Narey,+John+(Jack)


 * Stoker Jack Narey** of HMS Lion. Service number: K/23984. (Devonport)

One of our 'Jutland 100' - Keighley's Men

1893: 30th December. Birth in Braithwaite, registered in Keighley in the first quarter of 1894. 1901: Census. Aged 7 years, living at 56, St. John Street, Silsden, with parents, two brothers and one sister. Father's occupation: Iron fettler (Spinning frames). 1911: Census. Aged 17 years, 15, St. John Street, Silsden, with parents, two brothers and two sisters. Father's occupation: Firewood dealer. John's occupation: Bobbin finisher. 1915: Aged 22 years, he enlisted with the Royal Navy (for period of hostilities) on 26th January. Height: 5' 7, 1/2". Chest: 36, 1/2". Hair: Brown. Eyes: Hazel. Complexion: Fresh. He trained at HMS Vivid shore base and was posted to HMS Lion on 16th April. 1919: After the war had ended, he was demobilized from the Royal Navy on 7th February. We think John married Florence Jackson in 1921 and died in March 1963, aged 69 years, and that Florence Narey died in 1977.

Stoker J. Narey, who was on the Lion during the naval battle in the North Sea, says: "I am very pleased to tell you that we have had a go at the Germans and that we came off best, although we lost a good many lives on the Lion, and I think that I will never experience a thing to equal it in all my life. We got a bit of a shaking up, but we are ready to have another go at them as soon as they wish to come out." In a letter to his parents, who reside in St John Street, Silsden, Stoker Jack Narey, of HMS Lion, says: "I was very glad you received my postcard stating that I was safe, because my mind was very uneasy wondering whether you would get the news in the newspapers before my card reached you. I knew what you would feel like when you heard that the squadron had been in action. I was on watch below in the stokehole all the time the battle was going on, and we got a bit of a peppering, but we are all quite prepared to go through it all again should we ever get an opportunity. I think myself that another battle such as we had would just about put and end to the German navy. There is not the slightest doubt that the Germans have got some good gunners aboard their ships, as they appeared to be giving us hit for hit; but we have only one thing to be disappointed about - that it came on dark rather sooner than we wanted it. We only wish the affray had happened at midday instead of in the evening; then I think it would have been a far greater victory for us than it was. Our Admiral, in his speech to the ship's crew, said he was well satisfied with what had happened, and he sincerely hoped we should have the pleasure of entertaining the Germans to another bout before very long. Will you kindly let the inhabitants of Silsden know that I am quite safe and ready for another 'turn-out'."
 * Keighley News 24th June 1916:**
 * SILSDEN**
 * THE RECENT NAVAL FIGHT**