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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
The Wreck Today
HMS Cheerful is part of an ongoing HES funded project and a report will be released soon
HMS Cheerful is part of an ongoing HES funded project and a report will be released soon
The Crew - Research ongoing
ANTRICHAN, Robert, Stoker 1c, 299884 (Ch
Milton Regis War Memorial © Julie Brewer (WMR-71495)
BAILES, Percy C, Able Seaman, J 18502 (Ch)
BODIN, Hugh, Signalman, RNVR, Clyde Z 7910
BREITNAUER, Walter C, Able Seaman, J 56721 (Ch)
BRIDGES, Walter E, Stoker 1c, 309868 (Ch)
CARPENTER, Henry, Able Seaman (RFR B 2839), 201208 (Ch)
CHALMERS, David, Stoker 1c, K 10502 (Ch)
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 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.
COLLINGS, Henry V, Stoker 1c, K 31162 (Ch)
COLLYER, Henry, Cook's Mate, M 5916 (Ch)
CUTTANCE, Gabriel J, Telegraphist, J 21053 (Ch)
Wokingham War memorial. Photos: Stuart Nicholson. St Michael's Church. Photo: Stuart Nicholson
Name - Daniel Darbon
DOB - 21st July 1898 and baptised on 4th February 1898
Place of Birth - Hillingdon, Middlesex
Parents - Robert and Fanny
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
DOB - 21st July 1898 and baptised on 4th February 1898
Place of Birth - Hillingdon, Middlesex
Parents - Robert and Fanny
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
DIXON, Robert W, Stoker 1c, K 33490 (Ch)
DUNN, James V, Stoker 1c, K 12856 (Ch)
DYSON, Louie F, Stoker 1, SS 112188 (Ch)
EASON, Daniel E, Stoker 1c, K 15961 9Ch)
FLINDALL, Arthur F B, Leading Stoker, 309109 (Ch)
GREEN, Albert E, Stoker Petty Officer, 304957 (Ch)
HANKS, Edgar R, Stoker 1c, K 15527 (Ch)
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.
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.
HERBERTS, Sydney, Leading Signalman, J 6652 (Ch)
HICKMAN, William P B, Stoker 1c, K 16316 (Ch)
HINDS, William H, Stoker 1c, K 21847 (Ch)
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."
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)
HUTCHISON, John H, Stoker 1c, K 28705 (Dev)
JOSLIN, Sidney J, Stoker 1c, K 14862 (Ch)
LEWIS, John E, Stoker 1c, K 24432 (Ch)
LIDDLE, Thomas, Stoker Petty Officer, 301616 (Ch)
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.
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
MACRO, Frederick J, Engine Room Artificer, RNR, EA 1170
MAIN, Alexander M, Act/Engine Room Artificer 4c, M 20180 (Ch)
MCGRADY, William J, Stoker 1c, SS 110738 (Ch)
MOKLER, Walter, Officer's Steward 2c, L 8204 (Ch)
MORGAN, George A H, Leading Seaman, 216909 (Ch)
OLIVER, Bernard, Stoker 1c, K 12608
PAYNE, Edwin E, Stoker 1c, SS 117592
PERRIN, James C W, Leading Seaman (RFR B 4286), 182220 (Ch)
Name - Benjamin Boulton Rowley
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
SCOVELL, Ernest B, Able Seaman, J 22641 (Ch)
TANNER, Arthur W, Leading Stoker, K 6893 (Ch)
TAYLOR, Edward A, Stoker 1c, K 9752 (Ch)
VIRGO, Albert H, Stoker 1c, SS 114569 (Ch)
WILLIAMS, William S, Leading Stoker, 290196 (Ch)
WOODCOCK, Albert, Stoker Petty Officer, 298175 (Ch)
