Military Chat

Top tip - using the Genes Reunited community

Welcome to the Genes Reunited community boards!

  • The Genes Reunited community is made up of millions of people with similar interests. Discover your family history and make life long friends along the way.
  • You will find a close knit but welcoming group of keen genealogists all prepared to offer advice and help to new members.
  • And it's not all serious business. The boards are often a place to relax and be entertained by all kinds of subjects.
  • The Genes community will go out of their way to help you, so don’t be shy about asking for help.

Boards

Quick Search

Single word search

Tools

Findmypast DNA Banner

Icons

  • New posts
  • No new posts
  • Thread closed
  • Stickied, new posts
  • Stickied, no new posts

100 Years ago today - HMS Bulwark

Login to Add Reply Watch This
ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Alan

Alan Report 26 Nov 2014 13:47

100 years ago today my great grandfather James Thomas Gardner was killed when his ship HMS Bulwark exploded at Sheerness. Along with many others of the crew his remains were never found and other than his name appearing on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial I know of no other grave or memorial. Also I am unable to find any record of a death certificate. When he died his wife and two sons were living at the Carrickfergus Coastguard Station in Co Antrim as prior to August 1914 that was were he was based. Can anyone advise if a death certificate would have been issued and would it have been issued at Sheerness or would his wife have applied for it to be issued back home at Carrickfergus.
Thanks,
Alan Siddorn

Potty

Potty Report 26 Nov 2014 15:11

Armed forces deaths are in separate registers at the GRO.

This looks like his death registration:

GRO WAR DEATHS NAVY ALL RANKS INDICES (1914 to 1921) Transcription

First name(s)JAMES T
Last nameGARDNER
Death year1914
Year range1914
RankP.O. (C.G.) (A.B.)
Ship or unitBULWARK
Record sourceGRO War Death Navy All Ranks Indices (1914 to 1921)
VolumeRN.
Page1433

There is also this

Deaths at sea, 1781-1968 Transcription
First name(s) James Thomas
Last name Gardner
Gender Male
Birth year 1868
Birth date 12 Jan 1868
Birth placeKingston
Birth county Hants
Death year1914
Death date26 Nov 1914
Age46
Departure port-

Series
ADM 242

Box
0008

Service RN

Record set Deaths at sea, 1781-1968

There is an image attached which gives his wife's details.

Alan

Alan Report 26 Nov 2014 16:28

Thank you so much for this info.
Cheers,
Alan

Gritty

Gritty Report 27 Nov 2014 08:26

Published: Portsmouth Evening News - Friday 26 November 1915

In loving memory of my beloved husband, lost on HMS Bulwark, November 26th 1914 sadly missed by his wife and two sons at Carrickfergus.
Down, down beneath the deep
That oft in triumph bore him
He sleeps a sound and peaceful sleep
With the wild waves dashing o'ver him
When days are dark and friends are few,
Dear husband how I long for you.
Flowers may wither, fade and die,


Index to M.R.3 Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
GARDNER. A,B (P.O, C.G) James Thomas 123062 R.N. HMS 'BULWARK'. Killed by internal explosion of vessel off Sheerness 26th Nov, 1914. Age 46. Son of the late Thomas and May Gardner of Soberton, Hants; Husband of Bertha Gardner of 16 Albert Drive, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim, late of Hill Pound, Swanmore, nr. Pops Waltham, Hants. 2
Some may forget you, but never will I.