FREDERICK AUSTIN PORTER

From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

Born: 1887, Chelmondiston, Suffolk.

Died: 20th January 1918; age: 31; KiA with Submarine.

Rank: Fireman; Service Number: 912035.

Regiment: Mercantile Marine Reserve, H.M.S. ‘Louvain’

Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & Star.

Memorial Reference:

Panel 31.

Plymouth Naval Memorial,

Plymouth,

Devon.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Mrs. Mary H. Day, of 7, Halifax Cottages, Wherstead Road, Ipswich.

Brother to CHARLES HENRY PORTER.

CENSUS

1891   Harkstead Lane, Chelmondiston, Suffolk.

Frederick was 4 years old and living with his parents & siblings. He was described as an imbecile from birth.

George Porter, 50, a Farm Labourer, born Tattingstone, Suffolk.

Mary Helen Porter (nee Smith (1st marriage Taylor)), 43, born Shotley, Suffolk.

Amos Albert William Taylor, 13, Farm Servant, born Chelmondiston.

Miriam Georgina Porter, 8, born Chelmondiston.

James William Porter, 5, born Chelmondiston.

Alfred Arthur Porter, 1, born Chelmondiston – died 1893, Chelmondiston.

1901   The Street, Barrack Road, Shotley, Suffolk.

Frederick was 14 years old, an Odd Job Boy – Farm. He was living with his widowed mother, brother, stepbrother and widowed stepsister, nephew & nieces.

Mary, 51, a Steamstress – Shirts – own account – at home.

Amos, 22, a Building Contractor’s Labourer.

Charles Henry Porter, 8, born Chelmondiston.

Eliza Elizabeth Keane (nee Taylor), 26, a Monthly Maid – own account, born Shotley.

Charles William Keane, 5, born Chelmondiston.

Florence Elizabeth Keane, 3, born Aldershot, Hampshire.

Nellie Keane, 1, born Carragh Camp, Ireland.

Frederick’s father, George Porter, died May 1900, in Chelmondiston, Suffolk.

Florence & Nellie Keane, became inmates at a children’s workhouse, together they were sent to Canada with Barnardo’s in 1913.

Frederick is also remembered on St Mary at Stoke Church Ipswich, War Memorial.

H.M.S. ‘LOUVAIN’

H.M.S. ‘Louvain’ was originally named S.S. ‘Dresden’ she was built by Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd., Hull in 1897, and owned by The Great Western Railway Co. S.S. ‘Dresden’ operated on the North Sea route between Harwich and the Hook of Holland. In 1915, she was taken over by the Admiralty and re-named as H.M.S. ‘Louvain’ and used as a troop transport ship.

On the 1st January 1918, she set sail from Portsmouth for Limnos Island, via Malta. She left Malta’s Grand Harbour on the 18th January at 3 pm, carrying stores, post and men for the fleet in the Aegean Sea. On the 20th January 1918, she was sunk by the German minelaying submarine UC-22, (Commanding Officer Carl Bunte, Oblt.z.S) in the Keos Strait, in the Aegean Sea. 224 persons lost.

Thankfully, 1 of the survivors was Charles & Frederick’s brother, James William Porter who was rescued from the sea by another ship, even though he could not swim.

Photograph of James William Porter courtesy of Vivien.