Francis (Frank) Joseph Lamont

Francis enlisted on the 04/04/1915 and his Period of Service began on the 14/09/1915. He was drafted from H.M.S. "Palace" to H.M.S. "Victory" then H.M.S. "Queen Mary" on the 16/09/1915 for duty with the Grand Fleet. Francis died when his ship H.M.S. "Queen Mary" was sunk on the 31/05/1916 during the Battle of Jutland. The ship was hit twice by the German battlecruiser Derfflinger during the early part of the Battle and her magazines exploded shortly afterwards, sinking the ship with the loss of 1269 crew. There were only 20 survivors. After the First World War, an appropriate way had to be found of commemorating those members of the Royal Navy who had no known grave, the majority of deaths having occurred at sea where no permanent Memorial could be provided. The Portsmouth Naval Memorial was unveiled by the Duke of York (the future George VI) on the 15/10/1924. Portsmouth Naval Memorial commemorates around 10,000 sailors of the First World War and almost 15,000 of the Second World War. Many thanks to my friend Dom who took a photo (2) of Francis' name on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. See Newspaper clippings for information on Francis and the Battle of Jutland. Francis is also remembered on the Gartsherrie Works Roll of Honour and the Maxwell Parish Church Roll of Honour (see photos) and in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for Francis' CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial Panel List, Francis' Service Record x 2, his Enrolment Form, his listing in the Naval Casualties Index, his name on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial x 2, H.M.S. "Queen Mary", Newspaper clippings x 16 (Coatbridge Express x 4, Coatbridge Leader x 5 and the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 7) and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Blazer badge. For the list of the men who fell and survived on H.M.S. "Queen Mary" on that day see - https://www.jutlandcrewlists.org/queen-mary