HMS Negro.
M class (HMS Marmion)
HMS Negro 21/12/1916
M Class Destroyer.
Displacement: 994 grt.
Length: 82 m. Beam: 8.4 m. Draught: 2.7 m.
Propulsion: Steam turbines, Yarrow boilers, 3 shafts
Complement: 80 officers and men
.
Crew Lost: 51
Armament: 3 x 4"/101.6 mm gun, 3 x 2 pdr. A.A, 2 x twin 21"/530 mm T.T
M Class Destroyer.
Displacement: 994 grt.
Length: 82 m. Beam: 8.4 m. Draught: 2.7 m.
Propulsion: Steam turbines, Yarrow boilers, 3 shafts
Complement: 80 officers and men
.
Crew Lost: 51
Armament: 3 x 4"/101.6 mm gun, 3 x 2 pdr. A.A, 2 x twin 21"/530 mm T.T
When we set out to research this event we were hugely aware of the connotations of the name HMS NEGRO, and primarily, stating her name in our research and on our media platforms.
While we do not condone the word itself we feel we need to publish it how it was originally used over 100 years ago - simply as a name given to a ship which belonged to His Majesty's Navy.
We cannot and will not alter history in this fact, but as you all know our focus is on discovering the vessel and remembering her crew and not creating any racial or political actions or views.
While we do not condone the word itself we feel we need to publish it how it was originally used over 100 years ago - simply as a name given to a ship which belonged to His Majesty's Navy.
We cannot and will not alter history in this fact, but as you all know our focus is on discovering the vessel and remembering her crew and not creating any racial or political actions or views.
Built by Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company, Jarrow, County Durham and launched in March 1916.
On commissioning, HMS Negro joined the 13th Destroyer Flotilla based at Scapa Flow with the pennant number G.13.
On the 19th December 1916 HMS Negro left with the Grand Fleet to conduct exercises off the east of coast of Shetland.
HMS Negro was under the command of Lieutenant-Commander Alexander H. Gye.
On the forenoon of 20th December HMS Hoste reported the steering gear was defective as a stud had fractured in the main bearing of the steering engine.
HMS Hoste requested permission to return to Scapa Flow, as did not consider the steering gear sufficient to manoeuvre, and this was granted by HMS Gabriel. HMS Negro was tasked to escort HMS Hoste back to base.
HMS Hoste then proceeded and signalled HMS Negro ‘’ Take up any convenient station’’ to which HMS Negro replied
‘’I think I had better go on your bow to act as a Partial screen’’.
At dusk HMS Negro made the signal ‘’Permission to take station astern’’ which HMS Hoste approved.
At 1.30 am HMS Hoste turned to starboard and HMS Negro followed the wake about 300 yards astern. A signal was sent to HMS Negro by flashing light ‘’I am not under control’’ and the ‘’not under control lights’’ were raised by HMS Hoste who then slowed down.
HMS Negro found HMS Hoste dead ahead, almost stopped, and before action could be taken a collision occurred, with the bow of HMS Negro cutting into the stern of HMS Hoste.
The collision caused two depth charges to be released which exploded directly under the engine room of HMS Negro severely damaging the hull plates and causing all the lights to go out.
HMS Hoste put searchlights on and signalled HMS Negro ‘’Have you been badly damaged’’ HMS Negro sent the reply ‘’I have been holed forward’’.
Shortly afterwards HMS Negro sank with the loss of fifty one officers and crew, including Lieutenant-Commander Alexander H. Gye.
The remaining crew being saved by HMS Marmion.
On the 19th December 1916 HMS Negro left with the Grand Fleet to conduct exercises off the east of coast of Shetland.
HMS Negro was under the command of Lieutenant-Commander Alexander H. Gye.
On the forenoon of 20th December HMS Hoste reported the steering gear was defective as a stud had fractured in the main bearing of the steering engine.
HMS Hoste requested permission to return to Scapa Flow, as did not consider the steering gear sufficient to manoeuvre, and this was granted by HMS Gabriel. HMS Negro was tasked to escort HMS Hoste back to base.
HMS Hoste then proceeded and signalled HMS Negro ‘’ Take up any convenient station’’ to which HMS Negro replied
‘’I think I had better go on your bow to act as a Partial screen’’.
At dusk HMS Negro made the signal ‘’Permission to take station astern’’ which HMS Hoste approved.
At 1.30 am HMS Hoste turned to starboard and HMS Negro followed the wake about 300 yards astern. A signal was sent to HMS Negro by flashing light ‘’I am not under control’’ and the ‘’not under control lights’’ were raised by HMS Hoste who then slowed down.
HMS Negro found HMS Hoste dead ahead, almost stopped, and before action could be taken a collision occurred, with the bow of HMS Negro cutting into the stern of HMS Hoste.
The collision caused two depth charges to be released which exploded directly under the engine room of HMS Negro severely damaging the hull plates and causing all the lights to go out.
HMS Hoste put searchlights on and signalled HMS Negro ‘’Have you been badly damaged’’ HMS Negro sent the reply ‘’I have been holed forward’’.
Shortly afterwards HMS Negro sank with the loss of fifty one officers and crew, including Lieutenant-Commander Alexander H. Gye.
The remaining crew being saved by HMS Marmion.
Western Times - Tuesday 26 December 1916
Aberdeen Evening Express - Tuesday 26 December 1916
Destroyers in Collision.
57 MEN DROWNED,
British Naval Mishap in North Sea,
The Secretary of the Admiralty yesterday made the following announcement Two of H.M. torpedo boat destroyers were sunk in collision in the North Sea on the 21st December during very bad weather, resulting in the loss of 6 officers and 51 men, the relatives of whom have ail been notified.
Leicester Evening Mail - Tuesday 26 December 1916
TWO DESTROYERS SUNK. Six Officers and 49 Men Drowned.
Six Officers and 49 men lost their lives last Thursday by the sinking of two af our torpedo boats in the North Sea. T i be official announcement made by the Secretary of the Admiralty, is as follows: Two of his Majesty's torpedo-boat destroyers were sunk in collision in the North Sea on December 21, during very had weather. The disaster resulted in the loss of six officers and 49 men. The relatives have been notified.
Lynn News & County Press - Saturday 30 December 1916
A NAVAL SORROW.
Two British destroyer* were sunk in the North Sea on December 21. They came into collision during very rough weather Six officers and 49 Men drowned.
Dundee People's Journal - Saturday 30 December 1916
Destroyers Lost. During very bad weather in the North Sea on the 21st inst. two British destroyers collided, with the result that both vessels were sunk, and six officers and 49 men drowned. Such accidents are inevitable in time of war, when patrolling has to be carried out continuously by day and night—without lights when darkness falls. In bad weather such operations are attended with very great risks.
Destroyers in Collision.
57 MEN DROWNED,
British Naval Mishap in North Sea,
The Secretary of the Admiralty yesterday made the following announcement Two of H.M. torpedo boat destroyers were sunk in collision in the North Sea on the 21st December during very bad weather, resulting in the loss of 6 officers and 51 men, the relatives of whom have ail been notified.
Leicester Evening Mail - Tuesday 26 December 1916
TWO DESTROYERS SUNK. Six Officers and 49 Men Drowned.
Six Officers and 49 men lost their lives last Thursday by the sinking of two af our torpedo boats in the North Sea. T i be official announcement made by the Secretary of the Admiralty, is as follows: Two of his Majesty's torpedo-boat destroyers were sunk in collision in the North Sea on December 21, during very had weather. The disaster resulted in the loss of six officers and 49 men. The relatives have been notified.
Lynn News & County Press - Saturday 30 December 1916
A NAVAL SORROW.
Two British destroyer* were sunk in the North Sea on December 21. They came into collision during very rough weather Six officers and 49 Men drowned.
Dundee People's Journal - Saturday 30 December 1916
Destroyers Lost. During very bad weather in the North Sea on the 21st inst. two British destroyers collided, with the result that both vessels were sunk, and six officers and 49 men drowned. Such accidents are inevitable in time of war, when patrolling has to be carried out continuously by day and night—without lights when darkness falls. In bad weather such operations are attended with very great risks.
THE WRECK TODAY.
The wreck of HMS Negro.
UKHO have no wreck card for HMS Negro and various sources list her as being lost either ‘’off Shetland’’ or ‘’in the North Sea’’ with the only real clue being that she was heading to Scapa Flow when the accident happened.
The LIWD project decided to try and establish where the wrecks of both HMS Negro and HMS Hoste lay. The first document that was obtained was HD-1918-3429 ‘’ Collision between HMS ‘Hoste’ and HMS ‘Negro’ on 21st Dec 1916, off Scapa Flow. Loss of both vessels’’ from UKHO.
The logbooks of the vessels that were involved in or around the incident, were obtained from the National Archive.
Unfortunately, none of the logs gave a position for the collision and the one logbook that would have proved invaluable, that of HMS Marmion, is lost and not in the archive.
A document held at the UKHO HD-1918-3429 ‘’ Collision between HMS ‘Hoste’ and HMS ‘Negro’ on 21st Dec 1916, off Scapa Flow. Loss of both vessels’’ proved the most useful and although Commander Edwards (HMS Hoste) does not give a position he does give some clues.
We know the boats were heading back to Scapa Flow after exercise off east Shetland
We know that the helm jammed at 01.30 and he noticed that the Fair Isle light (he does not say which one ) was directly ahead but should have been off the Stb. bow so we know that they are approximately NE of Fair Isle.
Commander Edwards was aware that the Battle Fleet was astern of him, and a short while earlier he had exchanged lamp signals with HMS Iron Duke, so we know they were within sight of each other.
The next clue comes from the log book of HMS Iron Duke (ADM 55/44970).
There is no mention at all in the log of the collision or the signals between HMS Hoste and HMS Iron Duke but there is an entry shortly after the time of the collision……………….
''1.43 Fair I Lt (N) abeam.''
So this shows us the light seen was the Fair Isle light on the north end of the island and the wreck should be just to the NE of Fair Isle.
UKHO only have one charted wreck in the area that could possibly be HMS Negro and that is wreck 552.
This wreck was found using side scan sonar in 1994. The wreck appears to be in two parts with the combined length of 71m (HMS Negro was 82m). HMS Negro only reported damage to the bow when messaging HMS Hoste after the collision, but the depth charges could have dealt more catastrophic damage to the hull which caused the ship to break her back.
UKHO have no wreck card for HMS Negro and various sources list her as being lost either ‘’off Shetland’’ or ‘’in the North Sea’’ with the only real clue being that she was heading to Scapa Flow when the accident happened.
The LIWD project decided to try and establish where the wrecks of both HMS Negro and HMS Hoste lay. The first document that was obtained was HD-1918-3429 ‘’ Collision between HMS ‘Hoste’ and HMS ‘Negro’ on 21st Dec 1916, off Scapa Flow. Loss of both vessels’’ from UKHO.
The logbooks of the vessels that were involved in or around the incident, were obtained from the National Archive.
Unfortunately, none of the logs gave a position for the collision and the one logbook that would have proved invaluable, that of HMS Marmion, is lost and not in the archive.
A document held at the UKHO HD-1918-3429 ‘’ Collision between HMS ‘Hoste’ and HMS ‘Negro’ on 21st Dec 1916, off Scapa Flow. Loss of both vessels’’ proved the most useful and although Commander Edwards (HMS Hoste) does not give a position he does give some clues.
We know the boats were heading back to Scapa Flow after exercise off east Shetland
We know that the helm jammed at 01.30 and he noticed that the Fair Isle light (he does not say which one ) was directly ahead but should have been off the Stb. bow so we know that they are approximately NE of Fair Isle.
Commander Edwards was aware that the Battle Fleet was astern of him, and a short while earlier he had exchanged lamp signals with HMS Iron Duke, so we know they were within sight of each other.
The next clue comes from the log book of HMS Iron Duke (ADM 55/44970).
There is no mention at all in the log of the collision or the signals between HMS Hoste and HMS Iron Duke but there is an entry shortly after the time of the collision……………….
''1.43 Fair I Lt (N) abeam.''
So this shows us the light seen was the Fair Isle light on the north end of the island and the wreck should be just to the NE of Fair Isle.
UKHO only have one charted wreck in the area that could possibly be HMS Negro and that is wreck 552.
This wreck was found using side scan sonar in 1994. The wreck appears to be in two parts with the combined length of 71m (HMS Negro was 82m). HMS Negro only reported damage to the bow when messaging HMS Hoste after the collision, but the depth charges could have dealt more catastrophic damage to the hull which caused the ship to break her back.
Wreck 552 sss UKHO
THE DIVE
Expedition ''Lost In Waters Deep 2023''
Expedition Leader: Will Schwarz
Team: Lt .Cmdr. Jen Smith (R.N.) Steve Mortimer, Barbara Mortimer, Rick Ayrton, Dominic Robinson, Fran Hockley, Jacob Mackenzie, Simon Kay, Paul Downs, Andi Marovic
MV Clasina Crew: Bob Anderson (Skipper) Neil Cope, Tash Yates, Godfrey Priest.
Photographer: Kata Opuntia
Team: Lt .Cmdr. Jen Smith (R.N.) Steve Mortimer, Barbara Mortimer, Rick Ayrton, Dominic Robinson, Fran Hockley, Jacob Mackenzie, Simon Kay, Paul Downs, Andi Marovic
MV Clasina Crew: Bob Anderson (Skipper) Neil Cope, Tash Yates, Godfrey Priest.
Photographer: Kata Opuntia
23/08/2023
Divers dived wreck 552 and found the wreck of a destroyer in 105m of water. Some amazing photos were taken of the ships bell, clearly showing HMS NEGRO 1915 and the brass footplate marked ''NEGRO''. Th
As seen in the side scan image the destroyer had broken in two, with the parts separated by 10m. The wreck is upright, Swimming aft from the bow 3 Yarrow boilers, one is missing, then the break and 10m away is the stern of the vessel.
Divers dived wreck 552 and found the wreck of a destroyer in 105m of water. Some amazing photos were taken of the ships bell, clearly showing HMS NEGRO 1915 and the brass footplate marked ''NEGRO''. Th
As seen in the side scan image the destroyer had broken in two, with the parts separated by 10m. The wreck is upright, Swimming aft from the bow 3 Yarrow boilers, one is missing, then the break and 10m away is the stern of the vessel.
Dominic Robinson filming bell. Photo: Rick Ayrton
Photos: Rick Ayrton
Photos taken from video: Andi Marovic
Photos: Simon Kay
Special note: The site was not disturbed nor were any artefacts lifted.
LOST CREW †21/12/1916
Name - William Swirles Allardyce
DOB - 5th April 1897
Place of Birth - Ranelagh, Dublin
Parents - George Allardyce and Janet Swirles
Early History - William was the second son of four boys born to George and Janet. George came from Archiestown in Scotland and moved to Ireland to work as a Master Tailor. Three of the four boys trained to be doctors.
On the 1911 Ireland census William lived at 47 Beechwood Avenue, Dublin, aged 13 and at school but a few short months later William’s mother died, on 11th May.
He was educated at St Andrew’s College, St. Stephen's Green in Dublin and, in January 1914, he passed into Trinity College Dublin at the age of 16 where his tutor was Mr Tate.
In the autumn of 1916, as a 19 year old third year medical student, he left university and entered the Navy with the rank of Probationer Surgeon.
He was the first of all four sons to be taken by war - William was mentioned on his mother’s headstone as his body was never recovered;
In Loving Memory of
Janet
beloved wife of
George Allardyce
who died 11 May 1911
aged 48
also their dearly loved son
Wm. S. Allardyce [Bill]
of the highest promise
Surgn. Probn. HMS Negro
drowned in collision in North Sea
21st Dec. 1916, in his 20th year
His eldest brother George died in Oxford in 1918 from wounds suffered in France. His younger brothers Ransome and James died during the Second World War. William is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Rank - Surgeon Probationer - RNVR
Trinity College OTC Camp Badge
Sources:
Ireland, Civil Registration Births Index, 1864-1958
1911 Ireland Census
http://www.irishmedals.ie/
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/uploads/4/9/7/8/4978039/allardyce__george_gilmour.pdf (further reading on his brother George and images of local memorials)
http://spinalviral.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-allardyces-of-archiestown.html
Image - findagrave
Moray, Scotland, Local Heritage Index, 1632-2014
Medical and Dental Students Registers, 1882-1937 The Wellcome Trust; London, England; Medical and Dental Students Register; Reference Number: b24389535_i13753514
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: 002 (1914 - 1920)
Ireland, Casualties of World War I, 1914-1922
Ancestry.com
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Ireland, Civil Registration Births Index, 1864-1958
1911 Ireland Census
http://www.irishmedals.ie/
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/uploads/4/9/7/8/4978039/allardyce__george_gilmour.pdf (further reading on his brother George and images of local memorials)
http://spinalviral.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-allardyces-of-archiestown.html
Image - findagrave
Moray, Scotland, Local Heritage Index, 1632-2014
Medical and Dental Students Registers, 1882-1937 The Wellcome Trust; London, England; Medical and Dental Students Register; Reference Number: b24389535_i13753514
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: 002 (1914 - 1920)
Ireland, Casualties of World War I, 1914-1922
Ancestry.com
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name- James Austen
DOB - 8th April 1879
Place of Birth - Bethersden, Kent
Parents - William and Jane West
Early History - James was the youngest 6 of children recorded on the 1881 census, living in Preston next Wingham, along with his parents. Within 10 years, all the children except James had left home - on the 1891 census he was aged 11 and attended school, the family now living in the parish of Elmstone, Kent.
Rank - Able Seaman - (Ch) 185492/R.F.R B 3232
DOB - 8th April 1879
Place of Birth - Bethersden, Kent
Parents - William and Jane West
Early History - James was the youngest 6 of children recorded on the 1881 census, living in Preston next Wingham, along with his parents. Within 10 years, all the children except James had left home - on the 1891 census he was aged 11 and attended school, the family now living in the parish of Elmstone, Kent.
Rank - Able Seaman - (Ch) 185492/R.F.R B 3232
Service History - James joined the Navy on 24th September 1895 as a Boy 2nd Class, stationed briefly at HMS IMPREGNABLE before being posted to the boys training base on the Suffolk coast, HMS GANGES, from 10th October 1895 until 6th August 1896, rising to Boy 1st Class on 9th July 1896. He was 5’6” tall, had light brown hair and hazel coloured eyes, and a scar on the second finger of his left hand. He initially joined for 12 years service, his record follows:-
HMS IMPREGNABLE - 07/08/1896 - 18/09/1896
HMS BOSCAWEN - 1/9/09/1896 - 17/11/1896
HMS PEMBROKE I - 18/11/1896 - 02/02/1897
“Unreadable” - 03/02/1897 - 21/07/1897, rising to Ordinary Seaman on his 18th Birthday, 08/04/1897
HMS PEMBROKE I - 22/07/1897 - 18/10/1897
HMS CHAMPION - 19/10/1897 - 20/05/1898
HMS PEMBROKE I - 21/05/1898 - 30/06/1898
HMS REPULSE - 01/07/1898 - 10/01/1899, rising to Able Seaman on 01/08/1898
HMS WILDFIRE I - 11/01/1899 - 10/05/1899
HMS PEMBROKE I - 11/05/1899 - 14/06/1899
HMS ASTRAEA - 15/06/1899 - 12/01/1900
HMS ST GEORGE - 13/01/1900 - 31/03/1900
HMS DEVASTATION - 01/04/1900 - 31/05/1900
HMS CORMORANT - 01/06/1900 - 26/09/1900
HMS RENOWN - 27/09/1900 - 31/03/1902
HMS ORION - 01/04/1902 - 31/08/1902
HMS PEMBROKE - 01/09/1902 - 22/09/1903
HMS WILDFIRE - 23/09/1903 - 28/08/1905
HMS PEMBROKE - 29/08/1905 - 01/09/1905 - On this date James was discharged from service having fulfilled his 12 years. He then joined the RFR the following day and re-enrolled for service on 20th August 1910, to serve until 01/09/1915. Before being called back to service he re-joined civilian life, got married in 1907 to Amy Bishop and worked as a Naval Ordnance
Labourer. He lived at Bryant Road, Strood, Kent, with his wife and daughter Ivy during the 1911 census.
