Andrew's Story.
Andrew Bagwell was born in Govan, Scotland, on 9th October, 1894, the son of Edgar John Bagwell and Agnes Adam Bagwell. His father was born in New Brompton, Kent, in 1860, and his mother was born in Scotland, in 1865. They had 7 children: Agnes Clarkson Bagwell (born in 1884); William Charles Bagwell (born in 1887); Edgar John Bagwell (born in 1889); John Bagwell (born in 1892); Andrew Bagwell (born in 1894); Harriet Bagwell (born in 1898); and Susan Bagwell (born in 1900). By 1901, the Bagwell family had settled in Birkenhead, and were living at 8, St. John Street, and Edgar John Bagwell (Snr) was employed as a Shipbuilder’s Plater. His son, William, was also employed in shipbuilding, as an Apprentice Plater.
In 1910, Andrew Bagwell enlisted into the Royal Navy, but his service for 12 years only reckoned from his 18th birthday, on 9th October 1912. At the time of his enlistment, he was employed as a Labourer. At his medical, Andrew Bagwell was recorded as being 5ft 6 ½ in tall, with a fully expanded chest measurement of 36 ½ in, with brown hair, blue eyes, and a fresh complexion. On completion of his medical, he was posted to the Training Ship HMS Ganges as a Boy 2nd Class, on 26th July 1910, and left here qualified as Boy 1st Class, on 16th May 1911. His next posting was to the Armoured Cruiser HMS Leviathan (14,100 tons / Built by J. Brown in 1901), on 20th September 1911, and continued to serve on board her until 2nd September 1913. During his service on HMS Leviathan he qualified as Ordinary Seaman. Then Ordinary Seaman Bagwell was posted to the Base Ship HMS Vivid I from 15th-16th October 1914, before being sent to join the Battleship HMS Ajax (23,000 tons / built by Scotts in 1912) on 21st November 1914, as a qualified Able Seaman. He briefly returned to HMS Vivid I from 22nd November 1914 – 19th December 1914, and then joined the Torpedo School Ship HMS Defiance, serving on board her until 23rd February 1915, before his next posting to the Base Ship HMS Vivid II to join the crew of the Destroyer HMS Opossum (320 tons / built by Hawthorn in 1895). Able Seaman Bagwell was next posted to the Depot Ship HMS Dolphin (925 tons / built by Raylton Dixon in 1882), on board which he served until he joined the Depot Ship HMS Maidstone (3,600 tons /built by Scotts in 1912) to join HM Submarine E4, on 20th January 1916.
On 15th August 1916, HM Submarine E4 was taking part in a training exercise off the coast of Harwich, when she collided the HM Submarine E41, and both ship’s sank with only 14 survivors (all of the survivors were from E41). Both ships were later raised, repaired, and re-commissioned into service. HM Submarine E4 was sold on 21st February 1922, to the Upnor Ship Breaking Company. His medal entitlement consisted of Memorial Plaque, 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.
Able Seman Bagwell was buried in Shotley (St. Mary) Churchyard, Suffolk, England.
Family application form requesting Andrew to be added to the Birkenhead War Memorial.
Researched and compiled by Peter Threlfall.
On 15th August 1916, HM Submarine E4 was taking part in a training exercise off the coast of Harwich, when she collided the HM Submarine E41, and both ship’s sank with only 14 survivors (all of the survivors were from E41). Both ships were later raised, repaired, and re-commissioned into service. HM Submarine E4 was sold on 21st February 1922, to the Upnor Ship Breaking Company. His medal entitlement consisted of Memorial Plaque, 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.
Able Seman Bagwell was buried in Shotley (St. Mary) Churchyard, Suffolk, England.
Family application form requesting Andrew to be added to the Birkenhead War Memorial.
Researched and compiled by Peter Threlfall.