HMS E-49

HM Submarine E-49

E 48 sister submarine to E 49

HMS E-49. 12/03/1917

Displacement: 725 grt.

Length: 55.2 m. Beam: 4.6 m. Draught: 3.81 m.

Propulsion: 2 x 1600 hp diesel, 2 x 840 hp electric, twin screws

Complement: 31 officers and men.

Armament: 5 x 18 in T.T. (2 bow, 2 beam, 1 stern) 1 x 12 pdr. gun.

HMS E 49 was built at Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd., Wallsend in 1916

On the 12th of March 1917 E 49 was in Balta Harbour on the Isle of Unst, North Shetland. The submarine left the harbour at 12.55pm to patrol the waters off North Shetland. As E 49 passed through the south channel, on the surface people ashore heard a large explosion. HMS E 49 had struck one of two mines that had been lain in the early hours of the 10th March 1917 by UC 76 (Oblt. Wilhelm Barten).

The bow of the E 49 had been blown off and the submarine sank with no survivors.

Balta sound with position of HMS E 49 marked (PA) Chart 3643 Balta Sound 1939 . (UKHO)

HMS E 49 marked (PA) Chart 3643 Balta Sound 1939 . (UKHO)

Translated UC-76 KTB (logbook) (All times Berlin time)

10/03/1917.

01.42 Underwater went on bearing to south channel Balta Sound contested.

02.04, 2 mines 1 hour before high water laid. Adjustment 4m depth. mine sketch. To stand 2m under rough water. Left going through north channel.

02.25, Surfaced to get bearing. Blown on. Boat has The Neb 500m starboard abeam.

02.27. Submerged.

02.33 1 mine laid Adjustment 6m. mine sketch. To stand 4m under rough water.

Mine Sketch UC 76 KTB. Balta Sound showing positions of mines laid.

The Wreck Today.

The wreck lays in 30m on a clean white sand bottom in position 60°44,209'N 00°47,93'W and is a popular dive site.

Photos: Bob Anderson

Most of the hull is buried in sand with the brass conning tower broken off the pressure hull and laying off the starboard side. Further forward the hull ends in a clean break. 10m away from the break is the bow section.

The wreck of HMS E 49 is classed as one of the best dives in Shetland. E39 is a Protected Site where it can be dived but must not be touched.

Simon Brown of Deep3D

The Crew

Name - Victor Henry Arm
DOB - 9th April 1900
Place of Birth - Alverstoke, Gosport, Hampshire
Parents - William and Alice (Martin)

Early History - Victor was 11 months old when recorded on the 1901 census, along with his older brother Reginald, and parents at 38 Pelham Road, Alverstoke. Sadly, Victor lost his mother later in the year, possibly as she gave birth to daughter Winifred. Alice was just 28 years old. The small family were recorded living at the same address 10 years later, with Alice’s mother as an addition, possibly helping William with the house and children while they all attended school.

Rank - Boy Telegraphist (Po) J 49157

Service History - The youngest member of the E49 crew, Victor left his job as an errand boy, perhaps for better prospects, and joined the Navy on 29th January 1916 as a Boy 2nd Class, training at HMS IMPREGNABLE II until 12th May 1916. He transferred to HMS GANGES on 13th May 1916 until 19th October 1916, rising to Boy Telegraphist on 3rd July 1916. He was next attached to HMS VICTORY I for 2 weeks before being posted to HMS DOLPHIN on 9th November 1916 until 21st December 1916. His final posting was to E49 (tendered to HMS LUCIA) on 22nd December 1916, losing his life on 12th March 1917. He was just 16 years old when he died.

He was recorded as being 5’3” tall with dark brown hair and brown eyes.

His British war medals and Victory medal were claimed by his father, along with his pension after his death. He is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Sources:

England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - FreeBMD
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: 745
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: 007 (1914 - 1919)
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty and predecessors: Office of the Director General of the Medical Department of the Navy and predecessors: Service Registers and Registers of Deaths and Injuries. Registers of Reports of Deaths
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/7; Scan Number: 0101
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 94
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - Lt. Basil Arthur Beal
DOB - 16th January 1888
Place of Birth - Fulham, London
Parents - Edward and Jane

Early History - Basil was baptised on 12th February 1888 at St Andrews, West Kensington, following his birth at 19 Perham Road, Fulham. He was recorded on the 1891 aged 3, living at the same house he was born in, with his barrister Father, Mother and older brother, as well as 2 house servants. 10 years later on the 1901 census he was recorded, aged 13, at Glengorse Preparatory School, Chesterfield Road, Eastbourne, Sussex.

Rank- Lieutenant

Service History -

HMS BRITANNIA - 15/01/1903 passing out on 15/05/1904
HMS LONDON - 15/05/1904 - 25/04/1904 as Midshipman
HMS IMPLACABLE - 26/05/1905 - 27/03/1907
HMS BULWARK - 27/03/1907 - Sept 1907, leaving for a course at the Royal Naval College on 27/09/1907 and becoming Sub Lieutenant 30th August 1907
HMS STAR (for HECLA) - 09/05/1908 - 13/06/1908
HMS MINOTAUR - 13/06/1908 - 30/04/1909

HMS MERCURY - 01/05/1909 - 19/08/1912, for instruction for submarines and becoming Lieutenant on 1st April 1910. It was on 25th November 1910 Basil was admitted to Haslar Royal Naval Hospital due to injury to his right knee. He was discharged 5 weeks later on 15th December 1910. During the 1911 census he recorded himself, his wife, step daughter, a visitor (of his wife’s relation) and 2 servants at 39 Melrose Avenue, Willesden, Middlesex.
HMS DOLPHIN (for A5) - 31/08/1912 - 13/05/1913
HMS DOLPHIN (for B1) - 13/05/1913 - 15/01/1915
HMS DOLPHIN (for W2) - 15/01/1915 - 10/05/1915, in command of vessel
HMS FORTH (for W2) - 10/05/1915 - 25/08/1916, in command of vessel
HMS LUCIA - 25/08/1916 - 03/11/1916
HMS LUCIA (for E49) - 03/11/1916 - 12/03/1917, in command of vessel

Lt. Beal Lt. Beal signature

As mentioned above with the 1911 census, Basil was married to Lucy Evaline Binley (nee Raven) but their history was just as tragic as Basil’s death.
Lucy married George Binley, a tailor, on 10th September 1902 in Birmingham. Lucy did not have her occupation entered onto her marriage certificate but she was a music hall artiste also and had the stage name of Betty Barclay (see images below). They had a daughter Ivy the year after, on 16th July 1903, and for a few years all was well in their marriage. Lucy gave birth to another daughter, Joyce Binley on 12th July 1908 but George declared that the child was not his and instead petitioned on divorce papers that the daughter was Basil Beal’s and Lucy Binsley’s.
He petitioned for the divorce on 25th September 1909, citing the adultery between Basil and Lucy from dates in November 1907 which continued into 1908, something which both parties denied. A Decree Nisi was issued for the divorce on 13th May 1910 with damages of £350 to be paid by Basil to George and a further £150 paid to George for the maintenance of Ivy. Ivy was also to remain with her father. The Decree Absolute was granted on 21st November 1910 and the marriage between George and Lucy was dissolved. Shortly after the Absolute was granted Lucy and Basil married (at the end of 1910).
They remained together until Basil’s tragic death - Lucy was awarded his pension and Star, Victory and British war medals and after mourning his loss for several years she remarried in 1922 to George Glover who was her partner in the act- Betty Barclay and a Baritone (HERE) . Tragedy was to strike one last time when Lucy died just 3 years later on 18th July 1925, a patient of Colney Hatch Mental Hospital (see HERE for more details on the history of the institution). The residue of her estate was left to Stewart Beal, Schoolmaster - brother of Basil.

If there was any confusion as to if Joyce was Basil's daughter, even though she was recorded with the Binsley surname on the 1911 census, she had changed her surname to Beal by 1939.

Sources:

England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 FreeBMD
London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1917 London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; Reference Number: p77/and/005
1891, 1901 & 1911 England Census
Royal Naval Officers' Service Records Index, 1756-1931 - National Archives ADM 196/144/267 and ADM 196/51/223
Navy Lists, 1888-1970 Peter Singlehurst; Year: 1910, 1906, 1907
London, England, City Directories, 1736-1943 London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; London City Directories
England & Wales, Civil Divorce Records, 1858-1918 National Archives; Kew, Surrey, England; Court for Divorce and Matrimonial Causes, later Supreme Court of Judicature: Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Files, J 77; Reference Number: J 77/986/9956
England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
CWGC Register
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - Leonard Arthur Belsey
DOB - 18 October 1884
Place of Birth - Ramsgate, Kent
Parents - William and Caroline

Early History - Born in October 1884, Leonard was baptised at the turn of the new year, on 4th January 1885.

