HMS CHEERFUL

HMS Cheerful

HMS Cheerful.  30/06/1917.

Mermaid class destroyer

Displacement: 385 ton

Length: 65.4 m.    Beam: 6.4 m.   Draught:  4 m.

Propulsion: 2 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engines, coal fired Thornycroft boilers, dual shaft, 2 screws

Complement:  63 officers and men.

Crew Lost: 40

Armament: 1 x 12 pdr gun, 5 x 6 pdr., 2 x 18" T.T

HMS Cheerful was laid down in 1896, at the R.W. Hawthorn Leslie and Company shipyard at Hebburn-on-Tyne, and launched in 1897 and after trials entered into the Royal Navy in 1900.

History

Norfolk News - Saturday 23 June 1900

NAVAL VISIT TO YARMOUTH. On Wednesday morning, about five o’clock, s fleet of torpedo boat destroyers, comprising the Bittern, Cheerful, Haughty, Angler, Sturgeon, Porcupine, and Mallard, arrived m Yarmouth Roads and anchored in line between the Jetty and the Britannia Pier. The destroyers were moored close inshore, and many boats put off to them for a closer inspection. The flotilla not to be described handsome from nautical point of view. The hulls of the destroyers are black, with but little freeboard, carrying only one mast, and each has two or three short squat funnels, while forward over the sharp bows formidable guns are mounted. The vessels all considerable length but narrow, their line being designed for great speed. Each of the seven was dressed with flags. The flagship of the squadron was H.M.S. Cheerful, under the command of Commander Kerr. The flotilla, which known as the Chatham division of the torpedo boat destroyers, and on an instructional cruise, were timed to leave Yarmouth Roads about three o'clock on morning.

Leigh Chronicle and Weekly District Advertiser - Friday 21 June 1901

THE SWELL OF A DESTROYER FLOTILLA. In the King’s Bench on Monday, Messrs. Williams and Sons Limited sued Commander Kerr, of H.MS. Cheerful, and also in command of the Medway flotilla of torpedo-boat destroyers for damages suffered through the swamping of their barge East when lying Northfleet in May last year, the plaintiff’s case being that the flotilla of destroyers, headed by the Cheerful, passed down the Thames such a speed as make swell which swamped the barge her moorings. The defendant said the swell was caused breeze which sprang up. was stated that this was teat ease.—His lordship found that there was no negligence in the navigation the flotilla, and entered judgment for the defendant with costs.

Globe - Monday 09 December 1907

H.M.S. "Cheerful" and H.M.S. 'Garry " in collision. " Cheerful's" stem damaged, and will not be able to take any further part in the present stage of the manoeuvres. The `Garry' was slightly damaged."

Nottingham Journal - Wednesday 24 June 1914

SOLDIER AND SAILOR TOO.

Thomas Joseph Pickett, 21, stoker H.M.S. Cheerful, was charged Stratford yesterday with being an absentee from the Essex Regiment. The prisoner, who pleaded guilty, was dressed in a naval uniform.
Clerk: What to doing in sailor’a suit?
Prisoner: I’ve joined Navy since.

He was ordered to handed over to the military authorities.

1916

CUTHBERT Frank, ERA 2nd Class - fell overboard 5th February 1916

ELLIOTT Andrew Ernest Elliott, wireless operator.

Loughborough Echo - Friday 07 July 1916

MARRIAGES.

ELLIOTT—PEAS.—At Edinburgh, on the 23rd inst., by the key. A. Fiddes, Andrew Ernest Elliott, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Elliott, Loughborough, wireless operator H.M.S. Cheerful, to Elizabeth, Youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Peas, 6, Glenogie House, Edinburgh.

UC-33

On the 27th June 1917 UC-33 (Kptlt. Martin Schelle) laid 5 mines off Helli Ness, Shetland. The mines were laid 200m apart. .

KTB UC-33

The Loss

HMS Cheerful was part of convoy escort ‘’A’’ (28th 30th June 1917).

The escort left the Humber on 28th June 1917 with four ships - seven ships joined the convoy off Tyne and one ship left the convoy at Tyne and one at Blyth.
The convoy with nine ships then proceeded north to Lerwick, Shetland.

The convoy was in two lines with HMS Cheerful on the port side (west) of the Convoy and HMS Ness on the starboard (east).
At 11.50 GMT 30th June the convoy was south of Lerwick east of Helli Ness when the drifter Boy Charlie approached flying the signal ‘’LOOK OUT FOR MINES’’.

HMS Ness made contact with the drifter by megaphone and was told that mines had been found off Bard Head but the main channel into Lerwick was clear.

Around midday there was an explosion on the port side of the convoy, HMS Cheerful had hit a mine a few hundred yards west of the swept channel. The trawler Gloria II and drifter Boy Charlie proceeded to assist in rescuing the crew.
HMS Ness then ordered the convoy into single line and follow the wake of their next ahead then proceeded to assist with rescuing survivors as HMS Cheerful had sunk.

Trawler Gloria II had picked up three officers and fifteen men and drifter Boy Charlie one officer and three men. Forty crew were missing.
The skipper of the trawler Gloria II reported that they arrived at HMS Cheerful before she sank and picked up four swimming men. They reported that the C.O. of HMS Cheerful had gone aft of the damaged vessel and made safe the depth charges. This action by the C.O no doubt saved many lives and damage to the rescuing vessels.

After all the crew were rescued it was found the forepart HMS Cheerful was still floating bottom upwards and knocking could be heard from inside the hull in the area of the seaman’s mess deck. The C.O of Cheerful told men from the Gloria II to get all cutting tools and assist the men trapped inside. The men worked with an axe and hammer but once a hole was made in the ship, the air rushed out and ‘’she sank like a stone’’.

A Court of Enquiry was held into the loss of HMS Cheerful aboard HMS Brilliant in July 1917 ( ADM 137/3673 ) It was reported that while zig zagging 1200 to 1500 yards west of the convoy at 12 knots there was a violent explosion under the aft boiler room. The ship broke in two and the forepart turned over and had floated bottom up for about fifteen minutes.

Birmingham Daily Post - Thursday 05 July 1917

BRITISH DESTROYER SUNK BY A MINE.

EIGHTEEN OF THE CREW SAVED. The following announcement was yesterday made by the Secretary of the Admiralty One of his Majesty’s destroyers of an. old type has struck a mine in the North Sea. There were 18 survivors.

Western Daily Press - Thursday 05 July 1917

DESTROYER MINED.

18 SURVIVORS OF THE CREW.

LONDON, Wednesday. The Secretary of the Admiralty announces:— One of H.M. destroyers of an old type struck a mine in the North Sea and has sunk. There w-ere 18 survivors. The next kin of those who were lost have been informed.

Shetland News - Thursday 11 December 1919

DESTROYER BLOWN UP IN SIGHT OF LERWICK.

Another destroyer, H.M.S. Itchen, was also lost by enemy action whilst on her way from Shetland to a southern port, and another of an older type. H.M.S. Cheerful, was blown up by a mine on 30th June, 1917, of Helliness. while on her way to Lerwick. This disaster was witnessed by several people in Sandwick, Lerwick, and &essay. Only 18 of the crew were saved. The armed trawler Asia was also mined sank with loss of life when of Bressay lighthouse.

The Wreck

The UKHO has HMS Cheerful on wreck card 101. This has the wreck as ‘’undefined’’ in position 60 02.47N 001 09.116W but is not shown on the Admiralty chart. This position plots 0.595 nm 90 deg from Helli Ness.

This location has been searched by various dive boats and dive clubs over the years. Wessex Archaeology conducted a thorough survey with side scan sonar in 2011 for the report ‘Wrecks off the coast of Shetland’’ (2012) at the UKHO reported position with no conclusive results.

The wreck card was created in 1919 and does not state where the information for the position came from.

Charted position for H.M.S. Cheerful. UKHO

The search for the wreck

The Mine Line.

During the court of enquiry evidence was given by Lt A Sandison R.N.R commanding HMT Collena, a mine sweeping trawler based in Lerwick, Shetland.
Very detailed evidence was given to the location of the mine line and that was used to develop the search area for the wreck of HMS Cheerful.

At 5 pm on 30th June 1917 HMT Collena was instructed to sweep the area where HMS Cheerful had sunk. During these first sweeps two mines were located.

Mine 1 was one mile five cables E by S of Helli Ness.

Mine 2 was one mile seven cables E by S of Helli Ness.

The wreck of HMS Cheerful was also located and position given as one mile six cables E by S of Helli Ness.

