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The Channel Islands and the Great War
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Helman, J W



A/S John Helman

John William Helman

John William Helman joined the Royal Navy in June 1914 at the age of 18, enlisting for 12 years, although his service records indicate that he served as a boy before then.

After on-shore training and service at sea he volunteered for training on HMS Hindustan at Chatham for a secret mission. He then transferred to HMS Daffodil which took part in the April 1918 raid on Zeebrugge. Daffodil was a converted Mersey Ferry used to transport Royal Marines on that raid.

Reports from the time say that he suffered from exposure and/or "gassing" during this raid. He died in Castel, Guernsey in 1920 and his death certificate stated that he was still a serving sailor. The cause of death was given as pulmonary phthisis.

Helman Memorial

A local newspaper article shows the unveiling of this memorial in 1921. It was presented by the London Channel Islanders Society.

The description "Hero" is apt as his name was put forward for a VC in a ship's ballot (ref. London Gazette)

 


John William Helman

Able Seaman John William Helman
Royal Navy. H.M.S. "Daffodil"
28/02/1920

Son of Colour Sergeant E W Helman

Died, aged 24 years.

His name appears on the Parish War Memorial plaque in St. Andrew's Church in Guernsey, and a special memorial stands in the churchyard. Following his acceptance for commemoration, the CWGC added a new headstone to his memorial

 

 

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Record


Group members Mark Bougourd & Liz Walton

 

After contacting the Commonweath War Graves Commission we had the following reply:

"If you can prove that John Helman's death was directly attributable to his military service, for instance if this is stated on his death certificate or in his service records, then we will submit a case of non-commemoration to the Ministry of Defence who decide on such matters"

We have copies of his service record from the Public Records Office, of his death certificate from the Greffe in Guernsey and of Admiralty reports mentioning his contribution of the Zeebrugge operation.

Details have been forwarded to the Admiralty, via the CWGC, and John William Helman has been accepted for official commemoration (October 2011).

The Commonweath War Graves Commission erected a standard headstone on his grave on 20/04/2016

With thanks to the Guernsey Press and The Priaux Library, Guernsey

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