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Private William Seel 25506, 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers
05/01/2026
First World War Army United Kingdom HELLES MEMORIAL
By Dominic Wells

United Kingdom

Private William Seel
683253
Life in Stockport

William was the second child of Thomas Seel and Ellen née Hannen.

In 1881 they were living with Ellen’s mother at 3, Colliers Court off Churchgate, Stockport. Thomas was a journeyman hatter. Their other children were: Thomas (junior); Sarah; Elizabeth; Mary; Joseph; Florence; and Margaret.

By 1891 the family had moved to 13, Orchard Street and William was working in the cotton mills as a doffer.

William’s father Thomas died by 1901 and Ellen had moved to 30, Rosemary Lane, Stockport together with her younger children. Both Thomas (junior) and William are missing from the 1901 census.

William appears back in Stockport in 1911 at 2, Back Rosemary Lane, Stockport not far from his mother’s home and working as a doubler in the cotton mills.

The War
H.M.T Royal Edward leaving Avonmouth (Public Domain)

William enlisted in the Army around the beginning of 1915 and was posted to the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers (Service No. 25506).

On 28th July 1915 William embarked on H.M.T Royal Edward at Avonmouth bound for Gallipoli. The ship called at Alexandria on 10th August and sailed on towards Mudros. On 13th August a German submarine UB14 attacked and sunk the Royal Edward. William was among the more than 700 casualties. Because William had not served in a war zone he was not awarded the 1915 Star medal despite being killed by enemy action.

[His brother Thomas (junior) may have served in the Royal Garrison Artillery and survived the war. Joseph, William’s younger brother may also have served in the war and survived.]

Remembrance
William is commemorated at the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey. The Helles Memorial stands on the tip of the Gallipoli Peninsula. It takes the form of an obelisk over 30 metres high that can be seen by ships passing through the Dardanelles.
Helles Memorial, Gallipoli (Copyright CWGC)
He is also commemorated on the War Memorial in St. Joseph’s R.C. Church, Tatton Street, Stockport.
St. Joseph’s R.C. Parish War Memorial (Copyright Clare Wells used with permission)

Rest in Peace...

References
  1. Commonwealth War Graves Commission “Find War Dead”.
  2. GRO Records Name: SEAL, WILLIAM, Mother's Maiden Surname: HANNAN. GRO Reference: 1876, March Quarter in STOCKPORT. Volume 08A, Page 88. There are at least two people called William Seel (or Seal) born in Stockport in 1876. One of these died in the Great War and the Register of Soldiers Effects identifies his mother as Ellen Seel.
  3. Soldiers’ Effects Records 1901-60, National Army Museum, Chelsea, London, England.
  4. The National Archives of the UK, 1881 Census; Class: RG11; Piece: 3482; Folio: 7; Page: 8; and 1891 Census; Class: RG12; Piece: 2803; Folio: 54; Page: 28 and 1911 Census; Class: RG14; Piece: 21371.
  5. Free BMD Births Dec 1874, Seal, Thomas, Stockport, Vol 8a, Page 78.
  6. Free BMD Births Jun 1879, Seal, Sarah Ellen, Stockport, Vol 8a, Page 86.
  7. Free BMD 1881, Seal, Elizabeth, Stockport, Vol 8a, Page 83.
  8. Free BMD Births Sep 1885, Seal, Mary, Stockport, Vol 8a, Page 86.
  9. Free BMD Births Sep 1887, Seal, Joseph, Stockport, Vol 8a, Page 85.
  10. Free BMD Births Sep 1889, Seal, Florence, Stockport, Vol 8a, Page 91. Florence died later in 1891. See Deaths Sep 1891, Seal, Florence, Age 1, Stockport, Vol 8a, Page 56.
  11. Free BMD Births Dec 1891, Seal, Margaret, Stockport, Vol 8a, Page 83.
  12. The picture of H.M.T. Royal Edward is from Saxlingham War Memorials.
  13. Wells. Dominic “The Soldiers of St. Joseph’s Parish” 2018.
  14. The panel list on the Helles Memorial (See Note 1 above) is headed H. T. “ROYAL EDWARD” SOUTH WALES BORDERERS
  15. Wikipedia contributors, 'HMT Royal Edward', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 2018.
  16. Army Medal Office. WWI Medal Index Cards. In the care of The Western Front Association.