Name
Walter Leslie Monk
15 June 1898
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
31/05/1916
18
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Ordinary Telegraphist
J/28565
Royal Navy
H.M.S. "Invincible."
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
15
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Hemel Hempstead Town Memorial,
St Mary's Church Memorial, Apsley End
Pre War
Walter Leslie Monk was born on 15 June 1898 in Chippenham, Wiltshire, the son and only child of Charles and Agnes Monk, and was baptised at St Paul's Chippenham on 18 September 1898. They were then living at 2 St Paul's Street, Chippenham.
By the 1901 Census, the family had moved to Nether Hall, Hathersage, Derbyshire, where his father was working as a Caretaker (Domestic).
In 1911, his parents were living at Shendish Cottages, Kings Langley, nr Hemel Hempstead, where his father was a Chauffeur (Domestic), possibly to Thomas Longman (book publisher) who lived at Shendish Manor from 1908, but Walter was listed as a 12 year old schoolboy at the Royal Hospital School, Greenwich.
His parents later lived at Epping Green, Little Berkhamsted, Hertford, Herts.
Wartime Service
He was educated at the Royal Naval School, Greenwich. and served in the Royal Navy from 15 June 1916, signing up for 12 years. His service record shows he was initially training at the Ganges from 20 November 1913 to 9 Jan 1914, then on the Impregnable, Vernon and finally HMS Invincible from 15 December 1915, where he served as an Ordinary Telegraphist.
He was killed in action on board HMS Invincible during the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916, age 18. At 18.34 on 31 May 1916 the Invincible was hit by five shells, one of which penetrated Q turret magazine and the ship exploded. There were only 6 survivors from a crew of 1,031.
His body was not recovered for burial and his name is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Additional Information
His mother received a pension of 5 shillings a week.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild, www.dacorumheritage.org.uk, www.hemelatwar.org., www.hemelheroes.com.