James served again attached to the following after the outbreak of war:-
HMS ROYAL ARTHUR - 02/08/1914 - 26/11/1914
HMS PEMBROKE I - 27/11/1914 - 23/12/1914
HMT WHITE EAR - 24/12/1914 - 28/01/1915
HMS VIVID II - 29/01/1915 - 30/09/1915
HMT DREEL CASTLE - 01/10/1915 - 28/01/1916
HMS PEMBROKE I - 29/01/1916 - 29/05/1916
HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 30/05/1916 - 21/12/1916
He is remembered in perpetuity on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - Free BMD
1881, 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: 312 & second folio page
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: 007 (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/7; Scan Number: 0135
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995
Researched by Wendy Sadler
HMS IMPREGNABLE - 07/08/1896 - 18/09/1896
HMS BOSCAWEN - 1/9/09/1896 - 17/11/1896
HMS PEMBROKE I - 18/11/1896 - 02/02/1897
“Unreadable” - 03/02/1897 - 21/07/1897, rising to Ordinary Seaman on his 18th Birthday, 08/04/1897
HMS PEMBROKE I - 22/07/1897 - 18/10/1897
HMS CHAMPION - 19/10/1897 - 20/05/1898
HMS PEMBROKE I - 21/05/1898 - 30/06/1898
HMS REPULSE - 01/07/1898 - 10/01/1899, rising to Able Seaman on 01/08/1898
HMS WILDFIRE I - 11/01/1899 - 10/05/1899
HMS PEMBROKE I - 11/05/1899 - 14/06/1899
HMS ASTRAEA - 15/06/1899 - 12/01/1900
HMS ST GEORGE - 13/01/1900 - 31/03/1900
HMS DEVASTATION - 01/04/1900 - 31/05/1900
HMS CORMORANT - 01/06/1900 - 26/09/1900
HMS RENOWN - 27/09/1900 - 31/03/1902
HMS ORION - 01/04/1902 - 31/08/1902
HMS PEMBROKE - 01/09/1902 - 22/09/1903
HMS WILDFIRE - 23/09/1903 - 28/08/1905
HMS PEMBROKE - 29/08/1905 - 01/09/1905 - On this date James was discharged from service having fulfilled his 12 years. He then joined the RFR the following day and re-enrolled for service on 20th August 1910, to serve until 01/09/1915. Before being called back to service he re-joined civilian life, got married in 1907 to Amy Bishop and worked as a Naval Ordnance
Labourer. He lived at Bryant Road, Strood, Kent, with his wife and daughter Ivy during the 1911 census.
James served again attached to the following after the outbreak of war:-
HMS ROYAL ARTHUR - 02/08/1914 - 26/11/1914
HMS PEMBROKE I - 27/11/1914 - 23/12/1914
HMT WHITE EAR - 24/12/1914 - 28/01/1915
HMS VIVID II - 29/01/1915 - 30/09/1915
HMT DREEL CASTLE - 01/10/1915 - 28/01/1916
HMS PEMBROKE I - 29/01/1916 - 29/05/1916
HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 30/05/1916 - 21/12/1916
He is remembered in perpetuity on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - Free BMD
1881, 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: 312 & second folio page
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: 007 (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/7; Scan Number: 0135
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - John Arthur Baines
DOB - 9th June 1891
Place of Birth - Camberwell, London
Parents - William and Mary Celia
Early History - John was recorded attending Cator Street School, aged 3 years old and admitted on 27th August 1894. On the 1901 census he was noted with his parents and 5 siblings living at 34 Diamond Street, Camberwell, an address they had lived at since John began school. By the 1911 census all but two children had flown the nest - John was working as a shunter at a Loco department, aged 20. He lived at 35 Herman Road, Old Kent Road with his younger sister and parents.
Rank - Stoker 1st Class, (Ch) K 31373
Service History - His civilian role working with locomotives put him in good stead to be a Stoker when he joined the Navy on 9th March 1916 for the duration of hostilities. He was 5’6” tall with dark hair, grey eyes and a dark complexion. He remained at HMS PEMBROKE II until 29th May 1916, and was posted to HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) on the same day as the Battle of Jutland commenced, 30th May 1916. He rose to Stoker 1st Class on 1st November 1916 but was killed the following month.
John’s pension and war medals, the Victory and British decorations were awarded to his parents following his death. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 FreeBMD
London, England, School Admissions and Discharges, 1840-1911 London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; School Admission and Discharge Registers; Reference: LCC/EO/DIV07/CAT/AD/010
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: 929
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: 0163
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 012/0038/BAI-BAI
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 94
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Albert Frederick Battle
DOB - 6th April 1893
Place of Birth - Westminster, London
Parents - Walter and Emily/Rose
Early History - Albert was baptised on 27th May 1894 at St Luke’s Church in the parish of St James, Westminster and next aged 7 when mentioned on the 1901 census - he, his parents and four siblings, as well as a boarder, lived at 85 Newport Dwellings, St Anne’s, Soho, where he had lived since his birth.
Rank - Ordinary Seaman (Ch) SS 3563
DOB - 6th April 1893
Place of Birth - Westminster, London
Parents - Walter and Emily/Rose
Early History - Albert was baptised on 27th May 1894 at St Luke’s Church in the parish of St James, Westminster and next aged 7 when mentioned on the 1901 census - he, his parents and four siblings, as well as a boarder, lived at 85 Newport Dwellings, St Anne’s, Soho, where he had lived since his birth.
Rank - Ordinary Seaman (Ch) SS 3563
Service History - Albert joined the Navy on 10th March 1911 for a short service of 5 years plus 7 years in reserve. He was 5’7” tall with brown hair and blue eyes and several small scars on the left side of his face and neck. He began his training at HMS PEMBROKE I as an Ordinary Seaman, remaining until 25th April 1911. The remainder of his service follows:
HMS BULWARK - 26/04/1911 - 11/08/1911
HMS PEMBROKE I - 12/08/1911 - 14/08/1911
HMS BLACK PRINCE - 15/08/1911 - 22/04/1912
HMS PEMBROKE I - 23/04/1912 - 02/05/1912
HMS BLENHEIM - 03/05/1912 - 05/12/1913
HMS PEMBROKE I - 06/12/1913 - 09/02/1914
HMS HECLA - 10/02/1914 - 17/06/1914
HMS WOOLWICH (LAPWING) - 18/06/1914 - 05/06/1916
HMS WOOLWICH (NEGRO) - 06/06/1916 - 21/12/1916
Albert was awarded the Star, Victory and British medals which were claimed by his father after his death and he is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
HMS BULWARK - 26/04/1911 - 11/08/1911
HMS PEMBROKE I - 12/08/1911 - 14/08/1911
HMS BLACK PRINCE - 15/08/1911 - 22/04/1912
HMS PEMBROKE I - 23/04/1912 - 02/05/1912
HMS BLENHEIM - 03/05/1912 - 05/12/1913
HMS PEMBROKE I - 06/12/1913 - 09/02/1914
HMS HECLA - 10/02/1914 - 17/06/1914
HMS WOOLWICH (LAPWING) - 18/06/1914 - 05/06/1916
HMS WOOLWICH (NEGRO) - 06/06/1916 - 21/12/1916
Albert was awarded the Star, Victory and British medals which were claimed by his father after his death and he is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
Westminster, London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1919 City of Westminster Archives Centre; London, England; Westminster Church of England Parish Registers; Reference: STM/PR/6/24
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: 1097
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/7; Scan Number: 0248
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: 007 (1914 - 1919)
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 95
Researched by Wendy Sadler
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
Westminster, London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1919 City of Westminster Archives Centre; London, England; Westminster Church of England Parish Registers; Reference: STM/PR/6/24
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: 1097
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/7; Scan Number: 0248
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: 007 (1914 - 1919)
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 95
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Morris Blok
DOB - 28th January 1884/1 Shevat 5644
Place of Birth - St George's in the East, London
Parents - Nathan and Annie
Early History - Although recorded as being born in London, it is possible that Morris was born in Russia, according to the 1891 and 1901 England census’. Morris and his family, parents and 6 siblings were Jewish and lived at 82 Wentworth Street, Whitechapel in 1891, Morris aged 6 years old. Nathan, Morris’ father died between the census - in 1901 Morris, his mother and 3 siblings lived at 73 Davis Mansions, Whitechapel.
Rank - Stoker 1st Class - (Ch) 301844
Service History - Morris joined the Navy on 21st October 1902 for twelve years service, leaving his job as a french polisher. He was 5’3” tall with brown hair and brown eyes and began training as a Stoker 2nd Class at HMS PEMBROKE II until 14th March 1904, rising to Stoker on 30th January 1904. The remainder of his service follows:-
HMS TERPSICHORE - 15/03/1904 - 09/11/1906, rising to Stoker 1st Class on 01/07/1906
HMS PEMBROKE II - 10/11/1906 - 20/12/1906
HMS TENEDOS - 21/12/1906 - 02/09/1907, rising to Leading Stoker on 26/08/1907
HMS PEMBROKE - 03/09/1907 - 10/09/1907, Morris passed examination for Stoker Petty Officer rate on 31/08/1907
HMS LONDON - 11/09/1907 - 01/06/1908
HMS CYCLOPS - 02/06/1908 - 25/05/1908 (these are the actual dates transcribed from the service sheet - the original date entries have been written incorrectly)
HMS LONDON - 26/05/1908 - 13/08/1908
HMS VICTORY II - 14/08/1908 - 24/09/1908
HMS PEMBROKE II - 25/09/1908 - 09/10/1908
HMS LONDON - 10/10/1908 - 18/04/1909, Morris was disrated for incompetence on 03/04/1909, reverting back to Stoker 1st Class
HMS PEMBROKE II - 19/04/1909 - 02/06/1909
HMS AGAMEMNON - 03/06/1909 - 10/06/1910
HMS PEMBROKE II - 11/06/1910 - 08/08/1910
HMS DUNCAN - 09/08/1910 - 17/11/1911, aboard the first class Battleship which was anchored at the Grand Harbour, Malta at the time of the 1911 England census
HMS PEMBROKE II - 18/11/1911 - 14/02/1912
HMS COMMONWEALTH - 15/02/1912 - 27/03/1912
HMS VANGUARD - 28/03/1912 - 25/03/1913
HMS PEMBROKE II - 26/03/1913 - 16/06/1913
HMS HECLA - 17/06/1913 - 17/06/1914
HMS LAPWING (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 18/06/1914 - 05/06/1916
HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 06/06/1916 - 21/12/1916
His Star, Victory and British medals were claimed by his mother following his death and is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Sources:
1891, 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: 490
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
UK, Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/7; Scan Number: 0379
UK, British Jewry Roll of Honour, 1914-1918
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 023/0088/BLI-BLU
https://www.jewsfww.uk
UK, Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 96
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - William John Borrett
DOB - 9th November 1890
Place of Birth - Blythburgh, Suffolk
Parents - Benjamin and Mary
Early History - The 1891 census recorded William as 4 months old and living at an address that no longer exists - Station Road, Blythburgh. At the time of his birth the station and locomotives running up the tracks would have been a normal occurrence, but the line closed in 1929. His father however worked as an agricultural labourer, rather than on the railway.
10 years later, on the 1901 census, William was the eldest of 6 children - he was aged 10, the youngest was 4 months old - with a bigger household, the family had moved to London Road, which is now part of the A12 main arterial road from London to Lowestoft. Benjamin, William’s father had progressed to Estate Marshman and agricultural labourer.
Rank - Leading Seaman - (Ch) 237348
Service History - William joined the Navy and began training further south on the Suffolk coast, at HMS GANGES on 31st August 1906 as a Boy 2nd Class. He was 5’3” tall with brown hair and blue eyes and left his job as a cow boy, presumably working originally with his father. He left the training depot on 14th May 1907, rising to Boy 1st Class on 24th April the same year.
His service record follows:-
HMS SUTLEJ - 15/05/1907 - 01/09/1907
HMS VINDICTIVE - 02/09/1907 - 07/01/1908
HMS VENERABLE - 08/01/1908 - 01/02/1909, rising to Ordinary Seaman on his 18th Birthday, 9th November 1908
HMS IMPLACABLE - 02/02/1909 - 24/04/1911 - aboard the Battleship Implacable, part of the Atlantic Fleet, anchored at Gibraltar during the 1911 census. He rose in rating to Able Seaman on 21st December 1909
HMS PEMBROKE I - 25/04/1911 - 29/01/1912
HMS HAWKE - 30/01/1912 - 25/03/1912
HMS PEGASUS - 26/03/1912 - 10/03/1913
HMS PEMBROKE I - 11/03/1913 - 16/06/1913
HMS HECLA - 17/06/1913 - 17/06/1914, rising to Leading Seaman on 01/02/1914
HMS LAPWING (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 18/06/1914 - 05/06/1916
HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 06/06/1916 - 21/12/1916
His pension and Star, Victory and British medals were awarded to his parents after his death and he is perpetually remembered on a panel of his local church in Blythburgh as well as the Chatham Naval Memorial.
DOB - 9th November 1890
Place of Birth - Blythburgh, Suffolk
Parents - Benjamin and Mary
Early History - The 1891 census recorded William as 4 months old and living at an address that no longer exists - Station Road, Blythburgh. At the time of his birth the station and locomotives running up the tracks would have been a normal occurrence, but the line closed in 1929. His father however worked as an agricultural labourer, rather than on the railway.
10 years later, on the 1901 census, William was the eldest of 6 children - he was aged 10, the youngest was 4 months old - with a bigger household, the family had moved to London Road, which is now part of the A12 main arterial road from London to Lowestoft. Benjamin, William’s father had progressed to Estate Marshman and agricultural labourer.
Rank - Leading Seaman - (Ch) 237348
Service History - William joined the Navy and began training further south on the Suffolk coast, at HMS GANGES on 31st August 1906 as a Boy 2nd Class. He was 5’3” tall with brown hair and blue eyes and left his job as a cow boy, presumably working originally with his father. He left the training depot on 14th May 1907, rising to Boy 1st Class on 24th April the same year.
His service record follows:-
HMS SUTLEJ - 15/05/1907 - 01/09/1907
HMS VINDICTIVE - 02/09/1907 - 07/01/1908
HMS VENERABLE - 08/01/1908 - 01/02/1909, rising to Ordinary Seaman on his 18th Birthday, 9th November 1908
HMS IMPLACABLE - 02/02/1909 - 24/04/1911 - aboard the Battleship Implacable, part of the Atlantic Fleet, anchored at Gibraltar during the 1911 census. He rose in rating to Able Seaman on 21st December 1909
HMS PEMBROKE I - 25/04/1911 - 29/01/1912
HMS HAWKE - 30/01/1912 - 25/03/1912
HMS PEGASUS - 26/03/1912 - 10/03/1913
HMS PEMBROKE I - 11/03/1913 - 16/06/1913
HMS HECLA - 17/06/1913 - 17/06/1914, rising to Leading Seaman on 01/02/1914
HMS LAPWING (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 18/06/1914 - 05/06/1916
HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 06/06/1916 - 21/12/1916
His pension and Star, Victory and British medals were awarded to his parents after his death and he is perpetually remembered on a panel of his local church in Blythburgh as well as the Chatham Naval Memorial.
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: 421
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: 0410
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 542931
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 96
Researched by Wendy Sadler
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: 421
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: 0410
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 542931
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 96
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - James Riddell Bucknill
DOB - 18th October 1893
Place of Birth - Pancras, London
Parents - George and Alice
Early History - James was baptised a month after his birth at St Mark’s in Regent’s Park and was one of four children to solicitor George and his wife Alice. On the 1901 census James, his parents and siblings John and Joan and four servants lived at 126 Inverness Terrace in Paddington, London, James aged 7. Just 5 years later, on 15th September 1906 he entered into service with the Royal Navy. On the 1911 census he was recorded, aged 17, at home, listed as a Midshipman, again with his parents, youngest sibling Joan and three servants. The household had by then moved to 28 Ladbroke Square, in Kensington.
Rank - Lieutenant
Service History - James was appointed a Midshipman on HMS AGAMEMNON on 15th May 1911, having joined the Navy for training on 15th September 1906, described as zealous, capable and promising. He could also speak French.
He transferred to HMS KING GEORGE V, which was part of the 2nd Battle Squadron, on 6th May 1914 until 10th December 1915, where he served as a Sub Lieutenant. James next served on HMS LAPWING which was attached to HMS WOOLWICH where he remained for 5 months before transferring to HMS NEGRO, which also served under WOOLWICH. James transferred on 15th May 1916 as a Lieutenant. Following his death his gross estate value of £8297 was left to his brother John and he is remembered on the war memorial within the church of St Thomas, Watchfield, Oxfordshire, as well as on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
The War Memorial in the Churchyard of the Church of St Thomas, Watchfield Oxfordshire.
www.theygavetheirtoday.com/watchfield-st-thomas
Newcastle Journal - Saturday 30 December 1916
Roll of Honour. —Drowned in collision the North- Sen, on Dec, 21st, aged 23 years, James Riddell Bucknill. Lieutenant. R.N., dearly loved second son George Bucknill and Mrs Bucknill, of Watchfield, Shrivenham. and 28. Ladbroke Square, and nephew of the late Brigadier-General J. F. Riddell
Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette - Saturday 06 January 1917
DEATHS.
Bucknill — On the 21st ult, drowned sea, James Riddell Bucknill. Lieutenant, R.N., second and dearly loved son of George and Alice Bucknill, of 28, Ladbroke Square, W., ~ and Watchfield House, Shrivenham, grandson of the late John Riddell of Wooler, Northumberland.
Roll of Honour. —Drowned in collision the North- Sen, on Dec, 21st, aged 23 years, James Riddell Bucknill. Lieutenant. R.N., dearly loved second son George Bucknill and Mrs Bucknill, of Watchfield, Shrivenham. and 28. Ladbroke Square, and nephew of the late Brigadier-General J. F. Riddell
Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette - Saturday 06 January 1917
DEATHS.
Bucknill — On the 21st ult, drowned sea, James Riddell Bucknill. Lieutenant, R.N., second and dearly loved son of George and Alice Bucknill, of 28, Ladbroke Square, W., ~ and Watchfield House, Shrivenham, grandson of the late John Riddell of Wooler, Northumberland.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1917 London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; Reference Number: p90/mrk/003
1901 & 1911 England Census
Navy Lists, 1888-1970 Peter Singlehurst; Year: 1915
UK, Royal Naval Officers' Service Records Index, 1756-1931 - National Archives
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: 002 (1914 - 1920)
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995 - gov.uk
Researched by Wendy Sadler
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1917 London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; Reference Number: p90/mrk/003
1901 & 1911 England Census
Navy Lists, 1888-1970 Peter Singlehurst; Year: 1915
UK, Royal Naval Officers' Service Records Index, 1756-1931 - National Archives
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: 002 (1914 - 1920)
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995 - gov.uk
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Edward George Charman
DOB - 6th June 1880
Place of Birth - Mauritius Island
Parents - Edward George and Eliza
Early History - Edward was 10 when recorded on the 1891 census. He and his mother, a confectioner, lived at StoneField Cottages, Rustington, Sussex with a boarder who had a “weak intellect from birth”. He can’t be found on the 1891 census, but he and his parents may well have still been in Africa at this time. He is also missing from the 1901 census.
Rank - Able Seaman - (Ch) 185814
Service History - Edward left his job as a farm boy and trained for a life on the sea, joining the Navy on 9th September 1895, at 15 years old, starting as a Boy 2nd Class at HMS BOSCAWEN. He was 5’7” when fully grown, with brown hair, brown eyes and a birthmark on his left leg. His service record follows:-
HMS BOSCAWEN - 09/09/1895 - 03/11/1896, rising to Boy 1st Class on 09/06/1896
HMS PEMBROKE I - 04/11/1896 - 07/01/1897
HMS ALEXANDRA - 08/01/1897 - 11/02/1897
HMS CENTURION - 12/02/1897 - 19/09/1901, rising to Ordinary Seaman on 06/06/1898 and Able Seaman on 15/11/1900. He was however discharged for 90 days hard labour for stealing, starting on 06/06/1898 - his 18th birthday!
HMS PEMBROKE II - 20/09/1901 - 28/01/1902
HMS WILDFIRE - 29/01/1902 - 29/04/1903
HMS PEMBROKE - 30/04/1903 - 09/11/1903
HMS BEDFORD - 10/11/1903 - 26/03/1906
HMS WILDFIRE - 27/03/1906 - 23/05/1906
HMS PEMBROKE I - 24/05/1906 - 17/06/1906
HMS ROYAL OAK - 18/06/1906 - 31/12/1906
HMS VICTORIOUS - 01/01/1907 - 24/08/1908
HMS ALBEMARLE - 25/08/1908 - 24/02/1910
HMS PEMBROKE I - 25/02/1910 - 09/03/1910
HMS PEMBROKE II - 10/03/1910 - 15/01/1913 - while attached to the shore base Edward had completed his 12 years, but signed on for further service. On the 1911 census he was noted as being at home at 7 Albion Street, Twickenham, with his widowed mother and a small 8 year old visitor. His mother Eliza was a widow by then and would sadly lose her only child just a few years later.
HMS PEMBROKE I - 16/01/1913 - 16/06/1913
HMS HECLA - 17/06/1913 - 17/06/1914
HMS LAPWING (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 18/06/1914 - 19/05/1916 - while attached to LAPWING and on leave Edward married Kate Moran in April 1915. The couple’s home address was also 7 Albion Street, Twickenham
HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 20/05/1916 - 21/12/1916
His Star, Victory and British medals were claimed by his widow after his death. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Sources:
1891 & 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: 313
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, 1730-196 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: 0724
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 98
Researched by Wendy Sadler
1891 & 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: 313
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, 1730-196 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: 0724
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 98
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - William Henry Clark
DOB - 29th July 1883, but registered in Oct-Dec quarter of 1883
Place of Birth - Harwich, Essex
Parents - William George and Elizabeth Sarah Proom
Early History - William was born in the summer of 1883 in the Essex port town of Harwich, his birth registered later than lawfully allowed, at the end of the same year (this is the only birth registration to the area at this time, with mother’s maiden name). Within 2 years of his birth William and his family had moved to Deptford in Kent, recorded on the 1891 census living at 22 Reginald Street with 2 younger siblings.
The family had grown by 1901 with another 3 children and the family had moved into 27 Knott Street, Deptford, London. William was noted as being 19 years old and working as a labourer.
