Ordinary Seaman Hermann Seymour Crawford
J.76419 , 47th Mess, HMS Minotaur, Royal Navy
Hermann was born on 27th July 1899 at Greasley, Notts son of John Dunn Crawford a railway clerk, born Filey, Yorkshire and his wife Jane born Studley, Warks. Siblings were Cyril Percy, Florence Irina, Beatrice May, Janice Rhoda, Clarice Maud, Raymond Neville and Lawrence Harold Crawford who is also listed on the Jacksdale War Memorial as having served. In 1911 the family was living at Talbot House, Dixie Street.
Photo: HMS Minotaur 1908
Hermann joined the Navy on 23rd August 1917 just after his 18th birthday. He was almost 5’5″ tall, had dark brown hair and brown eyes. He gave his occupation as a collier. His record notes that he had a scar on his right forearm, on his right palm and on the back of his right elbow. He trained at Victory I, Portsmouth until 29th April 1918 when he was posted to HMS Minotaur. Minotaur was laid down in 1906 at a cost of 1.4 million pounds, the lead ship of the Minotaur-class of armoured cruisers. For the latter part of WW1 she was assigned to Northern Patrol. She was decommissioned on 5th February 1919, just days before Hermann left the Navy and was later sold for scrap in 1920. Hermann was demobbed on 26th February 1919, his conduct noted as very good and was accordingly paid a war gratuity. Hermann is listed on the Absent Voters Roll of 1918/1919 and his rank, service and ship are listed. He was a recipient of the British War and Victory Medals.
In late 1923 Hermann married Sarah Flint in the Basford Registration District. No known children.
We believe Hermann died in 1986 in Nottingham, aged 97 years.