On the 1st July 1917 two more mines were swept by HMT Collena.

Mine 3 was one mile three cables E by S of Helli Ness.

Mine 4 was one mile six cables E by S of Helli Ness which was same position where the wreck was reportedly located on 30th June.

The evidence from the mine sweeping vessel HMT Collena during the court of enquiry a search area was plotted. The distance for each mine found from Helli Ness was marked. Both Nelson McEachan, wrecks officer UKHO and Lt Cmdr. Jen Smith RN were consulted and thought true north compass rose would have been most likely in conjunction with sextant bearings as would be the most consistent and is standard Royal Navy practice.

Positions of swept mines.

It was noted that the gap between the first mine located and the third was larger (400m) which is 200m further than between the other three mines so it is probable this is the space left by the mine that sank HMS Cheerful.

The wreck broke in two and the stern sank straight away and will most likely be located close to the area of the missing mine.
The wreck located by HMT Collena was near to mine 4 and could be the bow section having floated for approximately 15 minutes before sinking.
This is 400m away from the site of the possible missing mine.

The Crew

Name - ANTRICHAN, Robert

DOB - 22nd November 1883

Place of Birth - Sittingbourne, Kent

Parents - Son of Moses Antrichan and Elizabeth Antrichan

Early History -

Rank - Stoker 1c, 299884 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

Milton Regis War Memorial © Julie Brewer (WMR-71495)

Sources:

Name - BAILES, Percy C,

DOB - 1st April 1896

Place of Birth - Newcastle-on-Tyne

Parents - Son of Ellen Bailes, of 10, East Parade, Newcastle-on-Tyne

Early History -

Rank - Able Seaman, J 18502 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

Sources:

Name - BODIN, Hugh,

DOB - 5th January 1897

Place of Birth -

Parents - Son of Annie, Bodin. 5 Osborn Place Ibrox, Glasgow

Early History -

Rank - Signalman, RNVR, Clyde Z 7910

Service History - Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial

GLASGOW MAN LOST OFF SHETLAND.

Signalman Hugh Bodin, Service Number Clyd/Z/7910, served with the Royal Volunteer Reserve, on destroyer H.M.S. "Cheerful".
He was the son of Annie, 5 Osborne Place, Ibrox, Govan, Glasgow. Prior to enlisting, Hugh had worked as a Clerk.
Prior to joining the HMS "Cheerful", Hugh had undergone training at HMS "Pembroke", Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham. He subsequently saw service on HMS Tyne, a Destroyer Depot ship for the Eighth Destroyer flotilla, prior to transferring to HMS Cheerful.
HMS Cheerful served with the 8th Destroyer Flotilla, escorting a convoy heading north to Lerwick between Helli Ness and the Bard Head.
Around 12 pm, there was an explosion on the port (west) side of the convoy. HMS Cheerful had hit a mine a few hundred yards west of the swept channel. The trawler Gloria II and drifter Boy Charlie proceeded to assist with rescuing survivors as HMS Cheerful had apparently sunk. Gloria II picked up 3 officers, 15 men, and Boy Charlie picked up 1 officer, 3 men. 40 crew members were initially reported missing.
Her commander at the time was Lieutenant Harman Arthur Lewis Bond, and he survived the loss of his ship along with an estimated 22 other crew members..
Hugh was lost with 39 of his fellow crew. He was 20 years old.
Hugh was posthumously awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. In all, 39 are commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. Hugh Bodin is the only man commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Sources:

Lost in Waters Deep
Service Record. FMP.

Researched by Jon Sandison.

Name - BREITNAUER, Walter C,

DOB - 15th April 1894

Place of Birth - Whitechapel, London

Parents -

Early History -

Rank - Able Seaman, J 56721 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

Able Seaman Walter Charles Breitnauer, Service Number J.56721 [CH], served with the Royal Navy on the Destroyer "HMS Cheerful". He was the son of Balthasan, 139 Blyth Road, Leyton Essex. Walter was noted as having been born in Whitechapel, London.
Prior to enlisting, Walter had been employed as a Clerk. He had been based at Pembroke I Royal Naval Barracks at Chatham, and on the Depot Ship HMS Tyne for 8th Patrol Flotilla, which was based at Leith.
HMS Cheerful served with the 8th Destroyer Flotilla. She was sunk by a mine while escorting a convoy heading north to Lerwick between Helli Ness and the Bard Head, Bressay. In all, 40 crew members were killed. Her commander at the time was Lieutenant Harman Arthur Lewis Bond, and he survived the loss of his ship along with 21 other crew members.
The convoy sailed in two columns, with HMS Cheerful guarding the port side (west) and HMS Ness (a River-class destroyer) on the starboard side (east).
Around 12.00, there was an explosion on the port (west) side of the convoy. HMS Cheerful had hit a mine a few hundred yards west of the swept channel. The trawler Gloria II and drifter Boy Charlie proceeded to assist with rescuing survivors as HMS Cheerful had apparently sunk. Gloria II picked up 3 officers, 15 men and Boy Charlie picked up 1 officer, 3 men.
Walter, along with most of his fellow crew members, is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

Sources:

C.W.G.C.
F.M.P.
Lost in Waters Deep.
SGW/JS.

Researched by Jon Sandison.

Name - BRIDGES, Walter E,

DOB - 20th November 1886

Place of Birth - Battersea, London

Parents - Son of Mr. and Mrs. Bridges, of Cairns Rd., Clapham Junction, London,

Early History -

Rank - Stoker 1c, 309868 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

Sources:

Name - CARPENTER, Henry,

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents - Son of John and Rosina Carpenter, of Bethnal Green, London;

Early History - Husband of Minnie Carpenter, of 97, Honeywell Rd., Clapham Common, London. Was in the L.C.C. Fire Brigade. Service:

Rank - Able Seaman (RFR B 2839), 201208 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

Sources:

Name - CHALMERS, David,

DOB - 13th January 1893

Place of Birth - Kinghorm, Fifeshire

Parents - Son of James and Elizabeth Chalmers, of 3, Harbour Rd., Kinghorn, Fife,

Early History -

Rank - Stoker 1c, K 10502 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

Fifeshire Advertiser - Saturday 07 July 1917

KINGHORN STOKER LOST. Mr James Chalmers, fisherman, Sinclair’s Entry, Kinghorn, has been informed by the Admiralty that his eldest son, Stoker David Chalmers H.M.S. has been presumed drowned or killed at sea, as he not among the survivors. He has been six years in the Navy. His younger brother is also serving in the Navy, while his uncle, 1st Class Stoker Peter Meldrum lost his life on the “Queen Mary.’'

Fifeshire Advertiser - Saturday 14 July 1917

The Lost Destroyer. KINGHORN MAN DROWNED. Among the victims of the destruction of a British destroyer a fortnight ago was Stoker David Chalmers, son of James Chalmers, fisherman, Sinclair’s Entry, Kinghorn. He was only 28 years old, but had been six and a half years in the Navy. He has another brother in the Navy and a sister in Kirkcaldy.

Fifeshire Advertiser - Saturday 05 July 1919

IN MEMORIAM

CHALMERS.—In loving memory of our dear son, David Chalmers, Stoker, 1st Class who lost his life on H.M.S. “Cheerful,” in the North’ Sea, 30th June, 1917

Sources:

www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk

Name - COLLINGS, Henry V,

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents - Son of Edward and Rosetta Collings, of The Clyffe, Sheringham, Norfolk

Early History -

Rank - Stoker 1c, K 31162 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

Sources:

Name - COLLYER, Henry,

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents - Son of Frederick and Fanny Collyer, of Hillcroft, Henley Park Rd., Normandy, Guildford

Early History -

Rank - Cook's Mate, M 5916 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

Sources:

Name - CUTTANCE, Gabriel J,

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents - Son of Ellen Pattinson, of 218, Derwent Row, Westfield, Workington, Cumberland

Early History -

Rank - Telegraphist, J 21053 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

TELEGRAPHIST ON H.M.S. "CHEERFUL".