He was baptised 8 years later on 16th March 1892
Rank - Stoker, Petty Officer - (Ch) 303886
Service History - 2 years later from the 1901 census William joined the Navy at HMS PEMBROKE II on 22nd April 1903 as a Stoker 2nd Class. His service follows:-
HMS NORTHUMBERLAND - 01/09/1903 - 20/10/1903
HMS PEMBROKE II - 21/10/1903 - 09/11/1903
HMS BEDFORD - 10/11/1903 - 24/03/1909, rising to Stoker on 01/06/1904, Stoker 1st Class on 01/07/1906 and Leading Stoker on 16/09/1909
HMS ANDROMEDA - 25/03/1909 - 26/05/1909
HMS PEMBROKE II - 27/05/1909 - 02/09/1909
HMS BLENHEIM - 03/09/1909 - 26/10/1909
HMS PEMBROKE II - 27/10/1909 - 31/01/1910
HMS TENEDOS - 01/02/1910 - 03/06/1910
HMS PEMBROKE II - 04/06/1910 - 08/08/1910
HMS DUNCAN - 09/08/1910 - 26/05/1913, rising to Stoker Petty Officer on 01/05/1911 and aboard during the 1911 census, anchored at the Grand Harbour, Malta
HMS PEMBROKE II - 27/05/1913 - 16/06/1913
HMS HECLA - 17/06/1913 - 17/06/1914
HMS LAPWING (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 18/06/1914 - 19/05/1916
HMS NEGRO - 20/05/1916 - 21/12/1916
William was awarded the Star, Victory and British medals following his death. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - Free BMD Tendring 4A 441
England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
1891, 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: 494
UK, 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)
UK, Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/7; Scan Number: 0767
UK, Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 98
Researched by Wendy Sadler
DOB - 29th July 1883, but registered in Oct-Dec quarter of 1883
Place of Birth - Harwich, Essex
Parents - William George and Elizabeth Sarah Proom
Early History - William was born in the summer of 1883 in the Essex port town of Harwich, his birth registered later than lawfully allowed, at the end of the same year (this is the only birth registration to the area at this time, with mother’s maiden name). Within 2 years of his birth William and his family had moved to Deptford in Kent, recorded on the 1891 census living at 22 Reginald Street with 2 younger siblings.
The family had grown by 1901 with another 3 children and the family had moved into 27 Knott Street, Deptford, London. William was noted as being 19 years old and working as a labourer.
He was baptised 8 years later on 16th March 1892
Rank - Stoker, Petty Officer - (Ch) 303886
Service History - 2 years later from the 1901 census William joined the Navy at HMS PEMBROKE II on 22nd April 1903 as a Stoker 2nd Class. His service follows:-
HMS NORTHUMBERLAND - 01/09/1903 - 20/10/1903
HMS PEMBROKE II - 21/10/1903 - 09/11/1903
HMS BEDFORD - 10/11/1903 - 24/03/1909, rising to Stoker on 01/06/1904, Stoker 1st Class on 01/07/1906 and Leading Stoker on 16/09/1909
HMS ANDROMEDA - 25/03/1909 - 26/05/1909
HMS PEMBROKE II - 27/05/1909 - 02/09/1909
HMS BLENHEIM - 03/09/1909 - 26/10/1909
HMS PEMBROKE II - 27/10/1909 - 31/01/1910
HMS TENEDOS - 01/02/1910 - 03/06/1910
HMS PEMBROKE II - 04/06/1910 - 08/08/1910
HMS DUNCAN - 09/08/1910 - 26/05/1913, rising to Stoker Petty Officer on 01/05/1911 and aboard during the 1911 census, anchored at the Grand Harbour, Malta
HMS PEMBROKE II - 27/05/1913 - 16/06/1913
HMS HECLA - 17/06/1913 - 17/06/1914
HMS LAPWING (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 18/06/1914 - 19/05/1916
HMS NEGRO - 20/05/1916 - 21/12/1916
William was awarded the Star, Victory and British medals following his death. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - Free BMD Tendring 4A 441
England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
1891, 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: 494
UK, 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)
UK, Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/7; Scan Number: 0767
UK, Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 98
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Edward Charles Collis
DOB - 31st July 1882
Place of Birth - Peckham, London
Parents - William and Kate Louisa
Early History - Edward was baptised on 25th October 1887 along with his siblings William, Frank, Henry and Kate at St Jude’s, Peckham, the family living nearby at 56 King Arthur Street. Edward was admitted to Colls Road School on 27th September 1886, aged 4 while living at 3 Loder Street, Southwark, London. The family had moved back to Kind Arthur Street by the 1891 census.
Rank - Stoker, Petty Officer - (Ch) 296036
Service History - Edward left his job as a labourer and joined the Royal Navy on 15th October 1900 for 12 years service. He was 5’4” tall with brown hair, brown eyes and a tattoo on his right wrist. His service follows:-
HMS PEMBROKE II - 15/10/1900 - 02/07/1901, as a Stoker 2nd Class, stationed at the “stone frigate” during the 1901 census
HMS FURIOUS - 03/07/1901 - 24/02/1903, rising to Stoker on 24/10/1901
HMS PEMBROKE - 25/02/1903 - 22/04/1903
HMS HERMES - 23/04/1903 - 27/02/1905
HMS PEMBROKE II - 28/02/1905 - 17/05/1905
HMS REPULSE - 18/05/1905 - 05/06/1905
HMS DOMINION - 06/06/1905 - 05/06/1910, rising to Stoker 1st Class on 01/07/1906 and Acting Leading Stoker on 02/03/1908
HMS PEMBROKE II - 06/06/1910 - 16/06/1910
HMS HOGUE - 17/06/1910 - 04/08/1910
HMS PEMBROKE II - 05/08/1910 - 13/01/1911, rising to Leading Stoker on 15/12/1910
HMS THAMES - 14/01/1911 - 14/10/1912, rising to Stoker Petty Officer on 20/12/1911
HMS BONAVENTURE - 15/10/1912 - 27/10/1913, completing his service, he rejoined to serve
HMS EGMONT - 28/10/1913 - 31/03/1914
HMS BLENHEIM) - 01/04/1914 - 30/11/1915
HMS MOSQUITO (attached to HMS PEMBROKE II) - 01/12/1915 - 22/02/1916
HMS PEMBROKE II - 23/03/1916 - 19/05/1916
HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 20/05/1916 - 21/12/1916
Edward was awarded the Star, Victory and British medals following his death, claimed by his father - he also left £195 to his father in his will, which was not released until almost 10 years after Edward’s death.
He 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, 1813-1917 London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; Reference Number: p73/jud/004
London, England, School Admissions and Discharges, 1840-1911 London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; School Admission and Discharge Registers; Reference: LCC/EO/DIV07/COL/AD/009
1891 & 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: 479
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: 0834
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 99
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Walter Henry Harry Cornick
DOB - 18th October 1885
Place of Birth - Branksome, Dorset
Parents - Richard and Mary
Early History - Walter was baptised on 25th November 1885 at St Aldhelm, in the parish of Branksome and was recorded, aged 5, living with his parents on the 1891 census living in the Parkstone parish of Poole.
10 years later Walter was recorded living at 6 Hollyrow Cottages, Wyke Regis, Weymouth, he was the only child of Richard and Mary, aged 15, and worked as a carpenter’s labourer. The 1911 census noted Walter living with his parents and a lodger living at Albion Cottage, Weymouth
He married Annie Lane on 3rd December 1913 at the local parish church in St Johns, Weymouth and the couple moved into Albion Cottage, Dorchester Road, Weymouth where he had previously shared with his parents.
Rank - Stoker 2nd Class - (Po) K 34990
Service History - Walter joined the Navy for the duration of hostilities, leaving his job as a builders labourer and trained as a Stoker at HMS VICTORY II from 14th July 1916 until his first and only posting to HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) on 10th November 1916. He was on the ship for just a few weeks before he was killed in the collision with HMS HOSTE.
Walter was 5’5” tall with black hair and brown eyes and on his death his pension was awarded to his family, his wife and three children, Douglas, Harry and Alice.
He is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial and in Weymouth
www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
Dorset, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906 Dorset History Centre; Dorchester, England; Reference: PE/BRK(SA)
1891, 1901 & 1911 England Census
Dorset, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1813-1921 Dorset History Centre; Dorchester, England; Reference: PE/MCR(SJ)
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: 936
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: 0893
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 051/0212/COR-COR
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 99
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
Dorset, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906 Dorset History Centre; Dorchester, England; Reference: PE/BRK(SA)
1891, 1901 & 1911 England Census
Dorset, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1813-1921 Dorset History Centre; Dorchester, England; Reference: PE/MCR(SJ)
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: 936
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: 0893
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 051/0212/COR-COR
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 99
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Archibald Samuel De St Legier
DOB - 6th November 1882
Place of Birth - Loughborough, Leicestershire
Parents - Samuel James and Annie Louisa Hellier
Early History - Archibald was mentioned in the 1891 census, aged 8, along with his widowed father, Samuel, who was a Commercial Traveller. The day of the census saw them both recorded as visitors to Archibald’s Grandmother’s residence, Chappel, Bovey Tracey. Archibald lost his mother in 1885 when he was just 3 years old, she was 29.
10 years later, on the 1901 census Archibald was 18 years old, recorded at Engineer Students College, Keyham Yard, Devonport.
Rank - Engineering Lieutenant Commander
Service History - Archibald arrived at HMS PEMBROKE on 1st July 1904 as an Engineer Sub Lieutenant, transferring to HMS MAJESTIC on 15th July 1904. He returned to HMS PEMBROKE on 2nd October 1906 after being paid off MAJESTIC, passing credibility for Eng. Lieutenant at Chatham on 23rd November 1906. He was promoted with seniority on 1st May 1907, at Chatham before being posted to HMS WARRIOR on 1st June 1907. He returned two years later to be posted to China, taking passage in “ANDROMEDA” to join HMS BEDFORD. Returning home on 25th October 1910 due to BEDFORD being wrecked, he was lent from HMS VICTORY for an Oil Fuel course on 6th December 1910, lasting 14 days.
He was attached to FALMOUTH for 2 years where he passed for the Senior List and promoted to Eng. Lieutenant Commander on 1st May 1915.
He joined HMS NEGRO (under HMS WOOLWICH) in May 1916, joining the rest of the crew and sadly becoming one of many casualties.
Portsmouth Evening News - Thursday 28 December 1916
DROWNED ON SERVICE.— Engineer Lieutenant-Commander Archibald S. de St. Legier, R.N., who was drowned while on active service on December 21st was the son of .Mr. S. J. de St. Legier, of Sutherland House, Gunnersbury. He was educated at the Grammar School, Loughborough, and afterwards at St. Pauls School, West Kensington. After passing through the Royal Naval Engineering College Devonport, was appointed 'to the Majestic, and he afterwards served in the Aboukir, Bedford, Warrior. and Falmouth, being in the Bedford when she was wrecked off the coast Island, Japan. He was in the Falmouth at the battle of Heligoland, when the cruiser did splendid work, being chiefly responsible for the sinking the German cruiser Mainz and engaging at the same time two German destroyers.
London and China Express - Wednesday 03 January 1917
Engineer Lieutenant-Commander ARCHIBALD S ,DE ST LEGIER R.N., who was drowned while on active service on Dec. 21, was the son of Mr. S. J. de St. Legier, of Sutherland House, Gunnersbury. After passing through the Royal Naval Engineering College at Devonport, he was appointed to the Majestic, and he afterwards served in the Aboukir, Bedford, Warrior, and Falmouth, being in the Bedford when she was wrecked off the coast of Quelpart Island, Japan. He was in the Falmouth at the battle of Heligoland, when the cruiser did splendid work, being chiefly responsible for the sinking of the German cruiser Mainz and engaging at the same time two German destroyers.
His Star, Victory and British medals were claimed by his father, who also received the contents of Archibald’s will.
He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
www.imechearchive.wordpress.com Photo: Christ Church Turnham Green.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - FreeBMD
1891 & 1901 England Census
Mechanical Engineer Records, 1847-1938 Institution of Mechanical Engineers; London, England
Navy Lists, 1888-1970 Marineschule Mürwik; Navy List; Year: 1914
Royal Naval Officers' Service Records Index, 1756-1931 National Archives - ADM 196/130/448
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 003; Piece Description: Piece 003 (1914 - 1920)
CWGC Register
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995
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
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 89
Researched by Wendy Sadler
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - FreeBMD
1891 & 1901 England Census
Mechanical Engineer Records, 1847-1938 Institution of Mechanical Engineers; London, England
Navy Lists, 1888-1970 Marineschule Mürwik; Navy List; Year: 1914
Royal Naval Officers' Service Records Index, 1756-1931 National Archives - ADM 196/130/448
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 003; Piece Description: Piece 003 (1914 - 1920)
CWGC Register
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995
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
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 89
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - George John Dickens
DOB - 9th July 1881
Place of Birth - Eckington, Derbyshire
Parents - George and Charlotte (Lotty) Ann Norman
Early History - George was recorded on the 1891 census aged nine, living with his parents and two siblings at 36 Station Road Eckington, where they remained also during the 1901 census. By the turn of the century George was almost 20 years old and worked as a hewer in a colliery, the eldest of 3 children still at home. Another 10 years followed and he had moved from home and boarded with a family at Sheffield Road, Killamarsh, Derbyshire.
Rank - Stoker 1st Class - (Po) K 25687
Service History - George left his job as a miner and joined the Navy for the duration of hostilities. He was 5’6” tall with light brown hair, grey eyes and coal scars on his forehead, cheeks and back.
He began stoker training at HMS VICTORY II on 29th April 1915, leaving on 25th November 1915 and posted to HMS MARS, a training ship, from 26th November 1915 until 8th March 1916. He was transferred to HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) on 30th May 1916 until the ships collision on 21st December 1916.
Following his death, George’s pension, Star, Victory and British medals were claimed by his father - he is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
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: 918
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)
UK, Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/8; Scan Number: 0120
CWGC Register
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 062/0262/DIC-DIC
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 100
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - George Dorrington
DOB - 1st December 1889
Place of Birth - Hackney, London
Early History - Unknown
Rank - Stoker 1st Class - (Ch ) K 20762
Service History - George left his job as an outside porter and joined the Navy on 30th September 1913 for 12 years service. He had auburn hair and blue eyes, was 5’9” tall with scars on his right thigh and index finger of his left hand.
He trained at HMS PEMBROKE II as a Stoker 2nd Class until 20th February 1914 and was posted to HMS TYNE from 21st February until 29th March 1914. He returned to HMS PEMBROKE II again for 3 weeks before embarking to serve on HMS BLENHEIM from 26th April 1914 until 30th September 1916, rising to Stoker 1st Class on 30th September 1914.
George returned again to HMS PEMBROKE II for 9 weeks before his final posting to HMS NEGRO on 8th December 1916, spending just 14 days aboard before he was killed.
His pension was awarded to his mother Mary after his death, his Star, Victory and British medals claimed by his father. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Sources:
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: 008 (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 100
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/8; Scan Number: 0162
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; Pension Record Cards; Reference: 063/0272/DOR-DOU
Researched by Wendy Sadler
DOB - 1st December 1889
Place of Birth - Hackney, London
Early History - Unknown
Rank - Stoker 1st Class - (Ch ) K 20762
Service History - George left his job as an outside porter and joined the Navy on 30th September 1913 for 12 years service. He had auburn hair and blue eyes, was 5’9” tall with scars on his right thigh and index finger of his left hand.
He trained at HMS PEMBROKE II as a Stoker 2nd Class until 20th February 1914 and was posted to HMS TYNE from 21st February until 29th March 1914. He returned to HMS PEMBROKE II again for 3 weeks before embarking to serve on HMS BLENHEIM from 26th April 1914 until 30th September 1916, rising to Stoker 1st Class on 30th September 1914.
George returned again to HMS PEMBROKE II for 9 weeks before his final posting to HMS NEGRO on 8th December 1916, spending just 14 days aboard before he was killed.
His pension was awarded to his mother Mary after his death, his Star, Victory and British medals claimed by his father. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Sources:
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: 008 (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 100
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/8; Scan Number: 0162
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; Pension Record Cards; Reference: 063/0272/DOR-DOU
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Edward Charles Ely
DOB - 10th December 1886
Place of Birth - Camberwell, London
Parents - Charles and Louisa
Early History - Edward was baptised on 9th January 1887, a month after his birth - he and his family can’t be found on the 1891 census but was recorded aged 14 on the 1901 census, living at 4 Devons Road, Barking, Romford, with his parents and younger sister Mabel. He attended Pritchards Road School from 3rd March 1890. On April 6th 1915 Edward married Ellen Caroline Cowley at Christ Church, Streatham, London, while serving on HMS LAPWING as an Able Seaman.
Rank - Able Seaman - (Ch) 222304
DOB - 10th December 1886
Place of Birth - Camberwell, London
Parents - Charles and Louisa
Early History - Edward was baptised on 9th January 1887, a month after his birth - he and his family can’t be found on the 1891 census but was recorded aged 14 on the 1901 census, living at 4 Devons Road, Barking, Romford, with his parents and younger sister Mabel. He attended Pritchards Road School from 3rd March 1890. On April 6th 1915 Edward married Ellen Caroline Cowley at Christ Church, Streatham, London, while serving on HMS LAPWING as an Able Seaman.
Rank - Able Seaman - (Ch) 222304
Service History - Edward joined the Navy on 27th August 1902 as a Boy 2nd Class, leaving his Errand Boy job in London. He was 5’1” tall with brown hair, blue eyes and a scar on his forehead. He also had at the time a cut on his chin.
His service follows -
HMS IMPREGNABLE - 27/08/1902 - 01/09/1902
HMS LION - 02/09/1902 - 03/02/1904, rising to Boy 1st Class on 18/06/1903
HMS BOSCAWEN - 04/02/1904 - 04/04/1904
HMS LANCASTER - 05/04/1904 - 19/03/1906, rising to Ordinary Seaman on 10th December 1904
HMS PEMBROKE I - 20/03/1906 - 16/07/1906
HMS SWIFTSURE - 17/07/1906 - 06/10/1908, rising to Able Seaman on 11/08/1908
HMS PEMBROKE I - 07/10/1908 - 29/3/1909
HMS DID0 - 30/03/1909 - 20/09/1910
HMS PEMBROKE I - 21/09/1910 - 17/10/1910
HMS BLENHEIM - 18/10/1910 - 11/10/1912, aboard HMS GHURKA at the time of the 1911 census, anchored at Parkeston Trot, Harwich, Essex
HMS PEMBROKE - 12/10/1912 - 10/01/1913
HMS ACTAEON - 11/01/1913 - 04/04/1913
HMS PEMBROKE I - 05/04/1913 - 16/06/1913
HMS HECLA - 17/06/1913 - 17/06/1914
HMS LAPWING (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 18/06/1914 - 05/06/1916
HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 06/06/1916 - 21/12/1916
He was awarded the Star, Victory and British medals, which were claimed by his widow along with his pension.
He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1917 London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; Reference Number: p73/emm/007
1901 & 1911 England Census
England, School Admissions and Discharges, 1840-1911 London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; School Admission and Discharge Registers; Reference: LCC/EO/DIV05/PRI/AD/009
England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1932 London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; Reference Number: p95/ctc1/010
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: 391
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/8; Scan Number: 0283
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)
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 101
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Edwin Henry Farmer
DOB - 11th June 1893
Place of Birth - Whitechapel, London
Parents - Emma Farmer
Early History - On the 1901 census Edwin lived at Queen Anne Street, Whitechapel along with his widowed mother and two brothers John and Walter. Edwin was 7 years old, John 13 and Walter 5 with their mother working as a tailoress to support them all.
Rank - Stoker 1st Class - (Ch) K 11827
Service History - Edwin left his job as a printers assistant, aged 17 and joined the Navy for a 12 year service on 27th July 1911. He was recorded as being 5’2” tall with brown hair, brown eyes and his name tattooed on his right arm.
He trained at HMS PEMBROKE II as a Stoker 2nd Class until 12th January 1912 then transferred to HMS ST GEORGE from 13th January until 5th March 1912. He returned to HMS PEMBROKE II for a month before being posted to the ill fated dreadnought HMS VANGUARD from 10th April 1912 until 25th March 1913, just before it was decommissioned for a refit. During his time aboard Vanguard he rose to Stoker 1st Class on 27th July 1912.
DOB - 11th June 1893
Place of Birth - Whitechapel, London
Parents - Emma Farmer
Early History - On the 1901 census Edwin lived at Queen Anne Street, Whitechapel along with his widowed mother and two brothers John and Walter. Edwin was 7 years old, John 13 and Walter 5 with their mother working as a tailoress to support them all.
Rank - Stoker 1st Class - (Ch) K 11827
Service History - Edwin left his job as a printers assistant, aged 17 and joined the Navy for a 12 year service on 27th July 1911. He was recorded as being 5’2” tall with brown hair, brown eyes and his name tattooed on his right arm.
He trained at HMS PEMBROKE II as a Stoker 2nd Class until 12th January 1912 then transferred to HMS ST GEORGE from 13th January until 5th March 1912. He returned to HMS PEMBROKE II for a month before being posted to the ill fated dreadnought HMS VANGUARD from 10th April 1912 until 25th March 1913, just before it was decommissioned for a refit. During his time aboard Vanguard he rose to Stoker 1st Class on 27th July 1912.
HMS Vanguard. Photo Wendy Sadler Collection
Edwin returned to HMS PEMBROKE II for almost 3 months before heading out to his next posting to HMS HECLA, arriving 17th June 1913 and leaving on 17th June 1914. Two months before war broke out his next posting was to HMS LAPWING for two years before transferring to HMS NEGRO (both Lapwing and Negro vessels were attached to HMS WOOLWICH) on 30th May 1916. He spent just over 6 months aboard before his death in the collision.
