On Chatham Naval Memorial is the name of 1038EA Engine Room Artificer John Harney, serving on H.M.S. Aboukir with the Royal Naval Reserve who died 22/09/1914.

The son of Janet Harney, of 13, Stanley Street, Blyth, Northumberland, and the late James Harney.

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 HMS Aboukir, ship number 108151, torpedoed by U-9 commanded by Kapitanleutnant Otto Weddigen on the 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 at Blyth on B42.16, B42.18, B42.24, B42.43 and B42.50 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.