Category Archives: Boy

Able Seaman, Boy, Coastguard, Commonwealth War Graves, County Clare, County Cork, Devon, Great War, history, illness, Ireland, Leading Seaman, Ordinary Seaman, Pembrokeshire, Petty Officer, photography, Royal Navy, Somerset, story, Wales, war

Petty Officer 1st Class George Bailey

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Petty Officer 1st Class George Bailey

George Bailey was born in Bedminster, Somerset, on 20th August 1871. One of six children, his parents were George and Anna (or Hannah) Bailey. George Sr was a labourer and, when he died in 1876, Anna moved the family to Clifton, near Bristol.

The 1881 census found the family living in a small cottage at 5 Crosby Row in the then village. Hannah was listed as a late general labourer’s wife, while her three older children were all working for a dairy.

When George finished his schooling, he sought out a career. Joining the Royal Navy, this would prove a long-term role, bringing in a relatively decent wage for him and his family, but also gave him some adventure, not surprising given the number of ships he would have seen going to and fro from Bristol.

George was only 15 years old when he joined up on 25th September 1886, and so was below the age to formally enlist in the navy. Taken on with the rank of Boy 2nd Class, he was sent to HMS Impregnable, the training ship based in Devonport, Devon. Over the next three year he learnt his craft, and served on a few ships, including the battleship HMS Iron Duke.

In October 1887, George was promoted to Boy 1st Class and, on 20th August 1889, while assigned to the Iron Duke, he came of age, and was formally inducted into the Royal Navy. Ordinary Seaman Bailey’s service records show that he was 5ft 5.5ins (1.66m) tall, with auburn hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion. He was also noted as having a spot tattooed between the finger and thumb of his left hand, a scar on his left leg and another in the centre of his back.

Over the next seven years, George served on a total of ten ships, and saw the world. In between voyages he returned to HMS Vivid, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Devonport. In 1895 he married Elizabeth Bull, from Burrington, Somerset, and the couple went on to have six children.

George’s naval career continued, and he rose through the ranks, to Able Seaman in September 1890, Leading Seaman in June 1895, and to Petty Officer 2nd Class and 1st Class the following year.

In January 1899, George’s life took a different direction. After some time training at HMS Collingwood in Hampshire, he joined the Coastguard service, and would spend the next twelve years serving on the coast of Southern Ireland. This opportunity allowed him to have his family with him, and his and Elizabeth’s four youngest children were born in County Clare and County Cork.

By 1911, the family returned to Britain, setting up home in Brixham, Devon. That year’s census found the Baileys living at 6 Coastguard Station on the waterfront. The family remained there through to October 1913, when George was transferred to the Royal Naval Reserve, having served for 26 years.

George found work as the caretaker of the Electric Theatre in Tiverton, Devon, and this is where he and Elizabeth settled down.

Petty Officer Bailey’s time out of active service was to be limited, however, as, just nine months later, war was declared. Called back into action, he was sent to Western Stack Fort in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire.

An interesting personality has passed away in First-Class Petty Officer George Bailey, who died suddenly on Tuesday… He came home about a fortnight ago on sick leave, and seemed to be improving in health, and on Tuesday went out for a walk. After retiring to bed his death came suddenly as a result of heart failure.

[Crediton Gazette: Saturday 24th March 1917]

George Bailey died on 13th March 1917: he was 45 years of age. He was laid to rest in Tiverton Cemetery.

Able Seaman, Boy, Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Great War, history, illness, Leading Seaman, Ordinary Seaman, Petty Officer, photography, Royal Navy, story, war

Petty Officer William Clark

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Petty Officer William Clark

William George Clark was born on 23rd November 1884, and was the oldest child to John and Harriet. John was an agricultural labourer from Exminster, Devon, and this is where the family were born and raised.

When he completed his schooling, William found work as a gardener. However, he wanted bigger and better things for himself, and sought out a career at sea. On 12th March 1900 he enlisted in the Royal Navy: being under the formal age to enlist, he was given the rank of Boy 2nd Class.

