John Hall Waters (1899-1916)
Boy from Sunderland served in the Royal Navy on HMS Black Prince at the Battle of Jutland
John Hall Waters was born on 19 May 1899. He was the son of Patrick Waters (1867-1945) a shipyard driller and Elizabeth Waters nee Weatherburn (1869-1954) who were both from Sunderland. They married in their home town in 1892 and had nine children. John was the second born son and had seven sisters. In 1891 the family lived in 11 Sans Street Sunderland and in 1911 in 48 Woodbine Terrace, Sunderland.
John joined the Royal Navy as a boy 2nd class with service number J32393 on 31 July 1914 as war was about to be declared. His intention was to serve for 12 years once he reached his eighteenth birthday. He was 15 years two months and 13 days old when he joined. He was five feet and two inches tall with a 31.5 inch chest. He had brown hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion.
John was initially trained at HMS Ganges, Shotley, Suffolk where he spent just over six months. He was promoted to boy 1st class on 7 February 1915 when he was posted to HMS Black Prince which was part of the Grand Fleet. The ship took part in the Battle of Jutland in May 1916. During the battle the ship was hit by at least twelve heavy shells and several smaller ones, sinking within 15 minutes. There were no survivors from Black Prince with John being one of the crew of 857 killed.
John was 17 years and 13 days old when he died. His body was not recovered for burial and he is honoured on the Chatham Naval Memorial. He is remembered in a Book of Remembrance in Holy Trinity Church, Sunderland.
John Hall Waters was awarded the Star, the Victory Medal and British War Medal for his service in World War One.
Civil Parish: Sunderland
Birth date: 19-May-1899
Death date: 31-May-1916
Armed force/civilian: Navy
Residence: 11 Sans Street, Sunderland (1901census)
48 Woodbine Street, Sunderland (1911 census)
Employment: Factory Lad (1914, Royal Navy service record)
Family: Parents: Patrick Waters (1867-1945), Elizabeth Waters nee Weatherburn (1869-1954)
Siblings: Mary Elizabeth Waters, Sarah Ann Waters, Matthew Stanley Waters, Eleanor Victoria Waters, Edith Waters, Annie Waters, Norah Waters, Emily Waters
Military service:
J32393
Boy 2nd class, 31 July 1914
Boy 1st class, 7 February 1915
HMS Ganges, 31 July 1914 - 7 February 1915
HMS Black Prince, 8 February 1915 - 31 May 1916
Medal(s): Star
Victory Medal
British War Medal
Memorial(s): Chatham Naval Memorial
Book of Remembrance, Holy Trinity Church, Sunderland
Gender: Male
Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham
