Name
Vivian George Chambers Willatts
23 Jan 1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
31/05/1916
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
RMA/13741
Royal Marine Artillery
H.M.S. Lion
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
21
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Letchworth memorials, Naval Memorial, Portsmouth, Hants.
Pre War
Vivian George Chambers was born on 23 Jan 1896, in Minstead Manor, Lyndhurst, New Forest to Walter Willatts, gardener, and Ellen (nee Messenger).
On the 1891 Census the family of parents (Walter & Ellen), Amy (born 1888),and Gilbert (born 1889) were living at Cuffnels Lodge, Lyndhurst, Hants.
Ellen died in 1892. Walter married Eliza Lewis in 1893.
On the 1911 Census Vivian was working as an apprentice grocer, living with the Cullinore family of William, father, Ida(mother), Russell, Nelson, Redvers, Edgar and Charles at 1, Naish’s Street, Frome, Somerset; there were 2 domestic servants. Vivian’s family of Walter & Eliza, Henry and Arthur were living at Trent, Trent Sherborne, Somerset.
On 1921 Census the family of Walter (market gardener),Eliza, Gilbert (boot repairer), Lewis (shoeing & blacksmith) and Arthur (market gardener for father) were living at Beeches, Suffolk Road, Wilbury Hills, Letchworth, Herts.
Wartime Service
Vivian enlisted in the Royal Marines Artillery on 14 Oct 1913 as Private RMA/13741 and following his training was promoted to Gunner on 14 Aug 1914. He served on HMS Lion from 28 Sep 1914.
HMS Lion was a Battlecruiser, completed in 1912 with a main armament of eight 13.5in (34.3cm) guns, the Lion was Admiral Beatty's flagship at the Battles of the Heligoland Bight (28 Aug 1914), Dogger Bank (24 Jan 1915) and Jutland (31 May-1 June. At Jutland she was hit by several 12in (30.5cm) shells from the German ship Lutzow. One struck 'Q' turret amidships and only prompt flooding of the turrets magazine saved the ship from a potentially fatal fire.
Vivian was killed in action at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916 and as was common Naval practice was committed to the deep in the North Sea.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £10 was paid to his family.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
