In Memory Of
WINGFIELD-STRATFORD, ESME JOHN RICHARD
Service Details
Age:
21
Date of Birth:
1897-02-12
Rank:
Lieutenant
Unit:
H.M. Submarine D.3.
Regiment:
Royal Navy
Date of Death:
1918-03-15
Cause of Death:
Died at sea, mistakenly bombed and sunk by a French airship AT-0 off Fecamp in the English Channel and lost with all hands. AT-0 was patrolling when at 1420 a vessel was spotted to her north east. The airship drew close for recognition purposes and according to her commander, Lieutenant (RCN) William McKinstry Heriot-Maitland-Dougall the submarine fired rockets at her. Four 52-kg bombs were dropped by the airship. The submarine disappeared but several minutes later men were seen in the water. Attempts were made by the airship to rescue the men but it proved too difficult. The airship withdrew to seek help but all the men had drowned by the time it arrived. It is clear that D3 was the victim of a serious identification error on the part of the French airship, with identification rockets being mistaken for aggressive gunfire.
Commemoration
Grave Reference:
28
Cemetery:
PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
Localitly:
Hampshire
Country:
United Kingdom
Additional Information
Guardian of Brigadier General C. Wingfield-Stratford, of Rolbuck House, Milltown, County Dublin. ref. South African Roll of Honour 1914-1918
