Gilbert John Maidment

Story:
Gilbert John Maidment was born on 5th April, 1900 in Sedgehill, Wiltshire and baptised there on 17th June, 1900. He was the son of William Gilbert Maidment, a farm labourer, and Ellen Caroline Maidment (née Sheppard). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, a scholar and living at Oysters Cottages, Semley. He enlisted on 18th October 1915 as a Boy 1st Class in the Royal Navy (Service No. J//45254) and was posted to HMS Impregnable for training. He died at sea aboard HMS Indefatigable at the Battle of Jutland on 31st May 1916 at 16 years of age. His name appears on the Plymouth Naval Memorial (Panel 13). His ship was part of the first wave of the Battle Cruiser Fleet and was the third ship to be sunk that day with the loss of 1017 lives and only two survivors who themselves were taken prisoner. When his mother was notified of his death she was living at 53, St. Andrew's Yard, St. James Street, Shaftesbury. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He is remembered on the Park Walk and St. James’ War Memorials. He also appears on the Roll of Honour in St. James’ Church and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury.

Gilbert's name was included on the Semley Baptist Chapel plaque, now in St. Leonard's Church, Semley. When his sister Rose Mary Maidment died in 1923 a memorial to Gilbert was inscribed on her headstone in St. Catherine's churchyard, Sedgehill:
GILBERT JOHN MAIDMENT WHO LOST HIS LIFE IN THE JUTLAND BATTLE MAY 31ST 1916.
HE WAS BOY 1ST CLASS IN THE ROYAL NAVY ON H.M.S. INDEFATIGABLE.
BORN APRIL 5TH 1900.
HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR HOME AND COUNTRY