Date of Birth: 1886.
Place of Birth: Southampton
Service Number: 305770
Rank: Petty Officer Stoker
Division: Royal Navy
Ship: H.M.S. Queen Mary
Died : 1916
Death Location: North Sea off the coast of Denmark.
Life Before the War.
Frederick was born in July 1886 in Sothampton his parents were Richard and Clara Emily Matilda Lemon. His father was born in Wiltshire in 1860 and worked as a plumber he died in October 1897, his mother was Clara born in 1864 also in Southampton. He had 2 brothers Herbert b1885 and Harry b1890, he also had 1 sister Violet b 1892.
In July 1898 Clara remarried JamesPlaskett in All Saints Wakefield West Yorkshire.
In the census of 1901 Clara and James Plaskett b1851 were living at 9 Bevois Street. Southampton, they had 2 sons James b1899 and John b 1900. Also living at the address was Frederick, Herbert, Harry and Violet. Frederick’s stepfather James was employed as a railway guard, Herbert was a printers apprentice, Frederick was an errand boy.
In the census of 1911 the family are still living at 9 Bevois Street, his father is still a railway guard, Frederick is a naval stoker for the Government, Harry is a wheelwright and Violet is a general servant domestic. There are also two more children Lily b1903 and Bertie b1904.
When his mother died on 15th June 1927, probate of £325.11.3d was given to Frederick’s brother – Herbert John Burgess Lemon who was an employed painter, her address was given as 9 Bevois Street.Southampton.
Service History
Frederick joined the Royal Navy serving as a Petty Officer Stoker on board H.M.S Queen Mary, it was while he serving on her he took part in the Battle of Jutland (31st May – 1st June 1916). On 31st May 1916 at 16.25 H.M.S. Queen Mary was hit twice by either the German Battle Cruiser Derfflinger or Von Der Tan, her magazines exploded causing her to sink in 90 seconds with the loss of 57 officers and 1,209 crew which included Frederick, two officers and five men were wounded .One officer and one member of the crew were rescued by German destroyers. There were also 5 civilians who were working as canteen assistants killed.
Portsmouth Naval Memorial
The Queen Mary was battle cruiser built in 1913, she took part in the Battle of Heligoland Bight as part of the grand fleet in 1914 and served
in the North Sea during the First World War, she was refitted in 1915-16. In 1991 her wreck was found almost upside down 60 metres beneath
the sea on sand it is now a protected place.
Frederick was awarded the Victory Medal and The British Medal, he is also remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial reference 16.
Researched by Shaun Connolly May 2014.
