Able seaman John Alfred offer (J13594) was the son of the late Alfred Richard Offer and Jessie Louisa Offer of 105 Lower Colebrook Street. He was born in June 1895 in St Maurice. In the census of 1911 taken on 2 April, his father is listed as a house painter and journeyman and he is listed as an errand Boy aged 15. He enlisted on 11th June 1913 on the date of his 18th birthday. He served on HMS Impregnable, Colossus, and Bulwark before being transferred to HSM Black Prince. He was killed in Action 31th May 1916 at the Battle of Jutland. The HMS Black Prince blew up and sank with the loss of all 857 crew. He is commemorated at the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
The HMS Black Prince was a Duke of Edinburgh-class armoured cruiser built by the famous Thames Ironworks in Blackwall and launched on 8 November 1904. The ship was one of the last Royal Navy ships built-in the shipyard which was at the time facing considerable financial problems.
HMS Black Prince formed part of Rear-Admiral Robert Arbuthnot’s ill-fated 1st Cruiser Squadron at Jutland. The squadron was employed as a screen several miles ahead of the Grand Fleet. According to reports during the early engagement, Black Prince became separated from the rest of the force, and later during the night came into contact with the German High Seas Fleet at point-blank range. Powerful searchlights were turned on her and she was engaged by up to five battleships.
An inscription in remembrance of John Alfred can be seen in St Giles Hill Graveyard on the cross and stone surround memorial to his father and mother.
The inscription reads.
“In loving memory of Alfred Richard OFFER who died March 28th, 1918 aged 58 years also of dear “Jack” John Alfred OFFER 2nd son of the above who was killed in action in Jutland Battle on HMS Black Prince, May 31st 1916 aged 21 years, also of dear “Tommy” Thomas Walter OFFER 3rd son of the above who died March 22nd, 1896 aged 11 months also of Jessie Louisa OFFER who died 29th Sept 1941 aged 77″.
The gravestone is located on the east side of the entrance gate close to Alresford Rd.
Reference: The book, “Debt of Hour (Winchester City’s First World Dead)” by Jen Best.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Dave Stewart Email dave@stgileshill.org.uk if you have any questions, corrections, or additional information that could be added to this page.
