In Walker (Christ Church) Churchyard is the Commonwealth War Grave with a private headstone of 207143 Able Seaman Henry George Gardner, serving with the Royal Navy who died 23/01/1916.

The son of George and Frances Gardner, of 4, Colwyn Road, Northampton.

The headstone reads:

Erected
by the Officers and Men of
H.M.S. Cockatrice,
in memory of their shipmate
H.G. Gardner, A.B.
who died January 23rd 1916
aged 31 years.

The Newcastle Journal 25/01/1916 reports:-
ABLE SEAMAN DROWNED THE TYNE.
At the Newcastle Coroner’s Court, last night. Mr Alfred Appleby held an inquest respecting the death of Henry John Gardner (31), an able seaman, who resided at 4, Colwyn Road, Northampton, and who met his death under somewhat tragic circumstances on Sunday.

The evidence showed that on that day Gardner was confined to the ship, which was lying the River Tyne, as punishment for a slight offence. Shortly before three o’clock in the afternoon he was seen standing on the gangway leading to the ship. He appeared be under influence of the drink. There was a ship lying between the quay and the ship which Gardner belonged, and the gangway leading from the former was fairly steep. He had got down five or six rungs, when he slipped and fell backwards. His head struck the inside ship, and, after rebounding from the other, he fell into the river between the two ships. A boat was got out, and grappling operations commenced, and when his body was recovered, about an hour later, life was found to be extinct. From the condition of Gardner, the witnesses were the opinion that had been ashore

The jury returned a verdict to the effect that Gardner accidentally fell into the river and was drowned, whilst under the influence of drink.

Henry George Gardner is remembered in our List of Ships’ Crews.