Telegraphist Gabriel James Cuttance, Service Number J/21053, served with the Royal Navy on H.M.S. Cheerful. Gabriel was the son of Ellen Pattenham, 218, Derwent Row, Westfield, Workington, Cumberland.
Prior to enlisting, Gabriel had been employed as a labourer.
He served a period of time on HMS Impregnable, which was a training ship for young sailors.
Being a Telegraphist in the Royal Navy, Gabriel would have been a specialist responsible for communications, especially wireless (radio) and visual signalling. On a fast-moving destroyer, this was a critical and often high-pressure role.
Prior to joining the HMS "Cheerful", Gabriel had undergone training at HMS "Pembroke", Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham. He subsequently saw service on HMS Tyne, a destroyer depot ship for the Eighth Destroyer flotilla, prior to transferring to HMS Cheerful.
HMS Cheerful served with the Flotilla, escorting a convoy heading north to Lerwick between Helli Ness and the Bard Head.
The Vessel was one of 23 destroyers in the newly formed East Coast Convoys, Humber. This was created as part of the wider introduction of convoys in response to unrestricted submarine warfare by the Germans.
She was sunk by a mine while escorting a convoy heading north to Lerwick between Helli Ness and the Bard Head, Bressay.
Gabriel is commemorated, along with most of his thirty-nine fellow crew, on the Chatham Naval Memorial. He was awarded the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

West Cumberland Times - Saturday 07 July 1917

WOKINGTONIANS LOST ON LAND AND SEA

Telegraphist James Cuttance, RN (31), son of Mrs. Pattinson, Derwent Row, Westfield, was drowned at sea on June 90th, He was in the Navy 15 years. A brother is at home wounded, another mine-sweeping, another in India, and another training.

Wokingham War memorial. Photos: Stuart Nicholson. St Michael's Church. Photo: S. Nicholson

Sources:

Ancestry.
C.W.G.C.
G.W.F.
SGW/JS.
www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk

Researched by Jon Sandison.

Name - DARBON Daniel

DOB - 21st July 1898 and baptised on 4th February 1898

Place of Birth - Hillingdon, Middlesex

Parents - Son of Robert and F. Darbon, of 26, Floyd Rd., Charlton, London

Early History - Daniel was aged two when recorded on the 1901 census, the third of four children; he and his family lived at 16 St Joseph Road, Enfield. Ten years later on the 1911 census Daniel was aged twelve and resided with his parents, seven siblings and a lodger at 26 Hatcliffe Street, East Greenwich

Rank - Able Seaman (Ch) J 36949

Service History
Daniel left his general labouring job to join the Navy for a twelve year service. He was recorded as 5’1” tall with brown hair, brown eyes and tattoo’s of a woman and the letters DD on his left forearm and a heart on his right forearm.

HMS POWERFUL - 17/05/1915 - 24/09/1915, rising to Boy 1st Class on 20/09/1915
HMS HILARY - 25/09/1915 - 02/09/1916, rising to Ordinary Seaman on 21/07/1916
HMS PEMBROKE I - 03/09/1916 - 22/09/1916
HMS CHEERFUL (attached to HMS TYNE) - 23/09/1916 - 31/05/1917, rising to Able Seaman on 14/03/1917
HMS CHEERFUL (attached to HMS WALLINGTON) - 01/06/1917 - 30/06/1917

His parents received his pension following his death, his Star, Victory and British war medals were sent to his father. Daniel is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

Sources:

England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1920 London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; London Church of England Parish Registers; Reference Number: DRO/154/003
1901 & 1911 England Census
Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services, 1848-1939 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services; Class: ADM 188; Piece: 726
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty: Naval Casualties, Indexes, War Grave Rolls and Statistics Book, First World War.; Class: ADM 242; Piece: Piece 008; Piece Description: Piece 008 (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/8; Scan Number: 0033
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 058/0241/DAN-D'A
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 100

Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - DIXON, Robert W,

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents - Son of James and Margaret Dixon, of 40, Panmure St., Newcastle-on-Tyne

Early History -

Rank - Stoker 1c, K 33490 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

Stoker Robert William Dixon, 1st Class was the son of James and Margaret, 40 Panmure Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne. He served on H.M.S. Cheerful.
Prior to enlisting with the Royal Navy, Robert had been employed as a blacksmith.
He initially had service at Pembroke II, Royal Naval barracks Chatham during 1916. The base handled a number of ships and shore establishments, and at HMS Wallington. This was a shore-based Royal Navy depot ship that served as the Auxiliary Patrol base at Immingham/Grimsby.
Between 1913-14, HMS Cheerful was transferred to become part of the 8th Destroyer Flotilla at Chatham or Sheerness, part of the Second Fleet of the Home Fleet. She was a tender to the flotilla depot ship HMS Tyne. By August, 1914, HMS Cheerful the 8th Destroyer Flotilla, had moved to its wartime base on the Firth of Forth at Queensferry. Her duties incorporated anti-submarine and counter-mining patrols.
By June, 1917, HMS Cheerful was now one of 23 destroyers in the newly formed East Coast Convoys, Humber force. This was created as part of the general introduction of convoys in response to unrestricted submarine warfare by the Germans.
On 30th June, 1917, H.M.S. Cheerful was sunk by a mine while escorting a convoy heading north to Lerwick between Helli Ness and the Bard Head, Bressay. 40 crew were killed
Robert is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. Robert was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Sources:

C.W.G.C.
FMP. Service Record.
SGW/JS.

Researched by Jon Sandison.

Name - DUNN, James V,

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents - Son of James Fredrick and Mary Ann Dunn, of 25, Sheen Grove, Richmond Rd., Barnsbury, London.

Early History - Native of Islington, London,

Rank - Stoker 1c, K 12856 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

Stoker James Valentine Dunn, Service Number K/14856, served with the Royal Navy on H.M.S. Cheerful.
Born in Islington, London, James, son of James and Mary, 25 Sheen Grove, Richmond Road, Barnsbury.
Prior to enlisting, James had been employed as a Railway Shunter. Before joining the HMS "Cheerful", Henry had undergone training at HMS "Pembroke II".
Between 1912 and 1914, James saw service on H.M.S. Gibraltar. He also served on H.M.S. Newcastle. She was a Town-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy launched on 25th November 1909.
He subsequently saw service on HMS Tyne, a destroyer depot ship for the Eighth Destroyer flotilla, prior to transferring to Destroyer HMS Cheerful, 1st June, 1917.
HMS Cheerful served with the 8th Destroyer Flotilla, but was sunk by a mine while escorting a convoy heading north to Lerwick between Helli Ness and the Bard Head, Bressay. 40 crew members were killed.
Her commander at the time was Lieutenant Harman Arthur Lewis Bond and he survived the loss of his ship along with 21 other crew members.
James is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. He was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.
Sources:-

Sources:

C.W.G.C.
J.V. Dunn Service Record.
SGW/JS.

Researched by Jon Sandison.

Name - DYSON, Louie F,

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents - Son of John and Jane Dyson, of 10, Hemingford Rd., Barnsbury, London,

Early History -

Rank - Stoker 1, SS 112188 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

LONDON STOKER ON H.M.S. CHEERFUL.

Stoker Louie, Francis Dyson, Service Number S.S.112188, served on Destroyer H.M.S. Cheerful with the Royal Navy. He was the son of John and James, 10 Hemingford Road, Barnsburgh, London.
Prior to enlisting, Louie had been employed as a Railway Carman. He began his service with the Royal Navy on 8th May, 1912.
Like so many of his crewmates, Louie has spent time undergoing training at HMS "Pembroke II", as well as on "Gibraltar" and "Newcastle". His service record also records service at "Wallington", Humber, Auxiliary Patrol Base.
From 1916 onwards, he subsequently saw service on HMS Tyne, a destroyer depot ship for the Eighth Destroyer flotilla, prior to transferring to Destroyer HMS Cheerful.
On the 30th of June, 1917, while serving with the 8th Destroyer Flotilla protecting Scandanavian Convoys, H.M.S. Cheerful was sunk by a mine while escorting a convoy heading north to Lerwick between Helli Ness and the Bard Head, Bressay. Along with Louie, 39 of his fellow crew members were killed.
On Monday, 2 July 1917, an Admiralty Court of Enquiry was held by Commander Bernard A. Smith RN aboard his ship HMS Brilliant (an Apollo-class cruiser) into the loss of HMS Cheerful at 10am.
--
Louie was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. He is commemorated, alongside most of his fellow crew, on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

Sources:

C.W.G.C.
Louie F. Dunn, Service Record.
[1] ADM 137-3305.
SWG/JS.

Researched by Jon Sandison.

