Lieut Cdr RN John Walter Elmsley (Jack) Townsend (6C21)
| Date of Birth: | 13 Nov 1874 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death: | dunm 19 Nov 1915 |
| Generation: | 7th |
| Residence: | Belgrave Place, Cork |
| Father: | Doctor Edward Richard Townsend [6C04] |
| Mother: | Humphries, Elizabeth |
| Spouse: | Unmarried |
| Issue: | None |
| See Also: | Table VIC ; Scrapbook ; Lineage ; Ancestors' Tree ; Descendents' Tree |
Notes for Lieutenant Commander John Walter Elmsley Townsend RN
John was born in Cork.
John began his career in HMS Britannia and was commissioned on 14 May 1894 (1). He served in Crete and later in South Africa taking part in the Relief of Ladysmith. He retired from the Royal Navy in 1910 (2) but rejoined on the outbreak of World War I and served in the North Sea until he contracted bronchitis in June 1915, which led to his death.
John was buried with full naval honours in Parkstone Cemetery. Though his obituary mentions a 'widow' there is no evidence that he married. He died intestate and his estate was shared equally between his brothers and sisters. The Calendar of Wills and Administration 1858-1922 in the National Archives of Ireland records that Administration of the estate of "Townsend John Walter Elmslie (Retired Naval Lieutenant) 8 Belgrave Place Cork" who died on 19 November 1915, was granted on 19 May 1920 to "Norman Ian Townsend MD Brother of the Deceased)".
(1) London Gazette 26728 page 2162 dated 7 April 1896.
(2) London Gazette 28403 page 5582 dated 2 August 1910.