There are 42 names for Commonwealth Graves 1915, here we have a little information on them all. Images courtesy of members of 'Naval Warship Forum' -Battle of Dogger Bank, North Sea, 24th January 1915. Three men in Queensferry Cemetery, on HMS Tiger, died during the Battle of Dogger Bank, 24th January 1915. A German force of 4 Battle Cruisers , 4 Light Cruisers and 22 Destroyers left their German port to attack targets on the English Coastline. On the same day a Royal Navy fleet of 6 Battle Cruisers, 8 Light Cruisers and 28 Destroyers had left Scapa Flow to patrol the North Sea. The Naval Battle which ensued lasted three hours with the German losing the Battle Cruiser Blucher which was sunk by Gun fire and torpedo hits. The British Flag ship HMS Lion was hit in the engine room and was halted. Many of the ships that took part received damage, but the casualties to the Germans were 1,000 killed and 300 wounded compared to the British losses of 6 killed and 22 wounded. HMS Tiger was so badly damaged at the battle of Dogger Bank in January 1915 that she was reported sunk by German propaganda. Stoker 1st Class, Benjamin Hambrey, No: 230224, of the Royal Navy, serving on HMS Tiger, died on 24.1.1915 aged 28. He was killed in action during the Battle of Dogger Bank. He was born in 1887 in Stourbridge, Worcester. Benjamin is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 559 in South Queensferry Cemetery and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals. --- Boy 1st Class, Patrick O'Mahoney, No: J/29248, of the Royal Navy, serving on HMS Tiger, a Labourer, born in 1898 in Clodagh, Cork, Ireland, was killed in action on 24.1.1915 during the Battle of Dogger Bank, in the North Sea. Patrick was buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 577 in South Queensferry Cemetery and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal. --- Stoker 1st Class William Manfield, No: K/7847, of the Royal Navy, serving on HMS Tiger, was killed in action on 24.1. 1915, aged 23, during the Battle of Dogger Bank, in the North Sea. He was born in 1892 in Cardiff, Wales. His parents were William T Manfield, a Haulier and Elizabeth Manfield. William is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 561 in South Queensferry Cemetery and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals. --- ********************************************** Others in 1915 Engine Room Artificer, George Edward Parry, No:270118, of the Royal Navy, serving on HMS Sentinel, was born in 1877 in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Wales. His Parents were John Parry, Farm Bailiff, and Mary Ann Parry. He died from illness on 3.1.1915, aged 38. He is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 562 in South Queensferry Cemetery and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals. --- Major Francis Arthur Nelson, of the Royal Marine Light Infantry, Serving on HMS Hibernia, was born in 1875 in Rangoon, Burma. His Parents were William Nelson, a Major of the Royal Artillery and Helen Nelson. In 1902 Francis married Edith Ellen. He had an extensive naval career, first enlisting in 1894. He died on 13.2.1915 aged 40, on board Hospital Ship 'Rewa' whilst on active service. Francis is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 565 in South Queensferry Cemetery. He was awarded the Bronze Medal and Certificate from the Royal Humane Society in 1895 for attempting to save a Private who sank while bathing, and the South African Medal and Clasp 1902, for Orange Free State, Transvaal and Natal, and Kings South African Medal and clasps “S. Africa 1901” and “S. Africa 1902”. Francis was also awarded the 1914/15 Star and the Victory and British War Medals. --- Able Seaman William Scott Smith No:SS/3194, of the Royal Navy, serving on HMS Antrim, was born on 16.7.1891 in Liverpool and his Parents were George and Sarah Ann Smith. He died from illness on 13.2.1915 aged 23. William is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref 571, Queensferry Cemetery and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals. --- Sick Berth Steward John William Fryer, No:350655, of the Royal Navy, serving on HMS Roxburgh, was born in Camberwell, London on 9.8.1877, only son of Enos, a Railway Goods Inspector and Suzanna Fryer. He died from illness on 17.2.1915 and is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 589, Queensferry Cemetery and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals --- Stoker 1st Class Stephen Herbert Merret, No:280417, of the Royal Navy, serving on HMS Vivid, was born on 25.11.1874 in Devizes, Wiltshire. His Parents were James and Maria Merrett. James worked for the Wiltshire Friendly Society (Pension). He died of Cellulitis on 22.2.1915 aged 40. Stephen was buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref:585, Queensferry Cemetery and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals --- Ordinary Seaman Francis Burnard No:J/20524, of the Royal Navy, serving on HMS New Zealand, died from illness on 23.2.1915. He is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 587 Queensferry Cemetery, and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals. --- Stoker Thomas O'Grady, No:4211, of Royal Navy Reserve, serving on HMS New Zealand, died from illness on 3.3.1915. He is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 