William Robinson Herron (1873 - 1914)

Artificer Engineer, RN

HMS GOOD HOPE

William was born on the 26th June in 1873 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the son of Thomas Curry Herron and Martha Spencer Herron (nee Robinson). His father died in 1874, but his mother married Francis McLaughlin in 1876. He had a brother George Herron and half siblings Francis E McLaughlin, Mary P McLaughlin and Robert McLaughlin.

By 1881, the McLaughlin’s, with George and William, were living in Hamilton Street, Westgate, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.  However, by 1891 William was living with his widowed Aunt, Annie Bell, in Stone Street and working as an Apprentice Fitter and Turner. He was still living with Annie Bell in Stone Street, when his occupation was given as an 'Engineer Ordnance' in the 1901 census.

On the 2nd December 1901, William left Newcastle to join the Navy. After basic training, he was posted to HMS HERMOINE. He also served on HMS ARIADNE , HMS DRAKE , HMS ATTENTIVE and  HMS ACHILLES, being promoted Acting Engine Room Artificer (ERA) 4th Class to Chief ERA 2nd Class. He also spent time, on different occasions at HMS FISGARD, which was the Artificer Engineer training establishment.

He was promoted to Acting Artificer Engineer on 1st April 1914 and posted to HMS GOOD HOPE on the 2nd August 1914.

He left his wife Florence (nee Bowring) and 7-year old daughter Florrie behind in Portsmouth when HMS GOOD HOPE sailed to the South Atlantic as the Flag Ship of Admiral Cradock. Unfortunately on the 1st November 1914, in what became known as the Battle of Coronel, HMS GOOD HOPE was lost.

Andrew Dyer