Rank - Petty Officer (Ch) 210639

Service History -

HMS ST VINCENT - 10/07/1900 - 20/11/1901, rising to Boy 1st Class on 02/05/1901. Leonard was stationed aboard the first class training ship during the night of the 1901 census.
HMS AGINCOURT - 21/11/1901 - 10/12/1901
HMS DIADEM - 11/12/1901 - 11/02/1902
HMS PEMBROKE I - 12/02/1902 - 20/03/1902

HMS AMPHITRITE - 21/03/1902 - 11/08/1905, rising to Ordinary Seaman on 18/10/1902 and Able Seaman on 19/09/1903
HMS PEMBROKE - 12/08/1905 - 03/11/1905
HMS VERNON - 04/11/1905 - 28/04/1906
HMS ANTRIM - 29/04/1906 - 19/06/1907
HMS PEMBROKE I - 20/06/1907 - 31/07/1907
HMS THETIS - 01/08/1907 - 08/11/1907
HMS THAMES - 09/11/1907 - 14/10/1912, rising to Leading Seaman on 17/09/1910. He also married Annie Pay in the autumn of 1908 - they were also recorded on the 1911 census living with other members of his wife’s family at East Langdon, Dover
HMS BONAVENTURE - 15/10/1912 - 29/04/1913
HMS PEMBROKE - 30/04/1913 - 09/05/1913
HMS ACTAEON - 10/05/1913 - 12/09/1913
HMS PEMBROKE I - 13/09/1913 - 15/10/1913
HMS ACTAEON - 16/10/1913 - 18/11/1914
HMS PEMBROKE I - 19/11/1914 - 27/11/1914
HMS DOLPHIN - 28/11/1914 - 13/05/1915
HMS FORTH - 14/05/1915 - 30/06/1916, rising to Petty Officer on 20/01/1916
HMS VULCAN - 01/07/1916 - 09/08/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 10/08/1916 - 21/12/1916
HMS LUCIA - 22/12/1916 - 12/03/1917

His pension and Star, Victory and British war medals were awarded to his widow after his death. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

Sources:

England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
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: 368
England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915 - FreeBMD
1901 & 1911 England Census
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: 007 (1914 - 1919)
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/7; Scan Number: 0297
CWGC Register
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 020/0069/BEL-BEL
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 95
Deal Museum
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - Jubilee John Brashier
DOB - 31st March 1887
Place of Birth - Tetworth, Hampshire
Parents - James and Sarah

Early History - He was mentioned on the 1891 census, one of seven children living at Church Farm Tetworth, aged 4. 10 years later their family had grown smaller following the death of James and the older children leaving home. Jubilee lived at Gladstone Cottage, Sandy, in Bedfordshire with his mother, 4 siblings and a boarder, Henry Shingfield. 3 years later he joined the Navy, which was short lived.

Rank - Acting Leading Seaman K 6635, formerly (Ch) SS 104728 - formerly 229829, Boy 1st Class

Service History - Jubilee first entered the Navy on 10th February 1904 as a Boy 1st Class, stationed at HMS Northampton but within a few weeks he had paid £10 for his discharge and he left service on 2nd March 1904.
He returned to his job as a milkman until 1907 when he rejoined for a short service of five years plus seven on retention, as a Stoker 2nd Class, number SS104728. His first training establishment and subsequent first training ship are unreadable on his service record, but he joined HMS COCHRANE on 24 January 1908 for 3 weeks before transferring to HMS BACCHANTE on 18th February 1908 until 2nd May 1910, rising in rating to Stoker 1st Class 10th December 1908.
He spent 5 weeks at HMS PEMBROKE II on leaving his ship then embarked to HMS THAMES on 9th June 1910 until 25th July 1910. The following day his records were transferred to number K 6635; the remainder of his service following:-

HMS THAMES - 26/07/1910 - 14/10/1912, recorded on the 1911 census, the cruiser was anchored at Harwich, on the Essex coast.
HMS BONAVENTURE - 15/10/1912 - 14/04/1913
HMS DOLPHIN - 15/04/1913 - 17/04/1913
HMS MAIDSTONE - 18/04/1913 - 23/05/1913
HMS DOLPHIN - 24/05/1913 - 18/07/1913
HMS MAIDSTONE - 19/07/1913 - 30/06/1915
HMS ADAMANT - 01/07/1915 - 31/03/1916
HMS EUROPA - 01/04/1916 - 30/06/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 01/07/1916 - 14/08/1916
HMS LUCIA - 15/08/1916 - 12/03/1917, rising to Acting Leading Stoker

He was 5’4” tall with dark brown hair, brown eyes and a scar on his left jaw, his Star, Victory an British war medals being claimed by the legal representative of his mother.

Sandy War Memorials (www.iwm.org.uk/memorials)

Sources:

1891, 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: 406
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: 007 (1914 - 1919)
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty and predecessors: Office of the Director General of the Medical Department of the Navy and predecessors: Service Registers and Registers of Deaths and Injuries. Registers of Reports of Deaths
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/7; Scan Number: 0457
CWGC Register
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 029/0107/BRA-BRA
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 96
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - Alfred Breeley
DOB - 4th June 1892
Place of Birth - Stockport, Cheshire
Parents - Frank and Annie

Early History - Alfred was first recorded on the 1901 census aged 8 living with his older brother James and parents at 96 Adcroft Street, Stockport. Within 10 years the family had grown with another 2 siblings for Alfred and they had all moved to 254 Collyhurst Road in Stockport. Alfred worked as a turner fitter in an iron foundry with his older brother Frank, who worked as a moulder. Their father Frank worked as a publican, possibly in the Joiners Arms on Collyhurst Road. Given the date of Alfred joining the Navy, it seems he stood with so many others when war was declared and decided to serve later that same year.

Rank - E.R.A. (engine room artificer) 4th Class (Dev) M11286

Service History -
HMS VIVID II - 22/12/1914 - 20/02/1915
HMS LONDON - 21/02/1915 - 16/01/1916
HMS VIVID II - 17/01/1916 - 26/10/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 27/10/1916 - 07/12/1916
HMS LUCIA - 08/12/1916 - 12/03/1917

His Star, British & Victory medals were claimed by his mother following his death, his pension also awarded to her. He is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

Name - Francis Cartland (registered FRANCES)
DOB - 3rd August 1893
Place of Birth - High Barnet, Middlesex
Parents - George and Edith

Early History - Francis was baptised on Christmas Day 1893, as entered in the parish of St Giles, South Mimms where he and his parents resided and where his father was employed as a Police Constable. Having been born after the 1891 census (he was actually born in 1893, although Navy records state 1891). He was next mentioned on the 1901 census, aged 7 and one of six children living at The Six Bells Inn, Thame, where his father was then the licensee. Within a few years Francis had left home himself and begun his own career.

The Six Bells Inn, Thame - family residence for Francis in 1901

Rank - Able Seaman (Po) 366403

Service History -
HMS PRESIDENT - 16/12/1907 - 17/05/1909, joined the Navy as a Boy Servant (actual age of 15 rather than 17)
HMS GANGES II - 18/05/1909 - 11/10/1909, joined Ganges as a Boy 2nd Class rating, rising to Boy 1st Class on 01/09/1909
HMS CRESSY - 12/10/1909 - 21/01/1910, rising to Ordinary Seaman on 18/11/1909
HMS ILLUSTRIOUS - 22/01/1910 - 18/02/1910
HMS FORESIGHT - 19/02/1910 - 14/08/1910, rising to Able Seaman on 27/05/1910
HMS ATTENTIVE - 15/08/1910 - 26/10/1911, attached to Attentive during the 1911 census, the destroyer in the Home Fleet was anchored at Portland Harbour, Dorset
HMS EXCELLENT - 27/10/1911 - 13/04/1912
HMS HECLA - 14/04/1912 - 30/04/1912
HMS TOPAZE II - 01/05/1912 - 31/07/1912
HMS MINERVA II - 01/08/1912 - 29/08/1912
HMS VICTORY I - 30/08/1912 - 13/11/1912
HMS PRINCESS ROYAL - 14/11/1912 - 20/04/1915
HMS VICTORY I - 21/04/1915 - 29/05/1915
HMS EXCELLENT - 30/05/1915 - 23/01/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 24/01/1916 - 14/08/1916
HMS DOLPHIN (E49) - 15/08/1916 - 21/12/1916, while attached to Dolphin (and submarine E49) Francis was spared enough leave to marry Ada Rogers in October 1916.
HMS LUCIA - 22/12/1916 - 12/03/1917

Francis was 5’5” tall with brown hair, blue eyes and tattoos of a cupid and swallow on his right arm and clasped hands on his left wrist.
His Star, Victory and British war medals were claimed by his widow after his death. He is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - FreeBMD 3a 227
London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1917 London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; Reference Number: dro/005/a/01/005
1901 & 1911 England Census
UK, 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: 559
England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005 General Register Office; United Kingdom; Volume: 5b; Page: 724
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty and predecessors: Office of the Director General of the Medical Department of the Navy and predecessors: Service Registers and Registers of Deaths and Injuries. Registers of Reports of Deaths
UK, Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/7; Scan Number: 0678
CWGC Register
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 98
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 014/0074/CAR-CAR
Photo - thametownmusicfestival.org
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - Alfred Copeland
DOB - 28th April 1887
Place of Birth - Dersingham, Norfolk
Parents - Joseph and Annie

Early History - Alfred was baptised on 4th September 1887 in the parish he was born and was the youngest child of six on the 1891 census, aged 3, the family still living in Dersingham. He next appeared on the 1901 census aged 13, living at Park Cottage, West Newton, Norfolk with his parents and older sister.

Rank - E.R.A. (engine room artificer) 3rd Class (Po) M 1025

Service History -

HMS VICTORY II - 05/06/1905 - 30/09/1905, rated as Acting E.R.A 4th Class
HMS SPEEDWELL - 01/10/1905 - 20/10/1909
HMS FISGARD - 21/10/1909 - 03/01/1910
HMS MINOTAUR - 04/01/1910 - 10/01/1912, rising to E.R.A 4th Class, aboard the armoured cruiser during the 1911 census which was stationed in China/Hong Kong
HMS MOORHEN - 11/01/1912 - 26/04/1912
HMS MINOTAUR - 27/04/1912 - 26/05/1912
HMS SPARTIATE - 27/05/1912 - 10/07/1912
HMS VICTORY II - 11/07/1912 - 13/08/1912, rising to E.R.A 3rd Class
HMS FISGARD - 14/08/1912 - 19/10/1912
HMS MINERVA II - 20/10/1912 - 28/08/1913
HMS DIDO II - 29/08/1913 - 24/11/1913
HMS VICTORY II - 25/11/1913 - 26/11/1913
HMS FISGARD - 27/11/1913 - 05/02/1914
HMS SUPERB - 06/02/1914 - 30/05/1914
HMS DOLPHIN - 31/05/1914 - 13/05/1915
HMS FORTH - 14/05/1915 - 08/11/1915
HMS BONAVENTURE - 09/11/1915 - 06/02/1916
HMS VULCAN - 07/02/1916 - 09/08/1916
HMS DOLPHIN (for E49 - 10/08/1916 - 21/12/1916, while attached to Dolphin Alfred married Roberta Bodger in the latter part of 1916.
HMS LUCIA (for E49) - 22/12/1916 - 12/03/1917

He was 5’5” tall with brown hair, blue eyes and tattoos of an anchor, laurels and a ship on his chest. His Star, Victory and British war medals were claimed by his widow of just a few short months, after his death.

