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Writer's pictureWendy Sadler

James Wotherspoon Lovegrove Able Seaman, (Ch) 233880


James was born in Glasgow on 29th September 1888 to parents William and Agnes. Aged three on the 1891 census, he was recorded living at 37 Tobago Street in Glasgow along with his parents, three siblings and four lodgers.


Following on from school he worked briefly as a messenger boy before heading for the seas.


James joined the Navy for 12 years service, noted as 5’7 when fully grown, with fair hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion.


HMS CALEDONIA - 03/05/1905 - 03/01/1906, rising from Boy 2nd Class to Boy 1st Class on 14/12/1905

HMS GANGES - 04/01/1906 - 17/05/1906

HMS EURYALUS - 18/05/1906 - 09/09/1906

HMS EDGAR - 10/09/1906 - 31/05/1907, rising to Ordinary Seaman on 29/09/1906

HMS WARRIOR - 01/06/1907 - 01/02/1909, rising to Able Seaman on 16/04/1908

HMS BEDFORD - 02/02/1909 - 29/10/1910

HMS PEMBROKE I - 30/10/1910 - 25/11/1910

HMS ACTAEON - 26/11/1910 - 08/05/1911

HMS PEMBROKE I - 09/05/1911 - 30/10/1911

HMS ALBION - 31/10/1911 - 31/12/1911

HMS CRESSY - 01/01/1912 - 13/03/1912

HMS PEMBROKE I - 14/03/1912 - 26/03/1912, while stationed at the shore base James was recorded as being at 41 High Street, Blue Town, Sheerness, a restaurant, during the 1911 census, along with the proprietor, his family and several other navy ratings.

HMS VANGUARD - 27/03/1912 - 09/07/1917


His brother was issued with James’ Star, Victory and British war medals following his death. He was one of the longest serving members aboard VANGUARD when she exploded, having also served during the Battle of Jutland.


#287 - 490/843


Sources:


1891 Scotland Census

1911 England 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: 414

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: 009 (1914 - 1919)

CWGC Register

Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/9; Scan Number: 0176

Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 108

Evening Times 23rd July 1917


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