George Trueman

War Service

In August 1914 George re-enlisted and served on HMS “Hawke” a cruiser, serving on patrolling in the North Sea. ”Hawke” was one of the oldest ships of the British Navy, built in Chatham Dockyard and launched in 1891.
On 15th October 1915 HMS “Hawke” was patrolling the North Sea near Aberdeen, with her sister ship HMS “Theseus”. The German U Boat U9 came across them and opened fire. The first torpedo hit “Hawke”, igniting a magazine, which caused a tremendous explosion, ripping the ship apart. She sank within minutes.
Losses were great, the Commander and 523 men died. Only 4 Officers and 70 men survived.
George’s body was never recovered. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. His war service was just 69 days.

Family Life

George Trueman was born in Knottingley on 18th September 1879, the third son of George and Harriet (nee Lupton Burton). Their sons William Henry and Robert died in infancy.
George Snr was a boatman and came from Knottingley. Harriet was also from Knottingley, but her family were agricultural workers. They lived in Longwoods Walk.
Harriet died in 1882 and 1884 George married a widow Sarah Heath (nee Moon), who also had lived in Longwoods Walk. Her son John Heath lived with them. George continued working on the boats, in 1901 he was a Captain on a canal boat. George died in 1908.
In 1899 George Jnr had joined the Royal Navy. During this time he was promoted to Stoker 1st class. He served for 12 years before purchasing his release. Then he was listed on the Reserve List. When war was declared he re-enlisted.
In 1911 he was working at the glassworks as a stopper maker, lodging in Primrose Hill with James and Sarah Elizabeth Thompson. His future wife Alice Thompson was working as a cook in Dewsbury, with a Blanket and Yarn Manufacturer.
They married in 1911 and their son Frank was born in 1913. Frank was well known in Knottingley in gardening circles and the Allotment Society.

George Trueman