773 Stroker First Class Herbert James Street Royal Navy HMS Amphion (d.6th Aug 1914) Herbert James Street was baptised on 1/06/1894 at Axminster, Devon. He was the son of William Street and Amelia Street (nee Cox). The following remarks were sent to me by the Ministry of Defense some years ago in response to my 1nquiry: Herbert James Street enlisted in the Royal Navy on 22/10/1912. He was placed in the Plymouth Division. His service number was SS112915.
His description on the entry form read: Height 5ft 6ins; Chest 35 ins; Colour of Eyes brown; Colour of Hair brown; Complexion fair. Stoker 2nd Class: 22/10/1912. Stoker 1st Class: 24/12/1913. Character: VG. HMS Vivid (Shore establishment) 22/10/1912 - 01/04/1913. HMS Amphion (Light Cruiser) 02/04/1913 - 06/08/1914.
Herbert was killed in action when HMS Amphion struck a mine in the North Sea 06/08/1914. HMS Lance and HMS Landrail, part of the British 2nd Destroyer Flotilla left Harwich at dawn on the first day of the war to sweep northwards towards German waters. The 1st Flotilla followed the Dutch coast and the 2nd Flotillla, led by the Light Cruiser Amphion, steamed up the middle of the North Sea. A British fishing vessel reported an unknown steamer throwing things overboard. This was the Konig Louise, a minelayer which the destroyers sank. The Amphion struck one of her mines while returning to base. Loss 1 Officer and 150 Men. Family accounts suggest that Herbert, an apprentice carpenter, joined the Navy because his younger brother, Albert William (known as Willie), had enlisted as a boy on 22/04/1912. Herbert's postcards from Devonport seem to support the idea of his extreme concern for his brother's welfare. However Herbert's age on enlistment limited his choice of trade to Stoker, and they were destined not to serve together. Again from family sources I learned that another Stoker, Thomas Gollop, from Lyme Regis, also served on Amphion. The Stokers had apparently had a break for cocoa just before AMPHION struck the mine. Herbert had finished his cocoa and returned to the boiler room where he was killed. Gollop took a few minutes more to empty his mug and thus survived. Herbert Street's name is inscribed on the Naval War Memorial on Plymouth Hoe. Herbert Street was my uncle. His brother, Albert William Street (always referred to as William), was my father. I shall send you further information about his Naval career which lasted until 1947. My youngest son, Petty Officer David William Edward Street (RANR), served as a Stoker in the Royal Australian Navy in the DDG HMAS Hobart.
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