Cromarty Archive

HMS Natal

HMS Natal

Date Added: 27 February 2006 Contributor: Estelle Quick Year: 1915 Picture No: 1551

From the archive of Cammell Laird in Birkenhead, this photo was taken on November 22nd 1915 while she was in for a refit and is probably one of the last official photographs of the Natal.

Groups: The Natal - Warship destroyed by an explosion off Cromarty during WW1

5 Comments

My father survived the explosion. at cromarty he was in the water for 3 quarters of an hour he was rescued by two fisherman and he told me that the explosion took part in the middle of a christmas/new year childrens party he escaped through burning decks and in to the water. I think his rank was a torpedoman. We are trying to research his navy career and p.s my mother kept his hat ribbon up until she died recently his name was Edward Stupple. Comment left on 02 December 2006 at 20:58 by Alfred Stupple
My father Robert Richard Borthwick was crew on HMS Natal when it sank, he survived. I would like to know his rank and what he said when interviewed. I have his medal issued to the survivors. While in Durban S.A., I came across the memorial to the crew of HMS Natal at the Fort. I also have a poem written of the sinking. Comment left on 17 August 2008 at 16:24 by Ron Borthwick
It's so nice to see this photograph. I can imagine my grandfather William Walsh, on board at this time and not knowing that a short time later in the coming month his ship would be destroyed and sadly him as well. Thank you for the image, I'll add it to my album. Comment left on 18 August 2008 at 09:33 by [email protected]
What a wonderful photo, Estelle. I am researching the names on our local war memorial. One is W. Jervis, died 1915, but the only likely Jervis on the CWGC website is Leading Seaman T W Jervis who died on HMS Natal and is buried at Cromarty. Do your records indicate when and where T W Jervis was born? If he was 'our' Jervis, the picture is even more poignant, for we live near Liverpool and he would probably have had some home leave Comment left on 07 November 2008 at 20:55 by Ros Phillips
I don't think it can be the same Jervis. Thomas William Jervis who served on the Natal was born in West Ham and lived in Ramsgate. Have you tried the medal card index on the National Archives site - quite a few Thomas Jervises there. Comment left on 09 November 2008 at 22:31 by Estelle Quick
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