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This data is related to World War 1
Able Seaman

Albert Edward Winters

Service Number J/7143
Military Unit HMS Defence Royal Navy
Date of birth 18 May 1893
Date of Death 31 May 1916 (23 Years Old)
Place of Birth Shoreditch London
Employment, Education or Hobbies Unknown
Family History

He was the son of William and Sarah Ann Winters and the brither of Maud and Violet Winters. In 1911 they lived at 5, Charles Square, Shoreditch, London.

Military History

He enlisted 18/5/1911 for 12 years and formerly served aboard HMS Commonwealth. HMS Defence was laid down on 22 February 1905 at the Royal Dockyard in Pembroke Dock, Wales. She was christened on 27 April 1907 by Lady Cawdor and commissioned on 3 February 1909 at the cost of £1,362,970. During the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916, Defence was the flagship of Rear-Admiral Sir Robert Arbuthnot, leading the First Cruiser Squadron. The squadron formed the starboard flank of the cruiser screen, ahead of the main body of the Grand Fleet. Defence was just to the right of the centre of the line. At 5:47 p.m., Defence, and HMS Warrior, the leading two ships of the squadron, spotted the German II Scouting Group and opened fire. Their shells fell short and the two ships turned to port in pursuit, cutting in front of the battle cruiser HMS Lion, which was forced to turn away to avoid a collision. Shortly afterwards, they spotted the disabled German light cruiser SMS Wiesbaden and closed to engage. When the two ships reached a range of 5,500 yards (5,000 m) from Wiesbaden they were spotted in turn at 6:05 by the German battle cruiser SMS Derfflinger and four battleships who were less than 8,000 yards (7,300 m) away. The fire from the German ships was heavy and Defence was hit by two salvoes that caused the aft 9.2-inch magazine to explode. The resulting fire spread via the ammunition passages to the adjacent 7.5-inch magazines which detonated in turn. The ship exploded at 6:20 with the loss of all men on board; between 893 and 903 men were killed. (Wikipedia)

Extra Information

Andy McKinnon notes this man's 'link to Arnold (is) unclear but (he was) listed as one of Arnold’s Mighty Army in the South Notts Echo on 25th September 1915'. Thanks to Andy McKinnon for this identification.

Photographs

No Photos