In Gillingham (Woodlands) Cemetery, Kent is the Commonwealth War Grave of J/1782 Able Seaman James William Dale, serving on H.M.S. Arethusa  with the Royal Navy who died 28/08/1914.

The son of Robert and Mary Dale, of West Hartlepool.

He is believed to be the first man from Hartlepool to fall.

Colin Boyd has submitted the following:
James was born December 1st 1890, the son of Robert and Mary Dale of Grace Street, West Hartlepool and was christened at Stranton Primitive Methodist Chapel on December 30th 1890.

When he enlisted in the Royal Navy on December 1st  1908 James was described as 5 feet 3 inches tall with black hair, grey eyes and fresh complexion and was working as a milk boy.

James was killed in action on board the light cruiser HMS Arethusa during the Battle of Heligoland Bight on August 28th 1914. The ship was badly damaged by German cruisers and had to be towed into port after suffering 11 dead and 17 wounded.

James William Dale is remembered at Hartlepool on H115.16 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.