Current Information:

Age-24

181, Sandhurst Road, Catford

HMS Arabis was a Royal Naval sloop and part of the 10th Sloop Flotilla engaged in the work of keeping the North Sea channels clear of mines. In early 1916 the Admiralty had intelligence that the German High Seas Fleet might be putting to sea and had ordered the concentration of the British Grand Fleet in readiness. Accordingly, during the night of 10-11th February, 1916, the 10th Sloop Flotilla was at sea making sure that there was no danger from mines. The emergence of the German fleet was deemed so likely that the Admiralty closed down all wireless communication so it was not possible to warn the sloops that enemy destroyers were in the vicinity. Just before midnight the 10th Sloop Flotilla was attacked by destroyers, but, with the exception of HMS Arabis, they all managed to escape. 3 German destroyers turned their attention on HMS Arabis and remarkably she managed to drive them off for a while. But they returned and this time HMS Arabis was sunk by torpedoes. 56 of her crew of 98 were killed or drowned, including Cecil Meadway.