Person

Herbert Christie was born on 24 September 1889 in Darlington. His father was commercial clerk William Christie (1853-1922), originally from Keswick, Cumberland. His mother was Mary Christie nee Sanderson (1856-1930), an engine fitter’s daughter originally from Hunslet, Yorkshire. His parents married in 1880 and had nine children, all of whom were boys. In 1891 they lived at 27 Eskdale Street, Darlington. At the time of both the 1901 and 1911 censuses the Christie family lived at 4 Garden Street, Darlington. In 1911 Herbert was working as a plumber.

Herbert joined the Royal Navy on 1 September 1916 to serve for the duration of hostilities. He was initially rated as a stoker 2nd class and given the service number K36043. He joined the crew of HMS Opal on 13 December 1916 and was rated as a stoker 1st class on 1 January 1917.

On the night of 12 January 1918 the destroyers HMS Opal and HMS Narbrough were on night patrol east of Orkney, Scotland looking for German ships and submarines laying mines. In near zero visibility Opal hit rocks at speed off the coast of South Ronaldsway. She rapidly sank with the loss Herbert and all but one of her entire crew. Herbert’s body was not recovered for burial and he is honoured on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. He was remembered on the Memorial Hospital, 1914-18, Darlington and the Rood and Plaque Fallen 1914-18, Holy Trinity Church, Darlington.

Herbert Christie was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service during the First World War.

Civil Parish: Darlington

Birth date: 24-Sep-1889

Death date: 12-Jan-1918

Armed force/civilian: Navy

Residence: 27 Eskdale Street, Darlington (1891 census)
4 Garden Street, Darlington (1901 & 1911 census)

Employment: Plumber (1911 census)

Family: Parents: William Christie (1853-1922), Mary Christie nee Sanderson (1856-1930)
Siblings: Joseph Christie (1881), John Christie (1881), William Albert Christie (1883), Frederick Arthur Christie (1886), Thomas Henry Christie (1887), George Septimus Christie (1892), Percy Wilfred Christie (1895)

Military service:

K36043
Royal Navy
Stoker 2nd class, 1 September 1916
Stoker 1st class, 1 January 1917
HMS Opal, 13 December 1916

Medal(s): British War Medal
Victory Medal

Memorial(s): Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Memorial Hospital, 1914-18, Darlington
Rood and Plaque Fallen 1914-18, Holy Trinity Church, Darlington

Gender: Male

Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham