James King

James King was stationed on HMS Bonaventure, an old battleship used as a submarine depot ship.
(GEORGE GRANTHAM BAIN COLLECTION AT THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS)

James was born on 26th December 1895, the third son of Edward and Rosa King. In 1911, the family lived at Red Cottage, Bromeswell, and James was working as a house boy. On 29th May 1912, James joined the Royal Navy as a Boy II at HMS Ganges and, on his 18th birthday, enlisted for twelve years. 

At the outbreak of the First World War, James was stationed on HMS Bonaventure, an old battleship used as a submarine depot ship. (A depot ship was a moored ship that acted as the base for smaller vessels, providing living quarters for the crews.) From there, James was based on a series of newly completed battleships or destroyers and was probably a member of the commissioning or shakedown crew. Many of the ships were initially based in the Harwich and Dovercourt area.

Once the war was over, James remained with the Royal Navy and extended his service period. He left the services sometime after August 1928, having spent time serving on submarines. For his war service, James received the 1914-15 Star and the British War and Victory Medals.