West Newton and Sandringham memorials, Photos: W Sadler.

Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - Free BMD
1891, 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: 1020
England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005 Volume: 10b; Page: 87
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:
007 (1914 - 1919)
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty and predecessors: Office of the Director General of the Medical Department of the Navy and predecessors: Service Registers and Registers of Deaths and Injuries. Registers of Reports of Deaths
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 051/0210/COO-COP
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - Thomas Coy
DOB - 7th February 1893
Place of Birth - Wexford, Ireland
Parents - Hugh and Mary

Early History - Thomas was one of 13 children recorded on the 1901 Ireland census. He was aged 8 and attending school and the family lived at number 2 Paul Quay, Wexford Urban No. 2, Wexford.

Rank - Leading Telegraphist (Dev) J 4768

Service History - Thomas joined the Navy as a Boy 2nd Class for 12 years service, leaving his assistant cooper job. He was recorded as 5’8” tall with black hair, brown eyes and a dark complexion, with 3 black moles on his right arm.

HMS IMPREGNABLE - 26/04/1909 - 13/05/1910, rising to Boy 1st Class on 22/11/1909
HMS QUEEN - 14/05/1910 - 06/07/1910
HMS ARGYLL - 07/07/1910 - 29/05/1911, rising to Ordinary Seaman on his 18th Birthday, 07/02/1911. He was aboard the armoured cruiser during the 1911 census, which was anchored in Gibraltar
HMS VIVID II - 30/05/1911 - 31/07/1911
HMS PRINCE GEORGE - 01/08/1911 - 03/06/1912, rated to Telegraphist on 09/08/1911
HMS ROXBURGH - 04/06/1912 - 27/02/1914
HMS FORTH - 28/02/1914 - 27/03/1914
HMS VIVID - 28/03/1914 - 26/01/1914
HMS DEFIANCE - 27/01/1914 - 26/06/1914
HMS GIBRALTAR - 27/06/1914 - 27/11/1914, rising to Leading Telegraphist on 10/09/1914
HMS VIVID I - 28/11/1914 - 06/12/1914
ARMED MERCHANT CRUISER OROPESA - 07/12/1914 - 05/02/1915
ARMED MERCHANT CRUISER PATIA - 06/02/1915 - 17/09/1915
HMS IRON DUKE - 18/09/1915 - 30/09/1915
HMS DEFIANCE - 01/10/1915 - 06/11/1915
HMS CONSTANCE - 07/11/1915 - 04/08/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 05/08/1916 - 21/12/1916
HMS LUCIA - 22/12/1916 - 12/03/1917

Thomas’ Star, Victory and British war medals were awarded to his father after his death, his pension claimed by his mother.

Sources:

Ireland, Civil Registration Births Index, 1864-1958 - Ancestry.com
1901 Ireland Census Class: RG14
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: 656
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: 007 (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/7; Scan Number: 0931
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/7; Scan Number: 0931
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 99
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 708/06D
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - Edwin James Earle
DOB - 5th November 1895
Place of Birth - Paddington, London
Parents - John and Sarah

Early History - Edwin was baptised at St Paul’s in Paddington on 19th January 1896 Edwin was recorded on the 1901 census with his parents John and Sarah Wallace, aged 5, the family lived at 44 Abbotts Road, East Ham (there may have been an error in recording the father’s name however as John had died in 1897 and Sarah had remarried Robert Wallace). A few months later he was noted as being admitted to Woolmore Street school in Tower Hamlets, London on 20th May 1901, signed in by his mother. The family had grown by 1911 and Edwin had 3 younger siblings and several lodgers, living at 19 Harwood Street, St Pancras. At the time he worked as a messenger.

Rank - Leading Stoker (Ch) SS 115184

Service History - Edwin joined the Navy for 12 years service, leaving his job as a pork butcher’s assistant. He was 5’6” tall with brown hair and blue eyes. He had several scars over his body and a mole on his upper arm.

HMS PEMBROKE II - 24/11/1913 - 20/04/1914, training as a Stoker 2nd Class
HMS LOWESTOFT - 21/04/1914 - 07/07/1915, rising to Stoker 1st Class on 05/11/1914
HMS PEMBROKE II - 08/07/1915 - 12/08/1915
HMS ACTAEON (CYGNET) - 13/08/1915 - 02/04/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 03/04/1916 - 10/05/1916
HMS MAIDSTONE - 11/05/1916 - 18/09/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 19/09/1916 - 08/10/1916
HMS LUCIA - 09/10/1916 - 12/03/1917

His Star, Victory and British war medals and pension were claimed by his mother following his death. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

Sources:

England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
1901 & 1911 England Census
London, England, School Admissions and Discharges, 1840-1911 London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; School Admission and Discharge Registers; Reference: LCC/EO/DIV05/WOO/AD/003
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: 1121
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/8; Scan Number: 0231
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: 008 (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 101
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 184/0964/WAL-WAL
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - Edward Gillham
DOB - 23rd November 1881
Place of Birth - Ringmer, Sussex
Parents - Edward and Sarah Ann
Early History - Edward was baptised on 5th January 1882 and grew up in Ringmer with his siblings - he had 4 younger brothers and sisters during the 1891 census. Edward was aged 9 and lived at Church Hall, the eldest child attending school.

Rank - Petty Officer (Po) 196012

Service History - Leaving the Training Ship Warspite, Edward began his training as a Boy 2nd Class. Once fully grown he measured 5’6” tall with light brown hair and hazel eyes.

HMS IMPREGNABLE - 02/10/1897 - 08/10/1897
HMS GANGES - 09/10/1897 - 05/08/1898, rising to Boy 1st Class on 08/07/1898
HMS MINOTAUR - 06/08/1898 - 07/02/1899
HMS AGINCOURT - 08/02/1899 - 01/03/1899
HMS RODNEY - 02/03/1899 - 12/05/1899
HMS VOLAGE - 13/05/1899 - 30/10/1899
HMS JUNO - 31/10/1899 - 22/08/1900, rising to Ordinary Seaman on 23/11/1899
HMS DUKE OF WELLINGTON - 23/08/1900 - 28/09/1900
HMS TAURANGA - 29/09/1900 - 18/04/1901, rising to Able Seaman on 11/04/1901, serving aboard during the 1901 census
HMS DUKE OF WELLINGTON - 19/04/1901 - 30/06/1901
HMS VERNON - 01/07/1901 - 01/02/1902
HMS EXCELLENT - 02/02/1902 - 21/06/1902
HMS VERNON - 22/06/1902 - 25/04/1903, rising to Leading Seaman on 20/04/1903
HMS DUKE OF WELLINGTON - 26/04/1903 - 31/05/1903
HMS EXMOUTH - 01/06/1903 - 17/05/1904
HMS PRINCE OF WALES - 18/05/1904 - 28/05/1906, rising ot Petty Officer 2nd Class on 17/11/1904
HMS VERNON - 29/05/1906 - 21/05/1908, rising to Petty Officer 1st Class on 20/12/1907. Edward married Susan Elizabeth Spyer in the Summer of 1906.
HMS VICTORY I - 22/05/1908 - 09/08/1909, rising to Petty Officer on 01/12/1908
HMS ESSEX - 10/08/1909 - 09/09/1909
HMS ASSISTANCE - 10/09/1909 - 23/10/1911, attached to ASSISTANCE, he was on leave during the 1911 census and recorded with his wife, 2 daughters, Joan and Hilda, along with his younger brother Horace living at 21 Woodmancote Road, Portsmouth
HMS VERNON - 24/10/1911 - 31/08/1912
HMS DOLPHIN - 01/09/1912 - 11/12/1914
HMS ARROGANT - 12/12/1914 - 18/03/1915
HMS FORTH - 19/03/1915 - 30/06/1916
HMS VULCAN - 01/07/1916 - 23/11/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 24/11/1916 - 21/12/1916
HMS LUCIA - 22/12/1916 - 12/03/1917

Edward’s pension, Star, Victory and British medals were awarded to his wife Susan after his death. He is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Sources:

England & Wales, Christening Index, 1530-1980
1891, 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: 339
FreeBMD
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: 008 (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/8; Scan Number: 0560
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 103
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 079/0361/GIL-GIL
Photo courtesy of renemarriott - Ancestry.com
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - Frank Grosse
DOB - 2nd April 1892
Place of Birth - Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Parents - Leopold JW and Ann

Early History - Frank and his younger brother were recorded on the 1901 census, living with their parents at 78 Burford Road, Hyson Green, Nottinghamshire, Frank aged 7. He left his job as an office boy and joined the Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 24th June 1908 aged 14 - he grew to 5’6” tall when at full age and had light brown hair, hazel eyes and had a birth mark on the front of his left thigh.

