The Royal Navy is the UK’s naval warfare force and can trace its origins back to the early 16th century. As a result, they are the oldest of the UK’s armed services, and it is, consequently, known as the Senior Service.
As the country expanded its fleet during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the demand for men quickly outstripped supply. Two secondary fleets – the Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve – were put in place.
During the First World War, the Royal Navy’s strength was mostly deployed at home in the Grand Fleet, confronting the German High Seas Fleet across the North Sea. Several inconclusive clashes took place between them, chiefly the Battle of Jutland in 1916.
Commonwealth War Graves
Abrey, Able Seaman John (d1917, aged 50, killed in action)
Adams, Stoker Petty Office James (d1917, aged 34, killed in action)
Anderson, Stoker 1st Class Robert (d1917, aged 27, killed in action)
Andrews, Stoker 1st Class Alfred (d1917, aged 20, killed in action)
Andrews, Stoker 3rd Class Herbert (d1916, aged 25, cause unknown)
Archer, Petty Officer Ernest (d1917, age unknown, killed in action)
Atkins, Boy 1st Class Robert (d1918, aged 18, illness)
Aven, Stoker 1st Class Albert (d1918, aged 21, accident)
Baber, Able Seaman Jesse (d1916, aged 27, illness)
Bailey, Artificer Newman (d1918, aged 32, illness)
Bailey, Petty Officer 1st Class Samuel (d1915, aged 54, illness)
Baker, Petty Officer John (d1916, aged 32, illness)
Baker, Stoker Wilfrid (d1918, aged 29, illness)
Ball, Petty Officer 2nd Class George (d1916, aged 50, illness)
Banks, Able Seaman Hubert (d1918, aged 22, illness)
Barker, Stoker 2nd Class Harry (d1917, aged 20, killed in action)
Barnes, Ship’s Corporal 1st Class Thomas (d1915, aged 37, illness)
Beadle, Chief Stoker William (d1918, aged 47, illness)
Beha, Stoker 1st Class Joseph (d1917, aged 26, killed in action)
Belsey, Stoker Petty Officer Christian (d1918, aged 34, illness)
Bendell, Lieutenant Albert (d1920, aged 54, illness)
Bennett, Stoker 2nd Class Lionel (d1918, aged 18, illness)
Bentley, Engine Room Artificer 4th Class Leonard (d1918, aged 21, illness)
Bernthall, Stoker 2nd Class Horace (d1915, aged 21, killed in action)
Berry, Stoker 2nd Class Percival (d1919, aged 17, illness)
Berry, Ship’s Corporal Thomas (d1916, aged 33, illness)
Best, Officer’s Steward 2nd Class Alfred (d1917, aged 33, illness)
Beverley, Stoker 1st Class Walter (d1917, aged 23, killed in action)
Bird, Ordinary Seaman Henry (d1917, aged 19, killed in action)
Bonham, Stoker 2nd Class William (d1918, aged 23, illness)
Bonning, Stoker 2nd Class George (d1917, aged 29, illness)
Bowerman. Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class Gerald (d1914, aged 25, motorcycle accident)
Boyd, Stoker 1st Class George (d1917, aged 27, killed in action)
Bradford, Stoker 2nd Class Arthur (d1918, aged 18, illness)
Brett, Petty Officer 1st Class James (d1918, aged 37, accident)
Brett, Able Seaman Walter (d1918, aged 22, illness)
Brighton, Artificer 1st Class William (d1918, aged 40, illness)
Brightwell, Stoker 1st Class Joseph (d1917, aged 23, killed in action)
Brine, Able Seaman Gerald (d1918, aged 20, accidental shooting)
Brooks, Petty Officer 1st Class Albert (d1919, aged 44, illness)
Broughton, Able Seaman Sydney (d1917, aged 44, illness)
Brown, Leading Stoker Ernest (d1915, aged 26, killed in action)
Brown, Stoker 1st Class Michael (d1917, aged 24, killed in action)
Bruton, Ordinary Seaman William (d1918, aged 19, illness)
Bullock, Stoker 1st Class William (d1917, aged 34, killed in action)
Butcher, Boy 2nd Class Henry (d1918, aged 17, illness)
Butler, Ordinary Seaman George (d1917, aged 18, killed in action)
