Fireman William Meek, Mercantile Marine, was born on the 5th of January 1876 in Portglenone, 8.5 miles west of Ballymena, Antrim, Ireland to William and Margaret Meek (née Martin). He was the second youngest of their eight children. His baby brother Thomas died when at the age of 15 months, from bronchitis, in 1879. 

William’s siblings were Rose Ann Meek, born 1853, Hugh Meek, born 1857,  Matthew Meek born1860, Elizabeth Meek 1865, Margaret Meek born 1869, Rachel Meek 1872, Thomas Meek 1878 

His parents, both born in Cullybackey, north-west of Ballymena, married on the 8th of Apr 1856, in Portglenone. Their eight children were born near Ballymena. 

It’s not certain when the family moved to Scotland but by the time the census was taken in 1891 they were living at 55 Belville St, Greenock. William was 13 years of age and the only other sibling living at home was his brother Matthew, age 23, an engine keeper at the local saw mill.

In 1901 they were still at 55 Belville St Greenock and William was now working as a labourer. His siblings had all left home. When he married Married Davina McAra on the 26th April 1904, Greenock, William was a Yacht Stoker. William and Davina had three children: Rosa Marion born 1904, William Martin born1907, Edward McAra born 1914 

His brother Matthew died 18 JUL 1904, drowned off the esplanade in Greenock. 
His father died 26 January in 1907, 7 Mill St, Greenock, Renfrewshire, and his mother died 16 December 1918, 10 Barker St, Greenock, Renfrewshire.

This memoriam notice appeared in the local newspaper at the time of William’s death.
MEEK – In loving memory of my dear husband William Meek who lost his life through the sinking of HMS Laurentic on the 25th january 1917.
Although he sleeps in a watery grave,
His rest is calm and still,
And the billows toss both day and night,
But his peace is with his Saviour bright.
Inserted by his widow and family, 2 Ingleston Street Greenock.