Name - EASON, Daniel E,

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents - Son of Walter James Eason, of 11, Station Row, Teynham, Sittingbourne, Kent,

Early History -

Rank - Stoker 1c, K 15961 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

Stoker Daniel Edward Arthur Eason, Service Number K.14961, served with the Royal Navy on H.M.S. Cheerful. He was the son of Walter and Mary.
Prior to joining the navy, Daniel was a Farm labourer.
Prior to being on H.M.S. Cheerful Daniel, like most of the rest of his crew, underwent training at H.M.S. "Pembroke II", depot ship H.M.S. Tyne, between September, 1916 and May 1917, as well as H.M.S. Wallington shore establishment, near Grimsby from 1st June 1917.
On 30th of June, 1917, while served with the 8th Destroyer Flotilla protecting Scandanavian Convoys, H.M.S. Cheerful was sunk by a mine while escorting a convoy heading north to Lerwick between Helli Ness and the Bard Head, Bressay. Along with Daniel 39 of his fellow crew were killed.
The East Kent Gazette, Saturday, November 24th, 1917.
STOKER D. E. EASON, OF TEYNHAM.
It has been recently reported that First-class Stoker Daniel Edward Eason, of Teynham, went down with a vessel in June last. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. Walter James Eason, who reside at 11 Station-row, Teynham. He was a single man, 29 years of age; and had been eight years in the Navy. In the last letter his parents received from him, in June, he was expecting to get leave in a few days. Two other vessels on which the deceased had previously served have both been lost during the war. One of them was the Formidable. Mr. and Mrs. Eason have another son in the Navy.
Daniel's name is on the St Mary's Church Memorial, Teynham, Kent.
He was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

Sources:

C.W.G.C.
Service Record.
SGW/JS.

Researched by Jon Sandison.

Name - FLINDALL, Arthur F B,

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents - Son of Arthur and Eliza Flindall, of 2, Clifton Avenue, Blackhorse Lane, Walthamstow, London,

Early History -

Rank - Leading Stoker, 309109 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

LONDON MAN LOST ON H.M.S. CHEERFUL.

Leading Stoker, Arthur Frederick Bevan Flindall, Service Number 309109, served with the Royal Navy on H.M.S. Cheerful. Hs was the son of Arthur and Eliza, 2 Clifton Avenue, Blackhorse Lane, Walthamstow, London.
Prior to enlisting, Arthur had been employed as an Engine Cleaner.
The main job of the Leading Stoker on a Naval ship was to undertake work such as shoveling coal into furnaces, maintaining the correct temperature and pressure in boilers, and ensuring that there was a steady supply of steam into the engines. However, he also had a primary role of overseeing others completing such tasks.
Before joining H.M.S. Cheerful, Arthur had considerable experience in the Royal Navy. Like most of the rest of his crew, he underwent training at H.M.S. "Pembroke II", depot ship, H.M.S. Tyne, as well as H.M.S. Wallington shore establishment based at Immingham on the Humber from 1st to 30th June, 1917. It is the south Terminus of the Humber-Lerwick-Scandinavian convoys between April 1917 and January 1918. Alongside this, Arthur served on various ships, including H.M.S. Irresistible, HMS Blake, H.M.S. London, and H.M.S Gibraltar. In 1912, he served on HMS Newcastle. HMS Newcastle was a Town-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy launched on 25 November 1909 from the yards of Armstrong Whitworth. She formed part of the Bristol subgroup.
HMS Cheerful served with the 8th Destroyer Flotilla, but was sunk by a mine laid by UC-33 while escorting a convoy heading north to Lerwick between Helli Ness and the Bard Head, Bressay. 40 crew were killed. Her commander at the time was Lieutenant Harman Arthur Lewis Bond and he survived the loss of his ship along with 21 other crew members.
Upon the loss of H.M.S. Cheerful, Arthur had been 12 years in service with the Royal Navy.
Arthur is commemorated, along with most of his fellow crew, on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.
Sources:-

Sources:

C.W.G.C.
Service Record.
SGW/JS.

Researched by Jon Sandison.

Name - GREEN, Albert E,

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents - Son of A. E. Green, of 13, Grove Road, Maidenhead, Berks

Early History -

Rank - Stoker Petty Officer, 304957 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

BERKSHIRE MAN ON H.M.S. CHEERFUL.

Stoker Albert Edward Green, Service Number 304957, served with the Royal Navy. He was the son of Frederick and Harriet, of 13 Grove Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire. Albert was married to Frances Elleanor Baston.
Upon joining the Navy on the 21st of September, 1903, Albert had been employed as a Labourer. His height was noted as being 4 3 1/4 inches.
Albert saw extensive service. Between the 21st of September and 31st December, 1903, he served on H.M.S. Northumberland. [Acheron]. She was a training ship for stokers at Chatham, as well as Pembroke II, which handled men at a number of ships and shore establishments.
Albert also served on H.M.S. Triumph between 1905 and 1908. The ship was ordered by the Chilean Navy, but she was purchased by the United Kingdom as part of ending the Argentine–Chilean naval arms race. Triumph was initially assigned to the Home Fleet and Channel Fleets before being transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet in 1909. She was torpedoed on the 25th of May, 1915, by submarine U-21.
He saw further service on H.M.S Speedy, an Alarm-class torpedo gunboat, and Halcyon, a Dryad-class torpedo gunboat, between April 1909 and June 1912.
In 1909, he passed the educational exam to become a stoker.
This service was interspersed with time at the Royal Naval Barracks at Chatham. On the 23rd of September, 1916, Albert transferred to H.M.S. Tyne, and then H.M.S. Wallington, attached to H.M.S Cheerful.

Albert is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal. He was aged 33.-

Reading Mercury - Saturday 14 July 1917

WAR ITEMS. Mrs. Green, 13, Grow Road, Maidenhead, has just heard that her husband. Stoker Petty Officer A. E. Green, was drowned when his ship was sunk on June 30th. He had been in the Navy 15 years.

Sources:

C.W.G.C.
Service Record. Albert Edward Green.
Great War Forum.
S.W.G./JS.
www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
Researched by Jon Sandison.

Name - HANKS, Edgar Robert Stanley,

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents -

Early History - Husband of Elizabeth H. Hanks, of 21, Princes Rd., Plumstead, London

Rank - Stoker 1c, K 15527 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

SWINDON LOSS ON H.M.S. CHEERFUL.

Stoker Edgar Robert Hanks, served with the Royal Navy, Service Number K/15527, on H.M.S. Cheerful. He was the husband of Elizabeth, 21 Princess Road, Plumstead, London. Edgar originated from Swindon, Wiltshire.
Prior to joining the navy on the 19th of July, 1912, Edgar had been employed as a bookmaker.
Similar to other men who were on H.M.S. Cheerful, Edgar underwent extensive naval service, including training at H.M.S. Pembroke II, as well as H.M.S. Marshal Ney in 1916, and H.M.S.Victorious between April 1916 and January, 1917.
HMS Marshal Ney was a Royal Navy Marshal Ney-class monitor constructed in the opening years of the First World War. Laid down as M13, she was named for the French field marshal of the Napoleonic Wars Michel Ney. After service in World War I she became a depot ship and then a stokers’ training ship. [1]. H.M.S. Victorious had been commissioned as a repair ship by 22nd February, 1916, and had arrived at Scapa Flow.
He subsequently saw service on HMS Tyne, Destroyer Depot ship for the Eighth Destroyer flotilla, alongside H.M.S. Wallington, the south Terminus of the Humber-Lerwick Scandanavia convoys between April 1917 and January 1918.
HMS Cheerful served with the 8th Destroyer Flotilla, but was sunk by a mine while escorting a convoy heading north to Lerwick between Helli Ness and the Bard Head, Bressay. In all, 40 crew were killed. Her commander at the time was Lieutenant Harman Arthur Lewis Bond and he survived the loss of his ship along with 21 other crew members. She was part of Convoy escort A (28-30 June 1917). The escort left the Humber on 28 June with four ships. Seven more ships joined and one left the convoy at the Tyne. Another ship left at Blyth. The nine remaining merchant ships then headed north for Lerwick. The convoy sailed in two columns, with HMS Cheerful guarding the west side and HMS Ness, a River-class destroyer on the starboard east side.
Around 12.00 there was an explosion on the west side of the convoy. HMS Cheerful had hit a mine a few hundred yards west of the swept channel. The trawler Gloria II and drifter Boy Charlie proceeded to assist with rescuing survivors as HMS Cheerful
Edgar is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. He was 23 years old, and was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Kentish Independent - Friday 05 July 1918

HANKS.—In loving memory of my dear husband Edgar Robert Stanley Hanks, who lost his life on H.M.S. Cheerful, June 30th, 1817, aged 28 years.
We do not forget him; we loved him too dearly
For his memory to fade from our lives like a dream;
Our lips need not speak when our hearts mourn sincerely;
For grief often dwells where it seldom is seen.