Butler, Able Seaman John (d1916, aged 20, killed in action)
Cable, Stoker 1st Class Frederick (d1917, aged 26, killed in action)
Cain, Senior Reserve Assistant George (d1917, aged 20, killed in action)
Cairns, Stoker 1st Class Albert (d1917, aged 22, killed in action)
Callaghan, Admiral Sir George (d1920, aged 67, illness)
Callon, Engine Room Artificer Archibald (d1916, aged 26, suicide)
Cane, Ordinary Seaman Harold (d1917, aged 19, illness)
Carder, Stoker 1st Class Frederick (d1917, aged 23, killed in action)
Carter, Naval Instructor George (d1918, aged 27, illness)
Cash, Stoker 2nd Class Charles (d1917, aged 24, killed in action)
Castle, Stoker 2nd Class Samuel (d1915, aged 18, killed in action)
Charlton, Stoker 1st Class Arthur (d1917, aged 25, killed in action)
Cheal, Petty Officer Stoker Frederick (d1919, aged 38, illness)
Chevalier, Signalman Albert (d1916, aged 23, illness)
Ching, Leading Stoker Charles (d1917, aged 31, illness)
Churchill, Ordinary Seaman Charles (d1917, aged 25, illness)
Clark, Stoker Petty Officer Gilbert (d1919, aged 35, illness)
Clark, Stoker 1st Class Reginald (d1917, aged 21, killed in action)
Clark, Petty Officer William (d1918, aged 33, illness)
Clarke, Chief Petty Officer Charles (d1916, aged 47, cause unknown)
Claxton, Stoker 1st Class John (d1917, aged 34, illness)
Clemett, Stoker 1st Class Phillip (d1917, aged 25, killed in action)
Cochran, Shipwright 3rd Class Thomas (d1918, aged 19, killed in action)
Coleman, Able Seaman David (d1917, aged 37, illness)
Collins, Yeoman of Signals Alfred (d1919, aged 32, illness)
Collins, Shipwright 1st Class Thomas (d1916, aged 39, drowned)
Comley, Able Seaman William (d1916, aged 33, illness)
Connolly, Officer’s Steward Gerald (d1919, aged 19, drowned)
Corker, Stoker 1st Class Benjamin (d1917, aged 24, killed in action)
Cornish, Able Seaman Amos (d1918, aged 30, illness)
Cornock, Able Seaman Ernest (d1919, aged 22, illness)
Coughlan, Petty Officer William (d1921, aged 29, illness)
Couling, Able Seaman Frederick (d1917, aged 38, illness)
Coxhedge, Stoker 1st Class John (d1918, aged 28, wounded in action)
Crabb, Able Seaman Sidney (d1917, aged 28, illness)
Craven, Leading Stoker Joseph (d1916, aged 46, accident)
Crisp, Able Seaman Arthur (d1918, aged 19, died of wounds/illness)
Crossley, Victualling Assistant George (d1918, aged 56, accident)
Curd, Stoker 1st Class William (d1917, aged 25, killed in action)
Curtis, Stoker 2nd Class Stanley (d1918, aged 18, illness)
Cutting, Officer’s Steward 3rd Class Joseph (d1918, aged 20, illness)
Daisley, Leading Signalman Alexander (d1915, aged 29, killed in action)
Dale, Petty Officer William (d1919, aged 32, illness)
Dathan, Reverend Joseph (d1918, aged 51, illness)
Davidge, Leading Seaman Alfred (d1917, aged 34, illness)
Davidson, Chief Artificer James (d1919, age unknown, cause unknown)
Davies, Able Seaman George (d1917, aged 44, illness)
Day, Boy Clifford (d1914, aged 16, accident)
Dennington, Able Seaman Frederick (d1916, aged 39, illness/injury)
Diaper, Ordinary Seaman John (d1918, aged 19, died of wounds)
Doel, Stoker 1st Class Francis (d1917, aged 19, accidental drowning)
Donnelly, Engine Room Artificer 4th Class James (d1915, aged 27, illness)
Dorman, Able Seaman Charles (d1916, aged 23, illness)
Duckett, Ordinary Seaman Victor (d1917, aged 30, killed in action)
Duffy, Stoker 1st Class James (d1918, aged 29, illness)
Durrell, Shipwright 2nd Laurence (d1918, aged 23, illness)
Dyer, Stoker Petty Officer William (d1918, aged 23, illness)
Eames, Stoker Anthony (d1914, aged 38, killed in action)
Edwards, Armourer’s Crew William (d1918, aged 18, illness)