Rank - Able Seaman - (Ch) J 2081

Service History -

HMS GANGES I - 24/06/1908 - 11/03/19, rising to Boy 1st Class on 06/03/1909
HMS DONEGAL - 12/03/1909 - 22/03/1909
HMS EURYALUS - 23/03/1909 - 20/04/1909
HMS LEVIATHAN - 21/04/1909 - 09/09/1909
HMS PEMBROKE I - 10/09/1909 - 07/10/1909
HMS CRESSY - 08/10/1909 - 04/04/1910, rising to Ordinary Seaman on 02/04/1910
HMS BLACK PRINCE - 05/04/1910 - 22/04/1912, rising to Able Seaman on 24/07/1911 and aboard during the 1911 census
HMS PEMBROKE I - 23/04/1912 - 10/05/1912
HMS ACTAEON - 11/05/1912 - 25/10/1912
HMS PEMBROKE I - 26/10/1912 - 28/11/1912
HMS BONAVENTURE - 29/11/1912 - 06/07/1913
HMS VULCAN - 07/07/1913 - 31/12/1913
HMS ALECTO - 01/01/1914 - 16/02/1914
HMS VULCAN (Sub C30) - 17/02/1914 - 28/10/1914
HMS FORTH - 29/10/1914 - 06/05/1915
HMS VERNON - 07/05/1915 - 03/07/1915
HMS DOLPHIN - 04/07/1915 - 04/07/1915
HMS FORTH - 05/07/1915 - 30/06/1916 - it was in the Summer or Autumn of 1915 that Frank married Florence Coupe, their marriage registered in Grimsby.
HMS VULCAN - 01/07/1916 - 09/08/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 10/08/1916 - 21/12/1916
HMS LUCIA (E49) - 22/12/1916 - 12/03/1917

His Star, Victory and British war medals, as well as his pension, were awarded to his widow.
He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

Chatham Naval Memorial

Sources:

England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - Free BMD
1901 & 1911 England Census
England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915 FreeBMD
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: 651
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: 008 (1914 - 1919)
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty and predecessors: Office of the Director General of the Medical Department of the Navy and predecessors: Service Registers and Registers of Deaths and Injuries. Registers of Reports of Deaths
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/8; Scan Number: 0683
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 086/0390/GRI-GRO
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 103
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - George William Harris
DOB - 9th May 1892
Place of Birth - Redditch
Parents - Unknown

Early History - George was recorded on the 1901 census, along with his two brothers, living with his Aunt and Uncle at Edward Street, Redditch. Initially it could have been a temporary arrangement but the brothers were again recorded with their relations on the 1911 census, the couple never having had children of their own.

Rank - Stoker 1st Class (Po) K7235

Service History -

HMS VICTORY I - 20/06/1910 - 09/07/1910, starting as Stoker 2nd Class
HMS RENOWN - 10/07/1910 - 21/08/1910
HMS VICTORY II - 22/08/1910 - 11/10/1910
HMS HECLA - 12/10/1910 - 30/01/1911
HMS CRESCENT - 31/01/1911 - 31/03/1911
HMS TAMAR - 01/04/1911 - 31/03/1913, rising to Stoker 1st Class on 08/06/1911
HMS ROYAL ARTHUR - 01/04/1913 - 31/05/1913
HMS VICTORY II - 01/06/1913 - 30/07/1913
HMS VERNON - 31/07/1913 - 01/03/1914
HMS VICTORY II - 02/03/1914 - 31/12/1914
HMS HERMIONE - 01/01/1915 - 31/03/1915
HMS MAGPIE - 01/04/1915 - 03/03/1916 - while stationed with MAGPIE George married Florence Prime in the Summer of 1915
HMS DOLPHIN - 04/03/1916 - 20/03/1916
HMS FORTH - 21/03/1916 - 30/06/1916
HMS VULCAN - 01/07/1916 - 09/08/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 10/08/1916 - 21/12/1916
HMS LUCIA - 22/12/1916 - 12/03/1917

George joined the Navy for 12 years service, leaving his wood machinist job - he was 5’5” tall with dark brown hair, grey eyes and scars on his right and left hand fingers, knuckle and below his knee.
Florence and his daughter Lilian were awarded his pension following his death, as well as his Star, Victory and British war medals. He is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Portsmouth Naval Memorial

Sources:

England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - Free BMD
1901 & 1911 England Census
England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915 - Free BMD
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: 881
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: 008 (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/8; Scan Number: 0784
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 093/0414/HAR-HAR
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 104
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - Lt. John Stephen Harvey
DOB - 25th June 1888
Place of Birth - Bournemouth, Hampshire
Parents - John and Elizabeth

Early History - John, named after his father, was recorded on the 1891 census living at Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth with his parents and baby brother. Within 10 years they had moved to 19 Heath Farm Road, Bournemouth - John was then 12 years old

Gained his certificates in competency as Second Mate on 13th May 1910 and First Mate of a foreign going steamship on 16th January 1914 aged 26

Rank - Acting Ty Lieutenant RNR

Service History -

John became a probationary RNR Midshipman (# 1600) appointed on 29th December 1906. During the war years he rose to Acting Lieutenant on 20th July 1915, while serving on Wallington and was granted the position of Sub Lieutenant for the duration of the war on 23rd July 1915 by the Admiralty. Like many of his other crew mates he joined E49 (tendered to HMS LUCIA) on 22nd December 1916.

Sources:

England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - Free BMD
1891 & 1901 England Census
UK and Ireland, Masters and Mates Certificates, 1850-1927
Web: UK, Naval Officers' Service Record Cards and Files Index, 1880-1950s ADM 340/64/13
CWGC Register
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - George Hawkes
DOB - 27th October 1894
Place of Birth - Huntingdon
Parents - Edwin and Clara

Early History - George lived with his four siblings and parents in the High Street of Brampton, Huntingdonshire, his father Edwin was a farrier, running his own business. Sadly George’s mother died aged 45 in December 1912.

Rank - Leading Signalman (Ch) J 11022

Service History -

HMS GANGES - 22/01/1911 - 12/01/1912, rising from Boy 2nd Class to Boy 1st Class on 21/08/1911
HMS PEMBROKE I - 13/01/1912 - 19/01/1912
HMS ANTRIM - 20/01/1912 - 30/09/1912 (error on his records stated 30/09/1913)
HMS PEMBROKE I - 01/10/1912 - 14/10/1912
HMS DOMINION - 15/10/1912 - 21/03/1915, rising to Ordinary Signalman on 27/10/1912 and Signalman on 15/11/1913
HMS PEMBROKE I - 22/03/1915 - 02/06/1915
HMS RAGLAN - 03/06/1915 - 24/10/1915
HMS DOLPHIN - 25/10/1915 - 29/12/1915
HMS FORTH - 30/12/1915 - 30/06/1916, rising to Leading Signalman on 01/02/1916
HMS VULCAN - 01/07/1916 - 09/08/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 10/08/1916 - 21/12/1916
HMS LUCIA (E49) - 22/12/1916 - 12/03/1917

George was 5’4” tall with brown hair, blue eyes and a scar on his right thigh when he joined the Navy, leaving his job as a cycle repairer, growing to 5’5” tall when he was again measured aged 18.
It seems in records that his Star, Victory and British medals were not claimed. His pension was awarded to his Aunt Elizabeth Crawley. George is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

Brampton, War Memorial. St Mary Magdalene Church (Photo: Jane King)

Sources:

England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - FreeBMD
1901 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: 669
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: 008 (1914 - 1919)
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty and predecessors: Office of the Director General of the Medical Department of the Navy and predecessors: Service Registers and Registers of Deaths and Injuries. Registers of Reports of Deaths
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/8; Scan Number: 0823
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 104
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - John Holmes
DOB - 29th July 1883
Place of Birth - Honiton Clyst, Devon
Parents - John and Martha

Early History - John was the eldest of 3 boys, first recorded on the 1891 census. Within 10 years he had gained a further 4 siblings, and was 17 living with his family at Ottery St Mary on the 1901 census but was not listed with any occupation. Possibly with the prospects of no income, he joined the Navy a year later as a Stoker 2nd Class. He was 5’8” tall with dark brown hair, grey eyes with a birthmark on the left side of his face and several small scars on his back.

Rank - Stoker Petty Officer (Po) 301544

Service History -

HMS DUKE OF WELLINGTON I - 29/08/1902 - 20/04/1903
HMS BRILLIANT - 21/04/1903 - 17/07/1903
HMS DUKE OF WELLINGTON - 18/07/1903 - 26/09/1903
HMS PEMBROKE - 27/09/1903 - 07/10/1903
HMS DUNCAN - 07/10/1903 - 27/11/1905, rising to Stoker on 01/01/1904
HMS VICTORY II - 28/11/1905 - 21/02/1906
HMS DRYAD - 22/02/1906 - 06/01/1908, rising to Stoker 1st Class on 01/07/1906
HMS IRIS - 07/01/1908 - 22/01/1908
HMS INDEFATIGABLE - 23/01/1908 - 10/01/1910
HMS VICTORY II - 11/01/1910 - 15/02/1910
HMS MERCURY - 16/02/1910 - 30/06/1911
HMS ARROGANT - 01/07/1911 - 19/09/1911
HMS BONAVENTURE - 20/09/1911 - 20/08/1912
HMS PEMBROKE II - 21/08/1912 - 15/01/1913
HMS MAIDSTONE - 16/01/1913 - 13/02/1913
HMS DOLPHIN - 14/02/1913 - 12/09/1913, rising to Acting Leading Stoker on 14/02/1913
HMS FISGARD - 13/09/1913 - 19/12/1913, rising to Leading Stoker 11/12/1913
HMS DOLPHIN - 20/12/1913 - 13/01/1915
HMS BONAVENTURE - 14/01/1915 - 14/02/1915
HMS DOLPHIN - 15/02/1915 - 13/05/1915
HMS FORTH - 14/05/1915 - 30/06/1916, rising to Stoker Petty Officer on 17/01/1916. He also married in the Autumn of 1915 to Ethel Williams
HMS VULCAN - 01/07/1916 - 09/08/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 10/08/1916 - 21/12/1916
HMS LUCIA - 22/12/1916 - 12/03/1917

His Star, British & Victory medals were claimed by his widow following his death. He is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Sources:
1891, 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: 490
England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
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: 008 (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/8; Scan Number: 0961
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 098/0458/HOL-HOL
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 105
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - Walter Herbert George Hopkins
DOB - 6th April 1882
Place of Birth - Midhurst, Sussex
Parents - George and Emma

Early History - Walter was baptised the following month on 28th May 1882 in Horsham, and at the time was a younger brother to Gertrude. By the 1891 census he had a further 3 siblings and lived with his family at North Street Cottage in Midhurst.

