David Loynd was born in Bolton, Lancashire, England, on the 12th November 1863, the son of William and Alice Loynd (née Knowles). William Loynd was a spinner in the cotton mills. The family home was originally at 31, Bayley Street, Bolton, but at some time, the family had moved to Bury, Lancashire, and set up home at 33, Buller Street, Elton.
David Loynd first worked as a piecer in a cotton mill, but afterwards became involved in the Baptist Church and became an evangelist. He first travelled as a missionary to Chicago, Illinois, in the United States of America in 1896. Apparently, he didn’t remain long there, for it is reported that he went to Lake Chad, in Africa, the same year.
He returned to the United States of America in 1900, via England, and then he returned to England in 1903, for on the 16th September 1903, he married Alice Grimshaw of Ramsbottom, Lancashire, at the Chesham Baptist Church in Bury.
He had become Minister of the Baptist Church at Richmond, Indiana, United States of America, in 1913, but because of the war, he and his wife decided to return home so that The Reverend Loynd could serve amongst the war wounded. They both also wanted to visit relatives in Bolton, Bury and Ramsbottom. Consequently, they booked from Ottawa, Illinois, U.S.A. to Liverpool, as second cabin passengers on the Lusitania, and left the Cunard berth at Pier 54 in New York on board the ship just after mid-day on 1st April 1915, for her delayed sailing out of the port. Thus delay was caused because the Lusitania had to wait to embark passengers, crew and cargo from the Anchor Lines ship Cameronia which the British Admiralty had requisitioned for war service as a troop ship.
Then, six days out of New York on the afternoon of 7th May, and within sight of the coast of southern Ireland, the Lusitania was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-20. At that time, she was only about 250 miles away from her Liverpool destination. Both David and Alice Loynd perished as a result of this action but both of their bodies were eventually recovered. The Reverend David Loynd was aged 51 years.
According to The Last Voyage of the Lusitania, by Adolph and Mary Hoehling, the couple got into a lifeboat which was badly lowered and consequently, tipped its occupants into the sea. The Hoehlings described the scene through the experience of second cabin passenger Robert J. Timmis: -
There was a smacking crash against the water, quick screams, then silence. Timmins (sic) looked over to see a lifeboat dangling from one of its falls ... it had been lowered too hastily by one end and its occupants were spilled out
before it had reached the water.
Timmins continued to stare at the half smashed boat, the crushed bodies in the water, a few survivors swimming.
On Thursday 20th May 1915, nearly a fortnight after the sinking, David Loynd’s body was washed up on the beach at Ballinskelligs Bay, County Kerry about 90 miles from where the Lusitania sank. It was then sent by rail to Queenstown, and taken to one of the temporary mortuaries there, where it was given the reference number 234.
Cunard records then state: -
Body handed to McDougall and sent to 33 Buller St Bury 24/5/15
The ‘McDougall’ referred to was Messrs. McDougall, Funeral Directors, of Liverpool.
On the evening of Sunday 23rd May 1915, a memorial service was held for The Reverend Loynd at Chesham Baptist Church, Bury, where he and Alice had been married. It was conducted by the church’s pastor, The Reverend F.J. Greenhalgh and after a sermon which extolled the life and character of the deceased and appropriate hymns, the service was closed with The Dead March in Saul.
When David Loynd’s body was found at Ballinskelligs Bay, the local Police sergeant found on it, the visiting card of another second cabin passenger, Mr. Joseph Glancy of Belfast, Northern Ireland. He telegraphed Mr. Glancy, informing him of the finding and asked him to contact any relatives. Glancy consequently wrote to David Loynd’s mother and sister at the Buller Street address in Bury. A copy of his letter was published in The Bury Times on 22nd May 1915. It said: -
As a friend of the late Mr. David Loynd and Mrs. Loynd, whom I met and had sweet fellowship with on board the ill-fated Lusitania, I offer you and all your relatives my sincere sympathy at the loss you have sustained. But while this is so, we must not forget that it is a gain to Christ. Both are at home with the Lord to-day. There were no two happier people on board - both rejoicing in the knowledge of Christ the Saviour.
I gave Mr. Loynd my name and address and I also got his, which enabled the police-sergeant at the place where the body of Mr. Loynd was washed ashore, to wire me. I was also fortunate in having your address, although I was in the water for three quarters of an hour.
I am sending you a copy of the ‘Belfast Evening Telegraph’ giving an account of my experiences; and a copy of (the) telegram from (the) Sergeant of Police at Ballinskelligs, Co. Kerry, where the body was washed ashore. ‘The body Rev. David Loynd washed ashore here this morning; your name and address in his papers; inform his friends if you know them’ I wired back to (the) Sergeant immediately giving him your address. I also wired to you and at the same time called at Cunard Offices here and gave your address. ..... With sincere sympathy, from Joseph Glancy.
The Reverend David Loynd was finally laid to rest in the family grave in Tonge Cemetery, Bolton, on 26th May 1915, in Non-Conformist Section 2, Grave K23, where it lies today. The funeral cortege left from 33 Buller Street, Bury, and first went to Chesham Baptist Church, Bury, for a service conducted by The Reverend F.J.
Greenhalgh. It then left for Bolton, a large crowd of sympathisers lining the route, with window blinds drawn as a mark of respect. Many family and friends were present at the graveside for the burial. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Middleton and Wood.
The Reverend Loynd lies there today, but there is no headstone on the grave, and the burial site is unmarked.
On 10th June 1915, property recovered from David Loynd’s body, was sent to his brother George, at 18a, Chorley Old Road, Bolton, Lancashire. Cunard listed it at the time as: -
Property. 1 gold watch and chain, (chain light and broken when taking body out of water), 6 20$ bills, 4 sovs. 4 single shillings, 2 6d pieces, 11 penny pieces, 4 half penny pieces, 1 marriage certificate, passport (1) under Aliens Restriction Order 1914, 1 Certificate of Ordination, 3 receipts for passengers luggage, 5 small photographs, 3 visiting cards, 1 addressed Joseph Glancy, 125 Duluce Ave., Lisburn Road, Belfast. 1 pocket book about 8 “ long, 2 pocket purses, 1 bunch of keys, 3 single keys loose, 2 cuff studs gold top, 2 sleeve links bone, 3 collar studs, bone, 1 pencil holder, 1 toe clip, 1 large pocket knife, 1 small pocket knife, 1 small scissors, 1 small bottle perfume, 1 cent stamp, 6 penny stamps, 1 bible and some religious pamphlets, 1 silk handkerchief, white, 1 overcoat on body, 1 undercoat on body, 1 trousers, 1 vest, 1 pair shoes and stockings, 1 life belt, (no hat).
Register of Births, Marriages and Deaths, Lancashire England Church of England Births and Baptisms 1813 – 1911, 1871 Census of England & Wales, 1881 Census of England & Wales, 1891 Census of England & Wales, 1910 U.S. Federal Census, New York Passenger Lists 1820 – 1957, Pennsylvania Passenger Lists 1800 – 1962, Massachusetts Passenger Lists 1820 – 1963, Cunard Records, Bolton Evening News, Bury Times, Last Voyage of the Lusitania, PRO BT 100/345, UniLiv.D92/1/8-10, UniLiv D92/2/440, UniLiv PR13/6, Deaths at Sea 1871 – 1968, Graham Maddocks, Lawrence Evans, Enid Giles, Geoff Whitfield, Michael Poirier, Jim Kalafus, Cliff Barry, Paul Latimer, Norman Gray.
Copyright © Peter Kelly.