Victory Medal to 188764 W. Lewington . Y.S R.N

Victory Medal to 188764 W. Lewington . Y.S R.N

Killed in Action 1.11.1914 on board “HMS Good Hope”

William Lewington was born in Egham Surrey on the 5^th August 1880 to Alfred James and Martha Lewington.

William was 17 years old when joined the Navy on the 8^th May 1896 as a Boy 2^nd Class. He first served on HMS Impregnable to until 1^st June 1897, during his time on HMS Impregnable he was promoted to Boy 1^st Class, gaining a character rating of very good.

From the 1^st June 1897 to 1^st July 1898 Lewington severed on Victory III, Majestic, Volage and Resolution. It was on resolution that he became a signaller on the 6^th August 1898. Lewington continued to serve and by the 1^st April 1907 he was a Yeoman of Signals 1^st Class.

On the 13^th July 1913 William transferred onto HMS Good Hope serving on her until the 1^st November 1914. Noted in his service papers is the following:

“Lost when HMS Good Hope was sunk in action off Chilean Coast”

“Chilean Coast” is referring to the Battle of Coronel which took place on the 1^st November 1914. HMS Good Hope was sunk by the SMS Scharnhorst and SMS Gneisenau, the entire crew of 900 officers and men were lost.

In 1904 William had married Lily Rose Wise and together they three children; Elsie, William Alfred George and Lilian Emmeline.

William is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.