Rank - Able Seaman

Service History - RFR (Po) B 5229, Formerly (Po) 200283
Walter signed up as Herbert Hopkins, and was noted as 5’5” tall with dark brown hair, blue eyes and had a scar above his right eyebrow, leaving his job as a tailor. HMS ST VINCENT - 11/07/1898 - 03/01/1900, as Boy 2nd Class, rising to Boy 1st Class on 13/04/1899
HMS AGINCOURT - 04/01/1900 - 11/02/1900
HMS WALLAROO - 12/02/1900 - 07/12/1903, rising to Ordinary Seaman on 06/04/1900 and Able Seaman on 23/05/1901
HMS FIREQUEEN - 08/12/1903 - 15/07/1904
HMS MERCURY - 16/07/1904 - 21/02/1905
HMS ASSISTANCE - 22/02/1905 - 09/12/1905
HMS DRAKE - 10/12/1905 - 06/05/1907
HMS VERNON - 07/05/1907 - 23/11/1907
HMS EXCELLENT - 24/11/1907 - 14/12/1907
HMS VICTORY I - 15/12/1907 - 13/08/1908
HMS POWERFUL - 14/08/1908 - 12/10/1910
HMS TERRIBLE - 13/01/1910 - 24/02/1910
HMS VICTORY I - 25/02/1910 - 19/03/1910
HMS ENCHANTRESS - 20/03/1910 - 27/03/1911
HMS DREADNOUGHT - 28/03/1911 - 27/03/1911, aboard during the 1911 census, anchored at HM Dockyard, Portsmouth
HMS MERCURY - 28/03/1911 - 30/06/1911
HMS ARROGANT - 01/07/1911 - 25/04/1912
HMS VICTORY I -26/04/1912 - 26/04/1912

After serving 12 years Walter left the Navy, but joined the reserve should he need to be called up. Recommended by the Navy, he joined the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway Company as a porter on 25th March 1913.

Hackbridge Station, Walter's place of work with the railway.

As war was declared he returned and was attached to HMS DOLPHIN - the remainder of his service follows:-

HMS DOLPHIN - 02/08/1914 - 17/09/1914
HMS MAIDSTONE - 18/09/1914 - 10/12/1914
HMS ARROGANT - 11/12/1914 - 31/12/1915
HMS DOLPHIN - 01/01/1916 - 12/06/1916
HMS THAMES - 13/06/1916 - 1/08/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 02/08/1916 - 22/12/1916
HMS LUCIA - 23/12/1916 - 12/03/1917

He was awarded the Star, Victory and British war medals after his death which were claimed by his brother.

Sources:

England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - Free BMD
England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
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: 347
Railway Employment Records, 1833-1956 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Collection: London, Brighton and South Coast Railway Company: Records; Class: RAIL414; Piece: 783
1901 & 1911 England Census
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: 008 (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/8; Scan Number: 0977
friendsofhoneywood.co.uk/1900s.html - Hackbridge Station image
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - Benjamin George Jones
DOB - 9th February 1892
Place of Birth - Whitchurch, Hereford
Parents - Amos and Sophia

Early History - Benjamin lived with his widowed father and two sisters at Grove Cottage, Whitchurch on the 1901 census, aged 9.

Rank - Leading Seaman - (Dev) J 4968

Service History -

HMS GANGES II - 27/07/1909 - 28/11/1909, beginning his training as a Boy 2nd Class, he rose to Boy 1st Class on 29/10/1909
HMS VICTORIOUS - 29/11/1909 - 15/03/1910, rising to Ordinary Seaman on 09/02/1910
HMS MARS - 16/03/1910 - 16/09/1910
HMS ARGYLL - 17/09/1910 - 30/10/1910
HMS QUEEN - 31/10/1910 - 14/05/1912, rising to Able Seaman on 22/02/1912, recorded on the battleship of the Atlantic Fleet, anchored at Gibraltar during the 1911 census
HMS VIVID I - 15/05/1912 - 07/09/1912
HMS DEFIANCE - 08/09/1912 - 19/11/1912
HMS LEANDER - 20/1/1912 - 11/04/1913
HMS BLAKE - 12/04/1913 - 10/05/1914
HMS VIVID I - 11/05/1914 - 23/06/1914
HMS LEANDER (ARAB) - 24/06/1914 - 19/10/1915
HMS DOLPHIN - 20/10/1915 - 18/11/1915
HMS FORTH - 19/11/1915 - 30/06/1916
HMS VULCAN - 01/07/1916 - 09/08/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 10/08/1916 - 21/12/1916
HMS LUCIA - 22/12/1916 - 12/03/1917, rising to Leading Seaman on 17/01/1917

Benjamin had left his job as a mason’s labourer to join the Navy - he was 5’6” tall with dark brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion.

Benjamin is remembered on the 1914-1918 wreath in the Whitchurch & Ganarew Memorial Hall, Herefordshire.

Photos: www.whitchurch-ganarew-hall.co.uk & Hilary Stratford

Sources:

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: 656
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/8; Scan Number: 1172
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: 008 (1914 - 1919)
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty and predecessors: Office of the Director General of the Medical Department of the Navy and predecessors: Service Registers and Registers of Deaths and Injuries. Registers of Reports of Deaths
CWGC Register
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 109/0506/JON-JON
Whitchurch & Ganarew Hall.
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - Alexander Kerr
DOB - 19th December 1881
Place of Birth - Glasgow, Scotland
Parents - Thomas and Margaret Bradshaw

Early History - Unknown

Rank - Acting Chief Engine Room Artificer (Po) 271504

Service History - Alexander joined the Navy on 18th March 1904 as an Acting E.R.A 4th Class. He was 5’10” tall with dark brown hair and brown eyes. He had several tattoos; a thistle on the left side of his chest, an anchor, head of a sailor and the initials A.K on his right forearm. There was a bird on his left forearm and he had a star on the back of his right hand. He was also recorded as having a ring on the 3rd finger of his right hand.
His service record follows:

HMS FIREQUEEN - 18/03/1904 - 18/11/1904
HMS SUTLEJ - 19/11/1904 - 14/05/1906, rising to E.R.A 4th Class
HMS VICTORY - 15/05/1906 - 19/07/1906
HMS HECLA - 20/07/1906 - 14/10/1906
HMS SAPPHIRE I - 15/10/1906 - 16/09/1907, rising to E.R.A 3rd Class on 18/03/1907
HMS BLENHEIM - 17/09/1907 - 28/01/1908
HMS VICTORY II - 29/01/1908 - 31/01/1908
HMS HECLA - 01/02/1908 - 28/02/1908
HMS MERCURY - 01/03/1908 - 06/02/1911
HMS HIGHFLYER - 07/02/1911 - 31/03/1911, rising to E.R.A 2nd Class on 17/03/1911. Alexander also married Nellie Swan in the early months of 1911 in Portsmouth
HMS ROSARIO - 01/04/1911 - 28/04/1913
HMS DOLPHIN - 29/04/1913 - 11/07/1913
HMS VICTORY - 12/07/1913 - 12/07/1913
HMS FISGARD - 13/07/1913 - 25/08/1913
HMS ARIADNE - 26/08/1913 - 30/11/1913
HMS ARGONAUT - 01/12/1913 - 15/12/1913
HMS EUROPA - 16/12/1913 - 13/03/1914
HMS ARGONAUT - 14/03/1914 - 25/04/1914
HMS GOOD HOPE (EUROPA) - 26/04/1914 - 24/07/1914
HMS EUROPA - 25/07/1914 - 30/01/1915
HMS DOLPHIN - 31/01/1915 - 03/02/1915
HMS MAIDSTONE - 04/02/1915 - 23/04/1915
HMS DOLPHIN - 24/04/1915 - 21/12/1916, rising to E.R.A 1st Class on 15/03/1916 and Acting Chief E.R.A on 01/07/1916
HMS LUCIA - 22/12/1916 - 12/03/1917

He is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Sources:

England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915 FreeBMD
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: 436
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: 008 (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/8; Scan Number: 1256
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 114/0528/KER-KER
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - Henry James Lampon
DOB - 4th May 1894
Place of Birth - Hackney, London
Parents - William and Emma

Early History - Henry was born at 32 Duncan Road, Broadway, Haggerston, London and baptised at St Stephen’s in the same parish on 17th June 1894. On the 1901 census he and his family still lived at the same address - Henry, aged 6, was one of eight children that William supported on a labourer’s wage. By 1911 the family had expanded by another 2 children although one had sadly passed away and the Lampon’s had moved house to 31 Andrew’s Road, Broadway, Hackney. Henry, aged 17 worked as a horsehair dresser.

