Able Seaman William James Lyons served as a Gunner in the Merchant Navy during World War Two. He was the son of James Lyons and Elizabeth Lyons, and the husband of Mary Pollock Lyons of 70 Riga Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim.
William served throughout The Great War of 1914-1918 as an Able Seaman in the Royal Navy. He and Mary had a son and a daughter. He died on 12th November 1940 aged 52 years old when SS Balmore came under aerial attack from the Luftwaffe in the North Atlantic. A total of 26 people died when the steam cargo ship went down.
William James Lyons has no known grave. His name is on Panel 13 of the Tower Hill Memorial, London.