William was sent to HMS Impregnable, the training establishment in Devonport, for his induction. Over the next two years – until he turned 18 in November 1902 – Boy Clark started to learn his trade. He was promoted to Boy 1st Class in October 1900, and spent time on the frigate HMS Agincourt and the cruiser HMS Melampus.

When William came of age, he was formally inducted into the Royal Navy as an Ordinary Seaman. His service records show that he was just under 5ft 1in (1.55m) tall, with black hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion. He was also noted as having a tattoo of an anchor in his left arm.

Over the next five years, William served on three further ships, returning to HMS Vivid – the Royal Naval Dockyard in Devonport – in between voyages. He travelled the world and, in May 1904, was promoted to the rank of Able Seaman.

Away from the navy, love blossomed. In May 1907, William married Louisa Cosway in Tiverton, Devon. She was a few months older than her husband, and the couple would go on to have one child, William, who was born the following spring.

Back at sea, and Able Seaman Clark’s career continued. In November 1911 he was promoted to Leading Seaman, reaching the rank of Petty Office in January 1917. During his eighteen year career, he would serve on a total of eleven ships, but in the closing months of the war, William’s health was beginning to suffer. On 9th May 1918, he was medically discharged from service, suffering from heart disease.

William returned home to Tiverton. His time with his family was to prove tragically brief: he passed away from mitral disease and pneumatic fever on 13th May 1918, at the age of 33 years old.

William George Clark was laid to rest in Tiverton Cemetery. His grave was just a 15min walk from where his widow and son lived on Fore Street, in the town centre.

Boy, Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Devonshire Regiment, Great War, history, illness, Ireland, photography, story, war

Boy George Hunt

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Boy George Hunt

The funeral took place at the Tiverton Cemetery, on Tuesday afternoon, of George Hunt, 17… a member of the Devon band, who died in Ireland as a result of an illness brought on by exposure. Pte. Hunt visited Tiverton for the last time at Christmas. On the return journey to Ireland he, with several others, were drafted to camp to await the arrival of a steamer. Whilst in camp he contracted a severe chill which he was unable to throw off and his parents recently received a message stating that his condition was giving rise to some anxiety. Mr and Mrs Hunt journeyed to Ireland and satisfied themselves that everything possible was being done to save their son. In spite of all efforts he died on Thursday, June 16th.

[Tiverton Gazette (Mid-Devon Gazette): Tuesday 28th June 1921]

George Cockram Hunt was born on 15th January 1904, and was the youngest of five children to William and Emily Hunt. William was a carpenter and joiner from Tiverton in Devon, and this is where the family were born and raised.

There is little additional available about young George’s life. He had enlisted in the army by the middle of 1920, and, as a Band Boy, was attached to the 1st Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. Given his age, it is unlikely that he spent any time overseas before the Armistice but, as the report of his funeral suggests, he was stationed in Ireland at the time of his death.

Boy Hunt died in barracks in Queenstown – now Cobh – in the south of Ireland. His body was brought back to Devon for burial.

George Cockram Hunt was laid to rest in Tiverton Cemetery, on the outskirts of the town he had called his home for less that two decades.

Able Seaman, Boy, Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Great War, history, illness, Ordinary Seaman, photography, Royal Navy, story, war, Wiltshire

Able Seaman Arthur Norris

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Able Seaman Arthur Norris

Arthur Norris was born on 24th February 1897 in the Wiltshire town of Mere. The seventh of nine children, he was one of four sons to Fred and Mary Norris. Fred was a domestic groom, and the family lived on Castle Street on the western edge of the town.

By the time of the 1911 census, Arthur had left school, and had found work as an errand boy. He had moved out of the family home, and was living with his older sister, Beatrice, and her husband. Piecemeal work wasn’t something Arthur was keen on, however, and in September 1913, he found himself a career.

That autumn, Arthur enlisted in the Royal Navy. Just 16 years of age, he was too young to formally join up, and so he was given the rank of Boy 2nd Class. He was sent to HMS Impregnable, the training ship based in Devonport, Devon, for his induction, and seemed to make an impression.

