Eldest son of Hugh and Janet Frew of 79 Dundyvan Rd, Coatbridge. From the 1891 Census - Address - 41 Dundyvan Square, Coatbridge - Hugh Frew aged 31, Rebecca Frew aged 30, William Frew aged 5, Ann Frew aged 3, Adam Frew aged 1. From the 1901 Census - Address - 15i King St, Coatbridge - Hugh Frew aged 41, Janet Frew aged 35, William Frew aged 18, Ann Frew aged 13, Adam Frew aged 11, Norman Frew aged 9, Rebecca Frew aged 7, Hugh Frew aged 2, Annie Frew aged 2 months and servant Mary Dickins aged 15. William, Ann, Adam, Norman and Rebecca were Hugh's half brothers and sisters. He had 3 more brothers, George born 1908, Ebenezer born 1910 and and very sadly Horace Hood Frew, named in honour of Rear-Admiral Sir Horace Hood, commander of the Battle Cruiser Fleet who also went down with H.M.S. "Invincible". Baby Horace was born in 1920 and died in infancy. Hugh's Pension was awarded to his mother Janet on the 23/10/1916.
Details of Death
Died on the 31/05/1916 when his ship H.M.S. "Invincible" was sunk
Date of Death:
31/5/1916
Cause of Death:Unknown
Employment
Apprentice Draughtsman at the Clyde Tube Works.
Occupation:Iron/Steel Worker
Additional Information
Hugh died aboard the battle cruiser "Invincible", the world's first dreadnought and naval flagship. At the Battle of Jutland it was hit by a German shell which pierced the gun turret and ignited the magazine below. The ship split in half and sank in 90 seconds killing all but 6 of her 1031 crew including the Vice-Admiral commanding her. Hugh served on H.M.S. "Vivid" (for training). Hugh's half brother Adam emigrated to Australia in 1909 and settled in the area of Maitland, New South Wales. In 1915 he enlisted in the Australian army. In January 1916 he was a Corporal, 9th Infantry Brigade, 34 Battalion, "C" Company and went to France. In November 1916, he was wounded in action, sent to England for rehabilitation, then returned to the front line in France. In April 1917, he was shell-shocked and invalided home. For the rest of his life, he was working for the well-being of army veterans. He died in 1935, aged 45, and is buried at the Cemetery in Cessnock, New South Wales. He never saw Scotland again (see photos for Adam and his Grave in Cessnock Cemetery). A huge thanks to Hugh's niece Isabel Watson (nee Frew) who has kindly sent me family information, photos and information and photos regarding Adam. Hugh is also remembered on the Coatbridge Technical College, Stewarts and Lloyds and Coatbridge High Schools Rolls of Honour and in the St Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour (see photos). Many thanks to my friend Dom who took a photo (3) of Hugh's name on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. See photos for Hugh's Newspaper clipping, his Naval Medal and Award Rolls, his name on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial x 3, his Navy Death Records (listed as born 28/04/1887), his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Portsmouth Memorial Panel List, Hugh's Pension Records x 2, a photo of his half brother Adam, his Grave in Cessnock Cemetery, the remains of H.M.S. "Invincible", Hugh's niece Isabel's Centenary Commemoration Invitation, the Weeping Window of Poppies at St. Magnus Cathedral, Orkney, the Royal Navy Honour Guard at St Magnus Cathedral, Orkney and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Blazer Badge. Finally, see photos for Newspaper clippings x 6 (Coatbridge Express x 1, Coatbridge Leader x 3 and the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 2).
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