By Isle of Wight Observer
A century of anonymity for a local hero has come to an end as Able Seaman William Tucker, who lived in East Cowes, has finally been honoured with a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone.
William Tucker, born on January 28, 1882, in Bermondsey, London, moved to East Cowes during his early years. The 1901 Census records him living at Mona, Adelaide Grove, and by 1911 he was stationed at the Royal Naval College on the Osborne House estate.
Tragically, William’s naval career was short. Serving aboard the battleship HMS Barham during the Battle of Jutland, off the North Sea coast of Denmark, he sustained severe injuries.
The Battle of Jutland was the only major sea battle of the First World War, with 151 British warships fighting against 99 German ships. HMS Barham’s crew fought bravely, firing 362 shells over the two day confrontation on May 31 and June 1 in 1916. The ship was struck six times, resulting in 26 men killed and 46 wounded. William’s wounds led to his medical discharge, and, ultimately, to his death on November 25, 1918, just weeks after the Armistice.
However, for over a hundred years, William’s final resting place in East Cowes Cemetery remained unmarked – as the War Graves Commission was unaware of its location. This has now been rectified.
Thanks to recent efforts to honour William’s legacy, the War Graves Commission placed a proper headstone to mark his grave last month. The headstone ensures his memory will be preserved in perpetuity. William Tucker’s name is also engraved on the East Cowes War Memorial.
Local Royal Navy representatives and the IW Royal British Legion plan to honour William’s sacrifice on the anniversary of his death in November.
