Tag Archives: Royal Navy

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, Kent, Leading Stoker, Middlesex, photography, Royal Navy, Stoker, story, war

Leading Stoker James Mills

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Leading Stoker James Mills

James George Mills was born on 5th August 1891 in Poplar, Middlesex. One of nine children, his parents were Robert and Emily Mills. Robert was a bricklayer, and by the time of the 1901 census, they had settled in Lochnager Street.

Robert had died by 1911, and Emily was left to raise their children alone. That year’s census return found them living in rooms at 1 Cobden Street, with three of the children – including James – old enough to be earning a wage.

James had enlisted in the Royal Navy the year before, and was employed as a Stoker 2nd Class. His service papers show that he was 5ft 5ins (1.65m) tall, with light brown hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion. He was also noted as having a small scar on his right cheek.

Stoker Mills would come to be based at HMS Pembroke, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Chatham, Kent, during his career. He served on a number of ships and, by the time he was promoted to Stoker 1st Class in October 1911, he had spent time on board the cruisers HMS Vindictive and HMS Foresight.

With his promotion came a move, and James was assigned to HMS Acteon, the navy’s new torpedo school based in Sheerness, Kent. From here on in, much of his time seems to have been spent on land, and in January 1914, he moved to HMS Dido, also in Sheerness.

This move to the navy’s land bases seems to have coincided with James’ life away from his career. On 26th December 1912, he married Classina Steenbergen, a Dutch national, whose parents had moved to Barking, Essex in the late 1890s. The couple would go on to have two children: daughters Clasina and Iris.

James’ dedication to the Royal Navy began to pay off, with his annual reviews noting a very good character and a superior ability. In May 1915 he was promoted to Acting Leading Stoker, with the position being formalised that November.

By this point, however, James’ health was becoming impacted. He was admitted to the naval hospital in Chatham in December 1916, suffering from a malignant growth on his pancreas. The condition would prove fatal: he died on 13th December, at the age of just 25 years old.

The body of James George Mills was laid to rest in Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, Kent, not far from the naval base he had known so well.

Classina now had two young children to support on her own. She married again in the spring of 1920, her new husband being cabinet maker William Walter Hermann. The couple went on to have three children: Walter, Pearl and James.

Leading Stoker James Mills
(from findagrave.com)
Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, Kent, photography, Royal Navy, Stoker, story, war, Yorkshire

Stoker 2nd Class Frank Waterhouse

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Stoker 2nd Class Frank Waterhouse

Frank Waterhouse was born in Keighley, Yorkshire, on 14th September 1889. The second of four children, including two younger sibling who both died before their first birthdays, his parents were Waddington and Jane Waterhouse.

Waddington was an engineer for a worsted mill in nearby Bingley, and when Frank finished his schooling, he found employment as a fireman for the same mill. By the time of the 1911 census father, son, Frank’s sister Fanny and her husband Arthur were all employed at the factory.

In the spring of 1915, Frank married Alice Greenbank. She worked at a mill in Haworth and the couple set up home together. They would not go on to have any children.

War was raging across Europe by this point, and Frank stepped up to play his part. He enlisted in the Royal Navy and his trade made him ideal for an initial role of Stoker 2nd Class. He was sent to HMS Pembroke, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Chatham, Kent, for his training and his service record confirms the man he had become. He was 5ft 7ins (1.7m) tall, with brown hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion.

Stoker 2nd Class Waterhouse was sent to HMS Pembroke, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Chatham, Kent, for his training. At the beginning of May 1917, he was assigned to the cruiser HMS Crescent, and spent the next four months aboard.

During this time, Frank fell ill. When Crescent docked back at HMS Pembroke at the end of September, he was disembarked, and taken to the Royal Naval Hospital in Chatham. He was suffering from endocarditis, and the heart condition would prove fatal. He passed away the day after he was admitted – on the 2nd October 1917 – at the age of 28 years old.

Hundreds of miles from home, it is likely that Frank’s family would not have been able to foot the bill for bringing his body back home. Instead, Frank Waterhouse was laid to rest in the naval section of Woodlands Cemetery in Gillingham, Kent, not far from the base at which he had been based.