579 Queensferry Cemetery and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals. --- Ordinary Seaman William Kenneth Buck, No:2127, of the Royal Australian Navy, serving on HMS Australia, was born on 28.4.1897 in Devonport, West Tasmania and his Father was William Henry Buck of Tasmania. He died of Pneumonia in Linlithgow on 10.3.1915, aged 17. He is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 575, Queensferry Cemetery and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals. --- Able Seaman Conrad de Courcey Stretton, No:2955, of the Royal Australian Navy, serving on HMS Australia, enlisted on 8.9.1913. He was born on 15.5.1889 in Gosport, England, son of Capt. and Mrs W S de Coursey Stretton, Devon. He died of Congestion of the Lungs, in Hospital, South Queensferry, on 12.3.1915, aged 24 and is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 573, Queensferry Cemetery. He was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals. Stoker Albert Victor Ison, No:3472, of the Royal Australian Navy, serving on HMS Australia, enlisted in Australia. He was born on 7.5.1894 in Bristol. His Mother was Ada Ware, formerly Ison. He died of Epilepsy, in Rosyth, on 16.3.1915 aged 19 and is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref:569, Queensferry Cemetery. He was awarded the 1914/125 Star, Victory and British War Medals. --- Ordinary Seaman Oscar Nixon No:2250, of the Royal Australian Navy, serving on HMAS Australia, enlisted in Sydney on 2.10.1912. He was born on 19.12.1897 in Warialda, New South Wales, Australia, to Richard and Jessie Nixon, NSW Australia. He died of Pneumonia, in Rosyth, on 25.3.1915 aged 17. He is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 567, Queensferry Cemetery. --- Stoker 1st Class John William Gilbert, No:SS/113191, of the Royal Navy, serving on HMS Cordelia, was born on 16.10.1892 in Birmingham. He died on 26.3.1915 aged 23. He is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 563, Queensferry Cemetery. --- Lieutenant Thomas Montague Vincent, of the Royal Navy Reserves, serving on HM Naval Trawler 'Cave' died on 11.4.1915. He is buried in Commonwealth Graves Ref: 1343, Queensferry Cemetery and was awarded the 1914/15 Star and the Victory and British War Medals. --- Ordinary Seaman Harry Patrick, No:28795, of the Royal Navy, serving on HMS Southampton, was born on 16.11.1897 in York, to Henry and Caroline Patrick Southampton. He died from illness on 20.3.1915 aged 18. He is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 560, Queensferry Cemetery. Harry was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals. --- Private John Edward Hewitt, No:CH/10487, of the Royal Marine Light Infantry, enlisted in 1896 while employed as a Labourer. He married Ellen Emily Cox, in Kent on 24.12.1912. John died on 15.4.1915, aged 37, of Sickness and is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 1344, Queensferry Cemetery. John was awarded Long Service and Good Conduct medal, 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals. --- Able Seaman Harry Glanfield, No:J/17461, of the Royal Navy serving on HMS Lion, born on 29.9.1895 in Devon, died from illness on 25.4.1915 aged 19 and is buried in Commonwealth Graves Ref: 1345 Queensferry Cemetery. He was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals. --- Chief Stoker Samuel Joseph Edwards, No:175834, of the Royal Navy, serving on HMS New Zealand, was born on 12.7.1875 in Devon. He died on 28.4.1915 aged 39. He is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 1349 in Queensferry Cemetery. --- Boy Servant Kenneth Mcleod, No:937445, of Mercantile Marine Reserves, serving on FPV Norna, a Scottish Fishery Board Cruiser, died of Illness, on 28.4.1915. He is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 1346, Queensferry Cemetery. He was awarded the British War Medal. --- Stoker 2nd Class Theodore Gordon Jennings Ward, No:3988, of the Royal Australian Navy serving on HMAS Australia, enlisted on 4.8.1914 in Australia. He was born on 30.5.1895 in Fairfield, New South Wales, Australia. He died of Pneumonia, in Rosyth, on 12.5.1915 and is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 1347, Queensferry Cemetery. --- Boy 1st Class Horace Perring, No:J/28208, of the Royal Navy serving on HMS Tiger, died from illness on 14.5.1915 aged 17. He was the son of Mrs F Gilbey (formerly Perring) of Torpoint, Devon and the late W Perring (R.N.) He is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 1352 and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals. --- Leading Stoker George Thornley No:225786, of the Royal Navy, serving on HMS Liverpool, was born on 23.0.1887 in Stratford, Lincolnshire. He died on 29.5.1915 aged 27.He is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 1348, Queensferry Cemetery and was awarded the 1914/15 Star and the Victory and British War Medals. --- Stoker 1st class, Henry James Parker Warren, No:K/14452, of Royal Navy serving on HMS Indefatigable, was born in Devon on 13.9.1892. He died from illness on 10.6.1915 aged 22. He is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 1350, Queensferry Cemetery and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals. --- Stoker 1st Class Henry Seaward, No:305284, of the Royal Navy, serving on HMS Nottingham, was born on 9.3.1882 in