SLIM, Handel

Handel Slim came from Blackheath and served in the pre-war Royal Navy as a stoker. In 1916 he was serving on HMS Queen Mary in the 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron led by Admiral Beattie. Queen Mary was commissioned in 1913 and was one of the most modern vessels of the Royal Navy. She took part in the early Battle of Heligoland Bight and in 1916 was stationed at Rosyth. In the Battle of Jutland on the 31st July the battle cruisers intercepted the German High Seas Fleet and shelling began. Queen Mary was hit several times and was sunk with the loss of 1,266 officers and men. They included Leading Stoker Handel Slim, who is commemorated on the Royal Naval Memorial at Portsmouth and on the Blackheath and Halesowen Memorials.