Ivan William Howlett

A Leading Stoker with H.M.S. Queen Mary. Ivan died on 31st of May 1916 at the age of 26. 

Ivan was born at Lowestoft on 6 October 1888, a son of Benjamin James and Hannah Howlett. He was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 16 October 1888. In 1891 his family lived at 20 Ontario Road and by 1901 at 35 East Street. By 1911 they were living at the Rear of Rant Score. He was a brother of Harold Robert Howlett of 22 Bevan Street, Lowestoft. 

Ivan attended Clapham Road School and, from 25 February 1895, was a pupil at Saint Margaret's School.

Ivan was working as a baker when he joined the Royal Navy on 18 January 1909 (Note his navy service sheet gives his date of birth as 6 October 1890). He served continuously with the navy until his death in 1916. Before the First World War Ivan saw active service off Somaliland and later in the Persian Gulf and was awarded the Awarded Africa General Service Medal (Somaliland Clasp) and Naval General Service Medal (Persian Gulf). On 4 September 1913 he joined H.M.S. Queen Mary. He was advanced to Acting Lead Stoker on 23 December 1915. 

Ivan was serving on H.M.S. Queen Mary at the Battle of Jutland. Early in the battle the Queen Mary was hit twice by shells from the German battlecruiser Derfflinger and the Queen Mary's magazines exploded sinking the ship. Ivan was one of 1,266 crew who were killed.