Able Seaman, Boatman, Boy, Commonwealth War Graves, County Durham, Devon, Great War, history, illness, Kent, Leading Seaman, Northumberland, Ordinary Seaman, Petty Officer, photography, Royal Navy, story, Surrey, war

Petty Officer 1st Class Edward Grant

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Petty Officer 1st Class Edward Grant

The early life of Edward Grant is a challenge to piece together. Born on 14th May 1863 in Newington, Surrey, he was the son of Thomas and Eliza Grant. The family do not appear on any census records, and it is only when Edward joined the Royal Navy in 1878 that he appears on any documents.

Edward’s service papers tell the story of a young man focused on his career. Underage when he joined up, he was given the rank of Boy 2nd Class, and sent to HMS Impregnable, the school ship based in Devonport, for his initial training. He remained on board for over a year, and rose to Boy 1st Class during that time.

Edward’s first full sea-going assignment was on board the screw corvette HMS Ruby. He would be assigned to her for eighteen months, during which time he came of age. Formally inducted into the Royal Navy, he took the rank of Ordinary Seaman. His service records show that he was a little over 5ft (1.53cm) tall, with brown hair, great eyes and a fair complexion.

Ordinary Seaman Grant’s contract was for ten years. During this time, his commitment to the job was clear: serving on a total of right vessels, he was promoted to Able Seaman in December 1882, Leading Seaman in October 1888 and Petty Officer 2nd Class in December 1889.

When his contract came to an end, Edward did not hesitate to re-enlist. He completed another decade of service, spending much of that time as a Boatman for the Coastguard on the Northumbrian coast.

It was while he was serving in Crastor that he met Elizabeth Smailes. She was a grocer’s daughter from nearby Dunstan, and the couple married in Alnwick on 14th February 1893. Edward and Eliabeth would go on to have five children, all girls, between 1896 and 1907.

By the time of the 1901 census, the Grants family were living in the Royal Naval Reserve Barracks in Hartlepool, County Durham. That November Edward was formally stood down to reserve status, having completed 20 years with the Royal Navy.

The 1911 census found Edward and the family living at the Guardians Offices at Hart Road in Hartlepool. A naval pensioner, he was employed as a caretaker for the town’s Board of Guardians, and the accommodation came with the job. Also living with them was Elizabeth’s mother, 83-year-old widow, Jane Smailes.

When war broke out, Edward stepped up to play his part once more. Now 51 years of age, he took on the role of Petty Officer 2nd Class once more: his papers show that he was now 5ft 5.5ins (1.66m) tall and had tattoos of a sailor woman and the words True Love on his left arm.

Petty Officer Grant remained firmly shore based, and was billeted at HMS Pembroke, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Chatham, Kent. He served for three years, and was promoted to Petty Officer 1st Class in May 1916.

On 9th April 1917, Edward Grant collapsed at his barracks. His passing was quick: he died of an aortic aneurysm and haemorrhage. He was 53 years of age. His body was laid to rest in the naval section of Woodlands Cemetery in Gillingham, not far from the naval base he had known for so many years.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, Hampshire, history, illness, Kent, photography, Plumber's Mate, Royal Navy, story, war

Plumber’s Mate William Hodge

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Plumber’s Mate William Hodge

William James Hodge was born on 23rd November 1896 in Portsmouth, Hampshire. The oldest of seven children, six of whom were boys, his parents were James and Edith Hodge. James was a carpenter and labourer and, when he finished his schooling, William initially found work as a grocer’s errand boy.

William went on to find work as a plumber’s mate and, when war was declared, he saw an opportunity to put his stills to good use. The Royal Navy offered career prospects and, on 14th December 1915, he enlisted. His service papers show that he was 5ft 6ins (1.67m) tall, with black hair, brown eyes and a dark complexion.

Initial training took place not far from home at the Portsmouth shore based HMS Victory and HMS Fisgard. In November 1916, however, Plumber’s Mate Hodge was given his first sea-faring assignment, on board the battleship HMS Zealandia. She would remain his home for the next six months.

In the spring of 1917, William came down with tuberculosis. He was admitted to the Royal Naval Hospital in Chatham, Kent, but the condition would prove too severe. He passed away on 19th April 1917, aged just 20 years old.