On 14th May 1914 Arthur was promoted to Boy 1st Class, and was assigned to the depot ship HMS Gibraltar. On 24th February he came of age, and officially joined the Royal Navy. His service records show that he was 5ft 5ins (1.65m) tall, with dark brown hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion. He was noted as having a mole on his left shoulder blade.

The now Ordinary Seaman Norris remained on Gibraltar for most of the year. After a couple of weeks back in Devonport, he was assigned to the Armed Merchant Cruiser Oropesa, and remained on board for the next twelve months. During his time there, Arthur was promoted again, gaining the rank of Able Seaman.

Over the next three years, Arthur served on three further vessels: HMS Excellent from March 1916; HMS Woolwich from April 1916 to June 1918; and HMS Columbine from July 1918.

While attached to the Columbine, Arthur fell ill. He contracted pneumonia, and passed away on 16th October 1918. He was 21 years of age.

The body of Arthur Norris was taken back to Wiltshire for burial. He was laid to rest in Mere Cemetery, not far from where his grieving family were still living.

Bombardier, Boy, Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Great War, Gunner, history, illness, India, photography, Royal Garrison Artillery, Royal Navy, story, war

Acting Bombardier Frederick Lavers

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Acting Bombardier Frederick Lavers

Frederick William Lavers was born in Paignton, Devon, on 5th November 1889. The middle of five children, and the only son, his parents were John and Jane Lavers. John was a carman, and the family had rooms in a house on Winner Street in the town.

When Frederick finished his schooling, he found work as a butcher’s boy. This wasn’t the career for him, however, and, on 16th January 1905, he signed up to join the Royal Navy. His service records suggest that he had said he was a year older, and confirm that he was 5ft 3ins (1.6m) tall, with light brown hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion.

As he was under the age to formally enlist with the Royal Navy, Frederick was given the rank of Boy, and dispatched to HMS Vivid, the dockyard in Devonport, for his training. Something was amiss, however, and, after eighteen months, he was discharged as being unsuitable.

Undeterred, Frederick tried another tack and, on 26th April 1909, he enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery. By the time of the 1911 census Gunner Lavers was stationed at West Ridge in Rawalpindi, India. There is little information available about his service, however, and Frederick is only picked up again on 30th December 1918.

At this point, the now Acting Bombardier Lavers was put on a hospital train from Marseilles, as he was suffering from psoriasis. He disembarked three days later in Le Havre, and, is appears, then returned to Britain for treatment. On 24th February 1919 he was medically discharged from army service, and awarded the Silver War Badge.

Frederick’s trail goes cold again after this. He appears to have returned home, and passed away on 20th October 1920. He was 28 years of age.

Frederick William Lavers was laid to rest in Paignton Cemetery, overlooking his home town.

Boy, Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Great War, history, illness, London, Ordinary Seaman, photography, Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Navy, Stoker, story, war

Stoker 1st Class Joseph Hawke

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Stoker 1st Class Joseph Hawke

Joseph Hawke was born in Paignton, Devon, on 8th January 1887. Details of his early life are lost to time, although the 1891 census suggests that he was one of five children to Maria Hawke, who had been widowed by that point. The family had taken rooms at 104 Pembroke Street in Devonport.

When he finished his schooling, Joseph initially found work as a packer. However, possibly driven by his proximity to the Devon dockyards, he soon stepped up to take a job in the Royal Navy. Joining the training cruiser HMS Northampton, he was given the rank of Boy 2nd Class, as he was under the age to enlist.

Over the next few years, Joseph proved his mettle. In May 1904 he was promoted to Boy 1st Class and, when he came of age on 8th January 1895, he was formally inducted into the Royal Navy, taking the rank of Ordinary Seaman. His service papers show that he was 5ft 3ins (1.6m) tall, with fair hair, hazel eyes and a fresh complexion. It was also noted that he a mole on his right shoulder and abdomen, a scar on his chin, and tattoo marks on the back of his left hand and on his right forearm.

Ordinary Seaman Hawke would serve on three ships in total. On 26th February 1906 he became a Stoker 2nd Class, a role change that might be seen as a semotion, although his records suggest he was of very good character. By November 1906 Joseph had become Stoker 1st Class, but within twelve months, he gave up his life at see, buying himself out of the Royal Navy.

