Jonathan Peacock (1898-1917)
South Shields labourer served as an ordinary seaman on HMS Tornado
Jonathan Peacock was born on 1 December 1898 in South Shields. His father James Peacock (1872-1914) was a mason’s labourer from North Shields, Northumberland. His mother was Ellen Peacock nee Goodier (born 1872), a South Shields boilermaker’s daughter. The 1911 census records that up to that time his parents, who had married in 1890, had had ten children seven of whom were surviving. Of six known siblings Jonathan had four sisters and two brothers. In 1901 the Peacock family lived in Philip’s Court, South Shields. By 1911 they had moved to 34 North Street, South Shields.
Jonathan joined the Royal Navy on 1 December 1917 to serve for the duration of hostilities. He had been working as a labourer in civilian life. He was rated as an ordinary seaman with the service number J68514. On 23 December he was serving on board the destroyer HMS Tornado. She was engaged in convoy escort duty to the Netherlands when she ran into a German-laid minefield. She was hit by two mines and sank quickly with the loss of 75 crew including Jonathan. His body was not recovered for burial. He is honoured on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial and in South Shields on the Roll of Honour Fallen 1914-18 at Holy Trinity Church.
Jonathan Peacock was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service in World War One.
Civil Parish: South Shields
Birth date: 01-Dec-1898
Death date: 23-Dec-1917
Armed force/civilian: Navy
Residence: Philip’s Court, South Shields (1901 census)
34 North Street, South Shields (1911 census)
Employment: Labourer (1917 service record)
Family: Parents: James Peacock (1872-1914), Ellen Peacock nee Goodier (b 1872)
Siblings: Mary Peacock (1891-1893), James Peacock (b 1895), Mary Peacock (b 1896), Elizabeth Peacock (b 1899), Ellen Peacock (b 1903), Thomas Peacock (b 1906)
Military service:
Royal Navy
Service Number J68514
Ordinary seaman
HMS Tornado
Medal(s): Victory Medal
British War Medal
Memorial(s): Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Roll of Honour Fallen 1914-18, Holy Trinity Church, South Shields
Gender: Male
Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham