Gold watch

[happy daze john in oz]

I saw an interesting article on the news today about a Captain Fryatt.
It appears this man was a ferry captain during W.W.1 and was involved in an incident with a German U Boat.
He had seen the U Boat and attempted to ram it as it was making to attack some merchant ships in the vicinity. He was seen as a hero at the time and awarded a Gold Watch.
The reason for the story is that many years later a man here in Australia had been given the watch and had restored it, then set out to find the original owners relatives. It then transpired that he had received three such gold watches for his efforts. Sadly according to the story he was eventually captured by the Germans and shot.
Have any of you any further information on this man and his efforts during the war?

[Roger Dyer]

Hello John.........I did read something about this same Captain Fryatt only recently, but for the life of me I can't recall where I read it. I believe he received the watch(es) for his brave actions off the coast of Belgium during the first world war, when he rammed either a U-boat or German surface vessel. I realise my info' is of little help to you, but I will try and remember where I read about it and will get back to you. I seem to recall that his ship was on a regular run between the east coast of England and Zeebrugge or something like that at the time. Sorry to be so da--ed vague..........regards. Roger.

[DeepSea]

I wrote a piece on him a few years ago for the 90th Anniversary of the end of WWI and part of it is on this site at the link below.

Captain Fryatt

[Roger Dyer]

John...re Captain Charles Fryatt.

I did find reference to him on WWW.telegraph.co.uk....forgotten hero of the first world war to be remembered..... however, I doubt the information surrounding the incident would be as informative as that supplied in the article by Deep Sea. It may, however, give some info' re the manner in which he is now to be remembered and honoured. It seems Nurse Edith Cavell was not the only Brit 'murdered' after the decision of a so-called German Military Court during WWI. Hope this is of some assistance to you...................cheers, mate, Roger.

[DeepSea]

Copy of original article written in 2008 for the Merchant Navy Day Commemorative Brochure.

[happy daze john in oz]

Copy of original article written in 2008 for the Merchant Navy Day Commemorative Brochure.

Thanks for that Billy, the news was not all that comprehensive on the matter, but they never are.
Sad story, but one that should not go unoticed.

[DeepSea]

Another sad fact about his murder was the fact he left a wife and seven children.

Attached photo's of his family, the memorial plaque at Liverpool St. Station and the British Armies reply to his murder.

[Martin Fryatt]

hello john,liked the article about captain fryatt's watch,no one in England knew where they went,he was working for MI6,i would like toknow m,ore about them.
Martin Fryatt
One of the Watches is now at The Imperial War Museum
Martin Fryatt

[Stuart Henderson]

I certainly read about the brave Captain and THINK it might have been an article in Sea breezes magazine in the last few years. The magazine certainly continues to provide historic stories like that as well as up to date shipping news of interest to RN,mN and shipping enthusiasts generally
Stuart

[Stuart Henderson]

hello john,liked the article about captain fryatt's watch

Hi Martin,Thanks for private message,unfortunately I have no new information about the watches. Reading back thtough these entries though, re read No.3 and pressed on CAPTAIN FRYATT as suggested and Bingo... there was the full story of this brave MN Captain during WW1 including his exploits,watches and sadly execution.
Stuart
France