Blockley, John Alfred
Petty Officer First Class
No. 132052, (R.F.R. PO A/2742), HMS Viknor, Royal Navy
Died as a result of enemy action on Wednesday 13 January 1915 (aged 45)
Buried:
Bangor Cemetery, Newtownards Road, Bangor (Grave 6P. 95)
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
BIOGRAPHY
John Alfred Blockley was born at Hinkley, Leicestershire and he was a son of Z. Blockley. He was the husband of Mary Margaret Blockley.
During the First World War Petty Officer First Class John Alfred Blockley served aboard HMS Viknor.
Built in 1888 as a passenger ship for the Royal Mail Steam Company, the SS Atrato was renamed Viking in 1912 when the ship was taken over by the Viking Cruising Company. When this ship was requisitioned by the Admiralty for use as an Armed Merchant Cruiser (AMC) in the Great War she was renamed HMS Viknor.
HMS Viknor sank off Tory Island, Co Donegal on 13 January 1915 during heavy weather and there was no distress call. Some 295 lives were lost.
In the area where HMS Viknor went down the Germans had laid a minefield.
Petty Officer First Class John Alfred Blockley’s body was recovered from the sea on 25 January 1915 in Belfast Lough and an inquest was held the following day. He was interred in Bangor Cemetery and his headstone bears the inscription:
In loving memory of
John Alfred Blockley
Beloved husband of
Mary Margaret Blockley
Whose body was recovered from the sea
after the sinking of HMS Viknor
January 26th 1915
in his 45th year
R I P
Eternal rest give unto him O Lord
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace, Amen.