On Portsmouth Naval Memorial is the name of K/13872 Petty Officer Stoker James Hilliard Reay, serving on H.M.S. Queen Mary with the Royal Navy who died 31/05/1916.

The son of Joseph and Maria Reay, of Felling, Gateshead.

Heslop’s Local Advertiser 23/06/1916 carries a notice which reads:
Petty Officer James Hilliard Reay, killed in action on H.M.S. Queen Mary on May 31st, aged 27 years. Son of Joseph and Maria Reay, 16, Wellington St., Felling.

Further information is supplied in the same edition:
James H. Reay was born in Quarry Row twenty-seven years ago, and was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Reay of Wellington Street, Felling. Both Mr. and Mrs. Reay are natives of the district and are well known and respected. Mr. Reay is a blacksmith to trade and spent some years at Lees chemical works, and after 40 years at Hawthorn Leslies Hebburn shipyard, is now employed at Wood, Skinners yard at Bill Quay. Mrs. Reay was born at Heworth High Lanes and her grandfather, Robert Hilliard, was at one time sexton at Heworth Church.

We give these particulars to show that Petty Officer James Hilliard Reay came of an old Felling family. When 16 years of age, James ran away from home and joined the Navy, but his parents shortly afterwards bought him out. When he reached the age of 18 years, however, he went and rejoined the Navy as a stoker, and remained in service until the fatal 31st May when H.M.S. Queen Mary was lost in action. He had been with the Queen Mary ever since her trial trip, but previous to this he had sailed the seas in other of H.M. ships. He was a fine specimen of the British Navy, and was generally chosen for parade on any important state ceremony. He was on guard at the Kings Coronation, and it is said that he was recognised in the films of the Coronation shown at the local halls. That he was an enthusiastic and persevering navy man is evidenced by the fact that he rose from the position of stoker to be a Stoker Petty Officer. He was home in Felling in February of this year, and many will remember his healthy and robust appearance, and the kindly and pleasant greeting he had for his many friends in the district.

James Hilliard Reay is remembered at Felling on F32.07 and F32.22 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.