His Star, Victory and British medals were awarded to his brother Walter on his death and he is remembered in perpetuity on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth 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: 890
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: 0326
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 101
Researched by Wendy Sadler
His Star, Victory and British medals were awarded to his brother Walter on his death and he is remembered in perpetuity on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth 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: 890
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: 0326
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 101
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Harry James Foreman
DOB - 4th January 1893
Place of Birth - Lambeth, London
Parents - Charles and Rachel Weir Swann
Early History - Harry was one of 6 children - the family can’t be found before the 1911 census, but at that time he was aged 18, working as a grocery assistant while living with older sister Ruby and his parents at 13 Tremadoc Road, Clapham
Rank - Wireman 2nd Class - (Po) M 22752, formerly RNVR Y 9643
Service History - Harry left the Royal Navy Reserve and was briefly attached to HMS VICTORY as his discharge was processed. When he rejoined the Navy he was attached to HMS VERNON, on 14th September 1916, for 5 days. He had joined for the duration of hostilities and recorded as 5’2” tall, with dark brown hair, blue eyes and a dark complexion.
Harry was next moved to HMS VICTORY II from 20th September to 7th October and posted back to HMS VERNON for 5 weeks. His final posting was to HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) where he spent just 36 days serving before he was killed.
He was awarded the Victory and British medals and is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
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: 1063
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
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)
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/8; Scan Number: 0412
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 102
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Image courtesy of Dave French
Name - Frederic John French
DOB - 10th April 1887
Place of Birth - West Ham, London
Parents - William and Mary Ann Johnson
Early History - Frederic was baptised later the same month of his birth, on 29th April at St Luke’s Parish, at Victoria Docks. On the 1891 census Frederick, aged 4, lived at 62 Alice Street, Canning Town, West Ham with his parents and 4 siblings. Within 10 years the family had moved to Paddington and Mary Ann, Frederick’s mother had died - it was just Frederick, his brother and father living at 17 Irongate Wharf Road. He left for the Navy four years later.
Rank - Leading Seaman - (Ch) 231606
Service History - Frederick left his poorly paid labourers job and joined the Royal Navy on 24th August 1904 as a Boy 2nd Class, beginning his training at HMS IMPREGNABLE. He was recorded as 5’5” tall with brown hair and blue eyes and five spots on his right forearm.
He remained at HMS IMPREGNABLE for just 5 days before being posted to HMS LION for a further four months for further training. His service history follows:-
HMS IMPREGNABLE - 01/01/1905 - 26/01/1906, rising to Boy 1st Class on 18th May 1905
HMS ST GEORGE - 27/01/1906 - 11/05/1906, rising to Ordinary Seaman on 10th April 1906
HMS PEMBROKE I - 12/05/1906 - 05/11/1906
HMS AFRICA - 06/11/1906 - 15/02/1909, rising to Able Seaman on 22/01/1908
HMS PEMBROKE - 16/02/1909 - 28/02/1909
HMS BLAKE - 01/03/1909 - 02/06/1909
HMS TYNE - 03/06/1909 - 21/02/1910
HMS PEMBROKE I - 22/02/1910 - 03/03/1910
HMS JASON - 04/03/1910 - 22/03/1910
HMS PEMBROKE I - 23/03/1910 - 30/03/1910
HMS BLENHEIM - 31/03/1910 - 11/03/1911
HMS VERNON - 12/03/1911 - 25/08/1911
HMS PEMBROKE I - 26/08/1911 - 04/09/1911
HMS ACTAEON - 05/09/1911 - 17/04/1913, rising to Leading Seaman on 14/02/1913
HMS PEMBROKE - 18/04/1913 - 16/06/1913
HMS HECLA - 17/06/1913 - 17/06/1914
HMS LAPWING (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 18/06/1914 - 05/06/1916
HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 06/06/1916 - 21/12/1916
His Start, Victory and British medals were claimed by his brother after his death. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 FreeBMD
1891 & 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: 410
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: 0459
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 102
Researched by Wendy Sadler
DOB - 10th April 1887
Place of Birth - West Ham, London
Parents - William and Mary Ann Johnson
Early History - Frederic was baptised later the same month of his birth, on 29th April at St Luke’s Parish, at Victoria Docks. On the 1891 census Frederick, aged 4, lived at 62 Alice Street, Canning Town, West Ham with his parents and 4 siblings. Within 10 years the family had moved to Paddington and Mary Ann, Frederick’s mother had died - it was just Frederick, his brother and father living at 17 Irongate Wharf Road. He left for the Navy four years later.
Rank - Leading Seaman - (Ch) 231606
Service History - Frederick left his poorly paid labourers job and joined the Royal Navy on 24th August 1904 as a Boy 2nd Class, beginning his training at HMS IMPREGNABLE. He was recorded as 5’5” tall with brown hair and blue eyes and five spots on his right forearm.
He remained at HMS IMPREGNABLE for just 5 days before being posted to HMS LION for a further four months for further training. His service history follows:-
HMS IMPREGNABLE - 01/01/1905 - 26/01/1906, rising to Boy 1st Class on 18th May 1905
HMS ST GEORGE - 27/01/1906 - 11/05/1906, rising to Ordinary Seaman on 10th April 1906
HMS PEMBROKE I - 12/05/1906 - 05/11/1906
HMS AFRICA - 06/11/1906 - 15/02/1909, rising to Able Seaman on 22/01/1908
HMS PEMBROKE - 16/02/1909 - 28/02/1909
HMS BLAKE - 01/03/1909 - 02/06/1909
HMS TYNE - 03/06/1909 - 21/02/1910
HMS PEMBROKE I - 22/02/1910 - 03/03/1910
HMS JASON - 04/03/1910 - 22/03/1910
HMS PEMBROKE I - 23/03/1910 - 30/03/1910
HMS BLENHEIM - 31/03/1910 - 11/03/1911
HMS VERNON - 12/03/1911 - 25/08/1911
HMS PEMBROKE I - 26/08/1911 - 04/09/1911
HMS ACTAEON - 05/09/1911 - 17/04/1913, rising to Leading Seaman on 14/02/1913
HMS PEMBROKE - 18/04/1913 - 16/06/1913
HMS HECLA - 17/06/1913 - 17/06/1914
HMS LAPWING (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 18/06/1914 - 05/06/1916
HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 06/06/1916 - 21/12/1916
His Start, Victory and British medals were claimed by his brother after his death. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 FreeBMD
1891 & 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: 410
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: 0459
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 102
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Thomas Lawson Gaines
DOB - 3rd January 1888
Place of Birth - Stanstead, Ware, Hertfordshire
Parents - Henry and Annie (nee Whitney)
Early History - Thomas was baptised a year after his birth, on 7th April 1889 at Stanstead Abbots and listed on the 1891 census aged 3, living at Keepers Cottage with his parents and 3 older siblings. By the 1901 census the family had moved to 2 Butcher’s Row in Ware; Thomas was aged 13 and he had another 5 younger siblings. A further 10 years later he was recorded on the 1911 census aged 22 and working as a Nurseryman, living at 13 Vicarage Road, Ware with his parents (although his father was not mentioned) and four youngest siblings. His older sister Gertrude and her family also lived at the same address.
Rank - Able Seaman - (Ch) SS 1308/ RFR B/7334
Service History - Thomas joined the Navy on 2nd February 1906 as an Ordinary Seaman, training at HMS PEMBROKE I until 19th March 1906. He was 5’5” tall with light brown hair and blue eyes and joined for a short service of 5 years, plus 7 on reserve. He was posted to HMS ARGONAUT from 20th March 1906 for 7 months and posted to HMS AFRICA on 8th November 1906 until 15th February 1909, rising to Able Seaman on 15th July 1908. He returned to HMS PEMBROKE I for 3 days before being posted to HMS DIDO on 20th February 1909 until 9th December 1910. He returned once again to HMS PEMBROKE I on 10th December 1910 and was discharged on 3rd February 1911 as his service duration had expired. The following day, on 4th February 1911 he transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve. While back in civilian life Thomas met and married Esther Jane Tillcock in the spring of 1914.
On the outbreak of the Great War Thomas was called to service once again and was posted to HMS HANNIBAL from 1st August 1914 to 30th January 1915. He was then transferred to HMS CRESCENT from 31st January 1915 until 12th November 1915 before returning to HMS PEMBROKE I for 3 weeks.
His last posting was to HMS NEGRO, which was a tender to HMS WOOLWICH, serving from 3rd December 1915 until his death on 21st December 1916.
The value of his estate and his pension were left to his wife and sons following his death - he was awarded the Star, Victory and British medals and is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial as well as his local war memorial in Ware.
www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 FreeBMD
England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
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: 1095
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: 0483
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 075/0345/FUT-GAL.
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 102
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 075/0345/FUT-GAL
Researched by Wendy Sadler
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 FreeBMD
England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
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: 1095
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: 0483
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 075/0345/FUT-GAL.
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 102
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 075/0345/FUT-GAL
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Frederick Goble
DOB - 26th February 1892
Place of Birth - East Malling, Kent
Parents - Frederick and Margaret (Martin)
Early History - Frederick was named after his father, being the first born son, but third child, with 2 older sisters of pre teenage years on the 1901 census. Frederick was aged 9 and the census document also listed a further 3 younger siblings, Daisy, Albert and Archibald and the family lived at 2 Crayford Terrace, Birling, Malling, Kent.
10 years later, when Frederick was 19 he was recorded in the Marriage Register where he wed Annie Elizabeth Mannering in the first quarter of 1911. The couple were then recorded on the 1911 census as newlyweds, living at Ham Hill, Birling - Frederick was 19 and worked as a cement labourer, Annie was aged 24 and their first child, Annie, was born later on the same year. The couple had two more children, Violet, in 1914 and Frederick in 1916 but by then war had broken out and Frederick was called to service. Frederick’s brothers Albert and Archibald also both joined the Navy - Albert joined in February 1914 and after his initial training at PEMBROKE he was posted to HMS PATHFINDER on 31st July 1914...just 5 weeks later on 5th September 1914 the cruiser was torpedoed by a submarine, which caused a magazine to explode, sinking the ship within minutes and killing 259 crew. Albert was one of the casualties and his body was never recovered.
Archibald joined up a few months after Frederick, in July 1916. He survived the war.
DOB - 26th February 1892
Place of Birth - East Malling, Kent
Parents - Frederick and Margaret (Martin)
Early History - Frederick was named after his father, being the first born son, but third child, with 2 older sisters of pre teenage years on the 1901 census. Frederick was aged 9 and the census document also listed a further 3 younger siblings, Daisy, Albert and Archibald and the family lived at 2 Crayford Terrace, Birling, Malling, Kent.
10 years later, when Frederick was 19 he was recorded in the Marriage Register where he wed Annie Elizabeth Mannering in the first quarter of 1911. The couple were then recorded on the 1911 census as newlyweds, living at Ham Hill, Birling - Frederick was 19 and worked as a cement labourer, Annie was aged 24 and their first child, Annie, was born later on the same year. The couple had two more children, Violet, in 1914 and Frederick in 1916 but by then war had broken out and Frederick was called to service. Frederick’s brothers Albert and Archibald also both joined the Navy - Albert joined in February 1914 and after his initial training at PEMBROKE he was posted to HMS PATHFINDER on 31st July 1914...just 5 weeks later on 5th September 1914 the cruiser was torpedoed by a submarine, which caused a magazine to explode, sinking the ship within minutes and killing 259 crew. Albert was one of the casualties and his body was never recovered.
Archibald joined up a few months after Frederick, in July 1916. He survived the war.
Rank - Stoker 2nd Class - (Ch) K 31374
Service History - Frederick joined the Navy on 10th March 1916 for the duration of hostilities. He was 5’7” tall with brown hair and blue/grey eyes, a fair complexion and 3 vaccination marks that had merged into one scar on his left arm.
He trained at HMS PEMBROKE II as a Stoker 2nd Class until 29th May 1916 then posted to HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) the same day the Royal Navy were battling the German Navy at Jutland.
His pension, Victory and British medals were awarded to his widow and children following his death, but life would be further cruel to the family when baby Frederick died a year later, in 1918.
Frederick is remembered on a brass plaque, along with his brother, at Christ Church, Lower Birling and on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Frederick Goble - courtesy of KevG (Ancestry)
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Photo: Andrew Ashbee. Christ Church, Lower Birling
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Source:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 FreeBMD
England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 - Ancestry
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: 929
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: 0577
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 079/0365/GOA-GOD
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 103
Memorial image courtesy of Andrew Ashbee
Researched by Wendy Sadler
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 FreeBMD
England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 - Ancestry
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: 929
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: 0577
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 079/0365/GOA-GOD
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 103
Memorial image courtesy of Andrew Ashbee
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Alexander Hugh Gye
DOB - 7th February 1884
Place of Birth - Kensington, London
Parents - Herbert Frederick Gye, Captain, M.V.O R.N, Officier de la Legion d’Honneur, H.B.M, Consul at Brest, France and Hon. Adelaide Fanny Hood
Early History - Alexander was baptised on 9th April 1884, he and his parents were recorded living at 16 Westbourne Street, Paddington.
Educated at Douglas’ School, Malvern Link and Lupton School, Farnborough.
Rank - Lieutenant Commander
Service History - His service record follows:-
HMS BRITANNIA - 15/01/1899
He was promoted to Midshipman on 30/06/1900, Sub Lieutenant on 30/08/1903, Lieutenant on 01/04/1906 and Lieutenant Commander on 01/04/1914
HMS MAJESTIC - 1900 - Alexander was noted on the 1901 census aboard the battleship, anchored at Gibraltar
HMS IMPLACABLE - 1901
HMS DRAKE - 1903
Royal Naval College - 1903
HMS EMPRESS OF INDIA - 1904
HMS HANNIBAL & HMS KING GEORGE 1905
Commanded Torpedo Boat 113 - July 1906
HMS BELLEROPHON - 1909
Commanded Torpedo Boats 10 & 4 (attached to Royal Naval College) - Alexander was recorded aboard the torpedo boat during the 1911 census, based at Sheerness.
Commanded Destroyer Teviot - 1912
Commanded HMS LAPWING - 17/06/1914
Commanded HMS NEGRO - 1916
He also participated in the Battles Heligoland Bight (1914), Dogger Bank (1915) and Jutland (1916). Twice Mentioned in Dispatches by Admirals Hood and Jellicoe. He was also awarded the Ryder Memorial Prize 1903.
Portsmouth Evening News - Saturday 30 December 1916
IN THE CASUALTY LIST.—Lieut.-Com. Alexander H. Gye. R.N. (drowned), had seniority of April 1st. 1914. In the London Gazette” of June 29th. 1915. it was announced in connection with the successful operations on the Belgian Coast, that he was i command of a destroyer. Commander Gye won the Ryder Memorial Prize, given from the fund founded in memory of the late Admiral of the Fleet Sir Alfred Phillipps Ryder, K.C.B., who died in April. 1888.
Folkestone Express, Sandgate, Shorncliffe & Hythe Advertiser - Saturday 13 January 1917
GYE.—On the 21st Dec., at sea. while on active service, Alexander Hugh Gye. Lieut.- Commander. R.N., only son of the late Capt. Herbert F. Gye. M.V.O.. R.N. (retired), Officer de la Legion d'Honneur. H.B.M. Consul at Brest (1899-1906). and the Hon. Mrs. Gye, of 5, Westbourne Gardens, Folkestone. aged 32.
He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial and locally on the memorial in Folkstone
DOB - 7th February 1884
Place of Birth - Kensington, London
Parents - Herbert Frederick Gye, Captain, M.V.O R.N, Officier de la Legion d’Honneur, H.B.M, Consul at Brest, France and Hon. Adelaide Fanny Hood
Early History - Alexander was baptised on 9th April 1884, he and his parents were recorded living at 16 Westbourne Street, Paddington.
Educated at Douglas’ School, Malvern Link and Lupton School, Farnborough.
Rank - Lieutenant Commander
Service History - His service record follows:-
HMS BRITANNIA - 15/01/1899
He was promoted to Midshipman on 30/06/1900, Sub Lieutenant on 30/08/1903, Lieutenant on 01/04/1906 and Lieutenant Commander on 01/04/1914
HMS MAJESTIC - 1900 - Alexander was noted on the 1901 census aboard the battleship, anchored at Gibraltar
HMS IMPLACABLE - 1901
HMS DRAKE - 1903
Royal Naval College - 1903
HMS EMPRESS OF INDIA - 1904
HMS HANNIBAL & HMS KING GEORGE 1905
Commanded Torpedo Boat 113 - July 1906
HMS BELLEROPHON - 1909
Commanded Torpedo Boats 10 & 4 (attached to Royal Naval College) - Alexander was recorded aboard the torpedo boat during the 1911 census, based at Sheerness.
Commanded Destroyer Teviot - 1912
Commanded HMS LAPWING - 17/06/1914
Commanded HMS NEGRO - 1916
He also participated in the Battles Heligoland Bight (1914), Dogger Bank (1915) and Jutland (1916). Twice Mentioned in Dispatches by Admirals Hood and Jellicoe. He was also awarded the Ryder Memorial Prize 1903.
Portsmouth Evening News - Saturday 30 December 1916
IN THE CASUALTY LIST.—Lieut.-Com. Alexander H. Gye. R.N. (drowned), had seniority of April 1st. 1914. In the London Gazette” of June 29th. 1915. it was announced in connection with the successful operations on the Belgian Coast, that he was i command of a destroyer. Commander Gye won the Ryder Memorial Prize, given from the fund founded in memory of the late Admiral of the Fleet Sir Alfred Phillipps Ryder, K.C.B., who died in April. 1888.
Folkestone Express, Sandgate, Shorncliffe & Hythe Advertiser - Saturday 13 January 1917
GYE.—On the 21st Dec., at sea. while on active service, Alexander Hugh Gye. Lieut.- Commander. R.N., only son of the late Capt. Herbert F. Gye. M.V.O.. R.N. (retired), Officer de la Legion d'Honneur. H.B.M. Consul at Brest (1899-1906). and the Hon. Mrs. Gye, of 5, Westbourne Gardens, Folkestone. aged 32.
He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial and locally on the memorial in Folkstone
Mentioned in Dispatches
Folkstone War Memorial
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - FreeBMD
England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1917 London Metropolitan
Archives; London, England; Reference Number: P79/ALL/002
1901 & 1911 England Census
Royal Naval Officers' Service Records Index, 1756-1931 - National Archives
De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour, 1914-1919
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 003; Piece Description: Piece 003 (1914 - 1920)
Navy Lists, 1888-1970
CWGC Register
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 65
Researched by Wendy Sadler
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - FreeBMD
England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1917 London Metropolitan
Archives; London, England; Reference Number: P79/ALL/002
1901 & 1911 England Census
Royal Naval Officers' Service Records Index, 1756-1931 - National Archives
De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour, 1914-1919
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 003; Piece Description: Piece 003 (1914 - 1920)
Navy Lists, 1888-1970
CWGC Register
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 65
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Clarence Hainsworth
DOB - 4th September 1896
Place of Birth - Leeds, Yorkshire
Parents - Isaac and Emma
Early History - Clarence was the youngest of four children and the only son. First mentioned on the 1901 census, he was recorded living at Oxford Road, his father Isaac worked as a shoemaker to support the family. The following 10 years recorded the family living at Hill Top, Gomersal, Leeds - Clarence was then 14 years old and worked as a bobbin carrier; all three of his sisters worked as spinners and his father continued to be a shoemaker.
Rank - Able Seaman - (Po) J 44167
Service History - Clarence joined the Navy a year after war had started and signed up for the duration of hostilities, on 14th September 1915. He trained at HMS VICTORY I as an Ordinary Seaman until 22nd November 1915, transferring to HMS WOOLWICH (of which NEGRO was attached) the following day and remaining with the ship until its collision.
Following his death, aged 20 years old, his father received his Victory and British medals and Clarence is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
DOB - 4th September 1896
Place of Birth - Leeds, Yorkshire
Parents - Isaac and Emma
Early History - Clarence was the youngest of four children and the only son. First mentioned on the 1901 census, he was recorded living at Oxford Road, his father Isaac worked as a shoemaker to support the family. The following 10 years recorded the family living at Hill Top, Gomersal, Leeds - Clarence was then 14 years old and worked as a bobbin carrier; all three of his sisters worked as spinners and his father continued to be a shoemaker.
Rank - Able Seaman - (Po) J 44167
Service History - Clarence joined the Navy a year after war had started and signed up for the duration of hostilities, on 14th September 1915. He trained at HMS VICTORY I as an Ordinary Seaman until 22nd November 1915, transferring to HMS WOOLWICH (of which NEGRO was attached) the following day and remaining with the ship until its collision.
Following his death, aged 20 years old, his father received his Victory and British medals and Clarence is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Photo credit https://astreetnearyou.org/date/1916/12/21
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: 735
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
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-196 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)
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/8; Scan Number: 0707
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 104
Researched by Wendy Sadler
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: 735
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
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-196 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)
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/8; Scan Number: 0707
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 104
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - George Harle
DOB - 5th January 1885
Place of Birth - Hartlepool, Durham
Parents - Robert and Sarah
Early History - George was the 4th child of 6 recorded on the 1891 census and lived at Low Norwood in the village of Dunston, Durham. 10 years later, on the 1901 census George and his family had moved to the village of South Hetton - he was 16 years old and worked as an apprentice fitter (above ground). He, his 4 siblings and parents lived at 1 Railway Terrace.
