Lost on the battleship HMS Queen Mary at the Battle of Jutland.
Joseph Burns was a stoker on HMS Queen Mary and was killed at the Battle of Jutland on 31st May 1916, when the German Battlecruiser Derfflinger hit the ship and it exploded. 1,266 crewmen perished and just 18 survived.
Joseph had been born probably in West Hartlepool on 30th April 1886 and news of his death was given to Mr John Short, the guardian of his children at his address in Bedford Street. His son James William Burns of Bedford Street was given as next of kin.
An alternative address of 14, Sunderland Street, West Hartlepool, is given in the Hartlepool Mail of June 8th, 1916.
