Jack Cornwell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Travers Cornwell
|
|
|---|---|
John Travers Cornwell, Boy 1st class (1900–1916) by Ambrose McEvoy, although it is now believed to be Jack's brother George
|
|
| Nickname(s) | "Jack" "Boy" |
| Born | 8 January 1900 Leyton, Essex, England |
| Died | 2 June 1916 (aged 16) Grimsby, England |
| Buried |
Manor Park Cemetery, London
|
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1915–1916 |
| Rank | Boy 1st Class |
| Unit | HMS Chester |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
John Travers Cornwell, also known as Jack Cornwell, was a brave young sailor during World War I. He was only 16 years old when he died. Jack is remembered for his amazing courage at the Battle of Jutland. After his death, he was given the Victoria Cross. This is the highest award for bravery in the face of the enemy for British and Commonwealth forces. Jack Cornwell was the third youngest person ever to receive this special medal.
Contents
John "Jack" Travers Cornwell was born on January 8, 1900. He grew up in a working-class family in Leyton, Essex, which is now part of Greater London. He had a sister and three brothers. His family later moved to East Ham.
Jack finished school at age 14. He was also a member of the Boy Scouts. When World War I started, his father, Eli Cornwell, who was an ex-soldier, joined the army again. Eli fought in France. Jack's older brother, Arthur, also served in the war.
In October 1915, Jack Cornwell decided to join the Royal Navy. He was a delivery boy at the time. He joined without his father's permission. Jack trained at HMS Vivid Keyham Naval Barracks in Plymouth. He learned how to be a "Sight Setter" or "Gun Layer." This meant he would help aim the ship's guns. He became a Boy Seaman First Class. In April 1916, Jack joined his ship, HMS Chester, in Scotland.
The Battle of Jutland
On May 31, 1916, HMS Chester was scouting ahead during the Battle of Jutland. The ship went to investigate some gunfire. Around 5:30 PM, Chester suddenly faced heavy fire from four German cruisers. These ships were about the same size as Chester.
Jack Cornwell was working at a 5.5-inch gun. This gun had an open shield, not a full enclosure. The gun area was hit many times. All the other sailors at his gun were killed or badly hurt. Jack was also seriously wounded. But he managed to stand up again. He stayed at his post for more than 15 minutes. He kept waiting for orders, even though he was the only one left.
HMS Chester was hit 18 times. However, its armor protected the inside of the ship. The ship itself was not in danger of sinking. But the deck was a terrible scene. Many gun crews had lost limbs from shell splinters. Other British ships reported seeing wounded sailors on Chester's deck. These brave men were smoking cigarettes and cheering, even with severe injuries. Sadly, many died hours later from blood loss.
After the battle, medics found Jack Cornwell still standing at his gun. Pieces of metal were in his chest. He was looking at the gun sights, ready for orders. Chester was ordered to the port of Immingham. Jack was taken to Grimsby General Hospital. He was clearly dying. He passed away on June 2, 1916, just before his mother could arrive.
Receiving the Victoria Cross
Three months after the battle, Captain Robert Lawson of Chester told the British Admiralty what happened. The Admiralty decided to recommend Jack for a Victoria Cross. King George V agreed.
.jpg)
Admiral David Beatty wrote about Jack's bravery. He said Jack was "mortally wounded early in the action." But he "nevertheless remained standing alone at a most exposed post, quietly awaiting orders till the end of the action." The admiral added that Jack was "under 16½ years old." He recommended Jack for "special recognition."
Jack Cornwell was first buried in a common grave in Manor Park Cemetery, London. But on July 29, 1916, his body was moved. He was reburied with full military honors in the same cemetery. Jack's father, Eli, died later that year. He was buried in the same grave. The words on Jack's grave monument say:
but honourable conduct and a noble disposition
that maketh men great."
In May 2016, Jack's family grave and war memorial were given a special status. This protects them from being changed or removed.
The award of the Victoria Cross was officially announced on September 15, 1916. It stated that Jack "remained standing alone at a most exposed post, quietly awaiting orders, until the end of the action, with the gun's crew dead and wounded all round him."
On November 16, 1916, Jack's mother received the Victoria Cross from King George V. This happened at Buckingham Palace. A famous artist, Frank O. Salisbury, painted a portrait of Jack. He used Jack's brother Ernest as a model for the painting. This painting shows Jack standing bravely at his post.
Remembering Jack Cornwell
Jack's public re-burial caused a lot of attention. Over seven million children from the British Empire donated money to a fund in his memory. This money helped create the Jack Cornwell ward at the Royal Star and Garter Home.
The John Cornwell Victoria Cross National Memorial (JCVCNM) was created in 1928. Land was bought in Hornchurch with money raised by the Mayor of East Ham. Here, cottage homes were built for former sailors and Royal Marines who needed help. These homes are laid out in the shape of a Victoria Cross medal.
Scouting and Cadets
Sir Robert Baden-Powell, who started the Scout movement, created an award in Jack's honor. It is called The Cornwell Scout Badge. Scout groups across the Commonwealth still use it today. This award is given to young members who show great character, duty, courage, and endurance. There is also Camp Cornwell in Western Australia, which is a headquarters for Sea Scouts.
Jack Cornwell is also remembered by cadet groups. These include the Sea Cadet Corps, Army Cadet Force, and Air Training Corps. They have a building in East Ham called The Cornwell VC Cadet Centre. The Newham (Cornwell VC) Sea Cadets have "J T Cornwell VC" on their cap ribbons. They are the only Sea Cadet Unit in the UK with this special honor.
In 2003, cadets suggested renaming a school in Leyton after Jack. The school was once called Farmer Road School, which Jack attended. It is now named George Mitchell School.
In Canada, a Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps in Winnipeg is named John Travers Cornwell, VC.
Other Memorials
In Little Ilford, there is a Jack Cornwell Street. A block of flats called John Cornwell VC House is also named after him. A public house (pub) on Jack Cornwell Street is called The Victoria Cross. A blue plaque marks the site of his birthplace in Leyton.
The 5.5-inch gun that Jack served on is now displayed at the Imperial War Museum in London. In 2006, Jack Cornwell VC was featured on a Royal Mail postage stamp. In 2016, he was on a special £5 coin. There are also places named after him like Cornwell Close in Grimsby and Cornwell Court in Portsmouth.
Citadel High School in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, gives out the Jack Cornwell Award. This award goes to a student who shows honor, loyalty, and bravery.
Two mountains in Canada are also named after him and his ship. Mount Cornwell (2,972 meters) in British Columbia was named in his honor in 1918. Mount Chester (3,054 meters) in Alberta was named after HMS Chester.
See also
- My Boy Jack (poem)
