William Duncan Dick Nimmo

William was lost at sea aboard H.M.T. "Royal Edward" when it was torpedoed. On the 28th July 1915, the "Royal Edward" embarked 1,367 officers and men at Avonmouth. The majority were reinforcements for the British 29th Infantry Division, with members of the Royal Army Medical Corps. All were destined for Gallipoli. The "Royal Edward" was reported off the Lizard on the evening of the 28th July, and had arrived at Alexandria on the 10th August, a day after sister ship "Royal George" had sailed from Devonport. "Royal Edward" sailed for Moudros on the island of Lemnos, a staging point for the Dardanelles. On the morning of the 13th August, "Royal Edward" passed the British hospital ship Soudan, heading in the opposite direction. Oberleutnant zur See Heino von Heimburg in the German submarine UB-14 was off the island of Kandeloussa and saw both ships. He allowed the "Soudan" to pass unmolested, and focused his attention on the unescorted Royal Edward some 6 nautical miles (11 km) off Kandelioussa. He launched one of UB-14's two torpedoes from about 1 mile (1.6 km) away and hit the "Royal Edward" in the stern. She sank by the stern within six minutes. "Royal Edward" was able to get off an SOS before losing power, and Soudan arrived on the scene at 10:00 after making a 180° turn and rescued 440 men in six hours. Two French destroyers and some trawlers rescued another 221. See Newspaper clipping for more information on William. See photos for William's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, another photo of William, his name on a page from the book displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Tower Hill Memorial Panel List, his name on the Tower Hill Memorial and the Mercantile Marine Cap Badge.