G38 JOHN WILLIAM HEASLEY

G038 JOHN WILLIAM HEASLEY. Warrant Engineer 166 WE Royal Navy Reserve on HMS Russell. Born 18 June 1877 at Lisbane, County Down to Theophilus McClure and Anna Maria Heasley nee Hanna. Married Sarah Mary Shepperd in Belfast and resided at Duncairn Gardens, Belfast, Ireland. 1911 Residing with his wife and children 46 Oliver Street, Coventry. Occupation, foreman fitter, naval department. Died at Royal Naval Hospital, Bighi, Malta 28 April 1916 aged 38 years of burns and gas poisoning received from an explosion when his ship ran into a mine on the 27 April which had been laid by German submarine U73. Mrs Heasley of 2D Clarks Place, South Queensferry, Edinburgh, Scotland was informed of his death.

At rest in Plot G Grave 38, Capuccini Naval Cemetery, Malta.

The following extract creditied to Aquilina Kevin -
While manoeuvring outside the harbour, she struck 2 mines laid by German mine laying submarine U-73 (Cdr. Gustav Siess) on the 23-04-1916. U-73 laid 22 mines at about 50m. a part in front of Grand Harbour before proceeding to Cattaro. Before sinking, the RUSSELL floated for 20 minutes before capsizing, her huge hull showing above the water before being engulfed by the waves. 126 sailors died and 625 were saved including the Admiral and the Captain. Mysteriously, several survivors died days later of gas poisoning.