Eley, Stoker 1st Class William (d1915, aged 24, killed in action)
Ellis, Stoker 1st Class Thomas (d1918, aged 23, illness)
Ellul, Officer’s Cook Carmelo (d1920, aged 32, illness)
Fawcett, Petty Officer 1st Class George (d1918, aged 45, illness)
Fawkes, Stoker 1st Class William (d1915, aged 31, killed in action)
Feldon, Petty Officer 1st Class William (d1915, aged 36, killed in action)
Ferrett, Stoker 1st Class Robert (d1917, aged 27, killed in action)
Field, Chief Petty Officer Telegraphist William (d1919, aged 33, illness)
Files, Signalman Phillip (d1915, aged 21, killed in action)
Finlay, Stoker 1st Class Alfred (d1917, aged 24, killed in action)
Fish, Stoker 1st Class Leonard (d1917, aged 23, killed in action)
Fleet, Ordinary Seaman Thomas (d1917, aged 38, illness)
Freeman, Able Seaman Horace (d1916, aged 36, drowned)
Funnell, Chief Yeoman of Signals Thomas (d1921, aged 37, illness)
Gadd, Stoker 2nd Class Harry (d1918, aged 18, accidentally killed)
Galea, Officer’s Steward Peter (d1915, aged 21, killed in action)
Gearing, Stoker 2nd Class John (d1916, aged 22, illness)
Gigg, Able Seaman Leonard (d1915, aged 33, illness)
Goddard, Stoker 1st Class Albert (d1917, aged 26, killed in action)
Goddard, Stoker 1st Class Sidney (d1915, aged 26, drowned)
Godden, Stoker 1st Class Horace (d1917, aged 27, killed in action)
Goodger, Writer 1st Harry (1915, aged 30, killed in action)
Goodsell, Ordinary Seaman Harry (d1917, aged 20, killed in action)
Gordon, Officer’s Steward 3rd Class Sidney (d1919, aged 21, illness)
Graham, Stoker 1st Class Samuel (d1918, aged 23, illness)
Green, Ordinary Seaman Frank (d1918, aged 28, drowned)
Green, Petty Officer James (d1917, aged 48, illness)
Green, Stoker 1st Class John (d1917, aged 22, killed in action)
Green, Able Seaman William (d1920, aged 22, illness)
Griffin, Able Seaman John (d1914, aged 29, killed in action)
Griffin, Ship’s Cook Walter (d1918, aged 31, drowned)
Gulliford, Leading Stoker Leonard (d1919, aged 25, drowned)
Hallett, Commissioned Shipwright William (d1917, aged 49, cause unknown)
Hammond, Stoker 1st Class John (d1917, aged 18, killed in action)
Hancock, Boy 2nd Class Charles (d1916, aged 15, illness)
Hannon, Able Seaman John (d1918, aged 32, killed in action)
Harriss, Stoker Petty Officer John (d1916, aged 38, illness)
Hartnall, Stoker 1st Class Frederick (d1917, aged 25, killed in action)
Haville, Stoker 1st Class Thomas (d1917, aged 20, killed in action)
Haxell, Stoker 1st Class Arthur (d1917, aged 20, killed in action)
Hay, Stoker 2nd Class Archibald (d1917, aged 17, killed in action)
Henley, Chief Petty Officer John (d1918, aged 39, illness)
Herring, Chief Artificer Arthur (d1917, aged 40, killed in action)
Hewett, Boy 1st Class Ernest (d1915, aged 16, drowned)
Hickey, Stoker 1st Class Christopher (d1917, aged 25, illness)
Hill, Stoker 1st Class Henry (d1917, aged 22, killed in action)
Hocking, Plumber Edwin (d1917, aged 44, illness)
Hodder, Petty Officer Albert (d1915, aged 35, drowned)
Holdsworth, Blacksmith Robert (d1916, aged 36, illness)
Hopkins, Leading Seaman Joseph (d1917, aged 50, illness)
Hoskins, Stoker 1st Class Ernest (d1917, aged 28, killed in action)
Hudson, Leading Seaman Henry (d1917, aged 43, illness)
Humphrey, Cook’s Mate Arthur (d1917, aged 36, killed in action)
Hurley, Stoker 2nd Class James (d1915, aged 20, illness)
Jackson, Stoker 1st Class Joseph (d1917, aged 33, killed in action)
Jackson, Stoker 1st Class Sydney (d1917, aged 31, killed in action)
Jacobs, Able Seaman Andrew (d1914, aged 19, killed in action)
Jago, Able Seaman Thomas (d1918, aged 45, illness)
James, Stoker 1st Class William (d1915, aged 21, killed in action)
