Henry Williams, HMS Invincible

Stoker, 2755S, RNR, HMS Invincible. Died, aged 25, on 31 May 1916 at the Battle of Jutland. One of five Holyhead seamen lost during this battle.

Image from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HMS_Invincible_%281907%29_British_Battleship.jpg

HMS Invincible was Admiral Hood's flagship and part of the 3rd Battlecruiser Squadron, which acted as the Grand Fleet's heavy scouting force during the battle. She engaged the German Battlecruisers, which included Lützow and Derfflinger, at 06.21 in the morning. Her gunfire inflicted serious damage on the German ships but a magazine explosion destroyed her after shells from the two German Battlecruisers penetrated ‘Q’ turret. She broke in two and sank quickly. 1026 officers and men were lost. There were six survivors.

Born on 4 January 1891 at Holyhead. He was the son of Henry and Margaret Williams and brother of Mary Lynch of 29 Cambria Street, Holyhead. He joined the RNR on 5 March 1914 and was mobilised in August 1914 whilst employed as a Stoker for the LNWR. He joined HMS Invincible on 15 August 1914 and took part in the action at Heligoland Bight on 28 August 1914 and then the Battle of the Falkland Isles on 8 December of that same year.

Awarded the 1914-15 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal.

Commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Panel 23.