Richard Thomas, HMS Queen Mary

Stoker, 963U, RNR, HMS Queen Mary. Died, aged 46, on 31 May 1916 at the Battle of Jutland. One of five Holyhead seamen lost during this battle.

HMS Queen Mary was a 27,200 ton Battlecruiser built in 1913 and was part of the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron. She had previously seen action at the Battle of Heligoland Bight in August 1914.

Image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HMS_Queen_Mary.jpg

During the Battle of Jutland the ship was in the thick of the action. After exchanging heavy salvoes with their German opponents, she suffered direct hits from the SMS Seydlitz and SMS Derfflinger. One shell hit forward and detonated one or both of the forward magazines that broke the ship in two near the foremast. The second hit may have struck 'Q' turret and started a fire in 'Q' working chamber. A further explosion, possibly from shells breaking loose, shook the aft end of the ship as it began to roll over and sink with the loss of 1266 crew. There were 18 survivors.

Richard Thomas was born on 16 December 1869 at Holyhead, the son of John and Ellen Thomas. He was the husband of Margaret Thomas of 57 London Road, Holyhead. Also resided at 21 Queen's Park, Holyhead and previously at 1 Brighton Terrace, Holyhead. His son, also named Richard Thomas, died when HMHS Anglia was lost in the English Channel on 17 November 1915. He enrolled in the RNR on 25 September 1900 and was employed as a Fireman on LNWR Steamers at Holyhead, including TSS Hibernia. He joined HMS Queen Mary on 23 August 1914. His widow applied for his RNR Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in March 1917.

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

Commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Panel 23.