Colin Boyd has provided the following:

John was born on 16th July 1887 to James and Janet Harney of Blyth. By the 1911 Census he was a 23 year old sea going engineer living with his widowed mother and sister, Edith at 13, Stanley Street, Blyth.

When John enrolled in the Royal Naval Reserve on 16th May 1913 he was described as being 5 feet 4.5 inches tall with grey hair and a dark complexion.

He was called up in August 1914 and posted to H.M.S. Aboukir and was lost when she was torpedoed off the Belgian Coast on 22nd September 1914.

The Blyth News 22/09/1921 carries the following:

"Harney – In loving remembrance of my dear son, John Harney, R.N.R., E.R.A., who gave his life for his country September 22nd 1914."

John Harney is remembered in Blyth on B42.16, B42.18, B42.24 and B42.43 and on our List of Ships’ crews

H.M.S. Aboukir Roll of Honour
The CWGC entry for Engine Room Artificer Harney