Trimmer James Swiney

Trimmer James Swiney, Royal Naval Reserve.  He had served aboard H.M. Drifter “Prosperity” and died on Service on 2nd February 1916 aged 45. He had been born in Eyemouth and was the son of the late Peter and Margaret Swiney and the husband of Janet Swiney of High Street and Renton Terrace, Eyemouth. He is buried in Eyemouth Kirkyard. At the time of death he was aboard the ” Piscatorial ” in South Shields harbour collecting stores when it was rammed by the Swedish steamer the ” Ring ” and sunk. All the crew bar Trimmer Swiney were saved. On that date his wife had just received a letter informing her that her brother Richard Armstrong who was serving with the Tyneside Scottish in France had been killed in action. Before enlisting in April 1915 he had been employed as a gardener at Netherbyres House, Eyemouth.