The body of William James Hodge was laid to rest in the naval section of Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, Kent.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, Hampshire, history, illness, photography, Royal Navy, Scotland, Stoker, story, war, Wiltshire

Stoker 1st Class Stanley Curtis

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Stoker 1st Class Stanley Curtis

Stanley Curtis was born on 31st October 1899, and was one of 21 children to Rowland and Sarah Curtis. Rowland was a gardener and labourer from Warminster, Wiltshire, and it was here, at 9 Marsh Street, that the family were raised.

There is little information available about Stanley’s early life: he was only two years old at the time of the 1901 census, and still at school for the next return in 1911. Later document, however, confirms that he worked as a farm labourer when he completed his schooling and that he was an active member of the Warminster Cadets.

Stanley was keen to play his part when war broke out. He enlisted in the Royal Navy as soon as he was able to, joining as a Stoker 2nd Class on 7th December 1917. His service records show that he was 5ft 4ins (1.62m) tall, with brown hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion.

Stoker 2nd Class Curtis was sent to HMS Victory, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Portsmouth, Hampshire, for his training. After four months there he was given his first assignment, on board the protected cruiser HMS Amphitrite. Working as a minelayer, she served in the North Sea, and was positioned off Scotland when Stanley fell ill.

Stoker Curtis was disembarked in Edinburgh, and was admitted to the city’s Royal Naval Hospital with peritonitis. Sadly the condition was to prove fatal, and he passed away on 13th September 1918, a few weeks short of his 19th birthday.

The body of Stanley Curtis was brought back to Wiltshire for burial. He was laid to rest in the graveyard of Christ Church, Warminster, just a few minutes’ walk from where his grieving family lived.

accident, Berkshire, Boy, Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, Kent, killed in action, photography, Royal Navy, story, war

Boy 1st Class Harry Jerrom

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Boy 1st Class Harry Jerrom

Harry Herbert Jerrom was born in the parish of Shinfield, Berkshire, on 26th July 1897. The oldest of eight children, his parents were caller Harry and Alice. Harry Sr was a farm labourer, and the family lived in Three Mile Cross.

Details of Harry Jr’s short life are scarce. Certainly when war broke out he stepped up to play his part, and had enlisted in the Royal Navy by the autumn of 1914. He was under the age to fully enlist by this point, and so held the rank of Boy 1st Class.

Harry was assigned to the battleship HMS Bulwark. Part of the Channel Fleet, she was tasked with patrolling and defending Britain’s southern coast. On 26th November 1914, Bulwark was moored in the River Medway, close to Sheerness, and was being stocked with shells and ammunition. That morning, some poorly stowed cordite charges overheated, detonating the shells stored nearby. The resulting explosion ripped through the battleship, and more than 740 crew were killed. Boy 1st Class Jerrom’s was among the bodies to be recovered: he was 17 years of age.

Those who were killed in the explosion were laid to rest in the naval section of Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, Kent. As his body had been identified, Harry Herbert Jerrom was laid to rest in a marked grave.

Boy 1st Class Harry Jerrom
(from findagrave.com)
accident, Boy, Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Great War, history, Kent, killed in action, Middlesex, Ordinary Seaman, photography, Royal Navy, story, war

Ordinary Seaman Frederick Millis

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Ordinary Seaman Frederick Millis

Frederick Harold Millis was born in Marylebone, Middlesex, on 18th March 1896, and was one of five children to horse keeper William Millis and his wife Emily. Details of his early life are a challenge to piece together – he does not appear on the 1901 census, although Emily and his siblings are recorded at 1 Linhope Street.

William died in 1908, and by the time of the 1911 census, Emily had moved to Brighton, Sussex, where she was living at 49 Bernard Street with Frederick and two of his brothers. Fred was 15 years old by this point, and was working as a telegraph messenger, while his older sibling Alfred was working as a draper’s assistant.

Frederick sought a better life for himself, and, on 28th January 1913, he signed up to the Royal Navy. Being under age, he was given the rank of Boy 2nd Class, and was sent to HMS Vivid, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Devonport, Devon, for his training.