Henry's signature from his marriage certificate - Ancestry.com

Rank - Stoker 1st Class (Ch) K 17422

Service History -

HMS PEMBROKE II - 07/01/1913 - 30/05/1915
HMS ST GEORGE - 31/05/1915 - 31/03/1914, rising to Stoker 1st Class on 07/01/1914
HMS KING GEORGE V - 01/04/1914 - 03/11/1914
HMS LEANDER - 04/11/1914 - 05/02/1915
HMS PEMBROKE II - 06/02/1915 - 02/04/1915
HMS ARETHUSA - 03/04/1915 - 07/03/1916
HMS PEMBROKE - 08/03/1916 - 29/03/1916, while attached to the Chatham base Henry had leave and was able to marry Jessie Speakman at St Michaels Church on 12th March 1916.
HMS DOLPHIN - 30/03/1916 - 26/04/1916
HMS TITANIA - 27/04/1916 - 02/06/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 03/06/1916 - 17/07/1916
HMS MAIDSTONE - 18/07/1916 - 29/08/1916
HMS LUCIA - 30/08/1916 - 24/11/1916
HMS DOLPHIN (E49) - 25/11/1916 - 21/12/1916
HMS LUCIA (E49) - 22/12/1916 - 12/03/1917

Little did the couple know that Henry would be killed on their first wedding anniversary. His pension and war medals, the Star, Victory and British, were claimed by his widow following his death. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

Sources:

England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - FreeBMD
London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1917 London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; Reference Number: p91/ste/004
1901 & 1911 England Census
Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services, 1848-1939 The National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services; Class: ADM 188; Piece: 901
England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005 General Register Office; United Kingdom; Volume: 1b; Page: 913
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 009; Piece Description: Piece 009 (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/9; Scan Number: 0035
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 115/0544/LAM-LAN
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 107
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - George Morgan
DOB - 28th December 1884
Place of Birth - Gt Marlow, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
Parents - James and Harriett

Early History - He was recorded on the 1891 census, aged 5, the fourth of five children, living in Coulsdon

Rank - Petty Officer (Dev) 211489

Service History -
HMS IMPREGNABLE - 21/09/1900 - 26/09/1900
HMS LION - 27/09/1900 - 11/02/1902, rising to Boy 1st Class on 13/06/1901. He was recorded at the training base, in Devonport, on the 1901 census
HMS AGINCOURT - 12/02/1902 - 21/03/1902
HMS SEVERN - 22/03/1902 - 10/02/1903, rising to Ordinary Seaman on 28/12/1902
HMS MERSEY - 11/02/1903 - 25/01/1904 - In the Spring of 1903 George married Maud Carne at Hastings - he had a busy few months as on 01/08/1903 he ran from his posting and was not recovered from his desertion until over 3 months later, on 13/11/1903 where he was returned to HMS Mersey and spend 14 days in cells. This note on his record was later removed, but circumstances or reasons were not noted.
HMS JUNO - 26/01/1904 - 01/06/1904
HMS PEMBROKE - 02/06/1904 - 20/06/1904
HMS ALBION - 21/06/1904 - 02/04/1906, rising to Able Seaman on 24/12/1904
HMS VIVID I - 03/04/1906 - 12/05/1906
HMS QUEEN - 13/05/1906 - 04/03/1907
HMS VIVID I - 05/03/1907 - 27/04/1907
HMS DONEGAL - 28/04/1907 - 18/06/1907
HMS CARNARVON - 19/06/1907 - 24/08/1907
HMS DEFIANCE - 25/08/1907 - 16/11/1907
HMS VIVID I - 17/11/1907 - 30/04/1908
HMS ARGYLL - 01/05/1908 - 09/12/1909
HMS FORTH - 10/12/1909 - 11/08/1911 - while on leave, George had filled out the 1911 census, recording himself, his wife Maud and 3 children living at 27 Catherine Street, Devonport.
HMS CORMORANT - 12/08/1911 - 30/11/1912, rising to Leading Seaman on 01/08/1912
HMS FORTH - 01/12/1912 - 13/05/1913
HMS DOLPHIN - 14/05/1913 - 10/12/1913
HMS MAIDSTONE - 11/12/1913 - 31/03/1914
HMS ADAMANT - 01/04/1914 - 14/09/1914
HMS DOLPHIN - 15/09/1914 - 17/01/1915
HMS MAIDSTONE - 18/01/1915 - 18/02/1916
HMS FORTH - 19/02/1916 - 30/06/1916
HMS VULCAN - 01/07/1916 - 09/08/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 10/08/1916 - 21/12/1916, rising to Petty Officer on 01/10/1916
HMS LUCIA - 22/12/1916 - 12/03/1917

His pension and Star, Victory and British war medals were claimed by his widow after his death.

Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
1891, 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: 369
England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
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: 009 (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/9; Scan Number: 0574
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 135/0662/MOR-MOR
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 110
Photo source - Ancestry.com
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - Sydney Pace Mortimer
DOB - 11th May 1893
Place of Birth - Gateshead, Durham
Parents - Thomas and Mary

Early History - Sydney was baptised a month after his birth, at Saint James on 14th June 1893. He was recorded on the 1901 census aged 7 living at 24 Stanley Street, the middle of three children. Sydney’s mother died in 1905 aged 40 - within 18 months Thomas had met and married Agnes Atkinson and on the 1911 census the family had expanded greatly - as well as Sydney and his siblings there were two step children from Agnes as well as her having had a further 4 children - the youngest 2 just 12 days old and fraternal twins, Ruth and Harry. The family lived in 4 rooms at 39 Isabella Street in Newcastle On Tyne.

Rank - Stoker 1st Class (Po) K 13468

Service History -

HMS VICTORY II - 06/12/1911 - 16/03/1912, joining as a Stoker 2nd Class
HMS RENOWN - 17/03/1912 - 11/05/1912
HMS VICTORY II - 12/05/1912 - 27/08/1912
HMS SEAGULL - 28/08/1912 - 17/06/1913, rising to Stoker 1st Class on 06/12/1912
HMS VICTORY II - 18/06/1913 - 30/06/1913
HMS DREADNOUGHT - 01/07/1913 - 14/07/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 15/07/1916 - 14/08/1916
HMS LUCIA - 15/08/1916 - 24/11/1916
HMS DOLPHIN (E49) - 25/11/1916 - 21/12/1916
HMS LUCIA (E49) - 22/12/1916 - 12/03/1917

Sydney was 5’6” tall with dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. His star, Victory and British medals were claimed by his father, along with his pension following his death. He is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Sources:

England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - FreeBMD
England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
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: 893
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: 009 (1914 - 1919)
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty and predecessors: Office of the Director General of the Medical Department of the Navy and predecessors: Service Registers and Registers of Deaths and Injuries. Registers of Reports of Deaths
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/9; Scan Number: 0599
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 110
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 649/02D
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - Lt. Reay Parkinson
DOB - 15th February 1893
Place of Birth - Edinburgh, Scotland
Parents - Thomas Parkinson and Euphemia Pillman

Rank - Lieutenant

Service History -

Reay entered Naval service on 15th January 1906 as a Midshipman, passing out on 15th September 1910 - not much is known of Reay’s early life before 1911 when he was listed in the census as a Midshipman, aged 18 aboard the battleship HMS EXMOUTH which was anchored in Malta. He rose to Acting Sub Lt on 15th January 1913, Sub Lieutenant on 15th January 1914
and awarded the rank of Lieutenant in the Royal Navy on 15th November 1915. His other vessels also whilst a Midshipman included HMS ABOUKIR, HAMPSHIRE, DEFENCE and ZEALANDIA.

He served on HMS MINOTAUR from 16/10/1913 until 15/01/1914 and transferred to HMS AMETHYST on 18/01/1915 until 30/11/1915. It was during his service aboard the cruiser that certain actions from Reay prompted his commanding officer to accelerate his application for promotion in August 1915. This was refused, but he rose to Lieutenant later the same year (Amethyst logs HERE)

It was also during this service that he applied and was accepted to serve aboard submarines in February 1915. Once he left AMETHYST he embarked to join the submarine depot ship HMS DOLPHIN at the end of December 1915, transferring to HMS FORTH (also for subs) on 12th January 1916. Reay joined the submarine HMS W-2. Four W-Class submarines had been built and all of these were given over to the Italian Navy. Reay was commanded to escort the four W-Class submarines from Britain to Italy. These were formally handed over to the Italian Navy in August 1916 - he was able to speak both French and Italian and it was possible that these factors later earned him an Order of Crown of Italy Cavalier in recognition of his services during the transfer of the subs to Italy.

Chevalier of the Order of the Crown of Italy

1916 was a busy year for the young officer - on the 14th June 1916 he married Maud Lyle Hooper at Holy Trinity Church in Brompton, London. In August 1916 he was transferred to HMS LUCIA and on 3rd November 1916 joined E49.

Reay probably knew via letter from Maud that he was to become a father in the summer of 1917. Tragically he was never to meet his baby son when he was born on 12th August 1917 in Bishop’s Stortford. Maud had baby Reay baptised on 19th September 1917, at the same church they were married in and she raised him alone for a while.

She was awarded his pension and claimed his Star, Victory and British medals following his death. She herself was awarded a 1914-1915 Star as she served as a Nurse with the Voluntary Aid Detachment unit of the British Red Cross Society.
Maud married again on 21st April 1919 to a Captain in the RAF, Edward Noel Griffith, who himself was a widower. Reay Jnr followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Navy for a lifetime of service. He served in the Second World War, gaining the Distinguished Service Cross and became Commander on 31st December 1951. He died in 1979.

Miss Bluebell Hooper 1914-15 Star DSC

Lt. Parkinson signature.

Reay and Bluebell on their wedding day - photo courtesy of Gus Wookey

Sources:

1911 England Census
UK and Ireland, Masters and Mates Certificates, 1850-1927 - Ancestry.com
UK, Royal Naval Officers' Service Records Index, 1756-1931 ADM 196/145/432 and ADM 196/55/116
England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005 General Register Office; United Kingdom; Volume: 1a; Page: 231
London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1932 London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; Reference Number: p84/tri2/024
London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1917 London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; Reference Number: p84/tri2/009
CWGC Register
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 91
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995
World War I Service Medal and Award Rolls, 1914-1920 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; War Office and Air Ministry: Service Medal and Award Rolls, First World War. WO329; Ref: 2932
Oxfordshire, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1930 Oxfordshire Family History Society; Oxford, Oxfordshire, England; Anglican Parish Registers; Reference Number: BOD294 c_16
Maud Hooper image courtesy of British Newspaper Archive. The Sketch, 28th June 1916.
Reay Parkinson images courtesy of Imperial War Museum
Peter Singlehurst; Year: 1960
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - James Martin Pembroke
DOB - 10th March 1896
Place of Birth - Belton, Suffolk
Parents - Martin and Alice
Early History - James was first mentioned in records, after his birth, on the 1901 census aged 5, with his parents and younger sister living at Stepshort, Belton. Martin worked as a plate layer with the Great Eastern Railway. 10 years passed and the family remained in Belton. Martin still worked as a platelayer, James was 15 and had 4 siblings originally, but sadly 2 had died young. Alice’s father also lived with the family in Belton Road, Burgh Castle, Suffolk. James held a job as a cowboy on a farm.

