Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 3467 – 50.   Son of Mrs. Robert Lamber of Wallaceburg, ON. A postal clerk. Member of 24^th Kent Regt. Attestation: 28/09/1915 at London, ON. to No. 2 F.A. CDP 5/07/1918.

“Corp. GEMMEL WAS ON SUNKEN HOSPITAL SHIP”

Well known Chatham Man Serving with C.A.M.C. Feared Lost

That Corp. Wilfred Gemmel, son of the late James Gemmel, and a former well-known young man of this city is one of the victims of the despicable act of the German pirates in sinking the hospital ship “Llandovery Castle” is feared by relatives and friend residing in the city.

Corp. Gemmel enlisted early in the war and took part in heavy fighting in several engagements in France being wounded and returned to England. In recent months he has been engaged with the Canadian Army Medical Corps in duty on the Atlantic. He has made several trips across the ocean on the “Llandovery Castle” and came to Canada with the ship less than two weeks ago and it seem quite certain that he was returning to England when the liner was sunk by a submarine on Thursday.

Sergt. William Taylor who returned to the city from England on June 22 crossed to Canada on the last voyage made by the ill-fated hospital ship and during that trip he had an opportunity of renewing his acquaintanceship with Corp. Gemmel.

Canadian Press dispatches received this afternoon are to the effect that no additional survivors of the ship have been picked up.

Two Nurses from the vicinity are also reported to have crossed on the hospital ship but definite information cannot be secured.

Transcribed from the CDP 2/07/1918 – J.R. Hind.

The Canadian Hospital Ship Llandovery Castle was sunk by the German submarine U-86 on 27/06/1918 while returning to England from Canada. The ship was clearly identified with brightly illuminated RED CROSS, she was unarmed and running with full lights 114 miles SW of Fastnet Rock. Aboard the ship that night were 164 men, 80 officers and 14 Nursing Sisters a total of 258.

The only survivors in one lone lifeboat, (the Captain and some crew of the U-86 sank all of the other lifeboats and machine-gunned those in the water) were rescued by HMS Laysander, thirty-six hours after the sinking. Only 24 survived, 6 were C.A.M.C. but none of the 14 Nursing Sisters were rescued.

“Remember the LANDOVERY CASTLE” became the rallying cry of the Canadian troops during the last 100 day offensive of 1918.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Cenotaph	Chatham and Kent County Cenotaph - Chatham
Sources	Chatham Daily Planet (02-07-1918), Commonwealth War Grave Commission, Chatham Daily Planet (27-09-1919), St. Andrews United Church - Roll of Honour - Chatham, RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 3467 - 50
Supplemental Information	Date of Death: 27/06/1918 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 2. Cemetery: HALIFAX MEMORIAL Lost on Llandovery Castle Hospital Ship.

Birthplace

05/01/1892 at Chatham, ON.

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