Jenkins, Stoker 1st Class Richard (d1917, aged 39, suicide)
Jerrom, Boy 1st Class Harry (d1914, aged 17, killed in action)
John, Stoker 1st Class Edwin (d1919, aged 21, illness)
Johnson, Leading Stoker Daniel (d1914, aged 30, killed in action)
Jones, Stoker 1st Class Henry (d1917, aged 23, killed in action)
Jones, Petty Officer Tom (d1921, aged 38, illness)
Jordan, Leading Stoker Victor (d1918, aged 25, illness)
Kilmartin, Stoker 1st Class James (d1919, aged 24, illness)
King, Cook’s Mate Harry (d1918, aged 27, accidental death)
Kirby, Boatswain James (d1914, aged 47, illness/suicide)
Knieriem, Stoker 1st Class Albert (d1915, aged 23, killed in action)
Lane, Boatswain Jeremiah (d1919, age and cause of death unknown)
Langridge, Leading Seaman Archibald (d1917, aged 24, killed in action)
Lavis, Stoker Petty Officer Charles (d1918, aged 30, illness)
Lemmon, Stoker 1st Class Charles (d1917, aged 25, killed in action)
Loose, Stoker 1st Class John (d1917, aged 26, killed in action)
Loveless, Boy 2nd Class Albert (d1918, aged 17, illness)
Lucas, Stoker 1st Class Henry (d1920, aged 31, illness)
Lutitt, Stoker 1st Class Frederick (d1917, aged 30, killed in action)
Macey, Stoker 1st Class Sidney (d1917, aged 19, killed in action)
Macklin, Officer’s Steward 3rd Class Harry (d1915, aged 22, illness)
Madden, Leading Stoker John (d1918, aged 23, killed in action)
Marchant, Stoker Petty Officer Oliver (d1919, aged 44, cause unknown)
Marshall, Stoker 2nd Class George (d1915, aged 19, killed in action)
Martin, Boy 2nd Class Alan (d1915, aged 16, illness)
Masters, Able Seaman William (d1917, aged 40, illness)
Matthews, Boy 2nd Class Albert (d1918, aged 17, illness)
May, Lieutenant Commander William (d1919, aged 64, cause unknown)
Mayes, Carpenter’s Crewman Roland (d1917, aged 21, killed in action)
McGregor, Stoker 1st Class John (d1917, aged 19, killed in action)
McIntyre, Engine Room Artificer Claud (d1917, aged 22, killed in action)
McLean, Stoker 1st Class Alexander (d1917, aged 24, killed in action)
Mercer, Stoker 2nd Class Stuart (d1916, aged 28, illness)
Millard, Engine Room Artificer George (d1918, aged 21, illness)
Millis, Ordinary Seaman Frederick (d1914, aged 18, killed in action)
Moore, Leading Stoker Percy (d1917, aged 28, killed in action)
Moran, Leading Boatman Peter (d1915, aged 39, illness)
Morgan, Petty Officer 1st Class Frederick (d1919, aged 47, illness)
Morris, Ordinary Telegraphist Thomas (d1919, aged 20, illness)
Mounter, Stoker 2nd Class Tom (d1917, aged 27, killed in action)
Mudford, Leading Seaman Edward (d1920, aged 21, illness)
Nolan, Ordinary Seaman William (d1917, aged 24, killed in action)
Norris, Able Seaman Arthur (d1918, aged 21, illness)
O’Brien, Stoker 1st Class Cornelius (d1918, age unknown, illness)
Osborne, Leading Stoker William (d1917, aged 25, killed in action)
Ounan, Officer’s Steward 3rd Class Thomas (d1917, aged 23, illness)
Pankhurst, Chief Stoker Walter (d1917, aged 50, illness)
Parker, Stoker 1st Class Frederick (d1917, aged 29, killed in action)
Pearce, Leading Seaman Reuben (d1918, aged 43, accident)
Peters, Able Seaman Robert (d1917, aged 24, killed in action)
Pierson, Leading Seaman Dan (d1914, aged 30, killed in action)
Pomeroy, Leading Signalman Albert (d1915, aged 33, illness)
Pople, Stoker 2nd Class Frederick (d1919, aged 31, illness)
Purton, Stoker 1st Class Alfred (d1917, aged 19, killed in action)
Puttock, Sub-Lieutenant Denys (d1919, aged 23, illness)
Read, Leading Seaman Arthur (d1918, aged 31, illness)
Real, Able Seaman William (d1918, aged 42, illness)
Reardon, Able Seaman George (d1914, aged 24, killed in action)
Reyner, Stoker 1st Class Frederick (d1917, aged 33, killed in action)