Rank - Acting Chief E.R.A - (Ch) 272215
Service History - George began his training as an Acting E.R.A 4th Class at HMS PEMBROKE II after signing with the Navy on 27th September 1906, leaving his fitter turner job. He was 5’4” tall with dark brown hair, grey eyes and a sallow complexion. He left PEMBROKE II on 26TH November 1906 - the rest of his service career follows:-
HMS IRRESISTIBLE - 27/11/1906 - 14/12/1908, rising to ERA 4th Class on 30/10/1907
HMS PEMBROKE II - 15/12/1908 - 16/12/1908
HMS BLAKE - 17/12/1908 - 02/06/1909
HMS TYNE - 03/06/1909 - 14/03/1910, rising to ERA 3rd Class on 26/09/1909
HMS ST GEORGE - 15/03/1910 - 15/08/1910
HMS ACTAEON - 16/08/1910 - 16/12/1912 - while attached, he was on leave and recorded on the 1911 census living at 29 Garfield Road, Gillingham, Kent, with his wife Florence Passby who he married in December 1909. Their first son Reginald was born a few months later in June 1911.
HMS PEMBROKE II - 17/12/1912 - 03/02/1913
HMS ROYAL ARTHUR - 04/02/1913 - 31/03/1913
HMS ROBIN - 01/04/1913 - 31/07/1914, rising to ERA 2nd Class on 27/09/1913
HMS TAMAR - 01/08/1914 - 02/08/1914
HMS TRIUMPH - 03/08/1914 - 09/06/1915, rising to Acting Chief ERA 2nd Class on 01/04/1915
HMS EUROPA I - 10/06/1915 - 22/07/1915, rising to ERA 2nd Class on 19/07/1915 although this status was later revoked and he was dis-rated.
HMS SWIFTSURE - 23/07/1915 - 31/12/1915
HMS PEMBROKE II - 01/01/1915 - 19/05/1916
HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 20/05/1916 - 21/12/16, rising to Acting Chief ERA 2nd Class on 04/12/1916
George never got to meet his second son, also named George, born in 1917.
He is remembered at the Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent.
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: 437
England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915 - FreeBMD
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: 008 (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/8; Scan Number: 0769
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 091/0411/HAR-HAR
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 104
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Robert Albert Henry Harman
DOB - 20th March 1898
Place of Birth - Hackney, London
Parents - George and Jane Catherine (Nightingale)
Early History - Recorded on the 1901 census aged 3, Robert lived at 16 Antwerp Street, Hackney with his parents and siblings. He was, at the time, the 5th of 6 children and one of 11 overall. His father George worked as an artisan glass bottle blower. 10 years later the family were recorded living at 33 Ada Street, Hackney - Robert was 13 years old and attended school.
Rank - Telegraphist - (Ch) J 30050
Service History - On leaving education he worked for a while in a factory but joined the Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 20th March 1914, training at HMS POWERFUL until 20th June 1914.
He was 5’6” tall with brown hair and eyes and a dark complexion and signed with the Royal Navy for 12 years of service. He moved to HMS IMPREGNABLE for further training on 21st June 1914, rising in rating to Boy Telegraphist on 10th October 1914, leaving 5 weeks later.
He was then attached to HMS VERNON, the shore establishment from November 1914 to January 1915 before being posted to HMS PEMBROKE I for 3 further weeks. His first ship posting was to the Laforey Class destroyer HMS LOOKOUT which was attached to HMS DIDO. He served aboard from 28th January 1915 and left on 4th June 1915, embarking then to HMS KING EDWARD VII for two months.
Robert joined HMS LAPWING (which was attached to HMS WOOLWICH) on 8th August 1915 and remained until 11th May 1916, rising to Ordinary Telegraphist on 8th November 1915 and Telegraphist on 11th May 1916. He was then posted to HMS NEGRO (which was also attached under WOOLWICH) from 12th May 1916 until her tragic accident. Robert is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - Free BMD
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: 707
Commonwealth War Graves, 1914-1921 and 1939-1947
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
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/8; Scan Number: 0770
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; Pension Record Cards; Reference: 091/0411/HAR-HAR
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - William Harmer
DOB - 4th September 1888
Place of Birth - Southwark, London
Parents - William and Annie
Early History - William was 3 years old when mentioned on the 1891 census, living with his parents and younger sister Annie at 8 Hard Street, Newington, London. His name was also found in the archives of Sandford Row School. William was aged 9, recorded on the register attending school from 9th May 1898. Later on the 1901 census the family had grown with four more children and had moved to 55 Morcambe Street, Newington. William was then 12 years old.
Before joining the Navy he worked as a Hawker, following in his father’s footsteps.
William married Alice Waylett on 25th February 1912 while on leave from HMS VIVID at St John’s Church, Newington - he gave his address on his marriage certificate as HMS RANGER at the time, but there is no record in his service to suggest he did/or did not serve aboard the destroyer.
William's signature
Rank - Leading Stoker - (Ch) K4230
Service History - William trained as a Stoker 2nd Class at HMS VIVID II from 9th September 1909 until 12th August 1910. He was transferred to HMS LEANDER, a depot ship for torpedo boat destroyers, for a month in 1910, returned back to HMS VIVID II at the end of October 1910 before being posted to HMS HIBERNIA on 29th October 1910. He remained with the ship until 22nd January 1912, rising to Stoker 2nd Class on 23rd November 1910. He left the pre-dreadnought battleship and returned to HMS VIVID II on 23rd January 1912 until 19th May 1913. He was transferred to another shore base establishment, HMS PEMBROKE II for a month then joined HMS HECLA on 17th June 1913 until 17th June 1914. He joined HMS LAPWING (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) on 18th June 1914, rising in rating to Acting Leading Seaman on 1st June 1915 and then Leading Seaman on 1st December 1915. He left LAPWING on 19th May 1916 and transferred to HMS NEGRO, which was also tender to HMS WOOLWICH, on 20th May 1916 until the collision in December.
Following his death, William’s pension was awarded to Alice to help support their daughter Camelia. He was awarded the Star, Victory and British medals and is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Sources:
1891 & 1901 England Census
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
London, England, School Admissions and Discharges, 1840-1911 London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; School Admission and Discharge Registers; Reference: LCC/EO/DIV08/SAN/AD/001
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: 875
London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1932 London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; Reference Number: p92/jn/043
Signature - Ancestry/marriage certificate
England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915
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)
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/8; Scan Number: 0771
CWGC Register
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; Pension Record Cards; Reference: 092/0412/HAR-HAR
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 104
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Charles Henry Herbert
DOB - 31st January 1887
Place of Birth - West Ham, Essex
Parents - Thomas and Mary Ann (O’Brien)
Early History - Charles was aged 4 on the 1891 census and lived at 94 Stephen Road, West Ham, with his parents and 5 siblings.
Rank - Stoker Petty Officer - (Ch) 308723
Service History - Charles joined the Navy on 26th August 1905 for 12 years service, leaving his job as a boilermaker’s mate. He was 5’4” tall with light brown hair, grey eyes and a scar on his right cheek.
His service record follows:-
HMS ACHERON - 26/08/1905 - 22/01/1916, training as a Stoker 2nd Class
HMS PEMBROKE II - 23/01/1906 - 31/03/1906
HMS BLACK PRINCE - 01/04/1906 - 30/09/1912, rising to Stoker 1st Class on 30/08/1906 and Leading Stoker on 27/07/1910
HMS PEMBROKE II - 01/10/1912 - 09/06/1914
HMS SUTLEJ - 10/06/1914 - 28/06/1914
HMS CORMORANT - 29/06/1914 - 12/05/1916
HMS PEMBROKE II - 13/05/1916 - 14/08/1916, rising to Stoker Petty Officer on 01/08/1916
HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 15/08/1916 - 21/12/1916
He married Charlotte Alice Louisa Day in the first quarter of 1910 in West Ham and their son Charles Henry was born in 1914.
He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
1891 England Census
England & Wales, FreeBMD 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: 504
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)
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/8; Scan Number: 0875
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 097/0436/HEN-HER
Photo courtesy of Dave Grimble - Ancestry
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - James Herring
DOB - James’ birth was registered in the first quarter of 1894 even though he gave his date of birth on Navy papers as 15th September 1893.
Place of Birth - Southwark, London
Parents - George and Catherine Driscoll
Early History - James was one of 6 children recorded on the 1901 census - he was aged 7 and lived with his parents at 10 Lockyer Street, Bermondsey. By the 1911 census James was 17 and working as a Van Guard on the railway - his mother had died, along with 5 of his 9 siblings and he shared two rooms with his father and younger brother at Block A, Vine Street Buildings
Rank - Stoker 1st Class - (Ch) K 12969
Service History - James joined the Navy on 26th October 1911, leaving his labourers job and trained as a Stoker 2nd Class at HMS PEMBROKE II until 11th March 1912. He transferred to HMS VULCAN on 12th March 1912 until 4th January 1916, rising in rating to Stoker 1st Class on 26th October 1912. He transferred back to HMS PEMBROKE II for another 4 and a half months before his posting to HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) on 30th May 1916 where he remained until its collision. He was 5’5” tall with dark brown hair and grey eyes.
His pension and Victory and British medals were awarded to his father after his death.
He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Sources:
GRO Reference: 1894 M Quarter in ST SAVIOUR LONDON Volume 01D Page 30
1901 and 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: 892
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: 0879
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; Pension Record Cards; Reference: 098/0437/HER-HES
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 105
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Arthur Howell
DOB - 27th September 1893
Place of Birth - Leeds, Yorkshire
Parents - Walter and Annie Elizabeth (Holroyd)
Early History - Arthur lived at 14 Scott Terrace, Leeds, with his father Walter, two sisters and a boarder who also worked as a Housekeeper at the time of the 1901 census. Walter was a widower and had lost his wife in 1897 at the age of 26.
Rank - Officer’s Steward 2nd Class (Po) L 2054
Service History - Arthur left his job as an errand boy and joined the Navy on 5th July 1910, recorded as being 5’1” tall with brown hair and grey eyes. He trained at HMS EXCELLENT until 27th March 1912 as a Boy Steward. Recorded here on the 1911 census, EXCELLENT was situated at Whale Island, Portsmouth and served as a Gunnery School.
He left and was transferred to HMS VENUS, an Eclipse class protected cruiser on 28th March 1912 until 11th December 1913, then rated as an Officer’s Steward 2nd Class.
Name - Arthur Howell
DOB - 27th September 1893
Place of Birth - Leeds, Yorkshire
Parents - Walter and Annie Elizabeth (Holroyd)
Early History - Arthur lived at 14 Scott Terrace, Leeds, with his father Walter, two sisters and a boarder who also worked as a Housekeeper at the time of the 1901 census. Walter was a widower and had lost his wife in 1897 at the age of 26.
Rank - Officer’s Steward 2nd Class (Po) L 2054
Service History - Arthur left his job as an errand boy and joined the Navy on 5th July 1910, recorded as being 5’1” tall with brown hair and grey eyes. He trained at HMS EXCELLENT until 27th March 1912 as a Boy Steward. Recorded here on the 1911 census, EXCELLENT was situated at Whale Island, Portsmouth and served as a Gunnery School.
He left and was transferred to HMS VENUS, an Eclipse class protected cruiser on 28th March 1912 until 11th December 1913, then rated as an Officer’s Steward 2nd Class.
HMS Venus
His next posting was to HMS LAPWING (attached to HMS NEGRO) where he remained until 5th June 1916 with also marrying Louisa Stuart on some leave in 1915. Still attached to HMS WOOLWICH he then transferred to HMS NEGRO on 6th June 1916 where he remained until his death.
His Star, Victory and British medals were awarded to his widow and he is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
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: 992
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: 1009
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 103/0469/HOW-HOW
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 106
Researched by Wendy Sadler
His next posting was to HMS LAPWING (attached to HMS NEGRO) where he remained until 5th June 1916 with also marrying Louisa Stuart on some leave in 1915. Still attached to HMS WOOLWICH he then transferred to HMS NEGRO on 6th June 1916 where he remained until his death.
His Star, Victory and British medals were awarded to his widow and he is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
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: 992
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: 1009
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 103/0469/HOW-HOW
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 106
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Horace Nelson Kerrison
DOB - 26th December 1896
Place of Birth - West Ham, Essex
Parents - Nimrod and Harriett
Early History - Baptised on 27th November 1906 at St Stephen, Upton Park, Horace was the middle child aged 5 on the 1901 census; the family lived at 84 Arragon Road, East Ham. 10 years later on the 1911 census the family still lived at the same address. Horace was aged 15 and worked at a celluloid factory.
Rank - Stoker, 2nd Class - (Ch) K 29711
Service History - Horace left his job as a labourer in an accumulator works and joined the Royal Navy for the duration of hostilities. He began his training at HMS PEMBROKE on 26th November 1915, recorded as 5’4” tall with brown hair and blue eyes. He remained there until the end of January 1916, then transferred to HMS GIBRALTAR until 5th June 1916.
He returned to Kent, to HMS PEMBROKE II before his final posting to HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) on 25th June 1916. He would have celebrated his 20th birthday had he survived the collision.
Horace is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Sources:
Essex, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1918 Essex Record Office; Chelmsford, Essex, England; Essex Church of England Parish Registers
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: 926
CWGC Register
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 242/8; Scan Number: 1259
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; Pension Record Cards; Reference: 114/0528/KER-KER
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - William Ernest Bloxham Knight
DOB - 5th September 1896
Place of Birth - Portsmouth, Hampshire
Parents - Unknown father and mother Harriett
Early History - Unknown
Rank - Able Seaman (Po) J 15904
Service History - William went to HMS GANGES to begin training as a Boy 2nd Class when he joined the Navy on 22nd February 1912 for twelve years service, once he was aged 18. He was 5’4” tall with brown hair and grey eyes and a scar on the side of his neck. He remained at the shore base for 8 months, rising to Boy 1st Class on 2nd October 1912.
He was transferred to HMS DONEGAL the following day and remained with the cruiser until 9th January 1913 when he was sent to HMS VICTORY for four months.
His next posting was to HMS VENUS from 6th April 1913 until 11th December 1913 and joined HMS WOOLWICH, still as a Boy 1st Class on 12th December 1913. His rating rose to Ordinary Seaman on 5th September 1914 and Able Seaman on 1st January 1915. William was transferred to HMS LAPWING (which was tendered to WOOLWICH) on 1st April 1916 and then HMS NEGRO on 6th June 1916. He was just 20 years old when he lost his life.
He is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, his Star, Victory and British medals awarded to his mother.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth 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: 678
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: 1311
Researched by Wendy Sadler
DOB - 5th September 1896
Place of Birth - Portsmouth, Hampshire
Parents - Unknown father and mother Harriett
Early History - Unknown
Rank - Able Seaman (Po) J 15904
Service History - William went to HMS GANGES to begin training as a Boy 2nd Class when he joined the Navy on 22nd February 1912 for twelve years service, once he was aged 18. He was 5’4” tall with brown hair and grey eyes and a scar on the side of his neck. He remained at the shore base for 8 months, rising to Boy 1st Class on 2nd October 1912.
He was transferred to HMS DONEGAL the following day and remained with the cruiser until 9th January 1913 when he was sent to HMS VICTORY for four months.
His next posting was to HMS VENUS from 6th April 1913 until 11th December 1913 and joined HMS WOOLWICH, still as a Boy 1st Class on 12th December 1913. His rating rose to Ordinary Seaman on 5th September 1914 and Able Seaman on 1st January 1915. William was transferred to HMS LAPWING (which was tendered to WOOLWICH) on 1st April 1916 and then HMS NEGRO on 6th June 1916. He was just 20 years old when he lost his life.
He is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, his Star, Victory and British medals awarded to his mother.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth 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: 678
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: 1311
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Edwin Hubert Larn
DOB - 17th June 1893
Place of Birth - Norwich, Norfolk
Parents - John and Mary Ann (Larkman)
Early History - Edwin was recorded with his family on the 1901 census living at 33 Trinity Street, Norwich. At that time he was the fourth of six children, aged 7 years old . His father was a Commercial Traveller specialising in Machinery and while he was away the family had a domestic general servant. Edwin was serving with the Navy when the next census was taken.
Rank - Able Seaman - (Ch) J 7844
DOB - 17th June 1893
Place of Birth - Norwich, Norfolk
Parents - John and Mary Ann (Larkman)
Early History - Edwin was recorded with his family on the 1901 census living at 33 Trinity Street, Norwich. At that time he was the fourth of six children, aged 7 years old . His father was a Commercial Traveller specialising in Machinery and while he was away the family had a domestic general servant. Edwin was serving with the Navy when the next census was taken.
Rank - Able Seaman - (Ch) J 7844
Service History - Edwin joined the Navy as a Boy 2nd Class and trained at HMS GANGES II from 7th April 1910 until 24th June 1910. He was 5’4” tall with brown hair and eyes and tattoos of a Union Jack and a ship on both arms.
The remainder of his service follows:-
HMS MAGNIFICENT - 25/06/1910 - 02/12/1910, rising to Boy 1st Class on 07/07/1910
HMS PEMBROKE I - 03/12/1910 - 11/01/1911
HMS LORD NELSON - 12/01/1911 - 09/04/1913, rising to Ordinary Seaman on 17th June 1911 and Able Seaman on 12/12/1912 (and aboard during the 1911 census)
HMS PEMBROKE I - 10/04/1913 - 16/12/1913
HMS LUCIA - 17/12/1913 - 17/06/1914
HMS WOOLWICH (HMS LAPWING) - 18/06/1914 - 05/06/1916
HMS WOOLWICH (HMS NEGRO) - 06/06/1916 - 21/12/1916
After his death his Star, Victory and British medals were awarded to his father. Edwin is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Thetford & Watton Times - Saturday 30 December 1916
Deaths. killed in Action
Larn, - On the 21st Inst, Edwin Hubert Larn, drowned at sea.
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: 662
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 107
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
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
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Walter John Miell
DOB - 13th February 1892
Place of Birth - Wandsworth, London
Parents - William and Emma
Early History - 15 months after Walter was born, he and his brother Alfred were baptised on 2nd April 1893 in the parish of St Johns, Holloway. Walter was next recorded aged 9 on the 1901 census, living at Brookwood Road, Wandsworth, with his parents and two younger sisters, although Alfred was not mentioned. Later the following year, on 2nd December 1911 Walter was admitted to Ackmar Road School - the family had moved again and their address was given as 654 Fulham Road. 10 years later on the 1911 census Walter was on leave from the Navy and listed along with his sisters and widowed mother. Their home address was given as 70 Littleton Street, Earlsfield.
Rank - Stoker 1st Class, (Ch) K 8276
Service History - Walter worked as a window cleaner before joining the Navy for 12 years service on 23rd August 1910. He possibly made the choice for a more secure income to help his mother and sisters as his father had died only months earlier.
He began training at HMS PEMBROKE II as a Stoker 2nd Class until 11th April 1911 - he was 5’4” tall with brown hair and grey eyes and tattoos of crossed flags, a horseshoe and whip on his left forearm. His remaining service follows:-
HMS IRRESISTIBLE - 12/04/1911 - 31/07/1911
HMS KING EDWARD VII - 01/08/1911 - 29/07/1914, rising to Stoker 1st Class on 29/02/1912
HMS VICTORY II - 30/07/1914 - 12/08/1914
HMS KING EDWARD VII - 13/08/1914 - 30/05/1915 - Walter deserted the Navy on the 30th May and “RAN”, for reasons unknown. He was received on 13th July 1915 at Chatham and served 21 days imprisonment from 18th July and lost his Good Conduct Badge.
HMS PEMBROKE II - 07/08/1915 - 08/09/1915
HMS MARS - 09/09/1915 - 08/03/1916
HMS PEMBROKE II - 09/03/1916 - 29/05/1916
HMS WOOLWICH (NEGRO) - 30/05/1916 - 21/12/1916
Following his death his Star, Victory and British medals and pension were awarded to his Mother. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 FreeBMD
England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1917 London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; Reference Number: p83/jne/006
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/DIV01/ACK/AD/002
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: 883
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: 0491
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 110
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 134/0645/MID-MIL
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Robert Lockhead Munro
DOB - January 1877, although stated 3rd February 1876 on Naval records
Place of Birth - Brighton
Parents - Robert and Margaret
Early History - Robert was baptised on 18th March 1877 at St Peter’s Church in Brighton and mentioned on the 1881 census living with his parents and 3 siblings at 21 Hastings Road, Brighton, aged 4 years old. Robert worked for a spell after leaving school at the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway Company, working out of the Brighton station, aged 14, earning 10d a day.
Rank - Chief Engine Room Artificer 1st Class - (Ch) 269024
DOB - January 1877, although stated 3rd February 1876 on Naval records
Place of Birth - Brighton
Parents - Robert and Margaret
Early History - Robert was baptised on 18th March 1877 at St Peter’s Church in Brighton and mentioned on the 1881 census living with his parents and 3 siblings at 21 Hastings Road, Brighton, aged 4 years old. Robert worked for a spell after leaving school at the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway Company, working out of the Brighton station, aged 14, earning 10d a day.
