Current Information:

Age-21

170, Squires Lane, Finchley

On 1st August, 1918, the 20th Destroyer Flotilla of the Royal Navy which included the destroyers HMS Ariel and HMS Vehement, left their English base to lay mines in the western end of the Heligoland Bight, just off the German coast in the North Sea. During the  night of 1st/2nd August, before they had reached their target area, ,they themselves unknowingly entered an uncharted German minefield with dire consequences for both ships. First of all HMS Vehement hit a mine which caused her magazine to explode, blowing off her bow. As the other ships of the Flotilla attempted to leave the minefield, exactly the same thing happened to HMS Ariel and she sank within one hour. Attempts were made to tow HMS Vehement to safety  but eventually she sank too. Although many survivors were picked up by other vessels, both ships each lost nearly fifty members of their crews. One of those who did not survive was Albert Annis of HMS Vehement.