Harold Percival Hoskins

Story:
Harold Percival Hoskins was born on 24th July 1897 in Shaftesbury, Dorset. He was the son of John Charles Hoskins, an agricultural labourer, and Rosina Hoskins (née Tullett). His siblings included Thomas Frank Hoskins, born in 1892, who died  in the war on 8th September 1916 and Clarence Hoskins who served in and survived the conflict.  At the time of the 1911 Census Harold was single, a scholar and living in the family home at Long Cross, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He enlisted on 13th September 1913 into the Royal Navy (Service No. J/27193) and was assigned to HMS Impregnable as a Boy 2nd Class. Following training he was posted to HMS Invincible and in due time held the rank of Able Seaman. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. He died on board HMS Invincible when it was sunk with the loss of most hands at the Battle of Jutland on 31st May 1916 and his name appears on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire, (Panel 13). He is also remembered on the War Memorials at Motcombe and Enmore Green, Shaftesbury. His mother, Rosina, also regrettably died in 1916.

Source: Photographs of the Portsmouth Naval Memorial taken by Richard Lunn.