A service marking the 100th anniversary of the death of the first Bermudian killed in the First World War will be held at the Anglican Cathedral tomorrow.

William Smith, 22, a black Royal Navy sailor from Somerset, was killed during the sinking of HMS Aboukir on 22 September 1914 — the first of more than 80 Bermudians serving in the Bermuda Militia Artillery and the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps who gave their lives over the following four years.

Nicknamed the ‘Live Bait Squadron’ because of their age, HMS Aboukir, HMS Cressy, and HMS Hogue of the Seventh Cruiser Squadron were on patrol off the Dutch coast when, in the early hours of the morning U-9 German submarine fired a torpedo. Aboukir was hit and sank in 20 minutes with the loss of 527 men, including Mr Smith.

In a statement last night, Governor George Fergusson said Mr Smith’s death illustrated the important connection between Bermuda and the Royal Navy a century ago.

“The sinking of the Aboukir, with her companion ships Crecy and Hooge, within two hours, must have caused deep alarm throughout the Navy,” Mr Fergusson said.

“The loss of three major ships from the biggest navy in the world, sunk so quickly by four torpedoes from one small submarine — which must have seemed like a mere gadget at the time — within a few weeks of the start of the war must have caused alarm and real fear for everybody on what previously had been seen as well protected ships. Bermudian families, with their naval links, would have shared this fear, particularly with William Smith’s death bringing bereavement home.

“I have found it moving to see in churches of many traditions and elsewhere right around Bermuda the sad memorial lists of those who died between 1914 and 1918. Most were very young. It is all too easy to envisage the pain caused by each loss to families and the wider community. Eighty deaths of young men in four years out of a much smaller community than Bermuda is today will have been a horrifying succession of local and family tragedies.”

Mr Fergusson added that Bermuda had been fortunate to have been spared losses in more recent conflicts involving British, US and Canadian troops which have “brought home the meaning of the phrase ‘killed in action’ to younger generations”.

“Nonetheless, Bermudians have proudly served with British, US and Canadian forces in several of the world’s trouble spots. And military conflicts have by no means gone away, as any quick glimpse of a newspaper confirms all too grimly,” he said.

The Governor urged everyone to spend some time this weekend reflecting on the service and sacrifice Bermudians made during the First World War and subsequent conflicts.

“On this particular anniversary, it would be very appropriate to take a second look at the memorial plaques which can be found in each parish, and to take a moment to think that each name reflects a real person, who lived in that parish, and whose families, friends and neighbours would have mourned their deaths and often been affected by them for the rest of their lives,” he said.

The service, which starts at 4pm, will be conducted by Bishop of Bermuda Reverend Nicholas Dill, while historian Edward Harris will give a “historical reflection”. The service will also be Bermuda’s formal commemoration of the start of “the war to end all wars”.

Along with hymns and prayers, the Regimental Colours for the Bermuda Regiment will be marched to the Chancel Steps and received by Bishop Dill.

The First World War began on June 28, 1914 and continued until November 11, 1918. More than nine million soldiers and seven million civilians were killed in the conflict.