This change of heart may have been driven by love as, on Christmas Day 1908, he married Ellen Saunders, in Tower Hamlets, London. Their wedding certificate gives Joseph’s father’s name as cabinet maker George Hawke, but doesn’t suggest that he is deceased.

The document also gives Joseph’s job as a stoker, later confirmation suggesting that he was employed by the electrical works in Paignton, Devon. Joseph and Ellen would go on to have five children – Marie, Joseph, Albert, Harry and Ellen – between 1909 and 1917.

When war broke out, Joseph was called upon to play his part once more and, as part of the Royal Naval Reserve, he was assigned to HMS Gibraltar in November 1914. Over the next four years, he would serve as a Stoker 1st Class on four more ships, each time returning to HMS Vivid, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Devonport, in between voyages.

By the spring of 1918, Joseph’s health was struggling. He was medically dismissed from active service on 22nd May, and returned home to Paignton. His condition was to worsen, however, and on 17th October 1918 he passed away froma combination of dysentery and influenza. He was 31 year of age.

Joseph Hawke was laid to rest in Paignton’s sweeping cemetery, not far from his family home in Laura Terrace.

Able Seaman, accident, Boy, Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, Hampshire, history, Kent, Leading Seaman, Ordinary Seaman, Petty Officer, photography, Royal Navy, Scotland, story, war

Petty Officer 1st Class James Brett

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Petty Officer 1st Class James Brett

The early life of James Watt Brett is lost in the mists of time. He was born on 25th November 1880 in the Scottish village of Fochabers and when he finished his schooling, he found work as an apprentice draper. He sought bigger and better things, however, and, on 25th August 1896, he joined the Royal Navy.

At just fifteen years old, James was too young to formally enlist. He was given the rank of Boy 2nd Class, however, and dispatched to the training ship HMS Caledonia, for his basic instruction. He remained on board until October 1897, by which point he had been promoted to Boy 1st Class.

Over the next year, James served on two cruisers – HMS Blenheim and HMS Dido. His shore base became HMS Pembroke, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Chatham, Kent, and he would return here time and again in between assignments.

It was while James was serving on Dido that he came of age. Now given the rank of Ordinary Seaman, his records show that he was 5ft 1in (1.54m) tall, with fair hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion. James would remain on board Dido until January 1902, by which time he had been promoted to the role of Able Seaman.

Over the initial twelve years of his service, James would spend time on eight vessels, and travel the world. His dedication to the navy is clear, although his career was not without its hiccups.

In April 1904, James was promoted again, to the rank of Leading Seaman. The following January he was made Petty Office 2nd Class, although this new role only lasted for a couple of weeks, before he was knocked back down to Able Seaman.

In April 1909, he was again made Leading Seaman and, promoted to Petty Officer 2nd Class once more in January 1910. By October that year, he had risen to Petty Officer 1st Class, by which point his initial contract came to an end.

James immediately re-enlisted, and retained his rank for the remainder of his naval career. At some point after the 1911 census, he married a woman called Annie, and the couple seem to have been based at Burnt Oak Terrace, Gillingham, Kent, although there is no further information about Petty Officer Brett’s new wife.

James seemed to have become more shore-based after his marriage, and he served at HMS Actaeon in Portsmouith, Hampshire, and HMS Pembroke and HMS Wildfire in Kent. By the summer of 1917, he was attached to the Dover Patrol, and assigned to HMS Attentive.

On 3rd March 1918, Petty Officer Brett’s service records note that he was accidentally killed by falling into [a] dry dock at Royal Albert Docks. No further information is available, although it is possible that the accident took place in London. He was 37 years of age.

The body of James Watt Brett was taken back to Kent for burial. He was laid to rest in the military section of the Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, not far from where his widow still lived.

