SMITH John Lawrence. Stoker Petty Officer, D/K1200, H.M.S. Drake, Royal Navy,
Born 27 December 1892 at Iron Acton to Enoch and Ellen, nee Crook of Iron Acton.
1901 residing with his widowed mother and siblings at Bagstone Roar, Wickwar, Gloucestershire
1911 with his mother and siblings at Wotton Road, Iron Acton, occupation, farm labourer.
Notes from his Naval Record
Joined the Royal Navy at Devonport 23 August 1911 and posted to HMS Vivid 2 as Stoker Class 2 to the 26 March 1912. Next ship was HMS Bellona from 27 March to 6 November. Promoted to Stoker Class 1 whilst still on Bellona. Other ships he was on Impregnable, Benbow, now Stoker Petty Officer, Europa, Ceres, Colossus (Collingwood), Glorious, and Victory XI (Burslem)
22 November 1922 on an agreement of 2 years sent to Royal Australian Naval Depot, Australia House, London as Stoker Petty Officer 10527 (Australian naval number) until 4 December 1922. Serving on the following Australian Naval Ships HMAS Cerberus from 5 December 1922 to 16 January 1923, Adelaide from 17 January 1923 to 24 January 1924. Brisbane from 25 January 1924 to 28 October 1924. Cerberus from 29 October 1924 to 23 December 1924. Royal Australian Navy, London Depot, Australia House, London 24 December 1924 to 6 April 1925 when he reverted to the Royal Navy for duty on Naval Base HMS Vivid 2, Esprey and Comus which he joined 23 April 1927.
Notes from his 2nd Naval Record
Joined HMS Vivid 2, 17 August 1929, Tamar 28 May 1931, Vivid 2 30 January, Defiance 29 April 1933. On shore 22 August 1933 discharged to pension. He was mobilised to HMS Drake 2, 28 September 1938, demobilised 2 October 1938. He was again mobilised 26 August 1939 onto Naval Base HMS Drake 2 as Stoker Petty Officer. and on the following ships. Gleaner (J83) 4 November 1939. Caroline 1 January 1940, Naval Base HMS Drake 16 February 1940. Caroline (Whaless) 23 April 1940, HMS Calendula 29 April 1940, Eaglet 1 October 1940, Edinburgh Castle 15 December 1940 and Eaglet 27 October 1941. He died aged 50 of pneumonia on Naval Base HMS Drake 6 February 1943.
UK, British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 record his death at Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth, Devon.
Commemorated on the war memorial in St James the Less Church, Iron Acton.
At rest in the churchyard, St James the Less, Iron Acton.
