On the Chatham Naval Memorial is the name of 226589 Petty Officer William Denham, serving on H.M.S. Formidable with the Royal Navy who died 1/01/1915.

William Denham was born 10th October 1886, at Stockton on Tees. He was the first son of William Denham of 2 Paradise Place, Stockton on Tees, and his wife Jane, daughter of Henry Lambert.

William was educated at Grangefield School at Stockton. He joined the Navy in 1903. He served both in the Home and Mediterranean Fleets, and received the Messina Medal from the King of Italy, for services rendered in the earthquake there.

He passed his qualifying examination for Warrant Officer on the 30th November 1914.

William was killed in action going down on the H.M.S. Formidable when that ship was torpedoed by a German U-Boat U-24 on the 1st January 1915, with 547 casualties. The U Boat was commanded by Kapitnleutnant Rudolf Schneider.

Source: De Ruvigny Roll of Honour

William Denham is remembered at Stockton in S138.18 page 14, and on S138.33 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.