Able Seaman, Boy, Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, Hampshire, history, illness, injury, Kent, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Ordinary Seaman, photography, Royal Navy, story, war

Able Seaman Arthur Crisp

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Able Seaman Arthur Crisp

Arthur Edward Crisp was born in 16th March 1899 in the Norfolk village of South Creake. The youngest of six children, his parents were blacksmith Henry Crisp and his wife, Sarah.

When war broke out across Europe, young Arthur had already had some experience of seamanship, and was keen to play his part. He joined the Royal Navy on 7th April 1915 and, given his age, he was assigned the rank of Boy 2nd Class. Initially sent to HMS Powerful, he was trained there for three months, rising to the rank of Boy 1st Class.

On 26th July 1915, Arthur was assigned to the battlecruiser HMS New Zealand, and would remain on board for the next two years. During this time, he came of age, and was formally inducted into the Royal Navy as an Ordinary Seaman. His service records show that he was 5ft 5ins (1.65m) tall, with brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion.

His stint on New Zealand also exposed him to naval warfare, as she was heavily involved in the Battle of Jutland in May 1916. Ordinary Seaman Crisp came through, however, and remained part of the battlecruiser’s crew for a further year.

After a short time on shore, where he was based at HMS Victory, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Portsmouth, Hampshire, Arthur’s next posting was on board HMS Wallington. A former trawler, she had been converted to a boom defence vessel, she protected the dockyard in Grimsby. In November 1917, while based in the Lincolnshire town, Arthur was promoted again, rising to Able Seaman.

The following March, Arthur moved again, and was assigned to HMS Attentive, the shore base for the Dover Patrol. He would not remain there for long, however, and was admitted to the Royal Naval Hospital in Chatham, Kent. He passed away on 17th March 1918, from an intriguing combination of gunshot wounds to his chest and pneumonia. He had turned 19 years old the day before.

The body of Arthur Edward Crisp was taken to nearby Gillingham for burial. He was laid to rest in the military section of the town’s Woodlands Cemetery.

Able Seaman Arthur Crisp
(from findagrave.com)
Able Seaman, accident, Boy, Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Great War, history, Kent, Leading Seaman, Ordinary Seaman, photography, Royal Navy, story, war

Leading Seaman Reuben Pearce

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Leading Seaman Reuben Pearce

In the military section of Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, is a headstone marking the grave of Leading Seaman Reuben William Pearce. Little information is available about his early life, although later records suggest that he was born on 30th January 1875 in Plymouth, Devon.

When he completed his schooling, Reuben found work as a hawker. He had his heart set on bigger and better things, however, and, on 3rd June 1890, he signed up to the Royal Navy. Just fifteen years of age, he was too young to formally enlist, but he was accepted with the rank of Boy 2nd Class, and sent off to HMS Impregnable, the training ship based in nearby Devonport, for his induction.

Over the next two-and-a-half years, Boy Pearce learnt his trade. On 4th June 1891, he was promoted to the rank of Boy 1st Class, and the following February he was assigned to his first ship, the corvette HMS Boadicea. It was while he was on board the corvette that Reuben came of age, and he was officially inducted into the Royal Navy as an Ordinary Seaman. His service records show that he was 5ft 6ins (1.68m) tall, with brown hair, blue eyes and a ruddy complexion. He was noted as having an anchor and his initials tattooed on his left arm, with another anchor tattoo on his right.

Reuben enlisted for a twelve-year term of service. During this time, he served on nine vessels, returning to HMS Vivid, the Royal Naval Dockyard in between voyages. He had a mixed career, and, on 1st February 1894, was promoted to Able Seaman. In January 1896, he spent three days in cells, for an unrecorded offence.

In January 1900, whole aboard the gunvessel HMS Rambler, Reuben was promoted to Leading Seaman. Within a day, however, he was back in the cells, where he spent the next 72hrs. This led to an immediate demotion, and he found himself back as an Able Seaman.

When his contract came to an end, Reuben immediately re-enlisted, and he would go on to serve for another thirteen years. In July 1906, he was promoted to Leading Seaman once again, and seemed to have learned the error of his ways, retaining the rank until his passing.

On 15th September 1916, Leading Seaman Pearce was mentioned in despatches. for his service during the Battle of Heligoland Bight. The ship on which he was serving at the time, the battlecruiser HMS Tiger, was heavily involved.