Kentish Independent - Friday 01 July 1921

ROLL OF HONOUR

HANKS.—In ever-loving , memory of my dear husband, Edgar Robert Stanley Hanks, who lost his life on H.M.S. Cheerful, .June 30th, 1917.—" Though lost to sight, to memory dear."—From his loving Wife.

Sources:

C.W.G.C.
[1] https://www.destinationsjourney.com
https://lostinwatersdeep.co.uk/hms-cheerful.html.
SGW/JS.
www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk

Researched by Jon Sandison.

Name - HERBERTS, Sydney,

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents -

Early History -

Rank - Leading Signalman, J 6652 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

Sources:

Name - HICKMAN, William P B,

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents - Son of Walter and Florence Hickman, of 123, Brixton Rd., London

Early History -

Rank - Stoker 1c, K 16316 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

Sources:

Name - HINDS, William H,

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents -

Early History -

Rank - Stoker 1c, K 21847 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

1st Class Stoker William Henry Hinds, Service Number K.21847, was a further crew member on H.M.S. Cheerful, which was lost off Shetland. He was originally from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
Prior to enlisting on the 3rd of January, 1914, William had been employed as a general labourer. He saw service on Pembroke I and II, alongside H.M.S. Commonwealth from 1914, prior to transferring to H.M.S. Tyne [Cheerful], and H.M.S. Wallington, a shore establishment near Grimsby during May and June, 1917.
William's job entailed fuelling and maintaining coal-fired boilers, shovelling huge amounts of coal in brutal, hot conditions.
HMS Tyne, a destroyer depot ship for the Eighth Destroyer flotilla, prior to transferring to Destroyer HMS Cheerful.
HMS Cheerful served with the 8th Destroyer Flotilla. She was sunk by a mine while escorting a convoy heading north to Lerwick between Helli Ness and the Bard Head, Bressay. In all, 40 crew members were killed. Her commander at the time was Lieutenant Harman Arthur Lewis Bond and he survived the loss of his ship along with 21 other crew members.
The convoy sailed in two columns, with HMS Cheerful guarding the west and HMS Ness a River-class destroyer, on the starboard east.
Around 12.00 there was an explosion on the west side of the convoy. HMS Cheerful had hit a mine a few hundred yards west of the swept channel. The trawler Gloria II and drifter Boy Charlie proceeded to assist with rescuing survivors as HMS Cheerful had apparently sunk. Gloria II picked up 3 officers, 15 men and Boy Charlie picked up 1 officer, 3 men.

Bucks Advertiser & Aylesbury News - Saturday 07 July 1917

THE GREAT WAR. THE ROLL OF HONOUR. MISSING. 1st CLASS STOKER W. H. HINDS. We regret to state that an official notification was received by the relatives on Tuesday, which leaves little room for doubt that 1st Class Stoker William Henry Hinds, son of the late Mr. Thomas Hinds, of Grecian Street, Aylesbury, has lost his life whilst serving with the Navy. His vessel was sunk, and his sisters, Mrs. Frederick Didcott, Bailey's Court, Castle Street, and Mrs. Henry Irving, Walton Street, Aylesbury, have been informed that his name does not appear amongst the list of the survivors. 1st Class Stoker Hinds, who was 23 years of age, joined the Navy about nine months before the war broke out. His brother, Pte. Frank Hinds, who joined the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry last August, when 17 years of age, was reported missing in May, and nothing has since been heard of him. A nephew of the deceased, 1st Class Stoker William Irving, is serving on .H.M.S. Agincourt.

Bucks Herald - Saturday 30 July 1921

For God, King and Country.

To the Glory of God and in memory of the following men from Walton parish who gave their lives in Great War. 1914 —1919.

Stoker W. Hinds, H.M.S. Cheerful.

“Greater love hath man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Aylesbury War Memorial. Photos by Chris Leach (2012) & David Larkin (2017)

Sources:

C.W.G.C.
F.M.P.
Lost In Waters Deep
Cunningsburgh History Group
SGW/JS.
www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk

Researched by Jon Sandison.

Name - HUTCHISON, John H

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents - Son of John and Ellen Hutchison, of 211, Oxford St., Stepney, London

Early History -

Rank - Stoker 1c, K 28705 (Dev)

Service History - Remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial

Sources:

Name - JOSLIN, Sidney J

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents - Son of the late Caroline Joslin, of Boreham, Chelmsford, Essex

Early History -

Rank - Stoker 1c, K 14862 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

Sources:

Name - LEWIS, John E,

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents -

Early History -

Rank - Stoker 1c, K 24432 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

LONDON PORTER LOST ON H.M.S. CHEERFUL, SHETLAND.

Stoker 1st Class, John Edward Lewis, Service Number K.24432, served with the Royal Navy on board H.M.S. Cheerful. He originated from Hoxton, London.
Prior to enlisting on the 10th of February, 1915, John had been employed as an Outdoors Porter. Before transferring to H.M.S. Cheerful in 1916, Edward had been based at Pembroke II depot station, and also on Scout Cruiser H.M.S. Blonde. Similar to most of the rest of his fellow crew, John transferred to H.M.S. Wallington shore establishment, near Grimbsy in tandem with being deployed on H.M.S. Tyne and H.M.S. Cheerful.
HMS Cheerful served with the 8th Destroyer Flotilla, but was sunk by a mine while escorting a convoy heading north to Lerwick between Helli Ness and the Bard Head, Bressay. 40 crew were killed. Her commander at the time was Lieutenant Harman Arthur Lewis Bond and he survived the loss of his ship along with 21 other crew members.
John was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal. Alongside more of his crew, he is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
His records note that, upon his loss, a friend, Amy Reffell. 3, Welom Court, Willow, Finsbury, was notified. John was aged 24.

Sources:

C.W.G.C.
John Edward Lewis, Service Record.
WW1S/JS.
Cunningsburgh History Group
Lost In Waters Deep

Researched by Jon Sandison

Name - LIDDLE, Thomas

DOB - 12th October 1880.

Place of Birth - Consett, Durham

Parents - Son of Joseph Liddle and Elizabeth Ann Spraggon,

Early History - Husband of Ethel Liddle, of 51, Cuttlers' Hall Rd., Blackhill, Co. Durham,

Rank - Stoker Petty Officer, 301616 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

COUNTY DURHAM LOSS ON H.M.S. CHEERFUL.

Petty Officer Stoker Thomas Liddle, Service Number 301616, served with the Royal Navy on board H.M.S. Cheerful. Thomas was the husband of Ethel, 51 Cutlers Hall Road, Blackhill, County Durham. He was eldest of Joseph and Margaret.
Prior to enlisting on 12th September, 1902, Thomas had been employed as a papermaker.
He then went on to see extensive service in the Royal Navy.
Following an initial period at H.M.S. Pembroke II shore barracks at Chatham between 1900-06. Thomas had interspersed service at H.M.S. Actaeon, which was a shore-based Royal Navy Torpedo School at Sheerness, Kent. Following this, a short period of time was spent on H.M.S. Edgar, a first-class cruiser, as well as destroyer H.M.S. Tenedos, between March and July, 1910. Two short stints were spent on both H.M.S. Victorious and H.M.S. Lord Nelson. In between periods at H.M.S. Pembroke II, Thomas again served on H.M.S. Actaeon.
Thomas also served on depot ship H.M.S. Tyne, between September 1916 and May 1917, as well as H.M.S. Wallington shore establishment, near Grimsby, from 1st June 1917.
In March 1916, Thomas was on board torpedo boat No 11, which was blown up. He was with twelve others on deck at the time and was one of those who escaped. He had been in the Navy for fifteen years.

The Buffalo Enquirer, New York. Jan. 1918

Thomas Liddle

Consett Guardian - Friday 27 June 1919

In Memoriam

In memory of Stoker Petty Officer Thomas Liddle, Royal Navy, dearly beloved husband of Ethel Liddle. 51. Cutlers Hall. Blackhill, reported lost on H.M.S. Cheerful, June 30th, 1917. Ever remembered by his loving wife and little daughters Irene and Margaret;, also uncle, aunt, and cousins.

Consett Guardian - Friday 01 July 1921

In Memoriam

In fond and loving memory of our dear son and brother. Petty Officer Thomas Liddle eldest son of Joseph and Elisabeth Liddle, late of Consett, and eldest grandson of Joseph and Margaret Spraggon (deceased) , who lost his life in the North Sea. June 30th. 1917, late of H.M.S. Cheerful, after 15 years' service. Lead, kindly light. Asleep in the deep—Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Liddle and family, Detroit. Mich..U.S.A.

