Description
Naval Good Shooting Medal, EDVII issue, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Leading Seaman Walter Hines, earned his Shooting Medal in 1905 on HMS Dido, HMS Leviathan through WW1.
Good Shooting officially impressed: “197628 W. Hines, A.B., H.M.S. Dido 1903 3 PR Q.F.”
Star officially impressed: “197628, W.Hines, A.B., R.N.”
War Medal: “197628 W. Hines L.S. R.N.”
Walter Hines, born 10th January 1883 in Hull, Yorkshire.
Signed up as a 14 year old Boy 2nd Class at HMS Caledonia on 7th January 1898.
Became of age and rated as Ordinary Seaman on HMS Illustrious, 10th January 1901.
Serving on HMS Galatea, from 31st January 1903 until 10th February 1903.
When his entire crew was transferred over to man HMS Dido which he served on board from 11th February 1903 until 3rd June 1905.
On the Dido during 1903, he would earn the coveted Naval Good Shooting Medal for his work with the “3 Pounder Q.F.”.
On 9th June 1905, he spent £6 to purchase an early discharge to the Royal Fleet Reserve.
During his 9 year retirement, he married his wife Annie during 1907 back in Hull.
Being recalled to service in July 1914 from the R.F.R.
He was posted to HMS Leviathan, which he served with through the war until 6th May 1918.
Promoted to Leading Seaman of the Leviathan on 8th February 1917.
Starting the war in 1914 the Leviathan was assigned to the 6th Cruiser Squadron of the Grand Fleet, spending the early days on the hunt for German commerce raiders and escorting convoys, before she was made Flagship of the 1st Cruiser Squadron.
After joining the 1st Cruiser Squadron in January 1915, on 9th March 1915 they were unsuccessfully attacked by the German Submarine U-12 whilst on route to Rosyth to pick up Vice Admiral George Patey, the new Commander in Chief for the North America and West Indies Station.
The ship made it to Bermuda on 26th March and whilst visiting Halifax, they had Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, the Governor General of Canada, come on board to inspect the ships crew on 16th June 1915.
The later days of the war were spent escorting convoys back and forth from Canada and North American to the Clyde and Liverpool.
He served at HMS Victory I from 7th May 1918 until 18th February 1919 when he was shore demobilised.
Rejoining the R.F.R at HMS Pembroke I from 12th April 1921 until 14th June 1921.
After leaving the Navy once again, he returned back home to Yorkshire, where he died during 1937.
“HINES – August 17th 1937, Walter, aged 54, beloved husband of Annie, 6 Riseholme Avenue, Wheeler Street. Funeral leaves house 2.0 on Saturday for Western Cemetery.”
