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The Surrey Advertiser 16 June 1916 reported that several Ash men had been killed in a great seafight. This was the Battle of Jutland. William Hunt, Fred Taylor and Albert Williams all went down on HMS Black Prince. George Russell went down on HMS Defence.
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Leading Seaman 234875, HMS Black Prince, Royal Navy Died 31 May 1916 aged 26 Remembered on Ash War Memorial Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial Remembered on Badshot Lea War Memorial Remembered on Farnham War Memorial Remembered on Tongham War Memorial (added in 1997) William Hunt was the son of Harry and Mary Hunt, and was born 20 June 1889 in Mattingley in Hampshire. His family had lived in Coolhurst Cottage in Badshot Lea when he was a boy and he had attended Badshot Lea School. William Hunt’s Service Record (TNA ADM/188/416) records that he was born 20 June 1889. He joined the Navy in 1905 when he was 16 and during his naval career served on HMS St Vincent, HMS Euryalus, HMS Majestic, HMS Vernon, HMS Britannia, HMS Swiftsure and HMS Black Prince. William Hunt had brown hair and eyes, and when he was 18 he was 5 feet 8½ inches tall. The Naval Medal and Award Rolls record that he had earned the 1914/15 Star. His medals were sent to his father. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records that Harry and Mary Hunt lived at 2 Faversham Villa, Oxenden Road, Tongham. |
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Petty Officer Stoker 287585 HMS Black Prince, Royal Navy Fred Taylor was born in Ash 29 March 1878. Fred Taylor’s Service Record (TNA ADM/188/462) records that he was born in Ash and was a labourer before joining the Navy 31 January 1898 for 12 years. He had dark hair and grey eyes and a dark complexion. He served on HMS Prince George, HMS Juno, HMS Aboukir, HMS Foresight, HMS Good Hope and HMS Terrible before joining the crew of HMS Black Prince 21 April 1914. The Surrey and Hants News of 8 June 1916 reported that Fred Taylor had been in the Navy for 19 years. The Aldershot News 16 June 1916 added that his sister Mrs Wiltshire of Wharf Road had been notified that he had gone down on the Black Prince. The Naval Medal and Award Rolls record that he had earned the 1914/15 Star. His medals were sent to a friend (Mrs Heathcote). The Royal Naval and Marines Graves Roll 1914-1919 records that Fred’s cousin Muriel Beaumont lived at Heath Cottage in Wharf Road. |
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Able Seaman 196951 HMS Defence Royal Navy The Commonwealth War Graves Commission Roll of Honour records that George Russell was the husband of A.M. Beavis (formerly Russell) of 4 Western Row, Western Town, Sidmouth. George Russell was born in Sidmouth in 1882 and was a garden boy when he joined the Navy at Devonport the age of 15. He served on many ships over his 18½ year career, and was on HMS Defence from 2 September 1913 until the ship was blown up (TNA ADM/188/340). He had formerly lived with his sister Mrs Franks at Finchley Villas in Ash Hill Road. |
