Talk:James Scarlett, 9th Baron Abinger

Small TextJames Scarlett,9th Baron Abinger , is a descendant of Lieutenant The Honourable Leopold Florence Scarlett Royal Navy. Lt Scarlett lost his life in the first Australian submarine HMA Submarine AE1, when it failed to return to harbour on 14 September 1914.He was on loan to the fledging Australian Navy for three years and served uder the command of Lieutenenat Commander Thomas Besant.

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In 1911 he contracted tuberculosis and was discharged form the Royal Navy as unfit for service and was advised to seek a warm dry climate He moved to Australia and lived on a sheep station for several years.

In 1914 after war was declared, he was considered medically fit for submarine service and being exerienced in that field, was posted to submarine AE1.

AE1 was part of the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (AN&MEF)that was sent to New Guinea to take on Admiral Von Spee's German Pacific Fleet, but when the Australian Squadron reached Rabaul, Von Spee had gone and was further to the East.However, the Expeditionary Force was able to take the German Colony and destroy the German's Pacific wireless station nearby.

AE1 was on patrol with the destroyer HMAS PARRAMATTA and failed to return to harbour.

A team of ex- naval officers and advisers led by former navy Commander John Foster, are trying to locate the wreck of AE1 off the east coast of New Britain, in order to find out how AE1 was sunk, then establish a war grave and hopefully bring closure to the mystery.

We are seeking information as to the present Baron Abinger's whereabouts so that contact can be made to assist with our search for descendent relatives and with such an association, influence the Australian Government into providing support and seed funding for the search which is long overdue.

If anyone can help, please email Commander Foster at projectae1@bordernet.com.au