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Originally Posted by Kapitan

In 1917 William would also disappear we believe in the Halifax explosion he was one of 3 brothers all of which lost their lives in the first world war, oddly despite repeated requests by our family the Canadian government has yet to release his service file to us, the only information we have is that it is extremely large for a serving sailor, this year if all goes well should mark the end for my time in the United Kingdom, i too will be heading to Canada to start a new life i also intend to find out why the Canadian government is holding onto his file over 100 years later.

Niobe was in terrible shape: her funnels were barely intact, her engines were worn out, and the bulkheads were of questionable integrity. Niobe was made a depot ship in Halifax, and remained there for the rest of the War. On 6 December, 1917, some of Niobe's crew were killed trying to scuttle the SS Mont Blanc when that ammunition ship caught fire. The resulting blast, now known as the Halifax Explosion, THe seven Niobe crewmwn who tried to scuttle the Mont Blanc and boarde just as it explode: For their heroism, Acting Boatswain Mattison and Stoker Petty Officer Ernest Edmund Beard were posthumously awarded the Albert Medal for Gallantry in Lifesaving at Sea. They were named and recognized in Parliament, along with the other five men:

Leading Seaman Charles McMillan
Ordinary Seaman Freeman Burnley Nickerson
Able Seaman Albert Saunders
Wireless Telegraph Operator George Veals
Stoker George Roley Yates Additionally, 7 crewmen still aboard the Niobe were killed as the explosion wreaked havoc on the already dilapidated vessel: but no names are available HCMS Niobe after the explosion> Before> Additionally, this site: http://www.forposterityssake.ca/Navy/HMCS_NIOBE.htm Does depict your forebear

HOWARD, William Miles, Able Seaman, 455, RCN, ] died - 17 Aug 1916, HMCS STADACONA - Son of George and Ellen Elizabeth Howard, of Wickford, Essex, England.
William Howard joined the Royal Navy in 1907, O.N. SS2897. In approx 1910 he transferred to the RCN, O.N. 455.
.The casualty lists for WW1 list AB William Howard as having died from an illness on 17 Aug 1916.

The picture is the same as the OP, but the middle name is different! There is a 4 month discrepancy in the death date; Niobe has it August, 1916; Stadicona has December, 1916. He didn't die in the Halifax Explosion. http://www.forposterityssake.ca/JPGs.../CTB014536.jpg Just off the top, none of the 1.355,000 Death pennies were issued till 1919 and there were a lot of Howards; so someone screwed up the individual ansate tablet on the plaqutte bearing the deceased's name cast in raised letters. A review of your birth record/baptismal info etc. may be in order. The 'mystery ' may simply be in asking the wrong name based on the dead man's penny. A bit like Saving Private Ryan where a secretary notices letters all going to Iowa with 3 KIA Ryans; and in your case, three Death Pennies all headed for Wickford's 3 deceased WWI Howards....and the overworked ansate tablet accuracy person ( if any) at the foundry in Acton or Woolwich screwed up a middle name!!?? My condolence to Ms. Ellen Elizabeth Howard; she gave up too much for King, Country, "Freedom and Honor!"