Our People - Joseph Thomas Porter

31 May 1916
#J/41735(Dev) Boy 1st Class Joseph Thomas Porter
H.M.S. Malaya, Royal Navy 
Died 31 May 1916 age 16
Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery, Hoy, Orkney - Ref: B.34
Joseph Thomas Porter was born 22 November 1922 to Ada Benson in the parish of St.Maurice in York. He was ranked as a first class gunner and a proficient swimmer, having been awarded medals at the York Bluecoat Swimming School. He had been employed at Stannings bleachworks in Leyland and had attended St.Andrew's Parish church. His last known address was 46 (or 47) Golden Hill Lane.

Joseph joined the navy on 22 November 1915 as soon as he turned 16 years of age, having earlier joined as a boy 2nd class on 23 June 1915 (Boys 2nd Class could join from age 15). He signed on for the usual 12 years service. He was 5 feet and a half inch tall with a chest measurement of 31 inches, brown hair and brown eyes with a fresh complexion. Joseph had 2 scars on his right knee and a scar on his left elbow.

Joseph had served on H.M.S. Powerful (at that stage a troop transport & accommodation ship) from 23 June 1915 until 13 December 1915, then on H.M.S. Victory I (Portsmouth Barracks, not the H.M.S. Victory) from 14 December 1915 until 27 January 1916.
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Joseph joined his final posting, H.M.S. Malaya, on 28 January 1916.  The action in which he lost his life was the Battle of Jutland, 31st May to 1st June, 1916. The Battlecruiser Action took place between 15.48 and 17.35 G.M.T. on the 31st of May, the 3rd British Battlecruiser Squadron being under the command of Admiral Beatty. H.M.S. Malaya was part of Admiral Sir John Jellicoe’s Grand Fleet. The following extract is from the official history of the battle; "Naval Operations", by Julian S. Corbett, dated 1923.
​"...The Barham had hardly turned before she was badly hit by a heavy shell which caused many casualties and wrecked her wireless gear. Those of the enemy ships that were within range seemed to be concentrating on the turning point, but the Valiant, her next astern, got round without being touched. The Warspite was no less fortunate, and as Malaya, the rear ship, turned it was evident that she was the target of a whole division or more. Salvoes were falling all round her at the rate of six a minute. By hauling out to port, however, she escaped, but for the next twenty minutes she was constantly straddled, and was twice so badly hit below the water line that she began to list. It was then decided to open fire short with the 6-inch starboard battery in order to set up a screen, but before the order was passed another heavy shell burst inside it, devastating guns and crew and starting a fire amidst the havoc it had wrought..."
Joseph also appears on the Leyland - Church Road Civic War Memorial and the Leyland - St.Andrew's C.E. WW1 Plaque. He was awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal.
H.M.S. Malaya hoisting an aeroplane on board using the left gun of B turret. Picture from Ships Nostalgia website
CWGC Joseph Thomas Porter
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