John Wathen, HMS Bulwark

HMS Bulwark was a 15,000 ton London Class Pre-Dreadnought Battleship commissioned in 1902. She was part of the 5th Battle Squadron at the outbreak of war and stationed on the River Medway to protect the English Channel.On the morning of Thursday, 26 November 1914, HMS Bulwark was moored to No.17 buoy in Kethole Reach on the River Medway, almost opposite the town of Sheerness, Isle of Sheppy, Kent. There was a full complement of men aboard. At 07:50 The ship suffered a powerful internal explosion that ripped the ship apart. All of her officers were lost, and out of her complement of 750, only 14 sailors survived; two of these men subsequently died of their injuries in hospital. Almost all of the remaining survivors were seriously injured. The resultant inquest and investigation did not arrive at a definitive cause for the explosion. However, it was generally believed that it was due to poor control and storage of cordite charges that may have become overheated.

Two other Holyhead sailors lost their lives in the explosion (John Jones and Robert Pritchard).

Born on 6 September 1866 at Holyhead, the son of Thomas and Margaret Wathen of 13 Ucheldre Avenue, Holyhead (previously known as 13 Mill Street). He was popularly known as "Warren", was unmarried and had employed by the LNWR as since 21 February 1900, laterly as a Fireman.

Enrolled in the RNR on 10 March 1902. He then declared his date of birth to be 7 September 1872. Recorded as joining HMS Bulwark on 28 July 1914.

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

Commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Panel 6. He is also commemorated on the LNWR Roll of Honour.

HMS Bulwark image from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HMS_Bulwark_(1899).jpg