Reuben remained on the Tiger for three-and-a-half years, and during this time, his valour was recognised again, when he was awarded the Medaglia di bronzo al valor militare (Bronze Medal for Military Valour) by the King of Italy. Again, details are unclear, but he was again mentioned in despatches for his service.

By the spring of 1918, Leading Seaman Pearce was billeted on board HMS Hindustan, which was being used as barracks ahead of a planned raised on Zeebrugge and Ostend. On 13th April an accident occurred, and he received a gun shot wound to his leg. This fractured his femur, and, despite being rushed to the Royal Naval Hospital in Chatham, Kent – not far from the dockyard where the Hindustan was moored – he passed away from his injuries later that day. Full details of the incident are unclear, but he was 43 years of age.

Reuben William Pearce was laid to rest in Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, not far from the port which had served as his final base.

Able Seaman, Boy, Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Great War, Hampshire, history, illness, Leading Seaman, Ordinary Seaman, Petty Officer, photography, Royal Navy, Ship's Corporal, story, war

Ship’s Corporal 1st Class Thomas Barnes

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Ship’s Corporal 1st Class Thomas Barnes

Thomas Henry Barnes was born on 19th September 1878 in the Devon village of Blackawton. One of four children, his parents were Thomas and Thirza Barnes. Thomas Sr was a farmworker who passed away in 1890: the following year’s census found Thirza and her three younger children living in Silver Street, Buckfastleigh, Devon.

Keen to earn enough money to support his mother, Thomas found work on a farm. He sought a career, however, and, on 11th March 1896, he enlisted in the Royal Navy. Six months short of the age to formally join up, he was given the rank of Boy 2nd Class, and was sent to the training ship HMS Northampton. He spent those six months wisely, however, rising to Boy 2st Class in June and was given the rank of Ordinary Seaman when he came of age in September.

By this point, Thomas had been moved to HMS Vivid, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Devonport. His service records show that he was 5ft 5.5ins (1.66m) tall, with brown hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion. He was also noted as having a tattoo of an anchor on his right arm.

Over the next few weeks, Ordinary Seaman Barnes moved from Vivid to HMS Victory, the Navy’s dockyard in Portsmouth, Hampshire, and back again. On 13th January 1897 he was given his first formal posting, on board the cruiser HMS Bellona, and from here his naval career flourished.

Thomas’ initial contract of service was for twelve years, and during this time he proved a committed and determined young man. During the term of his enlistment, he served on six ships, returning to Devonport between voyage. He did not rest on his laurels, either, and worked his way through the ranks. In August 1898 he was promoted to Able Seaman, and in May 1902 he made Leading Seaman.

Away from the sea, love was blossoming for Thomas. In January 1903 he married Alice Percy. The daughter of a paper mill fitter, she would spend her married life with her parents, while her husband was away at sea.

Leading Seaman Barnes’ career continued its upward trajectory: in April 1904 he was promoted again, this time to Petty Officer 2nd Class. When his contract came to an end in September 1908, it was inevitable that he would renew it. His service records show that, at 30 years of age, he was now 5ft 8ins (1.73m) tall.

In February 1909, Thomas was promoted to Petty Officer 1st Class: at this point he was serving on his ninth ship, HMS Ramillies. With his next move, to the armoured cruiser HMS Suffolk, came another change in rank. The now Ship’s Corporal 1st Class Barnes’ career was doing well, and his annual reviews confirmed this, regularly highlighting a character that was very good.

By August 1915, Thomas had spent nearly two years aboard the battleship HMS Temeraire. She would go on to play a role in the Battle of Jutland, but Ship’s Corporal Barnes would not be there. Disembarked to HMS Vivid on 13th August, he was subsequently admitted to the Royal Naval Hospital in Plymouth, suffering from a cerebral thrombosis. This would prove fatal: he died on 26th October 1915, at the age of 37 years old.

The body of Thomas Henry Barnes was taken back to Buckfastleigh for burial. He was laid to rest in the village’s Holy Trinity Churchyard.