Cromarty Image Library

Hello Jim,

Do you happen to have a list of the names of the crewmen shown in your photo? A distant cousin of mine was Lt. Engineer William Black and he was amongst the crewmen not to survive that fateful day in 1915. It is a possibility that he is amongst the crewmen shown but as I have no photgraphic evidence of him it is impossible to tell one way or the other.

Hi
Oh how wonderful is this technology. Thank you Jim for submitting this photo and I too would like to know if you can identify anyone here, my grandfather did not survive this explosion either, his name Denis Coyle Scrimgour, I have just started building my family tree and trying to piece information together.
Robyn (nee Scrimgour)
New Zealand

My father survived the explosion he was pulled from the water by two fisherman after 3 quarters of an hour we think his rank was torpedoman his name is Edward Stupple his age would have beeen between 17/19? he went on to complete his service in the RN pensioning off in 1936 and being recalled in 1939. any news or photographic evidence would be gratefully received.

THE LAST MOMENTS OF H.M.S. "NATAL"

By Bert Payne, A.B., one of the Survivors

Thirteen thousand tons she weighed, a cruiser smart and trim,
Yet she did’nt look it in her light grey coat, she seemed so slim;
Eight hundred lads, both staunch and true,
Neatly dressed in their uniforms of blue
She carried where’er she went,
Always willing to take her load without the least comment.

We had learned to love our ship, because we know that she could slip
O’er the oceans far and wide, without her sister ships being by her side.
What happy times we had sometimes in U.S.A.,
Then a pleasure trip to Russia and a cruise to fair Norway.
Or perhaps we’d have a few days of tactics way up North,
And once again we’d have a rest in the Moray Firth.

Always to the fore, the cruiser "Natal" would be top score,
Whether it be coaling, gunnery or sports.
"Twas all the same to the Burial Ship she was one of the good old sorts.
And Kaiser Bill had learned that oft-times she had steamed,
Scooped up his merchant shipping and over her triumph gleamed.
Again a submarine would show itself and try to dip,
But where the "Nats" had to take a hand ‘twas always too late to slip.

A grinding noise, a crash, a bang, and then the pangs of death
Crept o’er those merciless murderers as they drew their last drawn breath;
Then as though some inwards spirit had suddenly appeared,
We always gave vent to our feeling and cheered and cheered,
As we watched the floating blood and oil, or may be a tiny piece of wreck,
Which told us our duty we were doing to hold the Huns in check.

The dying "Blucher" saw her through the foggy mist,
While many a shell from the good old " Natal" tore its way clear and kissed
The floating mass of cemented steel, tearing away her bilges and laying bare her massive keel,
O’er thousands of miles of ocean she travelled for duty’s cause,
And whenever she came into harbour she was met with loud applause;
Then to think that such a ship as she should meet so cruel a doom
Without a fighting chance, draws us all to a state of gloom.

It was just after three p.m. when the terrible shock was felt,
the flames burst forth from aft in a cruel scorching belt,
Flames and fumes that threatened to loosen the staunchest hearts
And bring memories of the dear old faces from whom we had to part,
To fight for our King and Country and to retain our homes and beauty.

But could there in all this world be found a more glorious body of men,
Than those o’er whom the icy waters swirled, and then,
Thanks to the help our gallant comrades gave,
God bless them all ! And keep watch o’er those whom they tried so hard to save,
The lads whose last resting place was an icy cold and watery grave.

Four hundred of Britain’s bravest gave their lives, whilst waiting to crush those "Huns,"
Four hundred of her staunchest sailors lost their lives within reach of our guns.
God bless those widows and orphans! And where’er this tale may be told,
Just take off your hats to those brave lads of the "Nats," who died like Britishers bold.

18th January 1916

Alfred Gunner died on HMS Natal he was my great great cousin. Does anybody have any idea if he is in the picture or have any information on him? His mother was Rose Gunner nee Osborne father Henry Gunner.

"Gunner, Alfred. Stoker 1st Class. K21113. Born 27.12.1894 Snodland Kent. Lived Wateringbury Kent. No known grave."

Hi . I have been able to Identify my great uncle on the picture 'crewmen of HMS Natal' added by Jim Wellford. If Jim or someone who knows him could contact me, I would appreciate it.

I previously asked a question about my cousin, Alfred Gunner, who died on HMS Natal. Can anybody tell me about the commemorative medal? Did they make reproductions of it as I would love to get one so I can remember him? His service was no: k/21113. Thanks.
Michael.

I know my grandfather Robert Bonallie served on HMS Natal during WW1. He died just after my late father was born. Robert told his children about an incident with a torpedo, is your HMS Natal the one he would have served on as I believe 2 ships of this name served during WW1? I cannot find a crew list for this ship, if anyone can help me I would be very grateful.

Dear Jim,
Thank you for posting the photo of the crewmen of the Natal. You can add me to the list of people wondering if you have names of any of the crewmen in the photo that you submitted. My mother's uncle, Percy Larman, died when the Natal was destoyed in 1915 and I would be mosted interested to know if he is in that photo. Thank you.

My Grandfather Ernest Paxford was one of the lucky few to survive, He was ashore playing football. He was discharged from the navy in 1925 and went to work for the BBC.

My Gr.grandfather Henry Potts was due shore leave that day but gave it to another sailor who wanted to go ashore. My G/G would have survived had he not been so generous.

My Great uncle, Claude Russell Allen was also one of the lucky ones that survived, for he was also ashore playing for the Natal's football team, he also boxed for the navy. Between the wars he served on the cruiser Hawkins on the China seas. When he finished his naval career he become a Publican. He died in 1972.

I have just received a silver cigarette box from my grandmother Alice Henderson.Inside is written "combined Home Fleet Regatta, 1909. Officers' Race won by H.M.S. NATAL" with the namas of: "L.B.Wondsborough, J.(or S)F.Wharton, G.B.Riley and ?.F.Pridham.

Crewmen from HMS Natal no 838 3rd from left, 2nd row is my father Edward Stupple.

We have just found out that Mark Tippey died on the Natal. We would love to know if he is on that picture. He was brother of my friend Derek Casey's Grandfather, Walter Tippey.

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