Gravestone 2021

  In October 2021 I was contacted, through the website, by Richard Tacon who was researching a relative, Marcus Guy Keats. Richard had read Godfrey Dykes page Shotley & HMS Ganges Burial Ground and had also visited St Mary's churchyard, Shotley, Suffolk where he found Marcus's gravestone. He was greatly impressed to find that the site was managed by the War Graves Commission RN and that the whole area was beautifully managed and the originality of the memorials were very moving.

Gravestone 1912

  Further research revealed that Marcus's death was also recorded in Godfrey Dykes file An abbreviated historic file on deaths in HMS Ganges from 1893 until 1945, with secondary reports for Ganges II see the last page, penultimate entry.

   At the time of his passing, Marcus was serving on HMS Ganges II. In 1910 the old HMS Agincourt had been removed to become a coal hulk, leaving only the old HMS Minotaur as Ganges II. By 1912 Ganges II was being used as an overflow ship as the number of boys in the shore establishment increased, and she was duly moved closer inshore. In 1909 the Signal School was established and three signal masts were erected

HMS Ganges II	HMS Ganges, HMS Camperdown and Submarines at Harwich	HMS Ganges being towed from Harwich Harbour	The Pier Shotley
	HMS Ganges II	River Stour

  From his personal correspondence to his sister, one can see that Marcus was happy. He talked about carrying out the duties of the Petty Officer's Messman, gramaphone recitals on the upperdeck whilst watching the Petty Officers dancing. He had of course completed his basic training and at the age of 17½ he was classed as a 'youth' rather than a 'boy'. Whilst on Ganges II he undertook the examinations to enable him to join the Wireless Telegraphy branch. He had passed them all with distinction and had been accepted on the first Advanced Class.

  Also in his correspondence Marcus commented favourably on how well fed they were, especially mentioning the 'Rabbit Pie'. Looking at the following file which shows the menu for the week ending 16th July 1912, I would agree with him.

Boys General Mess Menu - 16 Jul 1912
(use your pdf reader tools +/- to enlarge the image)

Shotley Barracks Hospital		Shotley Parish Church

  Sadly Marcus became ill around the end of April/beginning of March and was admitted to Shotley Barracks Hospital, where, as can be seen from the letter to his mother, his condition became very serious. Shortly before his death he had shown signs of improvement but on the 16th July 1912 he suddenly succumbed to what was diagnosed as 'Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis'.

Local Newspaper Obituary

DEATH OF MR. M. G. KEATS. - Residents of this district have heard with regret of the death of Mr Marcus Guy Keats, youngest son of Mrs.Keats, formerly of Flackwell Heath, which occurred at the Royal Naval Hospital, Shotley Gate, Ipswich, on the 16th inst., after an illness which had lasted six weeks. His friends had been cheered by hopes of his recovery, and he was even at one time pronounced out of danger; but the end came very suddenly on the day named. Deceased, who was 17 years of age, was a very bright and clever lad, and was very popular with all who knew him. He was at one time engaged at Messrs. Broom and Wade's engineering establishment at Wycombe, but had recently been on board H.M.S. Ganges, where he was stuying wireless telegraphy. He had passed examinations with distinction, and had entered the first advanced class. The interment took place at Shotley Church, with full naval honours. The coffin, placed on a gun carriage draped with the Union Jack and covered with beautiful flowers, was drawn by boys from the Ganges. A wreath was sent by the officers of the ship, and another by the Chaplains and boys; the other floral tributes were from "Cyril and Mother," Mr. and Mrs. Bell, Mr, and Mrs. Evans, Mr. and Mrs. Howard, Mrs. Schmidt, "Auntie and Connie." Mrs. Keats has received numerious letters from sympathising friends, which she values very highly and among them was one from the manager of Messrs. Broom and Wade's, expressing the sorrow of all the employes of the firm at the death of a former comrade who was liked by all with whom he came in contact.

The following letter was received by Mrs Bell (Marcus's sister) from Royal Navy Barracks, Shotley, Harwich dated 1st August 1912.

Dear Mrs Bell
  It was quite a shock to me to hear from Dr Lindop, while I was on a few days leave, that your brother had died so suddenly: when I left (on the 9th) he seemed to be going on as well as could be expectd, though I knew that only slow progress could be looked forward to.
  I enquired into all the details of the case when I returned (on the 22nd), and am convinced that there was no possibility of foretelling the sad ending: the boy had been slowly but apparently steadily improving, was perfectly sensible, and had been looking at a book occasionally, he had not complained of any pain in head or neck for some time, and strength was evidently returning in his right arm and leg (where as you know, there had been some paralysis).
  On the 16th the Steward on duty in the Block where the boy had a cabin was taking the evening temperatures, and had given your brother a thermometer to hold in his mouth: in the usual way this Steward then went on to take some more temperatures when he heard a bell ring, ran at once to your brother's cabin, and found him insensible, he had had a sudden attack of vomiting, he did not speak again: the Medical Officer on duty (Dr Bushe) was sent for at once, but the boy was dead when he arrived in 2 or 3 minutes time.
  As regards your brother being "alone":- he certainly had not a "special watch" in sole attendance on him, but he had already (apparently) recovered sufficiently for this to be unnecessary before I went away, and (as I said) there had been still further improvement after my departure.
  These sudden endings to brain cases are of course not unknown, but I certainly did think that in your brother's case the outlook was good: he had got over the worst, and I had every hope that he would ultimately recover, though of course you will remember that I told you his condition must be regarded as serious for some time.
  Dr Lindop tells me that he wrote to your brother-in-law in order to arrange if possible for a post-mortem examination, and was disappointed in getting no answer: I have no doubt that there was some very good reason for this, but it put Dr Lindop in a difficult position, as he did not wish to do anything without the family permission, but (on the other hand) it was highly important to ascertain the immediate cause of the boy's sudden & unexpected death. Dr L. consulted the Coroner for the District, and as this officer did not think an examination a legal necessity - none was made: I would have been much better pleased to have been able to tell you the exact cause, but it was doubtless due to the inflammation which we knew to exist in the brain having suddenly attacked a vital spot. I think I told you that we have had several of these cases during the last few months: they are commonly know as "Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis", but were not of the similar to this, where large numbers of young people are gathered together.
  I am afraid that this letter is very 'matter of fact', but I think you wanted all the information I could give you: I was quite expecting to hear from Dr Weir, to whom I had written some weeks ago.
  I was extremely sorry to have to go away while your brother was still so ill, but was called by some urgent private affairs: not that I think it would have made the slightest difference, as I know that the boy was well looked after by thoroughly competent people: he had for some time been in the habit of ringing his electric bell for anything he wanted, being of course frequently visited by one of the Sick Berth Staff (the usual Service men-nurses). He remained in the room in which you visited him, and was I know very comfortable: you may rest assured that he did not suffer in the slightest degree when this sudden end came.
  I shall be very glad to answer any other questions, should you wish for any further information: I would also like to express my deep sympathy with you and your mother in your loss.