Location
H.M.S. BULWARK NOV 26TH 1914 AGED 32
Further Information
The CWGC record for Able Seaman J.D. Kingston, 201061, reports that he was the son of James and H. Kingston, of 33, Eastney Rd., Portsmouth. The inscription is on the grave of his father James and brother Reginald John who died of wounds received at the Somme.
"HMS Bulwark, a battleship of 15,000 tons, was moored to No.17 buoy in Kethole Reach on the River Medway, almost opposite the town of Sheerness, Isle of Sheppy, Kent. It was one of the ships forming the 5th Battle Squadron. She had been moored there for some days, and many of her crew had been given leave the previous day. They had returned to the Bulwark at 7 o'clock that morning and the full complement was onboard. The usual ship's routine was taking place. Officers and men were having breakfast in the mess below deck, other were going about their normal duties. A band was practising while some men were engaged in drill. The disaster struck."
"A roaring and rumbling sound was heard and a huge sheet of flame and debris shot upwards. The ship lifted out of the water and fell back. There was a thick cloud of grey smoke and further explosions. When the smoke eventually cleared, the Bulwark had sunk without trace."
