After almost 100 years of being incorrectly marked, two war gravestones in Malew parish church yard have been amended.

The gravestones are for two sailors - fireman Alfred Dunthorne and an unnamed sailor - whose bodies were washed up on island beaches after their ships (SS Sea Gull and SS Dalewood respectively) were torpedoed by enemy submarines in 1918.

The gravestones remained largely untouched and rarely noticed until 2012 when Ivor Ramsden, director of the Aviation and Military Museum, visited them and researched their stories.

He said: ’I was rather surprised to see that fireman Dunthorne’s gravestone was marked with the badge of the King’s African Rifles, which is an Army unit, rather than that of the Mercantile Marine so I contacted the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to inquire whether this might be an error.’

They acknowledged it bore the wrong badge and said it would be corrected when the stone was replaced due to wear and tear. As the stone was in pristine condition and this would take a long time, he asked if he could raise funds in the island to pay for its replacement. The commission reconsidered and arranged for a new headstone to be produced.

’At the time I wrote: "I don’t suppose he (Alfred) is bothered, but it means a lot to me,"’ he said.

’On April 10 this year I went to the interment of Manx Regiment veteran Jack Connor in Malew churchyard. Afterwards I went to the two seamen’s graves and I was very moved to see that Fireman Dunthorne’s gravestone had been replaced so that after almost a century it correctly bore the badge of the Merchant Marine.’

Reverend James McGowan, vicar of Malew, said: ’I and the Malew Burial Authority acknowledge the ongoing efforts of the CWGC who regularly visit our churchyards to clean, inspect and repair the memorials to those who died in the service of their country. Their efforts often go unseen and unnoticed yet CWGC continue that pledge to uphold the commitment to faithfully "remember them".’

Ivor added: ’I feel rather humble that this came about as a result of my pointing out the error but also proud that in these days of austerity the CWGC continues its work quietly ... ensuring that our war dead are commemorated in a fitting way.’