Dead from torpedoed HMHS Asturias in WW1 buried in Southampton Old Cemetery
Posted by Highfield Residents' Association on Nov 10, 2020 in Local History | 0 commentsHMHS Asturias was a hospital ship in WW1. She was torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1917 and 35 people died; most of them buried in Southampton Old Cemetery.
HMHS Asturias was a hospital ship during WW1. She visited mainly French and Mediterranean ports, bringing back sick and wounded, often many more than she was equipped to carry. On 20th March 1917 Asturias disembarked 1,400 wounded at Avonmouth and then sailed for Southampton. Off Start Point she was torpedoed by a German U-Boat. Her master gave the order for the crew and 50 nurses to abandon ship. 35 people died and most of them are buried at Southampton Old Cemetery. Pictured are two Commonwealth War graves and one private grave; RIP the heroes of Asturias.
