Images of Industry

S.S. ST. DAVID - 1st W.W. Hospital Ship

artist unknown

S.S. ST. DAVID - G.W.R. Ferry

Date: 1910s

Media: watercolour on paper

Size: 203 x 307 mm

Acquired: 1990; Purchase

Accession Number: 90.75I/2

The S.S. ST DAVID was a triple-screw turbine steamer built in 1906 by John Brown & Co. Ltd., Clydesbank for the Great Western Railway. She was one of four vessels built between 1906 and 1908 for the GWR’s newly-inaugurated service from Fishguard to Rosslare. All four vessels saw service as hospital ships during the First World War, bringing wounded soldiers back from France. When a replacement St David was built in 1932, this vessel was re-named Rosslare, but she was withdrawn from service soon afterwards and cut up at Newport in 1933.

Comments (12)

Comments are currently unavailable. We apologise for the inconvenience.
Jennifer Protheroe-Jones Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales Staff
12 July 2021, 16:50

Dear Christine,

Thank you for your enquiry.

Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales does not hold military records that would supply the details that you are seeking. Surviving military service records that may help you with research into your ancestor are mostly held by The National Archives (https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk) so you will need to search their online catalogues to see if they have resources relevant to your research.

Yours sincerely,

Jennifer Protheroe-Jones
Principal Curator – Industry

Christine
11 March 2021, 00:09
My great uncle was in the NZEF, his name was Robert Key and he was a rifleman in D Company, enlisted in 1915. He was wounded in France on 15.9.16 and was sent to Rouen where he was put the HS St David on18.9.16 to England. He had a bomb wound and was sent to convalesce at H'church. Can anyone tell me which battle he was probably wounded in?
regards
Christine
Graham Davies Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales Staff
18 November 2020, 11:16
Dear Frank Edward Sams, Thank you for your comment.
We do not hold individual records of crew, but you may find the following page useful for your research: https://museum.wales/curatorial/industry/resources/maritime-history/
FRANK EDWARD SAMS
26 October 2020, 18:43
My grandfather Frank edward Sams was wounded at the battle of Mons and was bought back on ss david 1st March 1915. Would like to know where he went after he came back.
Anne Roebuck
2 August 2020, 20:32
My grandfather, Ferguson Shinie, was Commodore Chief Engineer for the GWR ships from Fishguard and served on this ship during WW1 and until his death in 1929/30.
31 May 2020, 11:35
My Mother was David William Denzeys Niece
Uncle Bill !!
I still have his Merchant Naval cap that he wore when he received his medal from The King at Buckingham Palace , unfortunately it does not have the cap badge.
Regards
John Lewis
Kathy Viney
13 February 2020, 20:36
My grandfather, Norman Duley, an 18 year old injured NZ soldier, was transported on the SS St David from Wimereaux on 1 Mar 1917. He lived to the age of 79. Grateful to all those who supported his recovery, including the crew and staff of the hospital ship.
Philip Ryan
30 December 2019, 10:34
My grandfather Daniel John Ryan from Liverpool served with the 3rd West Lancs 278th Div C Battery RFA as a Gunner he was evacuated 14/10/16 suffering from Trench Fever he was on board H.S. St David. He was treated in Guildford and returned to serve with the 55th Division Ammunition Column till he was eventually discharged in April 1918 as being medically unfit for duty.
Keith McQuillin
14 October 2019, 10:21
My Grandfather, Stephen McQUILLIN, 23rd Machine Gun Company, was brought back from France on H.S. St David on 25 Mar 1917 after being wounded in an offensive near MOISLAINS.
Fredrick Sams
20 May 2019, 15:34
Brought to GB after being wounded WW1Any other news
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