Rank - Chief Engine Room Artificer 1st Class - (Ch) 269024
Service History - Robert left his job as a fitter turner and joined the Navy on 9th June 1897 for an initial 12 years service. He was 6 feet tall with brown hair and hazel eyes and had a tattoo with “RMM” on his left forearm. His service follows:-
HMS PEMBROKE II - 09/06/1897 - 30/06/1897, rated as Acting ERA 4th Class
HMS JUPITER - 01/07/1897 - 16/08/1897
HMS PEMBROKE II - 17/08/1897 - 19/08/1897
HMS REPULSE - 20/08/1897 - 17/01/1898
HMS PEMBROKE - 18/01/1898 - 20/02/1898
HMS WILDFIRE I - 21/02/1898 - 31/03/1898
HMS WILDFIRE II - 01/04/1898 - 25/09/1898, rising to ERA 4th Class
HMS PEMBROKE II - 26/09/1898 - 30/09/1898
HMS ?? (unreadable) - 01/10/1898 - 31/12/1898
HMS EXCELLENT - 01/01/1898 - 28/01/1899
HMS PEMBROKE II - 29/01/1899 - 14/04/1899
HMS SANS PAREIL - 15/04/1899 - 06/07/1899
HMS WILDFIRE - 07/07/1899 - 14/09/1900, rising to ERA 3rd Class on 09/06/1900
HMS PEMBROKE - 15/09/1900 - 14/11/1900
HMS SPARROW - 15/11/1900 - 28/01/1902, derated to ERA 4th Class on 11/11/1901
HMS PYLADES - 29/01/1902 - 03/12/1904, rising to ERA 3rd Class on 29/07/1902 and Acting ERA 2nd Class on 04/01/1904
HMS TAURANGA - 04/12/1904 - 11/04/1905, rising to ERA 2nd Class on 01/01/1905
HMS PEMBROKE II - 12/04/1905 - 16/06/1905
HMS ARGONAUT - 17/06/1905 - 04/04/1907
HMS NATAL - 05/04/1907 - 06/04/1908
HMS LANCASTER - 07/04/1908 - 30/05/1910, rising to Chief ERA 2nd Class on 01/01/1910
HMS PEMBROKE II - 31/05/1910 - 30/07/1910
HMS ENDYMION - 31/07/1910 - 13/10/1911
HMS PEMBROKE II - 14/10/1911 - 29/10/1911
HMS ACTAEON - 30/10/1911 - 12/03/1914
HMS PEMBROKE II - 13/03/1914 - 30/03/1914
HMS VANGUARD - 31/03/1914 - 25/10/1915
HMS PEMBROKE II - 26/10/1915 - 19/05/1916
HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 20/05/1916 - 21/12/1916
He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial and locally on the Brighton War Memorial.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - FreeBMD
England & Wales, Christening Index, 1530-1980
England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
1881 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: 431
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: 0624
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: 766
Researched by Wendy Sadler
HMS PEMBROKE II - 09/06/1897 - 30/06/1897, rated as Acting ERA 4th Class
HMS JUPITER - 01/07/1897 - 16/08/1897
HMS PEMBROKE II - 17/08/1897 - 19/08/1897
HMS REPULSE - 20/08/1897 - 17/01/1898
HMS PEMBROKE - 18/01/1898 - 20/02/1898
HMS WILDFIRE I - 21/02/1898 - 31/03/1898
HMS WILDFIRE II - 01/04/1898 - 25/09/1898, rising to ERA 4th Class
HMS PEMBROKE II - 26/09/1898 - 30/09/1898
HMS ?? (unreadable) - 01/10/1898 - 31/12/1898
HMS EXCELLENT - 01/01/1898 - 28/01/1899
HMS PEMBROKE II - 29/01/1899 - 14/04/1899
HMS SANS PAREIL - 15/04/1899 - 06/07/1899
HMS WILDFIRE - 07/07/1899 - 14/09/1900, rising to ERA 3rd Class on 09/06/1900
HMS PEMBROKE - 15/09/1900 - 14/11/1900
HMS SPARROW - 15/11/1900 - 28/01/1902, derated to ERA 4th Class on 11/11/1901
HMS PYLADES - 29/01/1902 - 03/12/1904, rising to ERA 3rd Class on 29/07/1902 and Acting ERA 2nd Class on 04/01/1904
HMS TAURANGA - 04/12/1904 - 11/04/1905, rising to ERA 2nd Class on 01/01/1905
HMS PEMBROKE II - 12/04/1905 - 16/06/1905
HMS ARGONAUT - 17/06/1905 - 04/04/1907
HMS NATAL - 05/04/1907 - 06/04/1908
HMS LANCASTER - 07/04/1908 - 30/05/1910, rising to Chief ERA 2nd Class on 01/01/1910
HMS PEMBROKE II - 31/05/1910 - 30/07/1910
HMS ENDYMION - 31/07/1910 - 13/10/1911
HMS PEMBROKE II - 14/10/1911 - 29/10/1911
HMS ACTAEON - 30/10/1911 - 12/03/1914
HMS PEMBROKE II - 13/03/1914 - 30/03/1914
HMS VANGUARD - 31/03/1914 - 25/10/1915
HMS PEMBROKE II - 26/10/1915 - 19/05/1916
HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 20/05/1916 - 21/12/1916
He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial and locally on the Brighton War Memorial.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - FreeBMD
England & Wales, Christening Index, 1530-1980
England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
1881 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: 431
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: 0624
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: 766
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Daniel Clifton Newell
DOB - 20th February 1890
Place of Birth - Burgess Hill, Sussex
Parents - Charles and Louisa Pitt
Early History - Daniel was baptised on 1st June 1890 at St John’s in Burgess Hill and was aged just 1 year old when recorded on the 1891 census; he was the youngest child at the time, the only son with 3 sisters. The family lived above/behind a shop in West Street, Clayton, Sussex. 10 years later, on the 1901 census Daniel was recorded using his middle name, Clifton, noted as 11 years of age, living with his parents and 4 sisters at 1 Western Terrace, still in the parish of Clayton.
Rank - Ship’s Cook - (Ch) 347970
Service History - Daniel left his previous job as a butcher and joined the Navy for 12 years of service on 6th December 1907 as a Cooks Mate 2nd Class. He had lied about his age and gave his year of birth 8 years sooner than he was actually born (there is no birth entry of his name in 1882). He trained at HMS PEMBROKE I until 16th August 1908, leaving for his first ships posting the following day. He was 5’9” tall with dark brown hair and blue eyes, the rest of his service history follows:-
HMS DUNCAN - 17/08/1908 - 08/08/1910, rising to Cooks Mate on 06/12/1908
HMS PEMBROKE I - 09/08/1910 - 30/09/1910
HMS PEMBROKE II - 01/10/1910 - 06/02/1912, while on leave/stationed at home, Daniel married Olive Harris in the summer of 1911
HMS PEMBROKE I - 07/02/1912 - 03/03/1912, rising to Leading Cook's Mate on 20/10/1910
HMS ANTRIM - 04/03/1912 - 15/06/1915
HMS PEMBROKE I - 16/06/1915 - 07/08/1915
HMS ATTENTIVE - 08/08/1915 - 05/04/1916
HMS PEMBROKE II - 06/04/1916 - 29/05/1916
HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 30/05/1916 - 21/12/1916, rising to Ship’s Cook on 01/08/1916
He died aged 26, not aged 34 as would be calculated using his age on naval records. His pension was awarded to his wife and two children, Phillip and Violet, his Star, Victory and British medals claimed by his wife following his death.
He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Mid Sussex Times - Tuesday 24 April 1917
Mid-Sussex Men Who Died For Empire
BURGESS HILL
Newell, Daniel Clifton R.N. (drowned 21st December 1916)
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD Volume 2B, page 175
England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
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: 528
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: 0671
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 139/0685/NEW-NEW
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 111
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - George Charles Palmer
DOB - 25th June 1896
Place of Birth - St George’s in the East, London
Parents - George and Eliza
Early History - The family lived at 9 Lower Fenton Street, St George’s In the East, Stepney during the 1901 census - George was 4 years old with one younger and two older sister’s.
10 years later the family had another two children, a son and daughter, where they all still lived at the same address. George had left school and worked at a printers.
Rank - Ordinary Seaman J 50975 (Ch)
Service History - George entered the Royal Navy on 28th February 1916 for the duration of war hostilities. He was recorded as being 5’3” tall with dark brown hair, brown eyes and scars on each temple. He had left his job as a printer’s assistant and began training at HMS PEMBROKE until 29th May 1916. He was posted to HMS NEGRO (which was attached to HMS WOOLWICH) on 30th May 1916 and remained aboard until its collision.
He was awarded the Victory and British medals after his death. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Sources:
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: 748
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)
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/9; Scan Number: 0792
CWGC Register
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 111
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Henry Riggs
DOB - 27th May 1884
Place of Birth - Easton In Gordano, Somerset
Parents - Levi and Anna (Adams)
Early History - Henry was baptised on 6th July 1884 in the local church of St George, Easton In Gordano. On the 1891 census he was aged 6, living at Avonwood Stables with his parents and 3 brothers where his father worked as a coachman.
Rank - Acting Gunner (T) - (Dev) 213047
Service History - Henry left his job as a garden boy and joined the Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 22nd January 1901, recorded as 5’3” tall with light brown hair, blue eyes, a fair complexion and a tattoo of a laurel and flowers on his chest. He may have lied about his age when joining as his records stated year of birth as 1885 but his birth was recorded in the GRO the year before. His record follows -
HMS IMPREGNABLE - 22/01/1901 - 28/01/1901
HMS LION - 29/01/1901 - 10/06/1902, rising to Boy 1st Class on 21/11/1901 - he was recorded here during the 1901 census, the first rate Boys training ship at Devonport Harbour
HMS AGINCOURT - 11/06/1902 - 31/07/1902
HMS NILE - 01/08/1902 - 11/02/1903
HMS ROYAL OAK - 12/02/1903 - 22/02/1903
HMS VIVID - 23/02/1903 - 16/03/1903
HMS OCEAN - 17/03/1903 - 16/08/1905, rising to Ordinary Seaman on 27/05/1903 and Able Seaman on 16/02/1905
HMS VIVID I - 17/08/1905 - 28/10/1905
HMS DEFIANCE - 29/10/1905 - 10/03/1906
HMS VIVID I - 11/03/1906 - 07/04/1906
HMS DEFIANCE - 08/04/1906 - 29/12/1906
HMS FORTH - 30/12/1906 - 28/02/1909
HMS VULCAN - 01/03/1909 - 03/08/1909
HMS MERCURY - 04/08/1909 - 25/11/1909
HMS VULCAN - 26/11/1909 - 25/11/1910
HMS HEBE - 26/11/1910 - 29/01/1911
HMS VULCAN - 30/01/1911 - 16/02/1912, rising to Leading Seaman on 23/05/1911
HMS VIVID I - 17/02/1912 - 27/04/1912
HMS DEFIANCE - 28/04/1912 - 24/01/1913
HMS IRRESISTIBLE - 25/01/1913 - 26/03/1913
HMS BERWICK - 27/03/1913 - 14/08/1915, rising to Petty Officer on 01/10/1913
He was promoted to the temporary position of Acting Gunner on 14th August 1915 and was posted to HMS VERNON on 14th August 1915 until 13th February 1916. He transferred to HMS WOOLWICH and served on its tender HMS LAPWING from 14th February 1916 until 12th May 1916. He was then posted to HMS NEGRO, which was also attached to HMS WOOLWICH, on 13th May 1916 until its tragic fate on 21st December 1916.
Remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial and locally on the West Lulworth war memorial. His Star, Victory and British medals were awarded to his widow after his death (although there is no current discovery of their marriage).
West Lulworth War Memorial Photo: C E Moreton
Merthyr Express - Saturday 06 January 1917
DROWNED AT SEA. Riggs On 21st December, Warrant Officer H. Riggs, drowned in the North Sea on H.M.S. Destroyer Lapwing, beloved brother of Alf Riggs. Mr -- 2. Glyncoed-terrace, and Jack Riggs, 23 Tygwyn Street - deeply mourned
Dundee People's Journal - Saturday 30 December 1916
RlGGS.—Drowned 21st Dec. 1916, Warrant Officer Henry Riggs, R.N., beloved husband of Retta Knox, late Baldovan Terrace, Dundee - sadly missed.
DROWNED AT SEA. Riggs On 21st December, Warrant Officer H. Riggs, drowned in the North Sea on H.M.S. Destroyer Lapwing, beloved brother of Alf Riggs. Mr -- 2. Glyncoed-terrace, and Jack Riggs, 23 Tygwyn Street - deeply mourned
Dundee People's Journal - Saturday 30 December 1916
RlGGS.—Drowned 21st Dec. 1916, Warrant Officer Henry Riggs, R.N., beloved husband of Retta Knox, late Baldovan Terrace, Dundee - sadly missed.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1914 Somerset Heritage Service; Taunton, Somerset, England; Reference Number: D\P\e.in.g/2/1/11
1891 & 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: 373
Royal Naval Officers' Service Records Index, 1756-1931 National Archives ADM 196/157/51
CWGC Register
http://westlulworth.org.uk/old/war_dead.html
Researched by Wendy Sadler
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1914 Somerset Heritage Service; Taunton, Somerset, England; Reference Number: D\P\e.in.g/2/1/11
1891 & 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: 373
Royal Naval Officers' Service Records Index, 1756-1931 National Archives ADM 196/157/51
CWGC Register
http://westlulworth.org.uk/old/war_dead.html
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - William Albert Smith/Robinson (served as Robertson)
DOB - 26th December 1896
Place of Birth - Whissonsett, Tittleshall parish, Norfolk
Parents - (Stepfather) Arthur Robinson and Hannah Smith (nee Craske)
Early History - William was the son of Hannah Smith, his birth father unknown. William had older siblings also with the surname Smith and on later census’s Hannah was recorded as a widow, but there is no record of her marriage to a Smith. William was baptised on the 16th April 1897 in the parish church of Whissonsett along with his older sister Edith Lilly Elizabeth.
Hannah, William, Lilly and an older son Sydney were recorded on the 1901 census living in New Road along with a lodger, Arthur Robinson who worked as a shepherd. Two months later on from the census, on the 29th May 1901 Hannah married Arthur and the family moved to 32 Back Street, Tittleshall. On the 1911 census William was recorded aged 14 and working as a farm labourer.
DOB - 26th December 1896
Place of Birth - Whissonsett, Tittleshall parish, Norfolk
Parents - (Stepfather) Arthur Robinson and Hannah Smith (nee Craske)
Early History - William was the son of Hannah Smith, his birth father unknown. William had older siblings also with the surname Smith and on later census’s Hannah was recorded as a widow, but there is no record of her marriage to a Smith. William was baptised on the 16th April 1897 in the parish church of Whissonsett along with his older sister Edith Lilly Elizabeth.
Hannah, William, Lilly and an older son Sydney were recorded on the 1901 census living in New Road along with a lodger, Arthur Robinson who worked as a shepherd. Two months later on from the census, on the 29th May 1901 Hannah married Arthur and the family moved to 32 Back Street, Tittleshall. On the 1911 census William was recorded aged 14 and working as a farm labourer.
Rank - Ordinary Seaman (Ch) J 52478
Service History - William left his job as a Drayman and joined the Navy on 19th April 1916 for the duration of hostilities. He was recorded as William Robertson, which may have been a mis-spelling on his adopted name of Robinson. He was recorded as 5”7’ tall with brown hair and hazel eyes and began his training at HMS PEMBROKE I until 29th May 1916. He joined HMS NEGRO (which was attached to HMS WOOLWICH) on 30th May 1916 until its collision on 21st December. He died 5 days before his 20th birthday.
William is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial and in his village Methodist Chapel in Tittleshall. The inscription on his Mother’s grave in Tittleshall Churchyard includes “William the beloved son of Hannah & Arthur Robinson Drowned Dec 21st 1916 aged 20 serving on HM Torpedo Boat destroyer Negro”.
He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Service History - William left his job as a Drayman and joined the Navy on 19th April 1916 for the duration of hostilities. He was recorded as William Robertson, which may have been a mis-spelling on his adopted name of Robinson. He was recorded as 5”7’ tall with brown hair and hazel eyes and began his training at HMS PEMBROKE I until 29th May 1916. He joined HMS NEGRO (which was attached to HMS WOOLWICH) on 30th May 1916 until its collision on 21st December. He died 5 days before his 20th birthday.
William is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial and in his village Methodist Chapel in Tittleshall. The inscription on his Mother’s grave in Tittleshall Churchyard includes “William the beloved son of Hannah & Arthur Robinson Drowned Dec 21st 1916 aged 20 serving on HM Torpedo Boat destroyer Negro”.
He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Memorial in Tittleshall Chapel HMS Negro
Sources:
Norfolk, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1919 Norfolk Record Office; Norwich, Norfolk, England; Norfolk Church of England Registers; Reference: PD 633/37
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: 751
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/10; Scan Number: 0144
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)
CWGC Register
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; Pension Record Cards; Reference: 162/0795/ROD-ROG
www.mymethodisthistory.org.uk
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Norfolk, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1919 Norfolk Record Office; Norwich, Norfolk, England; Norfolk Church of England Registers; Reference: PD 633/37
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: 751
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/10; Scan Number: 0144
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)
CWGC Register
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; Pension Record Cards; Reference: 162/0795/ROD-ROG
www.mymethodisthistory.org.uk
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Photo - A Mason, Ancestry
Name - Robert George Savage
DOB - Oct-Dec Qtr 1877 (Navy records state 29th September 1878)
Place of Birth - Sheerness, Kent
Parents - Robert and Elizabeth Holmes
Early History - Robert, named after his father, was aged 3 on the 1881 census, the eldest of 3 children. The family lived at 7 North Street, Herne, Kent with Robert Snr working as a grocers assistant, but within 10 years the family had moved to 16 High Street - Robert Snr had found work as a general labourer to support his family and Robert Jnr, who was 13 by then, worked part time in a glue works, no doubt helping with the family expenses as he also had a further 3 younger siblings.
In 1898 Robert married Annie Maria Sharpe and had one daughter, Lillian May. On the 1901 census the little family lived/boarded with Annie’s mother in Bartholomew Street, Dover. Robert worked as a cement labourer but shortly after the census, in the Autumn of 1901 Robert joined the Navy. Sadly Annie died in 1904.
Rank - Stoker Petty Officer - (Ch) 298498
Service History - Robert left his job as a labourer and joined the Navy for 12 years on 12th September 1901. He was 5’6” tall, had fair hair, brown eyes, and tattoos - a woman, crossed anchors, a heart and ship on his right forearm and crossed flags, clasped hands through a heart on his left forearm. His service records follow:-
HMS PEMBROKE II - 12/09/1901 - 31/07/1902, Rated as Stoker 2nd Class rising to Stoker on 01/04/1902
HMS AUDACIOUS - 01/08/1902 - 31/12/1903
HMS FISGARD - 01/01/1904 - 07/02/1905
HMS SAPPHIRE II - 08/02/1905 - 03/03/1905
HMS PEMBROKE II - 04/03/1905 - 07/12/1905 - within this service period Robert deserted when he arrived in Kent (13th March 1905), for reasons unknown (although it is possible it could have been related to the death of his wife). He spent 42 days in hard labour, but an application at a later date had the event removed from his record.
HMS LEVIATHAN - 08/12/1905 - 26/11/1906, rising in rate to Stoker 1st Class on 01/07/1906
HMS BACCHANTE - 27/11/1906 - 17/02/1908
HMS PEMBROKE II - 18/02/1908 - 19/05/1909
HMS TENEDOS - 20/05/1909 - 15/10/1909
HMS PEMBROKE II - 16/10/1909 - 02/11/1909, rising to Leading Stoker on 16/10/1909
HMS PERSEUS - 03/11/1909 - 18/12/1911 - Robert was aboard the cruiser during the night of the 1911 census, the vessel at sea in the East Indies, recorded as single.
HMS PELORUS - 19/12/1911 - 31/01/1912
HMS PEMBROKE II - 01/02/1912 - 27/03/1912, rising to Stoker Petty Officer on 12/03/1912
HMS COMMONWEALTH - 28/03/1912 - 02/09/1913
HMS PEMBROKE II - 03/09/1913 - 30/09/1913
HMS ECLIPSE - 01/10/1913 - 12/10/1913
HMS TAMAR - 13/10/1913 - 01/12/1914
HMS KENNET (attached to HMS BLENHEIM) - 02/12/1914 - 31/12/1915
HMS PEMBROKE II - 01/01/1916 - 19/05/1916 - He married Ethel Mary Foster in the first quarter of 1916
HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 20/05/1916 - 21/12/1916
His daughter Jessie was born after his death, his pension and Star, Victory and British medals claimed by his wife - He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial and locally at Queensborough.
Sheerness Guardian and East Kent Advertiser - Saturday 13 January 1917
SAD BEREAVEMENT. Amongst the men who were drowned in the North Sea disaster on the 21st ult. was Stoker Petty Officer Robert George Savage, aged 39, the husband of Mrs. Ethel Mary Savage, of 87a, Murston Road, Sittingbourne. Mr. and Mrs. Savage were only married nine months ago. Mr. Savage was a native of Queenborough, where he was well known. He had seen war service in China, and he went through the operations at the Dardanelles during the present war. His parents emigrated to Alberta, Canada, about five years ago.