Devon. He from illness died on 6.7.1915 aged 23. He is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 1351, Queensferry Cemetery and was awarded the 1914/15 Star , Victory and British War Medals. --- Private Edwin Smith, No:PLY/3885, of the Royal Marines, serving on HMS New Zealand, died from illness on 9.7.1915. He is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 1353, Queensferry Cemetery. --- Able Seaman Harold Leonard Leonard, No:J/16071, of the Royal Navy serving on HMS Indomnitable, was born on 13.4.1896 in London. He died by drowning on 17.7.1915 aged 19. He is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 1354, Queensferry Cemetery and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals. --- Private William Richard Arthur Woodage, No:CH/17312, of Royal Marines Light Infantry, Chatham Division, died from illness on 27.7.1915. He is buried in Commonwealth Grave ref: 1355, Queensferry Cemetery and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals. --- Signal Boy William Mahoney, No:J/32165, of Royal Navy, serving on H S Victory was born in London on 17.12.1897. He was the son of John and Eliza Mahoney of London. He died from illness on 30.7.1915 aged 17 and is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref:1355. Queensferry Cemetery William was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals. --- Able Seaman John Close No:216280 of the Royal Navy serving on HMS Indefatigable, was born in Belfast, Ireland on 8.10.1885. He died from illness on 2.8.1915 aged 29. He is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 1356, Queensferry Cemetery and was awarded the 1914/15 Star , Victory and British War Medals. --- Able Seaman John Close No:216280 of the Royal Navy serving on HMS Indefatigable, was born in Belfast, Ireland on 8.10.1885. He died from illness on 2.8.1915 aged 29. He is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 1356, Queensferry Cemetery and was awarded the 1914/15 Star , Victory and British War Medals. --- Able Seaman Robert Thomson,No:J/14034, of the Royal Navy, serving on HMS Devonshire, was born on 26.12.1894 in Swindon, Wiltshire. He died from illness on 13.8.1915 aged 20 and is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 1359, Queensferry Cemetery. Robert was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals. --- Scullion Xaviar Da Costa, of the Merchant Marines serving on HMS Plassy was married to Joanna Da Costa, Bombay. He died on 5.9.1915 and is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref:1360, Queensferry Cemetery. He was awarded the Mercantile Marine Medal. --- Painter 2nd Class George Sobey,No:M/1485, of the Royal Navy serving on HMS Fearless was born on 1.5.1888 in Bristol. He died during an unrecorded collision on 6.11.1915 aged 27. He is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 1361, Queensferry Cemetery, and was awarded the 1914/15 Star , Victory and British War Medals. --- Petty Officer James Mahoney, No:196155, of the Royal Navy, serving on HMS Fearless died on 28.9.1915 aged 33, caus recorded as unknown. His Father was James Mahoney, Co.Cork, Ireland, and he was husband of Kathleen Mahoney, Co.Cork, Ireland. He is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 1362, Queensferry Cemetery, and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals. --- Petty Officer Arthur Ewens, No:174032, of the Royal Navy, serving on HMS Victory was born on 31.3.1878 in Kent. He died from illness on 2.11.1915 aged 37. He is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 1363, Queensferry Cemetery and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals. --- Able Seaman Arthur John Oblin, No: 236035 of the Royal Navy, serving on HMS Orion, was born on 5.7.1889 in St Helliers, Jersey.Hs parents were Joseph and Mary Ann Obin. He died 6.11.1915 aged 26. He is buried in Commonwealth Garve Ref: 1364. Arthur was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War medals. --- Ships Steward Assistant, Albert Frederick Payne, No:341243, of the Royal Navy serving on HMS Inflexible, was born on 22.6.1881 in Kent and died in the UK on 14.11.1915 aged 33. He is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 1365 and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals. --- Stoker 1st Class Frank Alford, No:SS/110147, of the Royal Navy, serving on HMS Princess Royal was born on 5.4.1891 in Hampshire. He died on 17.11.1915 aged 24. He is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 1366 and was awarded the 1914/15 Star and the Victory and British War Medals. --- Master at Arms Frank Shergold, No:150141, of the Royal Navy, serving on HMS Drina, was born on 10.1.1873 in Wiltshire. His Parents were William and Elizabeth Shergold and he was husband of Edith Rosa Shergold of Portsmouth. He died from illness on 24.11.1915 aged 44. He is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 1367 and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals. --- Officers Steward 2nd Class, Arthur Thomas Chalkley, No:L/3829, of the Royal Navy serving on HMS King Edward, was born on 15.3.1896 in London. He died from illness on 1.12.1915 aged 19. He is buried in Commonwealth Grave Ref: 1368 and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals.
--- Images copyright Frank Hay Queensferry History Group © Queensferry History Group 2015 |