St Cuthbert’s Church, Benfieldside war memorial. Photos J Morrison

Sources:

C.W.G.C.
John Edward Lewis, Service Record.
WW1S/JS.
Cunningsburgh History Group
Lost In Waters Deep
www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk

Researched by Jon Sandison

Name - MACRO, Frederick James,

DOB - 26th April 1886

Place of Birth - Chatham

Parents - Son of Mr. Macro, of Gateshead-on-Tyne, and the late Mrs. Macro

Early History -

Rank - Engine Room Artificer, RNR, EA 1170 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

GATESHEAD LOSS ON H.M.S. CHEERFUL.

Engine Room Artificer, Frederick James Macro, Service Number 11700EA, served with the Royal Naval Reserve, on board H.M.S. Cheerful. Frederick was the son of John and Emily, of Gateshead-on-Tyne.
HMS Cheerful was part of Convoy escort A, 28th-30th June 1917. The escort left the Humber on 28th June with four ships. Seven more ships joined, and one left the convoy at the Tyne. Another ship left at Blyth. The nine remaining merchant ships then headed north for Lerwick.
Frederick underwent service extensively on H.M.S. Tyne, [H.M.S. Cheerful] a Destroyer Depot Ship primarily based at Queensferry as flotilla depot, as well as H.M.S. Wallington, an auxiliary patrol base on the Humber.
The convoy sailed in two columns, with HMS Cheerful guarding the port side and HMS Ness, River-class destroyer, on the starboard side.
Around 12.00 there was an explosion on the port (west) side of the convoy. HMS Cheerful had hit a mine a few hundred yards west of the swept channel. The trawler Gloria II and drifter Boy Charlie proceeded to help with rescuing survivors. Gloria II picked up 3 officers, 15 men, and Boy Charlie picked up 1 officer, 3 men. 40 crew were initially reported missing
Monday 2 July 1917 (HMS Cheerful): An Admiralty Court of Enquiry was held aboard HMS Brilliant into the loss of HMS Cheerful.
Lieutenant H.A.L. Bond RNR (CO HMS Cheerful) testified on 1 July:-
At 12.01 a violent explosion occurred under the after boiler room. The ship broke in half from its effects. The fore end immediately submerged, then turned and floated bottom up for about 15 minutes. Mr. J.M. Cole, gunner, was Officer of the Watch. I had just entered my cabin to obtain private signals when the explosion occurred. On reaching deck I saw the fore end was under water and sinking rapidly.
Upon his death, his sister Florence, of 332 Sunderland Road, Gateshead, was notified of pension details. Frederick was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Frederick is commemorated, with most of his fellow crew, on the Chatham Naval Memorial. The memorial commemorates 8,517 sailors of the First World War.

Sources:

C.W.G.C.
ADM 137-3305.
SGW/JS.
Cunningsburgh History Group

Researched by Jon Sandison

Name - MAIN, Alexander M

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents - Son of Robert and Euphemia Main, of Kilmarnock,

Early History -

Rank - Act/Engine Room Artificer 4c, M 20180 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

AYRSHIRE LOSS ON H.M.S. CHEERFUL.

Officers Steward, Alexander Mason Main, Service Number M.20180, served on H.M.S. Cheerful. Alexander was the son of Robert and Euphemia, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire.
Prior to enlisting, Alexander had been employed as an engineer's fitter.
His role as an Officer's Steward on H.M.S. Cheerful would have varied between various duties, including serving meals, keeping officers mess and spaces clean and orderly, looking after cabins and sleeping spaces, as well as assisting the officers cook. Destroyers were small ships, so the role was practical and probably less formal than on a battleship or cruiser. [1]
Like the rest of his crew, Alexander underwent training at H.M.S. Pembroke II shore base. This was between April and December, 1916. By January, 1917, he had transferred to H.M.S. Tyne Depot ship, with adjacent service with H.M.S. Cheerful as part of the 8th Destroyer Flotilla.
HMS Cheerful, one of 23 destroyers in the newly formed East Coast Convoys, Humber. This was created as part of the general introduction of convoys in response to unrestricted submarine warfare by the Germans. HMS Cheerful served with the 8th Destroyer Flotilla, but was sunk by a mine while escorting a convoy heading north to Lerwick between Helli Ness and the Bard Head, Bressay, 30th June, 1917.
Alexander was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal. He is commemorated in the Chatham Naval Memorial.

Sources:

C.W.G.C.
Naval Service Record. T.N.A.
[1] Naval History.
SGW/JS.

Researched by Jon Sandison

Name - MCGRADY, William J,

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents - Son of John and Ann Jane McGrady, of 55, Grove St., Belfast

Early History -

Rank - Stoker 1c, SS 110738 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

BELFAST LOSS ON H.M.S. CHEERFUL.

Stoker William John McGrady, Service Number ss.110738, served with the Royal Navy on board H.M.S. Cheerful. He was the son of John and Ann, 55 Grove Street, Belfast.
Prior to joining the Royal Navy, William had been employed as a Porter. Initially at H.M.S. Pembroke II, Royal Naval barracks Chatham in February, he then went on to have varied service upon various Royal Naval vessels including H.M.S. Natal, during the summer of 1912, alongside H.M.S. Gibraltar and Newcastle later that year. This was interspersed with further time at H.M.S. Pembroke II, between September-October 1912, and June-September 1916.
On the 23rd September, 1916, William had joined H.M.S. Tyne, [H.M.S. Cheerful] a Destroyer Depot Ship primarily based at Queensferry as flotilla depot. [1]
By August, 1914, HMS Cheerful, with the 8th Destroyer Flotilla, had moved to its wartime base on the Firth of Forth at Queensferry. Duties incorporated anti-submarine and counter-mining patrols. William was subsequently attached H.M.S. Wallington, Auxiliary Patrol base on the Humber.
HMS Cheerful was sunk by a mine while escorting a convoy heading north to Lerwick between Helli Ness and the Bard Head, Bressay. 40 crew were lost.
William was aged just 26.

Northern Whig - Wednesday 11 July 1917

The Admiralty announces that First-Class Stoker W. J. M'Grady was lost with H.M destroyer ,on the 30th ult. Deceased was a brother Miss Mary M'Grady. 56, Grove Street, Belfast.

Sources:

C.W.G.C.
[1] Service Record. T.N.A.
WW1S/JS.
Cunningsburgh History Group
www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk

Researched by Jon Sandison

Name - MOKLER, Walter,

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents - Son of Edward Charles and Amelia Mokler, of 28, Addison Rd., Walthamstow, London

Early History -

Rank - Officer's Steward 2c, L 8204 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

LONDON LOSS ON H.M.S. CHEERFUL.

Officers Steward 2nd Class, Walter Mokler, Service Number L/8204, served in H.M.S. Cheerful. He was the son of Edward and Amelia, 28 Addison Road, Walthamstow.
Walter had been employed as a Steward. Upon enlisting, Walter saw service at H.M.S. Pembroke, H.M.S. Victorious II, H.M.S. Tyne and H.M.S Wallington shore establishment, near Grimsby.
An Officer's Steward had various duties on his vessel, including making up bunks, tidying up living spaces, serving tea, food and drinks, alongside running errands and assisting in officers' daily needs.
On 30th of June, 1917, while served with the 8th Destroyer Flotilla protecting Scandanavian Convoys, H.M.S. Cheerful was sunk by a mine while escorting a convoy heading north to Lerwick between Helli Ness and the Bard Head, Bressay. Walter, along with 39 of his fellow crew were killed.
The convoy sailed in two columns, with HMS Cheerful guarding the port side and HMS Ness on the starboard side.
At 11.50 GMT on 30 June the convoy was south of Lerwick and east of Helli Ness when the drifter Boy Charlie approached from Lerwick flying the signal “LOOK OUT FOR MINES”. HMS Ness made contact with the drifter by megaphone and was told that mines had been found off Bard Head, Bressay but that the main channel to Lerwick had been cleared.
Around 12.00 there was an explosion on the port side of the convoy. HMS Cheerful had hit a mine a few hundred yards west of the swept channel. The trawler Gloria II and drifter Boy Charlie proceeded to assist with rescuing survivors as HMS Cheerful had apparently sunk. Gloria II picked up 3 officers, 15 men and Boy Charlie picked up 1 officer, 3 men. 40 crew were initially reported missing (suggesting a total crew of 62).
Walter was one of the 40 crew lost. He was aged 23.
He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, alongside more of his fellow crew who were lost. He was awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal.

