Isaac Overton

Isaac was the son of Isaac and Sarah Overton nee Stevenson. His father was born in Sibsey, Lincolnshire, on 4 September 1864, and his mother in Newark on 18 February 1863. They were married in 1886 (O/N/D Newark) and had four children of whom only three survived childhood: Isaac b. 22 January 1888 (J/F/M Newark), Florence Louisa b. 22 January 1890 (J/F/M Newark) and Cyril Richard b. 24 September 1894 (O//D Newark). In 1891 Isaac (26), a fireman at a brewery, and Sarah (28) were living at 10 Cherry Street, Newark, with their two children, Isaac (3) and Florence (1). By 1901 they had moved to 13 Bowbridge Road, Newark. Isaac was now a machinery engine driver. Their three children were in the home on the night of the census: Isaac (13) a clerk, and Florence (11) and Cyril (6) who were both still at school. Isaac jnr joined the Royal Navy in April 1903. In 1911 his parents and two siblings were still living at 13 Bowbridge Road. Florence (21) was a dressmaker's assistant and Cyril (16) a solicitor's clerk. Isaac jnr married Rose Martha Tyler (b. 1885 O/N/D Newark) in 1916 (J/A/S Newark). Rose's address is given as 64 Castle Gate, Newark, on the CWGC record. She later married Fred Burns (1927 O/N/D Newark). In 1939 at the time of the England & Wales Register, Isaac snr, a retired power house engineer, and Sarah were living at 11 Bowbridge Road, Newark. Isaac died on 13 March 1940 and his wife Sarah on 3 March 1946; the family home was still at 11 Bowbridge Road. Of Isaac's siblings: Florence Louisa married Kenneth Kaye (b. 25 November 1892) in 1925 (A/M/J Newark). In 1939 they were living in Newark and at the time of Florence's death on 1 April 1958 were living at 19 Bowbridge Road, Newark. Kenneth Kaye died on 19 November 1975. Cyril Richard married Edith Emily Darnell (17 February 1900) in 1925 (J/A/S Newark). In 1939 they were living in Newark with their three school-age sons, Geoffrey W. (b. 13 July 1925), John M b. 12 March 1927 and Malcolm A. b. 7 April 1934. Cyril was living at 68 Chestnut Avenue, Newark, at the time of his death on 5 November 1963. Edith survived him.

In 1901 he was a clerk (possibly with the County Council). He gave his occupation as office boy when he joined the Royal Navy in 1903.

Isaac joined the Royal Navy on 16 April 1903 as a Boy 2nd Class and signed for 12 years continuous service on 22 January 1906, his eighteenth birthday. He served in the following ships and shore establishments: HMS Caledonia, 16 April 1903-31 May 1904 (Boy 2nd Class, Boy 1st Class 18 November 1904); HMS Pembroke,1 June 1904-5 October 1904; HMS Berwick, 6 October 1904-12 March 1906 (Signalman, 2 January 1906); Pembroke I, 13 March 1906-20 July 1906; HMS Charybdis, 21 July 1906-2 September 1907; HMS Cressy, 23 September 1907-29 April 1907 (Ordinary Signalman 1 October 1907); Pembroke I, 30 April 1909-9 November 1909 (Signalman 1 November 1909); HMS Tyne, 10 November 1909-14 March 1910; HMS St George, 15 March 1910-28 February 1911; HMS (-), 1 March 1911-30 May 1911; (14 days Cells), HMS (-), 14 June 1911-16 June 1911; Pembroke I, 17 June 1911-7 August 1911; HMS Crescent, 8 August 1911-15 September 1911; HMS Pioneer, 16 September 1911-29 November 1912; HMS Pyramus, 30 November 1911-29 November 1912-14 July 1914; Pembroke I, 15 July 1914-6 September 1914; HMS Cormorant (Wear), 7 September 1914-28 February 1915; HMS Blenheim (wear), 1 March 1915-31 March 1916 (Leading Signaller, 20 July 1915); Pembroke, 1 April 1916-30 May 1916 and 4 August 1916-9 September 1916; HMS Royal Arthur, 10 September 1916-16 December 1916; Pembroke I, 17 December 1916-3 January 1917. He was awarded the DSM for his part in operations in the Dardenelles on 18 March 1915 and the Clasp to the DSM the following year. His service document was noted: ‘Invalided - hemoplegia.’ ['Total or partial paralysis of one side of the body that results from disease of or injury to the motor centres of the brain.'] He died on 3 July 1917, six months after he was invalided from the Royal Navy, and was buried in Newark-upon-Trent Cemetery, Nottinghamshire (grave ref. K.'U'.265).

Personal inscription on CWGC headstone: 'He died that we might live' Isaac suffered a severe fall while onboard ship and was unconscious for three weeks. Eventually the injury caused haemorrhage of the brain. After a period in Chatham Hospital he was brought to Newark and for some time been taken about in a bath chair. Although suffering from paralysis down one side, he greatly enjoyed getting out. There was a sudden change on Monday night and he died the following morning. Note on Service documents: ‘M.04603/15 Recommended for DSM in connection with operations (Dardenelles) on 18 March 1915 [HMS Blenheim]. London Gazette of 16/8/15 Awarded DSM. London Gazette of 5/9/16 Awarded Clasp to DSM.' Probate: Overton Isaac of 11 Bowbridge-road Newark-on-Trent died 13 March 1940 Probate Nottingham to Richard Overton engineer. Effects £1652 11s. 8d. Probate: Overton Sarah of 11 Bowbridge-road Newark-on-Trent Nottinghamshire widow died 3 March 1946 Probate Nottingham 21 May to Cyril Richard Overton engineer and Florence Louisa Kaye (wife of Kenneth Kaye). Effects £3090 1s. 5d. Article published in the Newark Herald 14th July 1917 :- Eldest son of Isaac & Sarah Overton, 13 Bowbridge Road, Newark. Husband of Rose Martha Overton (nee Tyler), 64 Castlegate. Educated at the Wesleyan School and afterwards in a situation in Messrs. Halstead’s coal office, did not remain long before joining the navy. On the training ship Caledonia, later onboard cruiser H.M.S. Cressy. Has been all over the world including three years on the Australian station. On the destroyer H.M.S. Wear, throughout the operations at the Dardanelles, where he rescued men from a French minelayer. Also assisted in rescuing 60 men from the H.M.S. Irresistible, for which awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. Remained at the Dardanelles until the evacuation. Later served with the Grand Fleet and gained a bar to his DSM. Unfortunately he sustained a severe fall while onboard ship and was unconscious for three weeks. Eventually the injury caused haemorrhage of the brain. After a period in Chatham Hospital he was brought to Newark and for some time been taken about in a bath chair. Although suffering from paralysis down one side, he greatly enjoyed getting out. There was a sudden change on Monday night and he died the following morning.