Horace James Bakewell
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Horace was the youngest son of George Bakewell and his wife Florence Merville nee James. George was born in Derby, the son of George and Emily Bakewell, and baptised at Derby St Michael Church on 19 June 1864. George's father was a baker. Florence was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. George and Florence were married in 1887 (O/N/D Derby) and had three sons: George b. 1888 (J/A/S Derby), Frank b. 30 January 1891 (Draycott, Derby) and Horace James b. 19 July 1893 (Derby). In 1891 George (26), a baker 'out of business', and Florence (23) were living on Derby Road, Draycott, with their two sons, George (2) and Frank (3 months). Also in the household was a servant, Rachel Houston (13). By 1901 the family was living at 2 Byron Street, Derby. George and Florence now had three sons, George (12), Frank (10) and Horace (7). Frank joined the Royal Navy on 28 November 1906 at the age of 15 and his brother Horace followed suit on 3 September 1910 when he was 17 years old. Both were still serving at the time of the 1911 Census, Horace serving in HMS Mars which was at Portland, Weymouth. In 1911 George senior (46) was living at 2 Cedar Street, Derby, and described himself as 'an out of work baker'. His wife, Florence (45) was living at 53 Hall Street, Sherwood, Nottingham with her eldest son, George (23), a groom. Also in the household was her married neice Amy Dunkerley (37), a manageress, and a boarderLucy Stanfield (28), also a manageress. Florence was still living at 53 Hall Street when Horace was killed in 1916 and the notice of his death which the family placed in the local paper excluded his father. Although she and her husband were living separately in 1911, the CWGC record gives the address of both parents as Hall Street. Frank Bakewell who had joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in 1906 entered the Royal Navy on a 12 year engagement on his 18th birthday, 30 January 1909. He survived the war and was discharged, service expired, on 26 February 1921. He was then a leading seaman. Horace's brother George has not been traced after 1911, but Frank was executor of his mother's will on her death in 1932. Florence was then living at Hatters Square, Queen Street, Kingston upon Hull.
Horace joined the Royal Navy on 3 September 1910 and entered on a 12 year engagement on his 18th birthday, 19 July 1911. He served in the following ships and shore establishments: Ganges II, 3 September 1910-6 January 1911 (Boy 2nd Class 3 September 1910, Boy 1st Class 3 December 1910); HMS Hannibal, 7 January 1910-21 February 1911; HMS Mars, 23 February 1911-15 June 1911; HMS Warrior, 6 June 1911-30 June 1913 (Ordinary Seaman 19 July 1911, Able Seaman 6 February 1913),HMS Vivid, 1 July 1913-2 December 1913; HMS Indefatigable, 3 December 1913-31 May 1916. Horace was killed while serving in HMS Indefatigable at the Battle of Jutland. His Naval record was annotated: ‘NP 3972/1916. DD [discharged dead] 31st May 1916. Killed in Action.’ His body was not recovered for burial and he is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial. HMS Indefatigable was a battle cruiser sunk at Jutland on May 31st 1916 during the ‘Run to the South’ as Admiral Beatty changed course to steer east south east. Around 16.00hrs Indefatigable was hit around the rear turret by two or three shells from Von der Tann. She fell out of formation to starboard and started sinking towards the stern and listing to port. Her magazines exploded at 4:03 after more hits, one on the forecastle and another on the forward turret. Smoke and flames gushed from the forward part of the ship and large pieces were thrown 200 feet (61.0 m) into the air. The most likely cause of her loss was a deflagration or low-order explosion in 'X' magazine that blew out her bottom and severed the steering control shafts, followed by the explosion of her forward magazines from the second volley. Von der Tann fired only fifty-two 28 cm (11 in) shells at Indefatigable before she exploded. Of her crew of over 1,000, only two survived. While still in the water, two survivors found Indefatigable's captain, C. F. Sowerby, who was badly wounded and died before they could be rescued. The two survivors, Able Seaman Elliott and Leading Signalman Falmer, were rescued by the German torpedo boat S16. (Wikipedia)
Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam', 31 May 1917: 'Bakewell. In remembrance of Horace Bakewell, killed in action May 31st, 1916, Jutland Battle. Until the day breaks and the shadows flee. – From mother and brothers George and Frank (still in action).' Photograph published in the Nottingham Evening Post, 22 June 1916; the caption read, 'Gunner (sic) H Bakewell 53 Hall St., Sherwood, Indefatigable, aged 23(sic).’. Items courtesy of Jim Grundy, facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918. Probate: Bakewell Florence Merville of Hatters-square Queen-street Kingston-upon-Hull widow died 20 August 1932 at the infirmary 188 Anlaby-road Kingston-upon-Hull Probate York 24 September to Frank Bakewell general labourer. Effects £69 2s. 6d.