Sources:

C.W.G.C.
[1] Service Record. T.N.A.
WW1S/JS.
Cunningsburgh History Group

Researched by Jon Sandison

Name - MORGAN, George A H,

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents - Son of George and Eliza Morgan, of Tottenham, London;

Early History - Husband of Mary Jane Wheadon (formerly Morgan), of Oxbridge, Melplash, Dorset,

Rank - Leading Seaman, 216909 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

LONDON LOSS ON H.M.S. CHEERFUL.

Leading Seaman, George Alfred Henry Morgan, Service Number 216909, served the Royal Navy on board H.M.S. Cheerful. George was the son of George and Eliza, Totenham, London, and husband of Mary Jane Wheadon, of Oxbridge, Melplash, Dorset.
Prior to enlisting in 1901, George had worked as a labourer. He had quite considerable service in the Royal Navy.
He served some time on H.M.S. Northampton following enlistment between October 1903 and March 1904.
Following a period of time at H.M.S. Pembroke shore base, he served time on H.M.S. Sutlej from February 1906. In 1906, she became a training ship for the North America and West Indies Station before returning home and being assigned as the flagship of the reserve Third Fleet in 1909. Relieved as flagship in 1910, she remained in reserve until the beginning of World War I in August 1914.[1]
In between further time at H.M.S. Pembroke, George saw service, amongst other ships, on H.M.S. Resolution, Antrim, Cyclops, and Glory in the period before the outbreak of World War One.
During the Battle of Jutland, George served on H.M.S. Lapwing, an Acheron-class destroyer.
George subsequently saw service on HMS Tyne, a destroyer depot ship for the Eighth Destroyer flotilla, alongside H.M.S. Wallington, the south Terminus of the Humber-Lerwick Scandanavia convoys between April 1917 and January 1918.
HMS Cheerful served with the 8th Destroyer Flotilla, but was sunk by a mine while escorting a convoy heading north to Lerwick between Helli Ness and the Bard Head, Bressay. In all, 40 crew members were killed. Her commander at the time was Lieutenant Harman Arthur Lewis Bond, and he survived the loss of his ship along with 21 other crew members. She was part of Convoy escort A (28-30 June 1917). The escort left the Humber on 28 June with four ships. Seven more ships joined, and one left the convoy at the Tyne. Another ship left at Blyth. The nine remaining merchant ships then headed north for Lerwick. The convoy sailed in two columns, with HMS Cheerful guarding the west side and HMS Ness, a River-class destroyer on the starboard east side.
George was aged 31.
George is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial

Sources:

C.W.G.C.
[1] Service Record. T.N.A.
WW1S/JS.
Cunningsburgh History Group

Researched by Jon Sandison

Name - OLIVER, Bernard

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents - Son of Frederick and Caroline Oliver, of London;

Early History - Husband of Alice M. Holton (formerly Oliver), of 7, Valentine Row, Blackfriars Rd., London,

Rank - Stoker 1c, K 12608

Service History - Remembered on the  Naval Memorial

LONDON LOSS ON H.M.S. CHEERFUL.

Stoker Bernard Edwin Oliver, Service Number K/12608, served with the Royal Navy on board H.M.S. Cheerful. He was the son of Frederick and Caroline, London, and husband of Alice M. Holton, 7 Valentine Row, Blackfriars Road, London.
Prior to enlisting in 1911, Bernard was employed as a shop assistant in a news agent. Aged 18, Bernard had 12 years service in the Royal Navy. On the 30 January 1912, he began service as Stoker 2nd Class on HMS Halcyon. She was a Dryad-class torpedo gunboat. He was promoted to Stoker 1st Class, later that year on 1st of October. The following year, on 16th December 1913, Bernard commenced service as Stoker 1st Class at HMS Pembroke II (Chatham).
From the 1st January 1914, he began further service as Stoker 1st Class on HMS Dominion, she King Edward VII-class pre-dreadnought battleship. She had been in the Home Fleet since 27 June 1913 and was assigned to the Grand Fleet at Rosyth at the start of the war.
From the 24th of November, 1916, Bernard saw service on H.M.S. Wallington, and then H.M.S. Tyne and Cheerful from April, 1917. HMS Tyne, Destroyer Depot ship for the Eighth Destroyer flotilla, prior to transferring to Destroyer HMS Cheerful.
HMS Cheerful served with the 8th Destroyer Flotilla. She was sunk by a mine while escorting a convoy heading north to Lerwick between Helli Ness and the Bard Head, Bressay. In all, 40 crew were killed.
The convoy sailed in two columns, with HMS Cheerful guarding the west and HMS Ness a River-class destroyer, on the starboard east.
Around 12.00 there was an explosion on the west side of the convoy. HMS Cheerful had hit a mine a few hundred yards west of the swept channel. The trawler Gloria II and drifter Boy Charlie proceeded to assist with rescuing survivors as HMS Cheerful had apparently sunk. Gloria II picked up 3 officers, 15 men and Boy Charlie picked up 1 officer, 3 men.
Bernard was awarded the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. He was aged 23, and is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

Sources:

C.W.G.C.
Service Record.
SWF/JS.
Cunningsburgh History Group
Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Researched by Jon Sandison

Name - PAYNE, Edwin E,

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents - Son of Thomas Henry and E. J. Payne, of Strood, Rochester;

Early History - Husband of Hilda Daisy Payne, of 26, Henry St., Rochester, Kent

Rank - Stoker 1c, SS 117592

Service History - Remembered on the Naval Memorial

ROCHESTER LOSS ON H.M.S. CHEERFUL.

Stoker, 1st Class, Edward Ernest Wilson Payne, Service Number SS/117592, served on board H.M.S. Cheerful. He was the son of Thomas and Eliza [nee Wilson], of Rochester. Edward was also the husband of Hilda Daisy, 26 Henry Street, Rochester.
Upon enlisting, Edward worked as a Gun Collar Maker. He began service on the 29th of May, 1916, with H.M.S. Pembroke II at Chatham. Later that year, on 23rd September, he began service as a Stoker, 2nd Class, on H.M.S. Tyne. This was the depot ship and headquarters for the 8th Destroyer Flotilla. He was now serving on H.M.S. Cheerful.
HMS Cheerful was serving with the 8th Destroyer Flotilla when she was sunk by a mine on 30th June 1917, while escorting a convoy heading north to Lerwick between Helli Ness and the Bard Head, Bressay. In total, 40 crew members were killed. Her commander at the time was Lieutenant Harman Arthur Lewis Bond, and he survived the loss of his ship along with 21 other crew members.
The trawler Gloria II and drifter Boy Charlie proceeded to assist with rescuing survivors as HMS Cheerful had apparently sunk. Gloria II picked up 3 officers, 15 men and Boy Charlie picked up 1 officer, 3 men.
Edward was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.
He is commemorated, alongside most of his crewmates, on the Chatham Naval Memorial. He was aged 23.

Sources:

C.W.G.C.
Service Record.
SWF/JS.
Cunningsburgh History Group
Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Researched by Jon Sandison

Name - PERRIN, James C W,

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents - Son of James and Jane Perrin; husband of E. F. Perrin, of 10, West Sheen Vale, Richmond, Surrey.

