On Portsmouth Naval Memorial is the name of P/JX 295197 Able Seaman Thomas Howey, serving on H.M.S. Bluebell with the Royal Navy who died 17/02/1945.

The son of Joseph Gordon Howey and Jane Howey, of Coxlodge, Northumberland.

Bill Richardson says:

Joseph Gordon Howey would have been a cousin of my father which would make Thomas a second cousin of mine.

Joseph Gordon was born in the last quarter of 1893, the son of John Thomas Howey and his wife Bell (nee Gordon). His birth was registered in the Sunderland Registration District. By the time of 1901 census the family were living at 34 Hill Street, Birtley, Co. Durham. Joseph’s Dad, John Thomas, was 33 and working as a coal miner. His Mam, Bell, was 31. Joseph was 7 and had an older brother, Thomas, who was 10.

Ten years later, the 1911 census showed that the family had moved again, this time to Coxlodge in Northumberland. Joseph was 17 and both he and his brother Thomas (20) were working in the mine like their Dad. He also had a new baby brother, John, who was just 3 months old.

In the third quarter of 1917, Joseph married Jane Graham, their marriage was registered in the Castle Ward Registration District.

Joseph and Jane were to have three children, Kenneth (born 1919), Thomas (born 1921) and Joseph Gordon (born 1925). Their middle son, Thomas, was in the navy in WW2 and sadly was killed on active service on 17th February 1945 aboard The Bluebell which was torpedoed whilst escorting a convoy from Murmansk. His death is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Joseph Gordon died in the last quarter of 1978, he was 85 years old and his death was registered in the Newcastle upon Tyne Registration District.

Thomas Howey is remembered in our List of Ships’ Crews.