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Awaiting Photo
Extract From The Burnley Express and Advertiser
The British Transport 'Royal Edward' was sunk by an enemy submarine in the Aegean Sea on Saturday 13th August 1915. According to the information at present available, the transport had on board 32 officers and 1350 troops, in addition to the ship's crew 0f 220 officers and men.

The troops consisted mainly of reinforcments for the 29th Division Royal Army Medical Corps.
Full information has not yet been received, but it is known that about 600 men have been saved which leaves 1000 to be accounted for.
The 'Royal Edward' was a large ship of the Royal Line, her port of registry being Bristol. Before the war she was engaged in the Canadian Service, sailing between Avonmouth and Montreal. Built in 1908 by the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Glasgow, her gross tonnage was 11,117, 5669 net. She was 526 feet long, and had a speed of 19 knots.

The connection between Burnley and the tragic affair is; it is feared, very close indeed and tidings are anxiously awaited as to the men who have been saved. The official announcement mentions 'detachments of the R.A.M.C.' and a good many Burnley folk, some Padiham and Brierfield people believe that near relatives are to be found among the detachments. During the week-end numerous potcards have been received, these having been posted at Malta, and some of the writers stated they were on the 'Royal Edward'.

One pathetic messsage on the back of a picture postcard of the 'Royal Edward' was as follows:-
"Dear Son, -- This is the picture of our troopship, the one your daddy is on."



THE BURNLEY NEWS, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 1915.

Missing and Saved : Ambulance Men on "Royal Edward."

Private Bert JONES
Private Bert JONES
As announced in the 'Burnley News of Saturday, Private Bert Jones, of 1 Renshaw-street, Burnley Lane, is one of those saved. He joined the R.A.M.C. last year, at the age of seventeen. His parents received from him at the week end, a field card, stating he was quite well, and a letter was following. He also sent an interesting "souvenir from the Dardanelles" in the shape of a table center, bearing a novel patriotic design, worked in silk in the national colours of the Allies, on a silk background of emerald green. The design which represents the guns firing on the Turkish forts, has been worked by the natives and bears the inscription "Souvenir From The Dardanelles". It is a fine specimen of native art and is a prized possession of the soldier's parents.
Private Charles MIDGLEY
Private Charles MIDGLEY
No news yet has been received of Private Charles Midgley, of 23 Duke-street, Harle Syke, who was a member of the R.A.M.C., on board the ill-fated ship. Midgley, who was formerley a weaver, was known to be good swimmer.
Private A. E. KENYON
Private A. E. KENYON
Private A. E. Kenyon, who's parents live at 150, Oxford-road, was married not long before leaving for the Dardanelles. He was connected with Sion Baptist Church. The official news of his safety reached Burnley on Saturday.
Late Private T. Stephens
Late Private T. STEPHENS
We are informed that the name of Private T. Stephens, No 18 Linby-street (No 581), of the 2nd East Lancashire Field Artillery, R.A.M.C., does not appear in the list of survivors of the "Royal Edward".
Private Patrick KENDALL
Private Patrick KENDALL
No word has yet been received of Private P. Kendall, R.A.M.C., who was on the "Royal Edward". He was 23 years of age, and prior to enlisting was a weaver in the employ of The Self Help Mill, Co., Healey Wood Road.
Lance Corporal R. HAMMOND
Lance Corporal R. HAMMOND
lance Corporal R. Hammond who has survived the disaster, (official information being received at the week-end by the family), residing at 7, Lionel Street, Burnley, joined the R.A.M.C. last November. He was a member of the 2nd Lowerhouse cricket eleven, and had figured once or twice with the premier team. But he is best known through his association with St. John's Church, being a member of the choral society and choir. He is highly esteemed in the district.
Private W. SLATER
Private W. SLATER
of 2, Basnett-street, is one of the survivors. Slater is well known at St. Peter's Church, being connected also with the Sunday School. He was a weaver at Messrs. Halstead's Mill, was a powerful swimmer, and a member of St. Peter's swimming club, as well as having been previously one of the members of the sqaudron team.
Private F. BASNETT
Private F. BASNETT (saved)

Private JAS.DIXON
Private JAS. DIXON (saved)
Private Harrison WILKINSON
Private Harrison WILKINSON
Nothing has yet been heard as to the fate of Private Harrison Wilkinson, whose wife resides at 40 Ryan-street, Burnley. He was a tailor at Messrs. Thornton and Tattersall's Rake Head Mill. He is thirty years of age, and formerly was associated with Immanuel Baptist Chapel and Sunday School. Private Wilkinson was very well known and esteemed by a lage circle of friends in Burnley and district.
Private E. TAYLOR
Private E. TAYLOR
News of the safety of Private Edmund Taylor, of 18, Atheletic-street, was received at his home during the week end.

No news has yet been received of Private James NEWELL, of 33, Admiral-street, and Private R, RAWSTRON, of Olympia-street,
Private Chas Gordon SMITH
Private Chas Gordon SMITH
of 1, Grimshaw-street, Burnley, has writtten a letter stating that he is safe.

Private Chris BROCKBANK
The mother of Private Chris Brockbank of the R.A.M.C., who was aboard the "Royal Edward", was relieved after a trying period of suspense when she received on Saturday a field-card from her son announcing that he was safe and well. She has since received official confirmation of the new from the Record Office, Preston.

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