After just three months, Frederick was promoted to Boy 1st Class, and just a few weeks later was assigned to the battleship HMS Prince of Wales. In October 1913, he was moved to another battleship, HMS Bulwark, and it was here that he was formally inducted into the navy.

The now Ordinary Seaman Millis signed up for twelve years’ service, and his papers note that he was 5ft 8ins (1.73m) tall, with dark brown hair, dark brown eyes and a fresh complexion. He was also recorded as having a clasped hands tattoo on his right forearm and another of a sailor on his left arm.

Ordinary Seaman Millis would remain on board HMS Bulwark for a year. The battleship was part of the Channel Fleet, tasked with patrolling and defending Britain’s southern coast. On 26th November 1914, she was moored in the River Medway, close to Sheerness, and was being stocked with shells and ammunition. That morning, some poorly stowed cordite charges overheated, detonating the shells stored nearby. The resulting explosion ripped through the battleship, and more than 740 crew were killed. Frederick was amongst those whose bodies were recovered and identified: he was 18 years of age.

The bodies that were recovered from the tragedy were taken to the Woodlands Cemetery in nearby Gillingham and laid to rest. Frederick Harold Millis was buried alongside his colleagues in a marked grave.

Frederick’s headstone suggests he held the rank of Officer’s Steward: this seems to be an error, and possible a mis-interpretation of the initials of Ordinary Seaman.

Able Seaman, accident, Boy, Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Dorset, Great War, history, Kent, killed in action, Middlesex, Ordinary Seaman, photography, Royal Navy, story, war

Able Seaman Bertram Warner

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Able Seaman Bertram Warner

Bertram William Warner was born on 16th February 1895 in Greenford, Middlesex. The youngest of four children, his parents were jobbing gardener Henry Warner and his wife, Elizabeth.

Bertram began working with his father after he completed his schooling, but he had his heart set on bigger and better things. A life at sea drew him in and, on 7th February 1913, he enlisted in the Royal Navy. His service records show the young man he had become: he was 5ft 2ins (1.58m) tall, with dark hair, grey eyes and a fair complexion.

Initially taken on as a Boy 2nd Class, Bertram was sent to HMS Vivid, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Devonport, Devon, for his training. His records outline his ability and commitment to the role. On 28th May 1913, as he moved to the training ship HMS Prince of Wales, he was promoted to Boy 1st Class. On 8th August he was deemed to be of age, and officially inducted into the Royal Navy.

On 4th October, Ordinary Seaman Warner was transferred to the pre-dreadnought battleship HMS Bulwark. Based in Portland, Dorset, at the start of the First World War, she would form part of the Channel Fleet patrolling and defending Britain’s southern coast. Bertram was continuing to prove his mettle and, on 13th October 1914, just eighteen months after initially joining the navy, he was promoted again, to Able Seaman.

Bertram was on board Bulwark on the 26th November 1914, when she was moored close to Sheerness, Kent. That morning, some poorly stowed cordite charges overheated, detonating some of the hundreds of shells stored shells nearby. The resulting explosion ripped through the battleship, killing more than 740 people. Able Seaman Warner was amongst those killed whose bodies were recovered and identified: he was 19 years of age.

The body of Bertram William Warner was taken to Woodlands Cemetery in Gillingham, Kent, and laid to rest alongside his colleagues.

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

Lieutenant Frederick Hill

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Lieutenant Frederick Hill

Frederick Charles Hill was born on 13th June 1882 in the Devon village of Marldon. One of seven children, his parents were William and Elizabeth Hill. William was a carpenter, and the 1891 census found the family living or boarding at the Royal Oak Inn.

When he finished his schooling, Frederick found work as a gardener. However, he sought a bigger and better life and, on 21st April 1897, he joined the Royal Navy. His service record suggests that he lied about his age to do so, giving his year of birth as 1881,

Frederick was below the age to formally enlist in the navy, and was given the rank of Boy 2nd Class. He was sent to HMS Impregnable, the training base in Devonport, Devon, spending the next eighteen months there. Promoted to Boy 1st Class in February 1898, he was given his first posting, on board HMS Agincourt, later that year.

