204911 James Duley Royal Navy HMS Antrim from:Fulham, London My father, Jellicoe Antrim Duley was born on 12th July 1914. He was born with a cawl (a double membrane enclosing the baby's head). An older brother, James, was home on leave pending the outbreak of war. My father was the seventh son and his elder brothers were born from about 1890 onwards. James returned to HMS Antrim with my father's cawl which was carried onboard HMS Antrim and my father carried the warship's name and also the then national hero, Admiral John R Jelliocoe commander of the Grand Fleet.
Apparently there is/was an a belief amongst sailors that a ship carrying a cawl would not lose a crew member by drowning. I do not know if this family story is true, my father and his brothers have all passed on.
However, I do know that HMS Antrim survived WW1 and eventually went to the breakers yard in 1922. I would love to know if there is any record in the ship's log or crew lists that might support this story.
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