Queensborough War Memorial Photo: Julie Brewer (www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk)
Sources:
GRO Reference: 1877 D Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 845
1881, 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: 483
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)
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/10; Scan Number: 0260
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 165/0818/SAU-SAW
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 114
Researched by Wendy Sadler
GRO Reference: 1877 D Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 845
1881, 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: 483
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)
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/10; Scan Number: 0260
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 165/0818/SAU-SAW
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 114
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - John Sawkins
DOB - 4th August 1876
Place of Birth - Boughton, Kent
Parents - John and Alice
Early History - First recorded on the 1881 census, John lived with his parents in a little cottage connected to the farm John’s father worked on as a labourer in the parish of Canterbury St Paul. 10 years later John was noted on the 1891 census as a farm boy, aged 13 - a world away from the Navy and a life at sea. He had 2 younger siblings and lived at Nonington in Kent. Within 4 years he had left working on the land and originally joined the Mercantile Marines to spend a life working on the water.
Rank - Chief Stoker - (Ch) 280187
Service History - John left the Mercantile Marines and joined the Royal Navy on 15th August 1895 for 12 years service. He was noted having light brown hair and dark blue eyes and tattoos on both forearms. He began training as a Stoker 2nd Class at PEMBROKE II - his service record follows:-
HMS PEMBROKE II - 15/08/1895 - 16/08/1895
HMS WILDFIRE - 17/08/1895 - 04/11/1895
HMS PEMBROKE II - 05/11/1895 - 13/01/1896
HMS ENDYMION - 14/01/1896 - 27/06/1896
HMS PEMBROKE II - 28/06/1896 - 07/09/1896
HMS REPULSE - 08/09/1896 - 11/09/1896
HMS WILDFIRE - 12/09/1896 - 06/12/1896
HMS PEMBROKE II - 07/12/1896 - 07/02/1897
HMS RATTLER - 08/02/1897 - 01/05/1897
HMS VICTOR EMMANUEL - 02/05/1897 - 13/06/1897
HMS RATTLER - 14/06/1897 - 14/07/1900
HMS PEMBROKE II - 15/07/1900 - 01/11/1900, rising to Leading Stoker 2nd Class on 03/09/1900
HMS SANS PAREIL - 02/11/1900 - 18/09/1902, rising to Leading Stoker 1st Class on 26/09/1900, he was aboard during the 1911 census, the ship anchored at Sheerness.
HMS PEMBROKE - 19/09/1902 - 24/11/1902
HMS BACCHANTE - 25/11/1902 - 22/02/1905
HMS PEMBROKE - 23/02/1905 - 20/10/1905
HMS VINDICTIVE - 21/11/1905 - 27/04/1908, rising to Stoker Petty Officer on 01/07/1906 and Chief Stoker on 09/04/1907
HMS PANDORA - 28/04/1908 - 06/06/1908
HMS PERSEUS - 07/06/1908 - 27/05/1910
HMS FOX - 28/05/1910 - 13/07/1910
HMS GIBRALTAR - 14/07/1910 - 28/08/1910
HMS PEMBROKE II - 29/08/1910 - 29/11/1910
HMS VIVID II - 30/11/1910 - 01/05/1911 - while not at sea John married Mabel Hoare late 1910 and the couple were recorded living at 4 Charlotte Street, Devonport on the 1911 census.
HMS ST GEORGE - 02/05/1911 - 01/02/1914
HMS PEMBROKE II - 02/02/1914 - 19/05/1916
HMS NEGRO (attached ot HMS WOOLWICH) - 20/05/1916 - 21/12/1916
For and during his service he was awarded Naval General Service Medal (Persian Gulf), Royal Navy, Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, Victory and British medals, awarded to his widow. His pension was awarded to Mabel and his 3 children. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Sources:
1881, 1891, 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: 447
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: 0263
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-192 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 165/0818/SAU-SAW
Researched by Wendy Sadler
General Service Medal (Persian Gulf). Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
Buckinghamshire Examiner
Name - James Smith
DOB - 16th December 1884
Place of Birth - Chesham, Buckinghamshire
Rank - Petty Officer - (Ch) 216737
Service History - James left his job as a bricklayers labourer and joined the Navy on 24th August 1901 as a Boy 2nd Class. He was attached to HMS IMPREGNABLE for 6 days then left to train at HMS LION from 1st September 1901 until 19th December 1902. In this time he rose to Boy 1st Class on 19th June 1902 and Ordinary Seaman on his 18th Birthday, 16th December 1902. He left 3 days later and was attached to HMS PEMBROKE while awaiting posting to a ship. The remainder of his service follows:-
HMS FURIOUS - 03/02/1903 - 24/02/1903
HMS PEMBROKE - 25/02/1903 - 22/04/1903
HMS HERMES - 23/04/1903 - 27/02/1905, rising to Able Seaman on 11/02/1904
HMS PEMBROKE I - 28/02/1905 - 17/05/1905
HMS SAPPHIRE II - 18/05/1905 - 21/02/1906
HMS PEMBROKE - 22/02/1906 - 18/09/1906
HMS WILDFIRE - 19/09/1906 - 24/05/1907
HMS ILLUSTRIOUS - 25/05/1907 - 01/06/1908
HMS PEMBROKE - 02/06/1908 - 19/04/1909, rising to Leading Seaman on 23/06/1908
HMS VICTORIOUS - 20/04/1909 - 21/03/1910
HMS RUSSELL 22/03/1910 - 12/08/1912 - he was recorded aboard the Battleship on the night of the 1911 census, the ship anchored at Malta harbour.
HMS PEMBROKE I - 13/08/1912 - 04/12/1912
HMS VANGUARD - 05/12/1912 - 13/12/1913
HMS HECLA - 14/12/1913 - 19/01/1914
HMS FERRET (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) on 20/01/1914 - 05/06/1916, rising to Petty Officer on 01/08/1914. On 16th December 1914 he had completed 12 years service and re-joined on 20th February 1915.
HMS NEGRO - 06/06/1916 - 21/12/1916
He was 5’7” tall with light brown hair, grey eyes and a fair complexion, with a heart and anchor tattoo on his left arm. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial and locally at the Chesham War Memorial.
Buckinghamshire Examiner - Friday 29 December 1916
Petty Officer James Smith.
When those who follow with painful interest the news in the Press of our soldiers and sailors noticed the heading : " Two Destroyers Sunk : Collision in North Sea-55 Lives Lost," they must have felt that Christmas time had brought bad news to many families, That heading indicated bad news for a Chesham family and several Chesham residents. Amongst the fifty-five who are officially notified as lost—and when official notification is given it really seems as if all hope is lost—is First Class Petty Officer James Smith, a Chesham man who has been in the navy since boyhood, who has seen many engagements in this war, and now, alas, has met his death by drowning. The news based upon the official note states :—The Secretary of the Admiralty announced on Sunday that two of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyers were sunk in collision in the North Sea on December 21st during very bad weather, resulting in the loss of six officers and 49 men, the relatives of whom have all been notified. In this sad fashion, at the early age of 33 years, there has crossed the bar one of those sailors who was typical of the British navy : sturdy, alert, smart and altogether a desirable man to have on board ship, and one whom the officers could trust : ashore, a free, openhearted man, jolly good company for all who came into contact with him. Like the majority of sailors, He did not let his friends know a great deal of what was doing at sea, but when he was home about a month ago he brought his friends, Mr. and Mrs. Moore, of the " Wagon and Horses," several souvenirs which have been mounted and which demonstrate that he saw exciting times, the most exciting perhaps being in the Jutland affair, although in these brushes he came out well, the narrowest escape being when several of his gun team were killed, and he was dubbed " Lucky Jim " laughingly by his friends. As he entered the navy when a boy and is now over thirty, it will be seen that he completed more than sixteen years' service, and had he survived he was this year to have received a medal for fourteen years' good conduct. Deceased was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Smith, and both his parents are deceased, his mother dying a short time ago. He made Mr. and Mrs. Moore's place his home, and they held this fine open-hearted fellow in affection, as indeed all his friends did.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - FreeBMD
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: 380
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: 0437
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Chesham War Memorial. copyright Oxyman warmemorialsonline.
https://www.geograph.org.uk/
Name - Teddy (Edward) James Arthur Smith
DOB - 7th February 1897
Place of Birth - Strood, Kent
Parents - William and Eliza
Early History - Teddy was first mentioned in records on the 1901 census. He was the youngest of 8 children, and the large family lived at 18 Collis Street, Strood.
Eliza admitted herself and her two youngest sons, Charles and Teddy, to the Strood Union Workhouse on 1st December 1908. She had been deserted by her husband William, an Engine Driver, and with little or no income, had been forced to shelter and feed her boys the only other way she could. Teddy was discharged from the Poorhouse on 13th January 1909 and sent to a “scattered home”, while his mother and older brother remained in the workhouse.
He was admitted again, aged 14, on his own, on 21st September 1911 and left on 3rd October 1911, possibly then sent to a training ship organised and run by the Marine Society, the T.S. Arethusa.
Rank - Able Seaman - (Ch) - J 18770
Service History - Teddy left the training ship Arethusa and began training at HMS GANGES as a Boy 2nd Class on 3rd July 1912. He was, once fully grown, 5’2” tall with brown hair and blue/grey eyes and had numerous scars on his scalp and shins. He remained at GANGES until 5th October 1913 and transferred to HMS GANGES II until 7th January 1913, rising to Boy 1st Class the same day. He was posted to the dreadnought HMS VANGUARD, serving from 8th January to 2nd June 1913, and returning to Chatham, HMS PEMBROKE for 10 days.
His next ship posting was to HMS IMPLACABLE, from 14th June 1913 until 18th April 1916, where he rose to Ordinary Seaman on his 18th Birthday and Able Seaman on 8th April 1916. After a further 5 weeks at HMS PEMBROKE I Teddy joined HMS NEGRO on 30th May 1916 where he remained until his death on 21st December 1916. He was just 19 when he was killed.
He is remembered in perpetuity on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - FreeBMD
Medway, Kent, England, Poor Law Union Records, 1836-1937 Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre; Chatham, Kent, England; Collection: Poor Law Union Records; Reference Number: G/St/WIa/4
http://www.childrenshomes.org.uk/TS/
Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre; Chatham, Kent, England; Collection: Poor Law Union Records; Reference Number: G/St/WIa/5
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: 684
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)
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/10; Scan Number: 0454
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - John Henry Stanley
DOB - 15th May 1897
Place of Birth - Fareham, Hampshire
Parents - Unknown Father, Mother Mary J Stanley
Early History - John was first recorded on the 1901 census aged 4, living in a lodging house with his Mother, Stepfather and younger half brother Charles at 20 Middle Brook Street, Winchester sharing the house with the 13 others. His mother Mary had married Charles Blunden when John was 2 years old, his father unknown.
By the 1911 census John, aged 14 was “man of the house” and working as a grocers errand boy. He lived at 2 Chester Road, Winchester with his widowed mother and youngest sister Sarah, aged 4 in two rooms. Charles, his Stepfather had died earlier that year aged 49. The following year John worked as a farm labourer for a short while but perhaps his necessity to earn more money for his mother and sister prompted him to join the Navy, which he did, in the Autumn of 1912
Rank - Able Seaman (Po) J20376
Service History - John joined the Royal Navy on 6th September 1912 as a Boy 2nd Class and spent over 6 months training on HMS IMPREGNABLE. He left on 26th March 1913, rising to Boy 1st Class on the date of leaving. His first posting was to the cruiser HMS ENDYMION on 27th March 1913 until the 5th August then sent to HMS VICTORY I until 29th August. His next ship posting was to HMS DIDO where he served for over 2 years. He rose in rating to Ordinary Seaman on his 18th birthday while aboard DIDO but had his posting cut short by serving 60 days in detention due to insubordination.
Following his detention he was attached to HMS VICTORY I for two weeks while awaiting another posting - he was sent to serve on HMS WOOLWICH on 25th November 1915 until 22nd October 1916, rising to Able Seaman on 15th May. He was transferred to HMS NEGRO on 28th October 1916 and spent just 2 months aboard before he was killed.
His pension and Victory and British medals were awarded to his mother after his death and is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
DOB - 15th May 1897
Place of Birth - Fareham, Hampshire
Parents - Unknown Father, Mother Mary J Stanley
Early History - John was first recorded on the 1901 census aged 4, living in a lodging house with his Mother, Stepfather and younger half brother Charles at 20 Middle Brook Street, Winchester sharing the house with the 13 others. His mother Mary had married Charles Blunden when John was 2 years old, his father unknown.
By the 1911 census John, aged 14 was “man of the house” and working as a grocers errand boy. He lived at 2 Chester Road, Winchester with his widowed mother and youngest sister Sarah, aged 4 in two rooms. Charles, his Stepfather had died earlier that year aged 49. The following year John worked as a farm labourer for a short while but perhaps his necessity to earn more money for his mother and sister prompted him to join the Navy, which he did, in the Autumn of 1912
Rank - Able Seaman (Po) J20376
Service History - John joined the Royal Navy on 6th September 1912 as a Boy 2nd Class and spent over 6 months training on HMS IMPREGNABLE. He left on 26th March 1913, rising to Boy 1st Class on the date of leaving. His first posting was to the cruiser HMS ENDYMION on 27th March 1913 until the 5th August then sent to HMS VICTORY I until 29th August. His next ship posting was to HMS DIDO where he served for over 2 years. He rose in rating to Ordinary Seaman on his 18th birthday while aboard DIDO but had his posting cut short by serving 60 days in detention due to insubordination.
Following his detention he was attached to HMS VICTORY I for two weeks while awaiting another posting - he was sent to serve on HMS WOOLWICH on 25th November 1915 until 22nd October 1916, rising to Able Seaman on 15th May. He was transferred to HMS NEGRO on 28th October 1916 and spent just 2 months aboard before he was killed.
His pension and Victory and British medals were awarded to his mother after his death and is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Roll of Honour St John The Baptist Church Winchester© Clive Farmer (WMR-76460)
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: 687
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
Researched by Wendy Sadler
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: 687
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
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Walter James Stewart
DOB - 17th May 1897
Place of Birth - Alexandria, Dumbarton
Parents - James and Elizabeth
Early History - On the 1901 Scotland census Walter was aged 9 and lived at 254 Stobcross Street, Glasgow, with his parents and 3 siblings.
Rank - E.R.A 4th Class (Engine Room Artificer) (Ch) M 12427
Service History - Walter joined the Navy for the duration of hostilities on 6th March 1915 as an Acting E.R.A 4th Class. Recorded as 5’9” tall, he had brown hair, blue eyes with a fair complexion and remained at HMS PEMBROKE II until 15th April. He was posted to HMS ARIEL (which was attached to the depot ship HMS WOOLWICH) until 15th November 1915, then returned to HMS PEMBROKE II until 19th May 1916, rising to E.R.A 4th Class on 24th January 1916.
He joined HMS PIGEON, which was also attached to HMS WOOLWICH, on 20th May 1916 and killed on 21st December 1916 aboard HMS NEGRO. As HMS PIGEON and NEGRO were in the same flotilla, it is assumed that Walter was temporarily leant to NEGRO as there is no mention of his actually transferring or serving on the ship.
He was awarded the Star, Victory and British medals after his death. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Sources:
1901 Scotland 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: 1042
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: 0554
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; Pension Record Cards; Reference: 175/0888/STE-STE
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Edward Harold Taylor
DOB - 11th November 1897
Place of Birth - Leicester, Leicestershire
Parents - Charles and Elizabeth Cooper
Early History - Edward was aged 2 on the 1901 census; he, two older siblings and his parents lived at 1 Tyrrell Street, Leicester. His Aunt, Clara Cooper also lived with the family and she worked as a Dressmakers assistant while his father Charles worked as a Chief Clerk in a grocers. 10 years later Edward was listed on the 1911 aged 12 and attending school. He and his family (parents and 3 other siblings) lived at 4 Lavender Road, Leicester; his father Charles still worked as a clerk and Edward’s 2 older siblings worked in administrative roles.
Rank - Signalman - RNVR Bristol Z/4918
Service History - Edward left his job as a clerk (following in the family trend) and joined the Navy on the 8th January 1916 for the duration of hostilities. He was described as 5’7”, with dark brown hair and brown eyes with 3 vaccination marks on his left arm and gave his home address as 36 Barclay Street in Leicester.
On the 22nd January he was attached to the 4th Bttn and entered signal school (at HMS VICTORY VI) as an Able Seaman in February where he stayed until 21st May, drafted to Devonport Signal School (HMS VIVID I). He remained there until the end of June and was posted to HMS WOOLWICH (NEGRO) on the 1st July 1916, changing rate to Signalman. He served aboard until his death on 21st December 1916.
Edward is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
1901 & 1911 England Census
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Service Records Index, 1903-1922 - National Archives - ADM 337/7/179
UK, Royal Naval Division Index, 1914-1919 - National Archives - ADM 339/1/37549
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
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)
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/10; Scan Number: 0647
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; Pension Record Cards; Reference: 177/0910/TAY-TAY
Researched by Wendy Sadler
DOB - 11th November 1897
Place of Birth - Leicester, Leicestershire
Parents - Charles and Elizabeth Cooper
Early History - Edward was aged 2 on the 1901 census; he, two older siblings and his parents lived at 1 Tyrrell Street, Leicester. His Aunt, Clara Cooper also lived with the family and she worked as a Dressmakers assistant while his father Charles worked as a Chief Clerk in a grocers. 10 years later Edward was listed on the 1911 aged 12 and attending school. He and his family (parents and 3 other siblings) lived at 4 Lavender Road, Leicester; his father Charles still worked as a clerk and Edward’s 2 older siblings worked in administrative roles.
Rank - Signalman - RNVR Bristol Z/4918
Service History - Edward left his job as a clerk (following in the family trend) and joined the Navy on the 8th January 1916 for the duration of hostilities. He was described as 5’7”, with dark brown hair and brown eyes with 3 vaccination marks on his left arm and gave his home address as 36 Barclay Street in Leicester.
On the 22nd January he was attached to the 4th Bttn and entered signal school (at HMS VICTORY VI) as an Able Seaman in February where he stayed until 21st May, drafted to Devonport Signal School (HMS VIVID I). He remained there until the end of June and was posted to HMS WOOLWICH (NEGRO) on the 1st July 1916, changing rate to Signalman. He served aboard until his death on 21st December 1916.
Edward is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
1901 & 1911 England Census
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Service Records Index, 1903-1922 - National Archives - ADM 337/7/179
UK, Royal Naval Division Index, 1914-1919 - National Archives - ADM 339/1/37549
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
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)
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/10; Scan Number: 0647
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; Pension Record Cards; Reference: 177/0910/TAY-TAY
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - William Thomas
DOB - 2nd January 1895
Place of Birth - Wellingborough, Northamptonshire
Parents - Unknown
Early History - William married Dorothy Constance Fanny Smith in the autumn of 1915
Rank - Able Seaman - (Ch) J 10598
Service History - William joined the Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 29th December 1910, beginning his training at HMS IMPREGNABLE until 3rd October 1911, rising to Boy 1st Class on 18th August 1911. He was recorded as being 5’5” tall with brown hair, grey eyes and having two moles on his upper lip, moles on both arms and legs and a scarred right knee.
The remainder of his service record follows:-
HMS LEVIATHAN - 04/10/1911 - 14/01/1912
HMS PEMBROKE I - 15/01/1912 - 30/01/1912
HMS DUNCAN - 31/01/1912 - 26/05/1913, rising to Ordinary Seaman on his 18th Birthday, 2nd January 1913
HMS PEMBROKE I - 27/05/1913 - 15/09/1913
HMS LANCASTER - 16/09/1913 - 29/07/1915, rising to Able Seaman on 01/10/1914
HMS PEMBROKE I - 30/07/1915 - 14/11/1915
HMS DILIGENCE - 15/11/1915 - 22/03/1916
HMS PEMBROKE I - 23/03/1916 - 19/05/1916, spending 36 days in detention on 31st March 1916 due to absence
HMS WOOLWICH (NEGRO) - 20/05/1916 - 21/12/1916
William is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Northampton Mercury - Friday 29 December 1916
LOCAL SAILOR DROWNED. Amongst the men who were drowned in the collision between torpedo boat destroyers in the North Sea was Able Seaman William Thomas, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, 21, West-street, who had served in the Navy for more than six years.
DOB - 2nd January 1895
Place of Birth - Wellingborough, Northamptonshire
Parents - Unknown
Early History - William married Dorothy Constance Fanny Smith in the autumn of 1915
Rank - Able Seaman - (Ch) J 10598
Service History - William joined the Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 29th December 1910, beginning his training at HMS IMPREGNABLE until 3rd October 1911, rising to Boy 1st Class on 18th August 1911. He was recorded as being 5’5” tall with brown hair, grey eyes and having two moles on his upper lip, moles on both arms and legs and a scarred right knee.
The remainder of his service record follows:-
HMS LEVIATHAN - 04/10/1911 - 14/01/1912
HMS PEMBROKE I - 15/01/1912 - 30/01/1912
HMS DUNCAN - 31/01/1912 - 26/05/1913, rising to Ordinary Seaman on his 18th Birthday, 2nd January 1913
HMS PEMBROKE I - 27/05/1913 - 15/09/1913
HMS LANCASTER - 16/09/1913 - 29/07/1915, rising to Able Seaman on 01/10/1914
HMS PEMBROKE I - 30/07/1915 - 14/11/1915
HMS DILIGENCE - 15/11/1915 - 22/03/1916
HMS PEMBROKE I - 23/03/1916 - 19/05/1916, spending 36 days in detention on 31st March 1916 due to absence
HMS WOOLWICH (NEGRO) - 20/05/1916 - 21/12/1916
William is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Northampton Mercury - Friday 29 December 1916
LOCAL SAILOR DROWNED. Amongst the men who were drowned in the collision between torpedo boat destroyers in the North Sea was Able Seaman William Thomas, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, 21, West-street, who had served in the Navy for more than six years.
