Name
Ernest George Harwood
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/11/1914
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Able Seaman
217276
Royal Navy
H.M.S. "Bulwark"
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
GILLINGHAM (WOODLANDS) CEMETERY, KENT
Naval. 19. 991.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Killed in action
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin War Memorial,
Holy Saviour Church War Memorial, Radcliffe Rd., Hitchin,
St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Wartime Service
His Service Number was 217276 and in August 1914 was a
member of the crew of H.M.S. ‘Bulwark’ which blew up in Sheerness harbour while
taking ammunition on board. Sabotage was suspected but the subsequent inquiry
concluded that the explosion was caused by ammunition accidentally igniting.
Only 12 men were saved out of a crew of 800. The vessel was a battleship of
15,000 tons completed in 1902 and was part of the 5th Battle Squadron.
He was buried in Naval Grave 19,991 in Gillingham
(Woodlands) New Cemetery. This is a very large cemetery with close-packed dark
grey stones that present a very sombre appearance. Many of his shipmates are
buried in surrounding graves. His gravestone records "Killed in action" but there is no evidence that the enemy
caused his death.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, Jonty Wild
