INCE William Arthur

The following information has been researched and transcribed by Jeff Taylor:
Rednal Man Reported Missing
Believed Drowned
Mr A. Ince, boot and shoe maker, and Mrs Ince, of “Rose Cottage”, Lickey Hill, Rednal, have received a notification that their son, Private William Arthur Ince, Army Service Corps., is missing and believed drowned on the occasion of the sinking of the “Arcadian”, on the 15 April 1917.  No hope is held out that he may have survived.

Arcadian
The liner Arcadian, Captain C.L.Willats, was taken over from the R.M.S.P. Company during World War One and converted into a transport vessel.  On 15 April 1917, the ship with a company of 1,335 troops and crew was proceeding from Salonika to Alexandria and was in the southern Aegean, 26 miles N.E. of Milo.  The troops had just completed boat-drill when a submarine approached unseen and discharged a torpedo, which inflicted such extensive damage that the vessel sank in just six minutes.  Fortunately the men’s recent exercise at the boats imparted steadiness and confidence and 1,058 were rescued, either through their own efforts or by the escorting destroyer.

The number drowned was 277 and, had it not been for the sudden capsizing of the vessel, many more would have been saved.  Those lost included 19 army officers and 214 other ranks, as well as ten naval ratings and 34 members of crew.  A considerable amount of wreckage and spars was sucked down and this, coming to the surface with great force, killed many who were swimming in the water.