Early History -

Rank - Leading Seaman (RFR B 4286), 182220 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

LONDON LOSS ON H.M.S. CHEERFUL.
Leading Seaman James Charles William Perrin, Service Number 182220, served on H.M.S. Cheerful. He was the son of James and Jane of Peckham, London, and husband of Ellen, 10 West Sheen Vale, Lower Mortlake Road, Richmond-upon-Thames, Surrey.
James had extensive service in the Royal Navy, which reflected both his individual story and the size of the Royal Navy at the time.
Born in 1879, he enlisted aged 15 on the 24th November 1894, as a Boy 1st Class at HMS Impregnable, Boys Training Establishment, Devonport in Plymouth. In September, the following year he was promoted to Boy 1st Class. In August 1896 he began service on HMS Endymion, an Edgar-class protected cruiser, and by December he had commenced further service on H.M.S. Revenge, a Royal Sovereign-class pre-dreadnought battleship.
On 18th January, 1897, James enlisted aged 18 for 12 years' service in the Royal Navy as an Ordinary Seaman, beginning service on H.M.S. Revenge. That year his ship had taken part in the blockade of Crete during a revolt against the Ottoman Empire. James had transferred to H.M.S. Revenge by May 1898, upon which he was promoted to Able Seaman on 13th August, 1899.
On the 28th of May, 1900, James was transferred again to HMS Sans Pareil, a Victoria-class battleship, then from early September 1900, underwent service at HMS Wildfire, [Naval Store at Sheerness, Kent].
By the end of January, 1901, James began service as an Able Seaman on HMS Jupiter, which was a Majestic-class pre-dreadnought battleship. After three years, he returned to the period at base to H.M.S. Pembroke at Chatham.
On the 21st of June 1904, he commenced further service on H.M.S. Albion, which was a Canopus-class pre-dreadnought battleship, before transferring once again to H.M.S. Argonaut, a Diadem-class protected cruiser on 18th July, 1905.
In November 1906 he was to join the Royal Fleet Reserve, but re-joined the Royal Navy in 1916. He remained on the Reserve roll until the outbreak of war. On 3rd August 1914 James was promoted to Leading Seaman on H.M.S. Mars, a Majestic-class pre-dreadnought battleship, which as this point was serving as a guard ship on the Humber. After further interspersed shore time at H.M.S. Pembroke, he was assigned to H.M.S. Tyne which was the depot ship and headquarters for the 8th Destroyer Flotilla. Here he served on the Humber to Shetland route, guarding the Scandinavian Convoys.
HMS Cheerful was sunk by a mine while escorting a convoy heading north to Lerwick between Helli Ness and the Bard Head, Bressay. In all, forty crew were lost. Her commander at the time was Lieutenant Harman Arthur Lewis Bond and he survived the loss of his ship along with 21 other crew members.
James is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. The Chatham Naval Memorial was unveiled by the Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VIII) on 26 April 1924.
James was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Sources:

Ancestry.
C.W.G.C.
Service Record.
Researched by Jon Sandison

Name - ROWLEY Benjamin Boulton

DOB - 14th July 1890 and baptised on 14th July 1891 at St Anthony’s, Liverpool

Place of Birth - Liverpool, Lancashire

Parents - Benjamin and Eliza

Early History - Recorded on the 1901 census living at 27 Wilbraham Street, Liverpool with his parents and younger brother Edward. Ben was aged eight, his younger brother five years old with their father working as a barman.

Rank - Stoker 1st Class (Ch) SS 108643, RFR B 10636

Service History -

Joining the Navy on 11th May 1909 under a short service of five years plus seven in retention, Ben began training as a Stoker 2nd Class, leaving his job behind as a fruit porter. He was recorded as being 5’6” tall with brown hair and blue eyes. His service record follows:

HMS ACHERON - 11/05/1909 - 23/09/1909
HMS JASON - 24/09/1909 - 15/08/1910, rising to Stoker 1st Class on 11/05/1910
HMS PEMBROKE II - 16/08/1910 - 19/09/1910
HMS NEWCASTLE - 20/09/1910 - 10/03/1911
HMS PEMBROKE II - 11/03/1911 - 03/07/1911
HMS AQUARIUS - 04/07/1911 - 10/07/1913
HMS PEMBROKE - 11/07/1913 - 02/05/1913
HMS ALECTO - 03/05/1913 - 05/05/1914
HMS PEMBROKE II - 06/05/1914 - 10/05/1914

Discharged to shore on the 10th May 1914 and transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve his break in service was short lived as he was recalled less than 3 months later

HMS PEMBROKE II - 02/08/1914 - 06/01/1915 - while on leave Ben married Margaret Nangle at the Catholic church St Alphonsus on 3rd November 1914
HMS STEPHEN FURNESS - 07/01/1915 - 08/03/1916
HMS THALIA - 09/03/1916 - 31/03/1916
HMS STEPHEN FURNESS - 01/04/1916 - 20/04/1916
HMS PEMBROKE II - 21/04/1916 - 25/10/1916
HMS TYNE - 26/10/1916 - 31/05/1917
HMS WALLINGTON (CHEERFUL) - 01/06/1917 - 30/06/1917

His Victory and British war medals were awarded to his widow following his death, as was his pension.

Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
1901 England Census
Liverpool, England, Catholic Baptisms, 1741-1916 Liverpool Record Office; Liverpool, England; Liverpool Catholic Parish Registers; Reference Number: 282 ANT/1/12
Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services, 1848-1939 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services; Class: ADM 188; Piece: 1114
England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
Liverpool, England, Catholic Marriages, 1754-1932 Liverpool Record Office; Liverpool, England; Liverpool Catholic Parish Registers; Reference Number: 282 ALP/2/2
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty: Naval Casualties, Indexes, War Grave Rolls and Statistics Book, First World War.; Class: ADM 242; Piece: 010 (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/10; Scan Number: 0205
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 114
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; Pension Record Cards; Reference: 163/0806/ROS-ROS

Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - SCOVELL, Ernest B,

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents - Son of the late George Henry Scovell, of East Molesey, Surrey,

Early History -

Rank - Able Seaman, J 22641 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

Sources:

Name - TANNER, Arthur W,

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents - Son of James Alfred and Charlotte Tanner, of 4, Aldred Rd., Walworth, London,

Early History -

Rank - Leading Stoker, K 6893 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

LONDON LOSS ON H.M.S. CHEERFUL.
Leading Stoker Arthur William Tanner, Service Number K.6893, served on board H.M.S. Cheerful. He was the son of James and Charlotte, [need Adams], Kennington, London.
Prior to enlisting on 30th May, 1910, aged 18, Arthur had been employed as a Vanguard. This role would have involved being an assistant who rode on the back of a delivery cart or motor van to load goods.
He commenced service on H.M.S. Pembroke II at Chatham, then subsequently began service as a Stoker, 2nd Class on H.M.S. Hogue, a Cressy-class armoured cruiser on the 18th of October, 1910. Following further training at Chatham, Arthur began started further service as a Stoker 1st Class on H.M.S. St George, an Edgar-class cruiser, then transferred to H.M.S. Blenheim, a Blake-class protected cruiser on 1st May, 1912.
A further period of time was spent on H.M.S. Egmont from 1st October, 1913, which had been renamed from H.M.S. Achilles in 1904. This was a shore establishment and depot ship in Malta. On the 1st of April, 1914, Arthur then returned to service again on H.M.S. Blenheim, passing educationally for Petty Officer two days later.
By 22nd June 1914, Arthur began service on H.M.S. Sutlej, another Cressy-class armoured cruiser. Following a further period at H.M.S. Pembroke II, Chatham, he then commenced a new period of service as a Stoker on H.M.S. Russell, which as a Duncan-class pre-dreadnought battleship. Less than a year into the outbreak of World War One, he was promoted to Leading Stoker upon H.M.S. Russell.
On a Royal Navy destroyer during the First World War, a Leading Stoker was essentially a senior engine-room rating supervising other stokers and helping keep the ship’s boilers and machinery operating correctly. “Leading Stoker” was a recognized rating above the ordinary stoker grades. [1]
On the 23rd of September, 1916, he then began service as Leading Stoker with H.M.S. Tyne, the depot ship and headquarters for 8th Destoyer Flotilla, serving on H.M.S. Cheerful.
Arthur was one of 40 crew lost when H.M.S. Cheerful was sunk by a mine while escorting a convoy heading north to Lerwick between Helli Ness and the Bard Head, Bressay.

Sources:

Ancestry.
Service Record. T.NA.
[1] National Archives.
SGW/JS.
Researched by Jon Sandison

Name - TAYLOR, Edward A

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents -

Early History -

Rank - Stoker 1c, K 9752 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

Sources:

Name - VIRGO, Albert H

DOB -

Place of Birth -

Parents - Son of Edwin and Ellen Virgo, of London,

Early History -

Rank - Stoker 1c, SS 114569 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

Chatham Naval Memorial

Sources:

Name - WILLIAMS, William Sutton,

DOB - 9th October 1878

Place of Birth - Littlebourne, Kent

Parents - Son of Ellen Ralph (formerly Williams), of Littlebourne, Canterbury, and the late William Williams.

Early History -

Rank - Leading Stoker, 290196 (Ch)

Service History - Served in the South African War. Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

Sources:

Name - WOODCOCK, Albert

DOB - 13th December 1882

Place of Birth - Sheffield

Parents - Son of William Woodcock, of Chesterfield, Derbyshire;

Early History - Husband of Charlotte Kilham (formerly Woodcock), of 18, Manor Row, Low Moor, Bradford, Yorks

Rank - Stoker Petty Officer, 298175 (Ch)

Service History - Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial

Sources:

Shetland Museum.

Brass letter C

HMS Cheerful lifering.

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