War Memorial, Broad Green Wellingborough
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
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: 668
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
Images courtesy of warmemorialsonline/David Larkin
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 242/10; Scan Number: 0690
Researched by Wendy Sadler
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
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: 668
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
Images courtesy of warmemorialsonline/David Larkin
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 242/10; Scan Number: 0690
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Francis Robert James Toughill
DOB - 10th July 1897
Place of Birth - 8 Belmont Gardens, Hillhead, Glasgow.
Parents - Francis and Caroline Ferrier
Early History - Francis was named after his father who died 7 months before he was born. Francis Snr had served in the Scots Guards but died on 22nd December 1896, the date being all the more poignant as his parents also married on that same date.
He was mentioned on the 1901 census, aged 3, along with his mother and they lived at 1 Roseburn Gardens, West Coates, Edinburgh, having moved from Cathcart Road, Glasgow, the year before.
Rank - Midshipman (Probationary) number 1983
Service History - Francis became a probationary Midshipman on the 14th April 1914, serving aboard HMS KING GEORGE V from 1st May 1914 until 25th July 1916; he was described by his Captain as “conscientious and hardworking”, with a satisfactory conduct and above average ability. He was transferred to HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) on the 29th July 1916.
His Star, Victory and British medals were issued to his Uncle and he left £1653 in his will. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Sources:
Register of Births 644/8 1003
1901 Scotland Census
Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, Electoral Registers, 1857-1962 The Mitchell Library; Glasgow, Scotland; Reference Number: C115773
Naval Officers' Service Record Cards and Files Index, 1880-1950s - ADM340/137/11
ADM 240/59/25 ADM 240/82/189
Navy Lists, 1888-1970 Peter Singlehurst; Year: 1916
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 ADM 171; Piece: 93
CWGC Register
Scotland, National Probate Index (Calendar of Confirmations and Inventories), 1876-1936 - Ancestry
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995 - Ancestry
Researched by Wendy Sadler
DOB - 10th July 1897
Place of Birth - 8 Belmont Gardens, Hillhead, Glasgow.
Parents - Francis and Caroline Ferrier
Early History - Francis was named after his father who died 7 months before he was born. Francis Snr had served in the Scots Guards but died on 22nd December 1896, the date being all the more poignant as his parents also married on that same date.
He was mentioned on the 1901 census, aged 3, along with his mother and they lived at 1 Roseburn Gardens, West Coates, Edinburgh, having moved from Cathcart Road, Glasgow, the year before.
Rank - Midshipman (Probationary) number 1983
Service History - Francis became a probationary Midshipman on the 14th April 1914, serving aboard HMS KING GEORGE V from 1st May 1914 until 25th July 1916; he was described by his Captain as “conscientious and hardworking”, with a satisfactory conduct and above average ability. He was transferred to HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) on the 29th July 1916.
His Star, Victory and British medals were issued to his Uncle and he left £1653 in his will. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Sources:
Register of Births 644/8 1003
1901 Scotland Census
Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, Electoral Registers, 1857-1962 The Mitchell Library; Glasgow, Scotland; Reference Number: C115773
Naval Officers' Service Record Cards and Files Index, 1880-1950s - ADM340/137/11
ADM 240/59/25 ADM 240/82/189
Navy Lists, 1888-1970 Peter Singlehurst; Year: 1916
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 ADM 171; Piece: 93
CWGC Register
Scotland, National Probate Index (Calendar of Confirmations and Inventories), 1876-1936 - Ancestry
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995 - Ancestry
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Herbert E Wells
DOB - 27th October 1885
Place of Birth - Gillingham, Kent
Parents - Thomas and Martha
Early History - Herbert, aged 5 and noted attending school, his four brothers and one older sister and parents, lived at 106 Castle Road, Chatham on the 1891 census. By 1901 census aged 15 he worked as an apprentice engine turner, one of four boys living in Chatham with their parents.
Herbert married Theresa Wilhelmina Cardon Morgan while on leave from Navy service, at St Augustine’s Church, Dovercourt, Essex on 21st December 1910 (which has since been demolished).
Rank - E.R.A - Engine Room Artificer, 1st Class - (Ch) 272533
DOB - 27th October 1885
Place of Birth - Gillingham, Kent
Parents - Thomas and Martha
Early History - Herbert, aged 5 and noted attending school, his four brothers and one older sister and parents, lived at 106 Castle Road, Chatham on the 1891 census. By 1901 census aged 15 he worked as an apprentice engine turner, one of four boys living in Chatham with their parents.
Herbert married Theresa Wilhelmina Cardon Morgan while on leave from Navy service, at St Augustine’s Church, Dovercourt, Essex on 21st December 1910 (which has since been demolished).
Rank - E.R.A - Engine Room Artificer, 1st Class - (Ch) 272533
Service History - Herbert joined the Royal Navy on 23rd December 1907 as an Acting E.R.A, beginning training at HMS PEMBROKE until 21st February 1908. He was noted as having light brown hair and grey eyes, with a fresh complexion and was 5’5” tall.
His service record follows:
HMS COCHRANE - 22/02/1908 - 31/03/1909
HMS PEMBROKE II - 01/04/1909 - 02/04/1909
HMS MAGNIFICENT - 03/04/1909 - 15/04/1909
HMS PEMBROKE II - 16/04/1909 - 02/05/1909
HMS TENEDOS - 03/05/1909 - 07/05/1909
HMS PEMBROKE II - 08/05/1909 - 10/08/1909
HMS ADVENTURE - 11/08/1909 - 14/08/1910, rising to E.R.A 4th Class on 26/07/1910 - It was also while attached to this vessel that he joined the Freemasons United Service Lodge in Sheerness, initiated on 13th May 1910
HMS FORWARD - 15/08/1910 - 05/06/1911, Herbert was on leave while attached to HMS FORWARD as he filled in the 1911 census for himself and his wife, living at FairView Villa, Eynsford, Kent.
HMS BOADICEA - 06/06/1911 - 04/07/1913, rising to E.R.A 3rd Class on 26/01/1912
HMS PEMBROKE II - 05/07/1913 - 26/09/1913
HMS HECLA - 27/09/1913 - 17/06/1914
HMS LAPWING (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 18/06/1914 - 19/05/1916
HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 20/05/1916 - 21/12/1916
Devastatingly enough that Theresa lost her husband, but his death was on their 6th Wedding Anniversary, the date always to be shrouded in double sadness.
He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial and was awarded the Star, Victory and British medals.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
England, Church of England Marriages, 1754-1935 Essex Record Office; Chelmsford, Essex, England; Essex Church of England Parish Registers
England, United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921 Library and Museum of Freemasonry; London, England; Freemasonry Membership Registers; Description: Membership Registers: Country DD 3123-3187 to Country DD2 3188-3241; Reel Number: 55
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: 438
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: 0965
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 118
Researched by Wendy Sadler
His service record follows:
HMS COCHRANE - 22/02/1908 - 31/03/1909
HMS PEMBROKE II - 01/04/1909 - 02/04/1909
HMS MAGNIFICENT - 03/04/1909 - 15/04/1909
HMS PEMBROKE II - 16/04/1909 - 02/05/1909
HMS TENEDOS - 03/05/1909 - 07/05/1909
HMS PEMBROKE II - 08/05/1909 - 10/08/1909
HMS ADVENTURE - 11/08/1909 - 14/08/1910, rising to E.R.A 4th Class on 26/07/1910 - It was also while attached to this vessel that he joined the Freemasons United Service Lodge in Sheerness, initiated on 13th May 1910
HMS FORWARD - 15/08/1910 - 05/06/1911, Herbert was on leave while attached to HMS FORWARD as he filled in the 1911 census for himself and his wife, living at FairView Villa, Eynsford, Kent.
HMS BOADICEA - 06/06/1911 - 04/07/1913, rising to E.R.A 3rd Class on 26/01/1912
HMS PEMBROKE II - 05/07/1913 - 26/09/1913
HMS HECLA - 27/09/1913 - 17/06/1914
HMS LAPWING (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 18/06/1914 - 19/05/1916
HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 20/05/1916 - 21/12/1916
Devastatingly enough that Theresa lost her husband, but his death was on their 6th Wedding Anniversary, the date always to be shrouded in double sadness.
He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial and was awarded the Star, Victory and British medals.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
England, Church of England Marriages, 1754-1935 Essex Record Office; Chelmsford, Essex, England; Essex Church of England Parish Registers
England, United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921 Library and Museum of Freemasonry; London, England; Freemasonry Membership Registers; Description: Membership Registers: Country DD 3123-3187 to Country DD2 3188-3241; Reel Number: 55
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: 438
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: 0965
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 118
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Charles Harry Whent
DOB - 12th November 1897
Place of Birth - Southsea, Hampshire
Parents - Charles and Harriett
Early History - Charles was one of 6 children listed on the 1901 census, the eldest, Minnie, was 18, the youngest, Kate, aged 6 months. The family lived at 16 Seymour Street, in the St Stephen parish of Portsmouth. He can’t be currently found on the 1911 census.
Rank - Ordinary Signalman, J 23598
Service History - He joined the Navy as a Boy 2nd Class, on 17th March 1913, beginning his training on HMS IMPREGNABLE, until 1st August 1913. He was recorded as being 5’5” tall (growing initially from 5’2” tall), with light brown hair and blue eyes. He had left his job as a cinematograph operator, possibly due to the prospect of earning more money.
His next station was then to HMS GANGES on the Suffolk coast from 2nd August 1913 until 6th March 1914, rising in rating to Signal Boy on 22nd October 1913.
His next posting, a few months before the First World War was declared, was to HMS VICTORY I where he remained until 11th November 1915 - he was then sent to join HMS NEGRO which was attached to HMS WOOLWICH. He rose to Ordinary Signalman on 21st September 1916 but lost his life a few months later aged just 19. He is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - FreeBMD
1901 England Census
HMS Ganges image courtesy of Roy Youngs
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: 694
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: 0992
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; Pension Record Cards; Reference: 187/0994/WHE-WHI
Researched by Wendy Sadler
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - FreeBMD
1901 England Census
HMS Ganges image courtesy of Roy Youngs
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: 694
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: 0992
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; Pension Record Cards; Reference: 187/0994/WHE-WHI
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - George A Wilson
DOB - Dec Quarter 1892
Place of Birth - High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
Parents - Albert and Isabella (Rogers)
Early History - George was the middle son of 3 boys to Albert and Isabella on the 1901 census, aged 8 years old, he and his family lived at 1 Remington Terrace, High Wycombe.
Rank - Leading Seaman - (Ch) SS 3038
Service History - George joined the Navy on a short service of 5 years, and seven in retention, on 25th August 1909 as an Ordinary Seaman, training at HMS PEMBROKE until 17th December 1909. He was 5’5” tall with fair hair and blue eyes and a fair complexion. He gave his year of birth however a year before he was actually born.
His service list follows:-
HMS VICTORIOUS - 18/12/1909 - 02/02/1910
HMS PEMBROKE I - 03/02/1910 - 07/02/1910
HMS LONDON - 08/02/1910 - 04/03/1912, rising to Able Seaman on 09/11/1911 - He was aboard the Battleship during the 1911 census, the ship was anchored at Gibraltar.
HMS VULCAN - 05/03/1912 - 28/01/1914, spending 7 days in cells from 21st December 1913 due to absence.
HMS PEMBROKE I - 29/01/1914 - 17/02/1914
HMS DRUID (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 18/02/1914 - 02/07/1915 - He was then discharged for another 7 days in cells
HMS LAPWING (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 03/07/1915 - 05/06/1916
HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 06/06/1916 - 21/12/1916, rising in rating to Leading Seaman on 1st September 1916.
Following his death his pension and Star, Victory and British medals were awarded to his parents - he is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
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: 1097
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: 1094
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 191/1020/WIL-WIL
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 119
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - Joseph Wilson
DOB - 6th June 1897
Place of Birth - St Helens, Lancashire
Parents - John and Minnie
Early History - Joseph was aged 2 on the 1901 census, living with his parents at 39 Lascelles Street, St Helens, Lancaster. 10 years later the Joseph was recorded living at 91 Holly Bank Street, St Helens, Lancaster; the family had expanded with Joseph gaining two younger brothers, but sadly losing a further 3 siblings. He was aged 12 on the 1911 census, not quite old enough to have left school and work.
Rank - Able Seaman (Po) J 41037
Service History - Joseph joined the Navy on 16th June 1915, signing up for the duration of hostilities, leaving his job as a tram conductor. He was 5’2” tall with brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion. He began training at HMS VICTORY I until 22nd September 1915 as an Ordinary Seaman, transferring to HMS LAPWING (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) the following day. He spent almost a year aboard the Acheron Class Destroyer, which participated in the Battle of Jutland, and left to join HMS NEGRO on 6th June 1916. He rose in rank to Able Seaman on 1st August 1916 and stayed on the ship until her sinking.
Joseph is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Able Seaman Joseph Wilson's Star war medal. *if anyone observes, his medal was stamped incorrectly, he rose from Ordinary Seaman to Able Seaman on 1st August 1916* Photos: Wendy Sadler
St Helens War Memorial. Photo: Ron Mahoney.
Sources:
1901 & 1911 England Census
Commonwealth War Graves, 1914-1921 and 1939-1947
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/10; Scan Number: 1099
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)
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: 729
Researched by Wendy Sadler
1901 & 1911 England Census
Commonwealth War Graves, 1914-1921 and 1939-1947
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/10; Scan Number: 1099
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)
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: 729
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Name - John William Yeardley
DOB - 23rd March 1888
Place of Birth - Sheffield, Yorkshire
Parents - Arthur and Fanny
Early History - John was aged 3 on the 1901 census, the older of two boys and he lived with his parents and brother Harry at 132 Leigh Street, Attercliffe cum Darnall, Sheffield. The family grew within time and 10 years later they had moved within the village to 63 Makin Road, Attercliffe. John was then 13 years old and had a further 2 siblings.
Rank - Stoker Petty Officer - (Ch) 310030, previously Royal Marine (service number unknown)
Service History - John originally joined the Royal Marines, (unfortunately dates, duration and service number unknown) but was granted a transfer on 29th March 1906 to the Royal Navy which was completed on 5th April 1906 to HMS PEMBROKE II to begin Stoker training. He was recorded as 5’6” tall with brown hair, blue eyes, a tattoo of a bird on his left forearm and several small moles on his upper left arm.
He remained at PEMBROKE until 26th November 1906, as a Stoker 2nd Class and was posted to the cruiser HMS PEGASUS from 27th November to 31st March 1907. The remainder of his long service follows:-
HMS POWERFUL - 01/04/1907 - 30/09/1907, rising to Stoker 1st Class on 20/06/1907
HMS PEGASUS - 01/10/1907 - 28/02/1909
HMS SAPPHO - 01/03/1909 - 28/04/1909
HMS PEMBROKE II - 29/04/1909 - 02/06/1909
HMS TYNE - 03/06/1909 - 14/03/1910
HMS ST GEORGE - 15/03/1910 - 31/03/1910
HMS ACTAEON - 01/04/1910 - 25/08/1911, during the 1911 census John was on leave, with several of his ship mates and boarding at the Globe Inn, in Kings Quay Street, Harwich, Essex *see pic*
HMS PEMBROKE II - 26/08/1911 - 22/01/1912, rising to Leading Stoker on 07/12/1911
HMS BLENHEIM - 23/01/1912 - 05/12/1913, rising to Stoker Petty Officer on 25/02/1913
HMS PEMBROKE - 06/12/1913 - 09/03/1914
HMS FORMIDABLE - 10/03/1914 - 27/08/1914 - there was then a gap of 3 days service (discharged) and his rank dropped to Stoker 1st Class for reasons unknown. He was reinstated on 31st August 1914 and sent to Chatham
HMS PEMBROKE II - 01/09/1914 - 22/09/1914
HMS DIDO - 23/09/1914 - 31/10/1914
HMS FEARLESS - 01/11/1914 - 27/11/1914
HMS FAULKNOR (attached to HMS HECLA) - 28/11/1914 - 19/04/1916, rising to Leading Stoker on 22/06/1915 and Stoker Petty Officer on 07/03/1916
HMS FAULKNOR (attached to HMS DILIGENCE) - 19/04/1916 - 20/04/1916
HMS PEMBROKE II - 21/04/1916 - 11/07/1916
HMS NEGRO (attached to HMS WOOLWICH) - 12/07/1916 - 21/12/1916
His Star, Victory and British medals were awarded to his father following his death and he is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Globe Inn, in Kings Quay Street, Harwich, Essex
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: 507
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: 1190
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 119
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 658/02D
Researched by Wendy Sadler
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: 507
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: 1190
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 119
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 658/02D
Researched by Wendy Sadler
A Survivors Story
Reading Standard - Saturday 20 January 1917
LOST AT SEA. SAYER, Alfred, of 40, Gnat Knollys Street late of H.M.S. Lapwing and since of torpedo boat Negro, which was sunk in collision on December 21st.
George Alfred Sayer
Able Seaman (Po) J 17922
In the wake of having two of the Navy’s destroyers colliding in an accident which killed over 50 hands on 21st December 1916, reporting was hectic and confused......but it resulted in one of the survivors being incorrectly reported as killed in a local newspaper…….
George had been an Able Seaman aboard HMS NEGRO from 6th June 1916 and was an experienced rating, having joined the Navy in 1912. The destroyer had been conducting exercises off the east coast of Shetland on 20th December 1916 when it was requested to assist another destroyer, HMS HOSTE, back to Scapa Flow Naval Base as it had developed defects in its steering gear. In the early hours of the 21st December 1916 the two ships collided resulting in two depth charges being triggered which severely damaged HMS NEGRO, killing 51 of her crew.
A telegram of the initial survivors list forwarded to the Admiralty from the Commander in Chief was sent at 8:28pm on 21st December 1916. This list just consisted of Officers and ratings names. George’s name was not on the list.
A following, more detailed list, which included ranks and service numbers of HMS NEGRO’s missing was sent the following morning, at 5:15am on 22nd December 1916, with George’s name included.
The following day, 23rd December 1916 a revised telegram of survivors from HMS NEGRO was sent to the Admiralty which this time included George’s name and rating - unfortunately news of his “death” had already made its way to the newspapers. His photograph was printed (Reading Standard - Saturday 27 January 1917), presumably given to the reporter by his family who would have been devastated by the news; all the more tragic given that the day that may have been George’s final day alive, 20th December, was also his 21st birthday.
As it was, George was alive and not injured, and as his ship had been destroyed he was transferred to HMS VICTORY for 2 weeks before taking up another vessel posting. He served on a further three vessels throughout the duration of the war only leaving on 13th November 1919, invalided out of service due to septic knee joints.
He lived a full life, married in 1920 and had three daughters with his wife Dorothy (Dickens), living in Berkshire. He died on 5th January 1980.
Researched by Wendy Sadler
Reading Standard - Saturday 20 January 1917
LOST AT SEA. SAYER, Alfred, of 40, Gnat Knollys Street late of H.M.S. Lapwing and since of torpedo boat Negro, which was sunk in collision on December 21st.
George Alfred Sayer
Able Seaman (Po) J 17922
In the wake of having two of the Navy’s destroyers colliding in an accident which killed over 50 hands on 21st December 1916, reporting was hectic and confused......but it resulted in one of the survivors being incorrectly reported as killed in a local newspaper…….
George had been an Able Seaman aboard HMS NEGRO from 6th June 1916 and was an experienced rating, having joined the Navy in 1912. The destroyer had been conducting exercises off the east coast of Shetland on 20th December 1916 when it was requested to assist another destroyer, HMS HOSTE, back to Scapa Flow Naval Base as it had developed defects in its steering gear. In the early hours of the 21st December 1916 the two ships collided resulting in two depth charges being triggered which severely damaged HMS NEGRO, killing 51 of her crew.
A telegram of the initial survivors list forwarded to the Admiralty from the Commander in Chief was sent at 8:28pm on 21st December 1916. This list just consisted of Officers and ratings names. George’s name was not on the list.
A following, more detailed list, which included ranks and service numbers of HMS NEGRO’s missing was sent the following morning, at 5:15am on 22nd December 1916, with George’s name included.
The following day, 23rd December 1916 a revised telegram of survivors from HMS NEGRO was sent to the Admiralty which this time included George’s name and rating - unfortunately news of his “death” had already made its way to the newspapers. His photograph was printed (Reading Standard - Saturday 27 January 1917), presumably given to the reporter by his family who would have been devastated by the news; all the more tragic given that the day that may have been George’s final day alive, 20th December, was also his 21st birthday.
As it was, George was alive and not injured, and as his ship had been destroyed he was transferred to HMS VICTORY for 2 weeks before taking up another vessel posting. He served on a further three vessels throughout the duration of the war only leaving on 13th November 1919, invalided out of service due to septic knee joints.
He lived a full life, married in 1920 and had three daughters with his wife Dorothy (Dickens), living in Berkshire. He died on 5th January 1980.
Researched by Wendy Sadler
