Lives of the First World War

Photo taken in the garden of Richard Stokes, father of the bride after wedding, autumn 1922. Includes Charles Bevis, veteran of Jutland (Iron Duke), Boer War (Terrible) and Wei Hai Wei after Boxer Rising

First page of partial service record, giving ships, conduct, medals, pension number

Reverse of Service record from 1930-38

As a Boy Shipwright, joined the operation to patch up damaged ships after Jutland so they could make it to dry docks in other yards. Postcards back home to family.

In newly issued uniform 1916

The Sun Hotel as it was in the late nineteenth century when Cyril's grandmother lived and worked there as a laundress, raising her 5 youngest children on becoming a widow. Cyril's father Charles, aged 10, was taken in by the Royal Navy Hospital School at Greenwich as the orphaned son of a decorated sailor, retired Chief Boatswain William Bevis. Cyril's mother Ethel lived with her grandmother and farmworker uncle nearby, including after Cyril's birth while her husband served at sea.

On HMS Iron Duke, dated 28 December 1914, sent as a postcard to his mother-in-law Harriet Plummer. He was very close to Harriet and corresponded with her from all over the world, wherever he served. He discouraged Cyril, his eldest son, from following him into the Royal Navy, but both his sons ignored this advice and were career RN shipwrights.