Rose, Stoker 1st Class Herbert (d1918, aged 25, illness)
Sampson, Boy 2nd Class Albert (d1916, aged 15, illness)
Sandell, Boy 2nd Class George (d1919, aged 16, illness)
Sarell, Stoker 2nd Class Frederick (d1917, aged 18, drowned)
Sayer, Petty Officer Ellis (d1917, aged 29, accident)
Scribbens, Leading Stoker Cecil (d1919, aged 34, illness)
Seager, Chief Stoker John (d1918, aged 49, illness)
Seymour, Stoker 1st Class (d1917, aged 22, killed in action)
Sharp, Stoker 1st Class Horace (d1917, aged 23, killed in action)
Shiplee, Officer’s Steward Frederick (d1917, aged 21, drowned)
Shirley, Stoker 1st Class William (d1917, aged 21, killed in action)
Shuttle, Ordinary Seaman George (d1917, aged 18, killed in action)
Slade, Petty Officer Thomas Slade (d1917, aged 37, died of wounds)
Smith, Petty Officer Albert (d1921, aged 40, illness)
Smith, Stoker 1st Class Arthur (d1918, aged 27, illness)
Smith, Ordinary Seaman Robert (d1917, aged 28, killed in action)
Smith, Stoker 1st Class William (d1917, aged 30, killed in action)
Smyth, Boy 1st Class Bernard (d1915, aged 17, killed in action)
Spiteri, Officer’s Cook 3rd Class Paolo (d1921, aged 42, illness)
Spurway, Lieutenant Alexander (d1915, aged 24, illness)
Stagg, Boy 2nd Class Sidney (d1919, aged 17, illness)
Stewart, Acting Chief Stoker Edward (d1917, 37, accident)
Stone, Stoker 1st Class John (d1918, aged 24, illness)
Strong, Able Seaman Percy (d1918, aged 21, drowned)
Symes, Stoker Petty Officer Albert (d1915, aged 28, illness)
Teuma, Officer’s Steward 1st Class Giovanni (d1914, aged 35, died of wounds)
Theobald, Stoker 2nd Class Louis (d1916, aged 18, illness)
Thorne, Chief Stoker William (d1918, aged 37, illness)
Timms, Ordinary Signalman Frederick (d1915, aged 18, killed in action)
Tindell, Ship’s Steward Assistant Harold (d1916, aged 18, illness)
Towills, Ordinary Seaman Sidney (d1918, aged 18, illness)
Tregillis, Stoker 1st Class Henry (d1918, aged 27, illness)
Turner, Able Seaman William (d1917, aged 29, illness)
Tynan, Stoker Patrick (d1919, aged 26, illness)
Veal, Able Seaman Isaac (d1918, aged 43, illness)
Vince, Able Seaman Harry (d1916, aged 20, illness)
Voice, Painter 2nd Class Arthur (d1917, aged 22, killed in action)
Wakeford, Stoker 1st Class William (d1917, aged 32, killed in action)
Walker, Captain Frederick (d1919, aged 46, illness)
Walsh, Stoker 1st Class Edmund (d1917, aged 32, killed in action)
Walton, Stoker 1st Class William (d1917, aged 49, killed in action)
Ward, Chief Engine Room Artificer Alfred (d1919, aged 42, illness)
Ward, Fleet Surgeon Edward (d1917, aged 54, illness)
Ward, Stoker 1st Class Joseph (1918, aged 27, killed in action)
Ware, Chief Stoker Ernest (d1916, aged 44, illness)
Warne, Chief Writer James (d1917, aged 33, killed in action)
Warner, Able Seaman Bertram (d1914, aged 19, killed in action)
Wate, Stoker 1st Class Henry (d1917, aged 20, killed in action)
Watts, Able Seaman William (d1917, aged 44, illness)
Webber, Leading Telegraphist Ernest (d1918, aged 21, illness)
Webber, Stoker 1st Class Frederick (d1917, aged 47, illness)
Weller, Stoker Petty Officer Henry (d1918, aged 41, accident)
Welling, Chief Yeoman of Signals Charles (d1916, aged 55, illness)
Westaway, Stoker 1st Class Stanley (d1918, aged 19, illness)
Whiddon, Chief Sick Berth Steward John (d1916, aged 40, illness)
White, Boy 1st Class Sidney (d1916, aged 17, illness)
Willingham, Stoker 1st Class Albert (d1915, aged 27, killed in action)
Woodbury, Stoker Petty Officer Wilson (d1919, aged 30, suicide)
Woodman, Stoker 1st Class Thomas (d1919, aged 27, illness)
Wootton, Able Seaman Gregory (d1917, aged 18, killed in action)
Death and Service 