William John Paton – Royal Naval Reserve, H.M.S. Queen Mary

Able Seaman William John Paton – Royal Naval Reserve, H.M.S. Queen Mary

Early Life

William John Paton was born in 1897 in Swansea, the son of John Paton and Sarah Ann Davies, who were married in 1895 in Swansea.

1901 Census

The 1901 Census records the Paton family residing at 12 Pinkey Street, St Thomas, Swansea. John, aged 26, worked as a General Labourer, while his wife Sarah A. (24) cared for their three young children: William J. (4), Benjamin (3), and Tobias (1).

1911 Census

By the 1911 Census, the family remained at 12 Pinkey Street. John, now 36, was employed as a Dock Labourer (general), and Sarah, aged 34, continued to manage the household. Their children were William (14), also employed as a Dock Labourer (general); Benjamin (13); Violet (9); Bertha (8); Brinley (5), all attending school; along with George (2) and Joseph (under 7 months).

Military and Naval Service

William John Paton
Service Records

In October 1914, at the age of seventeen, William John Paton enlisted for war service with the 14th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. He later transferred to the Royal Naval Reserve, where he served as an Able Seaman and was posted to the battlecruiser H.M.S. Queen Mary.

H.M.S. Queen Mary

H.M.S. Queen Mary

H.M.S. Queen Mary was the last battlecruiser built for the Royal Navy before the First World War. Constructed by Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company, Jarrow, she was laid down on 6 March 1911, launched on 20^th March 1912, and completed in August 1913. Designed for speed and heavy firepower, she carried eight 13.5‑inch guns, displaced over 26,000 tons, and was capable of 28 knots. She served with the 1^st Battlecruiser Squadron of the Grand Fleet and took part in early North Sea operations, including the Battle of Heligoland Bight in 1914.

Sinking at the Battle of Jutland

On 31^st May 1916, during the opening stages of the Battle of Jutland, Queen Mary engaged German battlecruisers as part of Admiral Beatty’s force. At approximately 4:26 p.m., she was struck by heavy shells from SMS Derfflinger and suffered devastating magazine explosions. The ship broke apart and sank within seconds, resulting in the loss of 1,266 of her crew of 1,286, one of the worst British naval losses of the war.

Her wreck now lies on the bed of the North Sea and is a protected war grave under the Protection of Military Remains Act.

Death and Commemoration

William John Paton
Plymouth Naval Memorial, Plymouth 
credit - findagrave

William John Paton
Plymouth Naval Memorial, Plymouth 
credit - findagrave

Able Seaman William John Paton was among those killed when H.M.S. Queen Mary was lost during the Battle of Jutland on 31^st May 1916. Having no known grave, his name is recorded on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, where he is honoured alongside his shipmates who perished that day