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Did Hichens die in Scotland or Hong Kong? The article says Scotland, the side text box says Hong Kong. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.76.203.201 (talk) 19:14, 11 April 2012 (UTC)[reply]
I reverted this to the previous version—Hong Kong—based on many web references and one book, but now I'm not so sure. Aberdeen City Council (Scotland) says he is buried anonymously in one of their cemetery plots: "Three people are in the grave but only a Dutch guy has his name on the headstone. It’s definitely the lair of Robert Hichens because it’s all in our records". The press reports the claim to have found the grave, but the claim does perhaps look a bit shaky. The "find" coincides with a new exhibition in the city museum.[1] but any suggestion of a connection is easily explained by the current centenary. --Old Moonraker (talk) 21:36, 11 April 2012 (UTC)[reply]
Afterthought: Hichens's descendent has written a biography—The Man Who Sank Titanic—which includes a chapter on the last vessel he served on; that might settle the issue. Anybody read it?--Old Moonraker (talk) 22:08, 11 April 2012 (UTC)[reply]
According to a review in my local paper ″The Cornishman″ he was working on a ship which ferried goods between Africa and Britain. There is no mention of voyages to Hong Kong. He died aboard ship in Aberdeen Harbour on 23 September 1940, which as I understand it is the Scottish Aberdeen. The author of the book is Sally Nilsson his great–granddaughter
The GROS record of the death gives the correct age, but I've only checked the index as the information from the register itself is expensive. It's looking better for Aberdeen (Scotland) being right, and the print reference from Spignesi being wrong. --Old Moonraker (talk) 12:42, 16 April 2012 (UTC)[reply]
Just to stick my nose in on this. Spignesi may have just read Aberdeen Harbour and thought it was the Aberdeen, Hong Kong one. (Even on wikipedia, the one directs to the other). Another source, Almaguin Chronicles: Memories of the Past p. 76 has him dying on SS English Trader on 23 September 1940 and being buried at sea. Assuming they are right about the ship, English Trader had just returned to Britain from Sierra Leone as part of convoy SL46. The convoy arrived in Liverpool on 23 September and dispersed from there with several individual ships making their way on independently to other British ports. Records show English Trader was bound for Aberdeen. Benea (talk) 17:09, 16 April 2012 (UTC)[reply]
That's impressive research and it seems to have settled the matter conclusively. Now, what's the best reference to go with to replace Spignesi? --Old Moonraker (talk) 17:18, 16 April 2012 (UTC)[reply]
