Frederick HARTLEY

302086, Stoker 1st Class. b. 24th October 1880, Bradford d. 1st November 1914 (aged 34).

The first casualty to die from Clayton, Fred was a professional sailor before the outbreak of war. His parents Benjamin and Sarah Ann lived in the village and after leaving school Fred had moved up to neighbouring Denholme to work as a labourer. In 1902 he made the long journey down to Portsmouth and on the 20th November was sworn in for twelve years’ service at sea.
He was promoted in 1906 from a 2nd class to 1st Class Stoker and during the period between ‘taking the colours’ and the outbreak of war had served on no less than 15 ships.

By the time war was declared he was aboard the HMS Good Hope which was part of Rear Admiral Cradock’s fleet that was sailing out towards South America. On the date of his death the Good Hope met the better equipped and prepared German fleet off the Chilean coast, and the Battle of Coronel took place.

This was to be the first British naval defeat in nearly 200 years; 1600 British sailors died on two battleships in comparison to the mere three crewman wounded aboard one German vessel. The Good Hope was hit several times by the Scharnhorst causing a massive explosion on deck. A few minutes later its magazine exploded and the ship drifted away from the battle in flames at about 7.50pm. It was presumed to have sunk a short while later with no survivors of the 900 man crew ever being found.

Fred’s service records survive and give a fascinating insight into his life. According to these he was 5 feet 8 inches tall with a ‘fresh’ complexion, brown hair and grey eyes with two small scars to the left of his chin.

We can also begin to get an insight into this man’s character as he served under the name Williamson instead of Hartley (why, is a mystery as he was not underage when he enlisted) but more tellingly, that in 1912 he committed some fairly serious misdemeanor. It is recorded that he had to serve 35 days detention between September and November for some offence (although what is not stated) but it is also recorded that on 7th December 1912 he had to go for a character review, which he passed as ‘1st class’. Unfortunately, this time in detention did not count towards his service, and it was then added onto the end of his original 12 years.

He is Commemorated at PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL