Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Chatham Naval Memorial | 17 Kent | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.134 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 46C GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | Naval General Service Medal (Persian Gulf) Long Service & Good Conduct Medal | ||
Family :
Son of John and Alice Sawkins, of Nonington, Dover; husband of Mabel Caroline Black (formerly Sawkins), of 5, Edward VII Villas, Bredhurst Rd., Rainham, Kent.Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: HMS Negro |
| Action : Naval Accident |
During the war there were a number of Naval Accidents which we have isolated because of their shocking caualties and the corresponding impact on members of the craft. There were a number of vessels destroyed in port by explosions which we would today categorise as 'Health & Safety' failures.
Detail :
SAWKINS, John, Chief Stoker, HMS Negro HMS Hoste developed engine problems and HMS Negro took her in tow during a storm off the Orkney's. As the two destroyers made their way back to Scapa Flow they were dashed together by the waves causing two depth charges to become dislodged and fall overboard from HMS Hoste. When they reached the proper depth they exploded damaging HMS Negro. Soon both ships were in trouble, Negro because of the damage to her stern and Hoste because she was damaged in the collision and was now at the mercy of the sea. Both ships finally sank in the cold water off Scapa Flow, the smaller Negro sank quickly with heavy loss of life of her entire crew of 5 officers and 46 ratings. The destroyers Marvel and Marmion attempted to tow Hoste to port but were unsuccesful and she was lost as well. Hoste lost 4 ratings. Conway's lists the date of the collision as the 21st. Two Freemasons died on HMS Negro; SAWKINS, John, Chief Stoker WELLS, Herbert Ernest, Engine Room Artificer. SAWKINS heldthe Naval General Service Medal (Persian Gulf), Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | King's Navy No. 2901 E.C. | East Kent |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
18th December 1911 | 19th February 1911 | 18th February 1912 |
War service is shown in the contribution register followed by "Died (on active service) Jan. 1917"
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