In the autumn of 1898, Frederick was assigned to the cruiser HMS Leander. The following summer, and based on the date of birth he had previously provided, he came of age, and was formally inducted into the Royal Navy. His service records show that he was 5ft 2ins (1.57m) tall, with red hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion. Hs was also noted as having a scar on his forehead.

The now Ordinary Seaman Hill remained on board HMS Leander for more than two years. He proved a worthwhile member of crew, and was promoted to Able Seaman in May 1900. He left Leander in January 1901, and was billeted at HMS Vivid, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Plymouth, Devon, which would become his base when not at sea.

Frederick’s contract was for twelve years, and during that time he would serve on four vessels. His dedication to the navy was evident by his promotions – he made Leading Seaman in October 1904, Petty Officer 2nd Class in October 1906, and Petty Officer 1st Class in March 1911. When his term of service ended, he immediately re-enlisted, and, at his annual reviews, was regularly noted for his very good character and superior ability. His career kept going from strength to strength, and, in 1914, he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer.

He was sent to Antwerp in September [1914] with the Royal Naval Division, and in 1916 went to the Dardanelles, there gaining his commission for bravery. After the evacuation he was sent to France and won the MC in the Ancre drive in 1916. In February 1918 he was sent for six months’ rest to England. Lieut. Hill volunteered to go to France again in November the same year, and contracted heart disease, from which he died. He returned to England early in June [1919], and, being on sick leave, went to Paignton Hospital, where his death occurred.

[Brixham Western Guardian: Thursday 7th August 1919]

Frederick Charles Hill was 37 years of age when he died on 2nd August 1919. His body was laid to rest in the family plot in St John the Baptist’s Church, Marldon.

Frederick’s headstone records his rank as Lieutenant Commander. However, Commonwealth War Grave Commission documents suggest his rank was Lieutenant.

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

Able Seaman William Watts

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Able Seaman William Watts

William Watts was born on 24th October 1872 in the Devon village of Stockfleming. Details of his early life are unclear, but his later marriage record gives his father’s name as Richard.

The first confirmation of William’s life was his military service records. He left his job as a farmer’s lad and joined the Royal Navy on 3rd January 1888 and, being just 15 years old at the time, he was given the rank of Boy 2nd Class.

William was sent to HMS Impregnable, the navy’s training base in Devonport, Devon, for his initial induction. He remained there for the next eighteen months, and was promoted Boy 1st Class during that time. In October 1889, he was given his first posting, on board the sloop HMS Pylades. She would be his home for more than three years, during which time he came of age.

Now formally inducted into the Royal Navy, William was given the rank of Ordinary Seaman. His service papers show that he was 5ft 1ins (1.55m) tall, with dark hair, hazel eyes and a fair complexion.

Over the twelve years of his initial contract Ordinary Seaman Watts made a career for himself. By the end of that time, he had served on five further ships, returning to HMS Vivid, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Devonport, in between voyages. He was proving his mettle as well, and was promoted to Able Seaman on 1st November 1893.

When, in March 1901, his contract came up for renewal, William immediately re-enlisted. His service record shows that he had grown to 5ft 4ins (1.65m) tall, and now sported a tattoo of a star on his left wrist. He spent another thirteen years in the Royal Navy, but transferred to the Coastguard, serving in Weymouth in Dorset, and Brixham and Dartmouth in Devon.

On 15th September 1903, William married Olief Lawrence. The daughter of a labourer from Fontwell Magna, Dorset, the couple married in her local parish church. They would settle in Brixham, and have one son, William, who was born in October 1907.

When war broke out, William was called up on to play his part. Pensioned off just two months previously, he now returned to sea, joining the battleship HMS Goliath as an Able Seaman. His health was failing him by this point, however, and on 18th December 1914, he was invalided out of naval service.

At this point, William’s trail goes cold. It is clear that he and Olief moved to Marldon, to the west of Paignton, and he took up the role of landlord of the Ship Inn (now Ye Olde Smokey House). His health still seemed to be impacted, however, and it would eventually get the better of him. He died on 16th June 1917, at the age of 44 years of age.

The body of William Watts was laid to rest in the graveyard of St John the Baptist Church in Marldon, the village which he had come to call home.