HMS Invincible 1907-1916

[Chief Plummer]

I recently received some geneology fomrs from a distant cousin. It listed a Herbert Edward Mason, born 1884 and died on 31 May 1916 aboard HMS INVINCIBLE.
Looking for any information on his military service, his rating, time in the Royal Navy, etc. His parents were Robert Mason, b-1860, d-1932. His mother was Julia Ada Weeks, b-1859, d-1941. He also had a brother, Samuel Mason, b-1893, d-1919.
Thank you very much,
Jim Plummer
CPO USN-RET

[kc]

A quick search on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site comes up with a little more information, but not a great deal more than you already have. Here is a link:

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=3037432

Hope it is of some use :)

[John Brown]

It would appear that your other distant cousin, Samuel, also died whilst in the armed forces (possibly in Palestine).

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=359516

Your distant cousin Herbert does appear on this casualty list for Invincible at Jutland. His surname appears to have been incorrectly spelt as Masen.

http://www.northeastmedals.co.uk/britishguide/jutland/hms_invincible_casualty_list_1916.htm

[fuffie]

Have you tried looking on the National Archives website? There is an option to search for service records of members of the RN.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/

If found you can then download the service record for 3.50GBP they also have available to search RN wills so it may be worth a try. Hope it helps.

[Clio]

I know the names of the officers who survived the Invincible explosion at Jutland but can anyone tell me the names of the ratings who also survived ?

[tone]

p220 of the Jutland Despatches indicates:

Cdr Hubert E Dannreuther (I was lucky to meet his son in 2005)
Lt C. S. Sandford
CPO P. T. I. Thompson
Yeoman of Signals Walter Mclean Pratt 216963
Able Seaman Ernest George Dandridge 239478
Gunner Gasson, R.M.A. (IIRC, this man was actually in the turret hit that started the maelstom?)


tone

[Clio]

Thank you very much Tone.

[Harley]

Despite my limited efforts, I have been unable to find out when Bryan William Gasson, B.E.M., R.M.A. passed away. The last mention I can find is when he spoke to Her Majesty the Queen at the launch of the present "Invincible" on 11 July, 1980. Apparently he spoke to her for a few minutes, and "described how his Royal Marines parade ground drill saved his life 64 years before." It would be interesting to know how it helped, since he was the "Q" turret rangetaker and presumably got blasted through the hood!

Simon