheer up and pray for me. I am sailing
under sealed orders in 10 days time again and will write you from where
I can. I cannot write you when I am in service very well.
Give my love to ????; kiss the children for me and cheer up and things
will come out alright by & by. God bless and comfort you all & always
the constant prayer of your ????? Ern/ ???? feel like a rest if I manage
to come through alright, and if I can manage it I’ll try and come and
see you.
God bless you. Good night.
|
Sea Service as an Officer
Ships
|
Rank
|
Time (served)
|
Owners
|
Golden Fleece |
1st mate |
13 mos ~ 6 days |
Hayward & Co. |
Mistle Toe |
1st mate |
5 days |
G & L Tessier |
Mary E Mallet |
1st mate |
7 mos ~ 1 day |
Baxter Bros. |
Rita |
1st mate |
4 mos ~ 18 days |
Shaftner (wrecked) |
Florence B. Edget |
1st mate |
8 mos ~ 16 days |
Howard D. Group |
A J Stowel |
1st mate |
9 mos ~ 17 days |
Metcalf & Co. |
S. S. Glenfarg |
4th mate |
12 MOs ~ 22 days |
McGregor & Co. |
S. S. Glenfarg |
3rd mate |
My present ship |
McGregor & Co. |
Have been in last named ship since March 1897.
Carrying passengers and scrap, mail and freight
between London, China, and Japan direct.
Return to the Contributed Records
Return to the Main Military Records Index
Military Records Contact: Sherwin Flight
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