On 1st March 1917 HMS Pheasant an M Class Destroyer was sunk when it struck a mine, off Rora Head, Orkney. All 89 lives were lost. Only one body was ever recovered. Midshipman Reginald Cotter is buried in Lyness Naval Cemetery, Hoy.
Signalman David Davies, age 28Able Seaman Angus McDonald, age 32Ordinary Seaman Arthur Merton Fisher, age 24Stoker Chas Neale, age 23Able Seaman Henry (Harry) Hollowood, age 23Able Seaman Percy William Searle, age 20Lieutenant H W Douglas Griffith, age 29Able Seaman William Porter, age 20Able Seaman Samuel Haworth, age 23Able Seaman Tom Howarth age 22, (possibly younger)Leading Seaman Harry Sultan, age 24Able Seaman John Hamilton’s (age 20 (or younger) medals Ordinary Seaman Ivor Weaver, age 21 (possibly younger)Leading Seaman Cyril Grebbell, age 26Ordinary Seaman Frederick Edworthy, age 20Gunner Sydney Herlihy, age 41Able Seaman James Hamilton, age 25Petty Office James Atcheson, age 36Ordinary Seaman Harry (Henry) Martin, age 22Chief Stoker William Bowen, age 38 The grave of Midshipman Reginald Cotter, age 20, Lyness Naval Cemetery Hoy
HMS Pheasant was sunk off Rora Head, Hoy, Image credit Martin Laird
HMS Pheasant- Multibeam Echosound Image. Copyright ORCA
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