Henry Hempstead Yates (Po) SS 7754, Ordinary Seaman.

Henry was born on 13th September 1898 in Nottingham to parents Henry and Agnes, the youngest of six siblings.  The family lived at 54 Lenton Street in Nottingham when recorded on the 1901 census.

He was working as a tobacco packer before signing up to the Navy on 18th October 1916 for a short service of 5 years plus 7 in retention.

He was noted as being 5'4" tall, with light brown hair, blue eyes and had scars under both ears, the back of his neck, left forearm and on his right thumb.

Henry's short career began with training at HMS Victory I as an Ordinary Seaman on 18th Oct 1916 to the 28th January 1917 before being posted to his only ship, the dreadnought HMS Vanguard on 29th January 1917.  He was awarded the Victory and British war medals which were issued to his father following his death, his pension was awarded to his mother.

He is remembered in perpetuity on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

(#143 - 841/843)

Sources:

England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD

England 1901 Census 

Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services, 1848-1939 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services; Class: ADM 188; Piece: 1101

British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty: Naval Casualties, Indexes, War Grave Rolls and Statistics Book, First World War.; Class: ADM 242; Piece: 010 (1914 - 1919)

CWGC Register

Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/10; Scan Number: 1189

Navy Lists, 1888-1970 National Library of Scotland; Edinburgh, Scotland; British Navy Lists. National Library of Scotland, 2020. https://doi.org/10.34812/y3wn-j486; Reference: 92149074

Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 119

WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 193/1043/Yat-Yeo

Photo - BNA, mirropix