James William (known as Jimmy) was born on 6 Apr, 1917 at 297 Scotswood Road in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England^a1, the son of James William Hall (1888–1959)★, a shipyard caulker, and Dinah Peak (1888–1959)★. He was baptised as an infant on 13 May, 1917 in the parish of Elswick in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England^b1. He is Ian's great uncle.

James was recorded in the 1921 census at 297 Scotswood Road, Newcastle upon Tyne^c1 with his father James William, now a riveter, boiler making, steel, copper, mother Dinah and five siblings Florence★, Norman, Elizabeth, Margaret and Lilian Emma.

James was killed in action at the age of twenty-three on 10 Jan, 1941 aboard the H.M.S. Illustrious^d1,e1,f1

Jimmy was one of over 120 crew members who lost their lives in an air attack that took place on 10 January 1941 while navigating near Malta in the Mediterranean Sea. That morning, some of the ship's Swordfish and Fulmar aircraft had engaged an Italian convoy, shooting down one bomber. At 12:35, just as four Fulmars were launched to replace those retired after the morning attack, the first wave of 24–36 Junkers Ju 87 Stuka dive bombers from I. Gruppe/StG 1 and II. Gruppe/StG 2, led by Paul-Werner Hozzel, began their assault. The first bomb struck just forward of the aft lift, destroying a Fulmar whose engine had failed to start and detonating high in the lift well. Another Fulmar managed to take off and engage the Stukas as they pulled out of their dive. The carrier was hit five more times in rapid succession, causing severe damage, extensive fires, and significant flooding. The most damaging hit came from a large bomb that penetrated the deck armour forward of the aft lift, detonating above the hangar deck. This explosion initiated severe fires, wrecked the rear fire sprinkler system, bent the forward lift, shredded fire curtains into dangerous splinters, and blew a hole through multiple decks, causing extensive damage below.^d1,e1,g1

Timeline

1917

6 Apr

Born at 297 Scotswood Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England. The informant was his mother Dinah Peak (1888–1959)★.^a1

13 May

Baptised as an infant in Elswick, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England.^b1

1921

19 Jun

Recorded in the 1921 census living at 297 Scotswood Road, Newcastle upon Tyne.^c1

1941

10 Jan

Died at the age of twenty-three aboard the H.M.S. Illustrious.^d1,e1,f1
Memorial at Lee-On-Solent Memorial, Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire.^h1
Occupation recorded as air mechanic aboard the H.M.S. Illustrious.^d1

Facts