Jesse joined the Navy in 1912 for 12 years as a Boy 2nd class. His on-board service started in 1913 when he joined HMS Vivid at the Royal Naval Barracks, Devonport. He served on many ships including “Lancaster”, “Pembroke” and “Boadicea”, and also on the minelayer “Paris”. He was at Pembroke Navy barracks, Chatham on the night of Monday 3rd September 1917 when the barracks was bombed by five German Gotha G-IV bombers. A single 110 pound bomb fell on the glass-roofed drill shed beside the parade ground. The shed was in use as temporary accommodation and most of the occupants were sleeping in hammocks. This bomb caused more deaths than any other bomb dropped during WW1. 135 naval ratings lost there lives and 90 were wounded, the glass from the roof being the cause of many casualties. Jesse died of his wounds on 5th October. He was so well liked by his shipmates on the minelayer HMS Paris, on which he had served for two years, that they subscribed to a plaque for his grave to show their esteem.
[Information from Linda SANDY]
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[This page last updated 19 September 2009]