Rank - Able Seaman (Ch) J 22183

Service History - James joined the Navy for 12 years service, noted as 5’3” tall with brown hair, blue eyes and a tattoo of a lady with a scroll on his right forearm

HMS VIVID I - 24/01/1913 - 20/04/1913, starting his training as a Boy 2nd Class
HMS CARNARVON - 21/04/1913 - 01/09/1913, rising to Boy 1st Class on 21/04/1913
HMS PEMBROKE I - 02/09/1913 - 06/11/1913
HMS DIAMOND - 07/11/1913 - 25/06/1915, rising to Ordinary Seaman on 10/03/1914 and Able Seaman on 26/02/1915
HMS PEMBROKE I - 26/6/1915 - 15/09/1915
HMS ORVIETO - 16/09/1915 - 27/02/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 28/02/1916 - 06/04/1916
HMS FORTH - 07/04/1916 - 30/06/1916
HMS VULCAN - 01/07/1916 - 09/08/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 10/08/1916 - 21/12/1916
HMS LUCIA - 22/12/1916 - 12/03/1917

He was killed two days after his 21st Birthday. His pension was awarded to his mother, his father claimed his Star, Victory and British war medals after his death.

The Church of St Peter & St Paul, Burgh Castle.

Sources:

England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 FreeBMD
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: 691
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: 009 (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/9; Scan Number: 0871
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 112
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - Herbert Henry Randall
DOB - 5th July 1881
Place of Birth - Southam, Warwick
Parents - Henry and Eliza (Russell)

Early History - Herbert was baptised on 11th September 1881 in the parish of Bishop’s Itchington. He was born just after the 1881 census so was next recorded 10 years later, in 1891, aged 9, the eldest of 3 children. Herbert attended school in the local parish where he was born and baptised.

Rank - Leading Seaman (Po) 204195

Service History - Herbert joined the Navy for 12 years of service, which he extended. He was 5’5” tall with light brown hair, brown eyes and tattoos - Laurel in the form of a bracelet on his left wrist and a rose, shamrock and thistle on his right forearm.

HMS NORTHAMPTON - 27/03/1899 - 18/07/1899, as Boy 2nd Class, rising to Boy 1st Cass on 26/06/1899
HMS CURACOA - 19/07/1899 - 18/10/1899, rising to Ordinary Seaman on 27/09/1899
HMS DUKE OF WELLINGTON - 19/10/1899 - 22/11/1899
HMS REVENGE - 23/11/1899 - 15/05/1900
HMS VICTORIOUS - 16/05/1900 - 11/11/1901
HMS CRUISER - 12/11/1901 - 14/12/1901
HMS VICTORIOUS - 15/12/1901 - 27/08/1903, rising to Able Seaman on 05/01/1902
HMS DUKE OF WELLINGTON - 28/08/1903 - 30/09/1903
HMS FIREQUEEN - 01/10/1903 - 31/10/1903
HMS VERNON - 01/11/1903 - 20/02/1904
HMS FIREQUEEN - 21/02/1904 - 26/02/1904
HMS EXCELLENT - 27/02/1904 - 05/09/1905
HMS VICTORY I - 06/09/1905 - 06/10/1905
HMS VULCAN - 07/10/1905 - 30/04/1907
HMS VERNON - 01/05/1907 - 07/09/1907
HMS VICTORY - 08/09/1907 - 04/10/1909
HMS HINDUSTAN - 05/10/1909 - 01/04/1912, anchored in Malta during the time of the 1911 census
HMS VERNON - 02/04/1912 - 22/02/1913
HMS MINERVA - 23/02/1913 - 28/08/1913
HMS DIDO II - 29/08/1913 - 30/09/1913
HMS DOLPHIN - 01/10/1913 - 10/10/1913
HMS VICTORY I - 11/10/1913 - 18/10/1913
HMS SOUTHAMPTON - 19/10/1913 - 07/04/1914
HMS DOLPHIN - 08/04/1914 - 13/05/1915
HMS FORTH - 14/05/1915 - 30/06/1916
HMS VULCAN - 01/07/1916 - 09/08/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 10/08/1916 - 21/12/1916
HMS LUCIA - 22/12/1916 - 12/03/1917, rising to Leading Seaman on 16/02/1917

He was awarded the Star, British war and Victory medals after his death and is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial

Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
Warwickshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1910 Warwickshire County Record Office; Warwick, England; Warwickshire Anglican Registers; Roll: Engl 09000 54; Document Reference: DR 248/2
1891 & 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: 355
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty and predecessors: Office of the Director General of the Medical Department of the Navy and predecessors: Service Registers and Registers of Deaths and Injuries. Registers of Reports of Deaths
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 010; Piece Description: Piece 010 (1914 - 1919)
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/10; Scan Number: 0027
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 157/0765/RAN-RAN
CWGC Register
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 157/0765/RAN-RAN
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - Harry Garlick Simpson
DOB - 21st January 1888
Place of Birth - Heworth, Yorkshire
Parents - John and Mary

Early History - Aged just 3 on the 1891 census, Harry lived with his parents and younger brother Arthur Lancelot at Stockton Lane in Heworth, York. Within 10 years the family had moved to Scarborough where they were recorded living in Ramshill Road. Harry was listed on his last census just a few months before he joined the Navy - he was a boarder with a family in Huddersfield, working as a representative of educational materials (he was recorded aged 33, but was only 23).

Rank - Engine Room Artificer (Ch) M 3130

Service History -
HMS PEMBROKE II - 29/05/1911 - 13/09/1911, rated as an Acting E.R.A 4th Class
HMS ACTAEON - 14/09/1911 - 25/08/1912, rising to E.R.A 4th Class on 09/07/1912
HMS PEMBROKE II - 26/08/1912 - 22/10/1912
HMS GIBRALTAR - 23/10/1912 - 04/12/1912
HMS NEWCASTLE - 05/12/1912 - 09/07/1916, rising to E.R.A 3rd Class
HMS PEMBROKE II - 10/07/1916 - 29/08/1916
HMS DOLPHIN (for E49) - 30/08/1916 - 21/12/1916
HMS LUCIA - 22/12/1916 - 12/03/1917

Harry joined in May 1911 for 12 years service. He was 5’10” tall with brown hair, blue eyes and a scar on his left wrist.
His pension was awarded to his father following his death as were the instructions to his will.

York Holy Trinity War Memorial

Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 FreeBMD
1891, 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: 1024
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: 0369
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 115
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - John Skelton
DOB - 30th September 1889
Place of Birth - Malton, Yorkshire
Parents - Robert and Elizabeth

Early History - Aged 1 on the 1891 census, John was the youngest of four children, living at Pump Alley West, St Leonards Parish in Malton, Yorkshire. 10 years followed and the eldest children had left, the family had moved within the village to Parliament Street and John, aged 10 was the middle of 3 sons remaining, living with Robert and Elizabeth. From the census to John joining the Navy no more information has been discovered, except that he left his job working as a farm labourer, possibly for better pay or prospects.

Rank - Leading Stoker (Po) K 3416

Service History -
HMS NELSON - 13/07/1909 - 25/09/1909
HMS VICTORY II - 26/09/1909 - 17/11/1909
HMS HAMPSHIRE - 18/11/1909 - 17/01/1910
HMS ESSEX - 18/01/1910 - 28/01/1910
HMS VICTORY II - 29/01/1910 - 15/03/1910
HMS BLENHEIM - 16/03/1910 - 21/08/1910, rising to Stoker 1st Class on 16/07/1910
HMS VICTORY II - 22/08/1910 - 09/09/1910
HMS BLENHEIM - 10/09/1910 - 05/12/1911, attached to BLENHEIM during the 1911 census
HMS VICTORY II - 06/12/1911 - 15/12/1911
HMS HECLA - 16/12/1911 - 30/04/1912
HMS TOPAZ II - 01/05/1912 - 31/07/1912
HMS MINERVA - 01/08/1912 - 28/08/1913 - while stationed with MINERVA John married Louisa Williams in the first quarter of 1913 in Portsmouth
HMS DIDO II - 29/08/1913 - 31/12/1913
HMS ATTENTIVE (KANGAROO) - 01/01/1914 - 19/05/1915
HMS DOLPHIN - 20/05/1915 - 03/09/1915
HMS DOLPHIN (SUBMARINE H5) - 04/09/1915 - 21/10/1915
HMS ALECTO - 22/10/1915 - 16/08/1916, rising to Acting Leading Stoker on 01/06/1916
HMS LUCIA - 17/08/1916 - 24/11/1916
HMS DOLPHIN (SUBMARINE E4) - 25/11/1916 - 21/12/1916
HMS LUCIA - 22/12/1916 - 12/03/1917, rising to Leading Stoker on 04/01/1917

He joined the Navy on 13th July 1909 for 12 years service - he was 5’5” tall with brown hair and grey eyes, gaining one Good Service badge on 12/07/1912.

3 years good conduct.

His pension was claimed by his widow to provide for their son, following his death as were his Star, Victory and British war medals. He is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - FreeBMD
1891 & 1901 England census
England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915 - FreeBMD
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: 873
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: 0385
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 168/0847/SKE-SKI
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 115
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - Charles Edward Spells
DOB - 19th July 1895
Place of Birth - Erith, Kent
Parents - Charles and Emily

Early History - Charles was born at 13 West Street and baptised the following month at Christ Church, on 25th August. He was the youngest of three children recorded on the 1901 census, with parents Charles and Emily - the family had moved within 5 years and then resided at 27 Pier Road, Erith, Kent. He was 5 years old and his father, Charles Snr, worked for himself as a plasterer. Within 10 years the family had grown with another child and they had all moved back to West Street, moving into number 27. Charles was then 15 and worked as a fishboy.

