| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information
Jens Christian Walter Agerskow was born in Hull the 4 Nov 1888 and baptised at St Matthew’s Church, Hull the 20 Jan 1889, the son of Emil Agerskow and Lilian (nee Stow). Lilian was originally from Wapping, London whilst Emil was from Sleswig, Denmark. Walter was brought up on Rosamund Street and South Boulevard in Hull. On 3 Mar 1910 Walter joined the Royal Navy at Chatham, Kent. He signed on for 12 years service and later served as a fitter and then as an ERA, an Engine Room Artificer, of senior NCO status, responsible for all the mechanical equipment on ship, steam and diesel.
Walter served on a variety of ships but spent most of his time on cruisers in home waters. Whilst on HMS Dido he took part in the Battle of Jutland, near the coast of Denmark, on 31 May 1916. His bravery on that day earned him a mention in dispatches, posted in the London Gazette of 30 Nov 1917. He was also awarded the 1914-15 Star and the War and Victory medals. He left the Navy on 13 Apr 1922.
Walter subsequently joined the Merchant Navy and served as a marine engineer. In late 1927 he was hospitalised in Kobe, Japan, later sailing to Washington State in the USA. He joined the SS Chief Capilano there and sailed for the Far East on 28 Jul 1928. He was reported missing at sea, presumed drowned in the vicinity of Hong Kong on 28 Aug 1928.
Walter is remembered on the Norwood Street Shrine.
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |