St Stephens by Saltash War Memorial

HODDER William George

 
William George HODDER was the son of Daniel John & Emma Jane HODDER. He was born in 1897 at St. Stephens, Saltash his birth being registered in the December Q of that year(St. Germans Registration District).
 
1901 census aged 6 living with parents & siblings at Burraton Buildings, Burraton Cross, St. Stephens by Saltash.
 
1911 Census aged 14 living with parents & siblings at Kings Cottages, Burraton, St. Stephens by Saltash. Occupation Gardener.
 
WW 1 Royal Navy Record
Name: HODDER William G.
Rank: Stoker 2nd class.
Service number: K/29048
Vessel: HMS Defiance
Date Died: 31st May 1916 - Age 19
How Died: Killed in Action
Memorial: Plymouth Naval Memorial
 
William George HODDER was serving as a stoker 2nd class aboard HMS “Defence” at the Battle of Jutland. HMS Defiance was struck by a salvo of enemy gunfire which blew up her after magazine, triggering explosions on the ammunition rails leading to the broadside 7.5 inch guns. Within seconds, another salvo immediately hit forward, and she blew up in a spectacular explosion, sinking with the loss of her entire complement of 54 officers, 845 men and 4 civilians. A total of 903 lives were lost.
 
Reference website
 

Contributed by Bill Norton.