Able Seaman Daniel Straw
SS/5690 Royal Navy
Daniel was born on 13th April 1897 at Alfreton, Derbyshire son of Abraham Straw a coal miner hewer born South Normanton and his first wife Lizzie (nee Daniels) born Ripley, Derbys. In 1911 the family was living at North Street, Riddings and Daniel then aged 13 is employed as a baker’s errand boy. Daniel had a younger sister named Suzannah. In 1902 when Daniel was only 5 his mother Lizzie died, aged only 23 years and his father took a second wife, Agnes (nee Turner) and they went on to have children George James, Joseph Turner, Arthur Edward, Lavinia and Lillian.
Daniel joined the Navy on 14th April 1915 at Devonport, giving his civilian occupation as pit pony driver. He signed up for 5 years service plus 7 years in the reserve. He was described as 5’3″ in height with light brown hair, grey eyes and of fresh complexion. He had a mole on his thumb, and a scar on his back and also on the back of his left elbow. After about 16 weeks training at shore base HMS Victory I, Daniel served at sea aboard battleship HMS Canada until April 1916 when he returned to Victory I for 3 months and was promoted to Able Seaman. He then spent 8 months at HMS Excellent, the gunnery training school based at Portsmouth and on 12th September 1916 boarded HMS Renown, a new battle cruiser delivered to the Royal Navy that year. He continued to serve at various establishments until he was invalided out of the Navy in January 1920 with asthma.
Photo: HMS Renown (Courtesy Wikipedia - public domain)
In 1918/1919 Daniel was listed on the Absent Voters Roll as absent from Pye Hill Cottages, Jacksdale and serving at HMS Excellent. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, The Victory and British War Medals and also received Silver War Badge No. 47469 which was issued on 9th December 1919.