Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Chatham Naval Memorial | Panel.15 Kent | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.130 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 4D GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | |||
Family :
Son of Albert and Annie Middleton of 18, Delamere Street, Crewe and husband of Ellen Gertrude Middleton of 234, Luton Road, Chatham. Was a member of Christ Church bell ringers from the age of 14. Served his time as a fitter in Crewe Works and joined the Royal Navy in 1889. Killed during the Battle of Jutland. Also served on HMS Wolverine.Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: HMS Black Prince |
Class and type: Duke of Edinburgh class armoured cruiser Tons burthen: 13,550 tons Length: 505 ft (154 m) Beam: 73.5 ft (22.4 m) Armament: 6 x BL 9.2-inch (233.7 mm) Mk X guns 10 x BL 6-inch (152.4 mm) Mk XI guns 22 x 3pdr guns |
| Action : Jutland - HMS Black Prince (sinking of) |
As a member of Rear Admiral Sir Robert Keith Arbuthnot's First Cruiser Squadron, the Black Prince participated in the Battle of Jutland, where she was sunk with heavy loss of life. The circumstances under which she sank were mysterious for some years after. During the battle, the ship lost contact with the rest of the British fleet, sending off a wireless signal at 8:48 to report a submarine sighting. As the British had lost contact and did not see the ship destroyed, they were unsure as to whether a submarine or surface ship was responsible for sinking the Black Prince. Recent historians, however, hold to the German account of the ship's sinking. Separated from the rest of the British fleet, the Black Prince approached the German lines at approximately midnight. Realizing his error, Bonham ordered his crew to turn around, but it was too late. The German battleship Th?ringen fixed the Black Prince in its spotlights and opened fire. Up to five other German ships, most of them within 1000 yards, joined in the bombardment; the Black Prince was sunk within 15 minutes.
16 Freemasons were amongst those who were lost in the Black Prince. GRIER William James Boatswain HALLIDAY Charles Frederick Lieutenant LEMON Herbert Sidney Electrical Artificer MIDDLETON Albert Artificer MORRELL William Anthony Gunner PAUL FE Chief Cook PIKE William George Henry Engineer Artificer. In total 67 Brethren lost their lives at Jutland
Detail :
Artificer Albert Middleton, Royal Navy.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Gillingham Lodge of Benevolence No. 184 E.C. | East Kent |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
12th November 1907 | 21st December 1908 | 6th February 1909 |
Listed as a 30 year old Engine Room Artificer, resident at Chatham in 1907 at the time of initiation. The contribution record shows that he was "Killed in Action 31st May 1916."
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley