John Watkin Acton, HMS Invincible

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 5 November 1874 at Portdinorwic, Caernarvonshire, the son of Capt. Thomas Morris Acton, Master Mariner from Portdinorwic and Mrs. Anne Jane Action who resided in Holyhead. He was the brother of Joseph Acton, RNR. (Lost on HMS Vale of Leven in 1917). Resided at Dorset House, Lhassa Street, Holyhead. Married Mary James at Holyhead in 1903. They had two children - Annie Jane Acton (b.1903) and Cyril Acton (b. 1911). His wife remarried as Mary Chandler of “Bryn-Tegai”, Penmaenmawr Rd., Llanfairfechan, Caernarvonshire.

He joined the RNR on 3 June 1901 being employed as an AB Seaman for the LNWR at Holyhead. He joined HMS Invincible on 2 September 1914. His widow applied for his RNR Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in January 1917.

Awarded the 1914-1915 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal.

Commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Panel 23.

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