Matthew Hollandings Alderson Fireman Mercantile Marine Reserve, H.M.S. "Viknor Son of John ALDERSON and his wife Catherine Rebecca (nee HOLLAND) Born: 1881 South Shields Died: 13-Jan-1915 Killed in Action Memorial: Naval Memorial, Plymouth, Devon H.M.S. Viknor was an 5386 ton armed merchant cruiser of the 10th Cruiser Squadron, originally a Blue Star Line vessel called the 'Viking' and built in 1888, she was requisitioned and renamed by the Royal Navy. She was under the Command of Commander E. O. Ballantyne and had a crew compliment of 22 officers and 273 ratings - these were made up of Royal Navy Reserves, 25 of whom came from the Newfoundland Division of the Royal Navy Reserves. On January 13th, 1915 while on active patrol duty in heavy seas off Tory Island she struck a German mine and sank with the loss of all hands. Many of the crew were from South Shields and South Tyneside. In Bonamargie Friary you will find the grave of Private. J. Griffin, PO 7084, RMLI. 25 seamen were of the Newfoundland Division of the Royal Naval Reserve. 24 are commemorated on the Beaumont Hamel Memorial in France. One body was washed ashore and is buried in Colonsay. There are also four unknown graves of seamen from H.M.S.'Viknor' . In Ballintoy Churchyard you'll find the grave of of E.R. Hewett, RN J/27300, 1st Class Boy.