Rank - Stoker 1st Class (Ch) K 20704

Service History - Charles left his job as a fishmongers assistant to join the Navy 17/09/1913 for 12 years service. He was 5’4” tall with dark brown hair and grey eyes.

HMS PEMBROKE II - 17/09/1913 - 25/02/1914, training as a Stoker 2nd Class
HMS ECLIPSE - 26/02/1914 - 13/04/1914
HMS YARMOUTH - 14/04/1914 - 13/10/1915, rising to Stoker 1st Class on 01/10/1914
HMS DOLPHIN - 14/10/1915 - 22/11/1915
HMS FORTH - 23/11/1915 - 30/06/1916
HMS VULCAN - 01/07/1916 - 09/08/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 10/08/1916 - 21/12/1916, while attached to the submarine depot, Charles married Jane Hannay in October 1916.
HMS LUCIA - 22/12/1916 - 12/03/1917

Charles was awarded the Star, Victory and British war medals which were claimed by his widow. His pension was also awarded to her to provide for the daughter Charles never got to meet. Jessie was born in December 1917. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

ERITH (ST JOHN'S CHURCH) www.iwm.org.uk/memorials

Sources:

England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - Free BMD
Bexley, Kent, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1925 Bexley Local Studies and Archive Centre; Bexleyheath, London, England; Bexley Parish Registers; Reference Number: PA137B/1/B/5
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: 908
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)
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty and predecessors: Office of the Director General of the Medical Department of the Navy and predecessors: Service Registers and Registers of Deaths and Injuries. Registers of Reports of Deaths
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/10; Scan Number: 0491
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 173/0873/SPE-SPE
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 115
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - John Henry Stevens
DOB - 14th July 1880
Place of Birth - Sheffield, Yorkshire
Parents - Frederick and Eliza

Early History - On the 1891 census John was aged 10, the third of four children.

Rank - Leading Seaman (Po) 190271

Service History - John left his painter job and joined the Navy, recorded as 5’5” tall with dark hair, hazel eyes and a love heart tattoo on his left arm above the wrist.

HMS IMPREGNABLE - 29/08/1896 - 02/09/1896
HMS LION - 03/09/1896 - 10/06/1897, rising to Boy 1st Class on 27/05/1897
HMS BOSCAWEN - 11/06/1897 - 14/12/1897
HMS AUSTRALIA - 15/12/1897 - 17/01/1898
HMS RESOLUTION - 18/01/1898 - 27/06/1900, rising to Ordinary Seaman on 14/07/1898
HMS ALEXANDRA - 28/06/1900 - 17/04/1901, aboard the second class battleship during the 1901 census
HMS REVENGE - 18/04/1901 - 22/05/1901
HMS CRESSY - 23/05/1901 - 07/02/1905, rising to Able Seaman on 20/10/1901
HMS FIREQUEEN - 08/02/1905 - 31/05/1905
HMS VICTORY I - 01/04/1905 - 18/07/1905
HMS MERCURY - 19/07/1905 - 10/08/1905
HMS VICTORY - 11/08/1905 - 04/09/1905
HMS MERCURY - 05/09/1905 - 21/02/1906
HMS DRYAD - 22/02/1906 - 17/11/1906
HMS VERNON - 18/11/1906 - 15/06/1907, John married Harriet Mitchell in late 1906
HMS VICTORY I - 16/06/1907 - 09/09/1907
HMS EURYALUS - 10/09/1907 - 21/12/1909
HMS VICTORY I - 22/12/1909 - 03/01/1910
HMS ARIADNE - 04/01/1910 - 17/09/1910
HMS ARGONAUT - 18/09/1910 - 27/02/1911
HMS TERRIBLE - 28/02/1911 - 27/03/1911, recorded on the 1911 census on leave at the time, John had been married 5 years and lived at 1 Stanley Road, Portsmouth with his wife and two young daughters, Annie and Violet.
HMS DREADNOUGHT - 28/03/1911 - 30/06/1910
HMS VERNON - 01/07/1910 - 30/05/1914
HMS DOLPHIN - 01/06/1914 - 13/01/1915
HMS BONAVENTURE - 14/01/1915 - 14/02/1915
HMS DOLPHIN - 15/02/1915 - 13/05/1915, rising to Leading Seaman on 15/04/1915
HMS FORTH - 14/05/1915 - 30/07/1916
HMS VICTORIOUS - 31/07/1916 - 09/08/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 10/08/1916 - 21/12/1916
HMS LUCIA (depot ship for E49) - 22/12/1916 - 12/03/1917

His pension was awarded to his wife to support his 4 children, as well as his Star, Victory and British medals.
He is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Sources:

1891, 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: 324
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: 0543
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 174/0885/STE-STE
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - Jeremiah Sullivan
DOB - 11th February 1891
Place of Birth - Schull, Cork
Parents - James and Ellen

Early History - Jeremiah was recorded on the 1901 Ireland census, aged 11, at his brother John’s address, Cody’s Cottages, North Dock, Dublin. It is not known if he lived with his brother’s family or was just visiting.

Jeremiah recorded at Cody's Cottages, Dublin 1901

Rank- Stoker 1st Class (Dev) K 21238

Service History -
HMS VIVID II - 02/11/1913 - 17/03/1914
HMS LEANDER (WOLF) - 18/03/1914 - 13/11/1914
HMS ST GEORGE (WOLF) - 14/11/1914 - 05/11/1915, rising to Stoker 1st Class on 01/12/1914
HMS WALLINGTON - 06/11/1915 - 16/07/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 17/07/1916 - 14/08/1916
HMS LUCIA - 15/08/1916 - 24/11/1916
HMS DOLPHIN (E49) - 25/11/1916 - 21/12/1916
HMS LUCIA (E49) - 22/12/1916 - 12/03/1917

Jeremiah had joined the Navy on 2nd November 1913 for 12 years, leaving his job as a general labourer. He was 5’8” with dark brown hair and blue eyes. His Star, Victory and British war medals were claimed by his father following his death.
Jeremiah is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

Plymouth War Memorial

Sources:

1901 Ireland 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: 909
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: 0598
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 176/0898/STY-SUL
Photo courtesy of Photos of Dublin
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - Robert James Tilley
DOB - 8th January 1895
Place of Birth - Camberwell, London
Parents - John and Maudy

Early History - Robert’s early history began with his admission into Southampton Street school on 3rd December 1900, aged 5. He was joined by his younger brother Edwin and records gave their home address as 47 Elinnington Road, Southwark, London. The following year they were recorded on the 1901 census, still at the same address - Edwin was one of four boys and his father John worked as a mortuary attendant.

Rank - Able Seaman - (Po) J 11627

Service History - Robert left his job as a warehouse boy and joined the Navy for 12 years service, beginning his training on 29/03/1911 as a Boy 2nd Class.

HMS IMPREGNABLE - 29/03/1911 - 02/12/1911, rising to Boy 1st Class on 11/11/1911, recorded at Devonport during the 1911 census.
HMS COLOSSUS - 03/12/1911 - 25/03/1912
HMS VICTORY I - 26/03/1912 - 22/04/1912
HMS BLACK PRINCE - 23/04/1912 - 20/04/1914, rising to Ordinary Seaman on 08/01/1913 and Able Seaman on 07/11/1913
HMS VICTORY - 21/04/1914 - 03/06/1914
HMS VERNON - 04/06/1914 - 29/07/1914
HMS ATTENTIVE (HMS SARACEN) - 30/07/1914 - 20/05/1915
HMS VERNON - 21/05/1915 - 25/07/1915
HMS VICTORY VII - 26/07/1915 - 30/09/1915
HMS RESEARCH - 01/10/1915 - 11/12/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 12/12/1916 - 12/01/1917
HMS LUCIA - 13/01/1917 - 12/03/1917

His Star, British and Victory medals were claimed by his mother following his death. He is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Sources:

England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - FreeBMD
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: 670
London, England, School Admissions and Discharges, 1840-1911 London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; School Admission and Discharge Registers; Reference: LCC/EO/DIV07/SOU/AD/010
UK, 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: 670
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)
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty and predecessors: Office of the Director General of the Medical Department of the Navy and predecessors: Service Registers and Registers of Deaths and Injuries. Registers of Reports of Deaths
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/10; Scan Number: 0729
UK, Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 117
Researched by Wendy Sadler

Name - Reginald James Wakefield
DOB - 26th January 1894
Place of Birth - Cardiff, Wales
Parents - James and Mary

Early History - Reginald was recorded on the 1901 census aged 5 living with his family at 39 Aldsworth Road, Canton in Cardiff, the only boy of 3 children. By the 1911 census the Wakefield family had grown to 6 children and they had moved to 15 Davies Place, Ely, near Cardiff. Reginald helped with the family expenses working as general labourer.

Rank - Stoker 1st Class (Dev ) K 16051

Service History -

Reginald was 5’6” tall with black hair, brown eyes and a dark complexion. He left his job as a machinist at a tin works and joined the Navy for 12 years service.

HMS VIVID II - 03/09/1912 - 17/01/1913, training as a Stoker 2nd Class
HMS WARRIOR - 18/01/1913 - 07/11/1913, rising to Stoker 1st Class on 12/09/1913
HMS EGMONT - 08/11/1913 - 18/04/1916
HMS VIVID II - 19/04/1916 - 21/07/1916
HMS DOLPHIN - 22/07/1916 - 14/08/1916
HMS LUCIA - 15/08/1916 - 24/11/1916
HMS DOLPHIN (E4) - 25/11/1916 - 21/12/1916
HMS LUCIA - 22/12/1916 - 12/03/1917

Reginald was awarded the Serbian Silver Medal for bravery during the Defence of Belgrade in 1915 for service in land operations. After his death his mother was awarded his pension, his Star, Victory and British war medals claimed by his father. He is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

Silver Medal (Serbia)

HMS E-49 Memorial,

HMS E-49 Memorial, Baltasound, Unst, Shetland. Photo: W Sadler.