HMS Chester (1915)

HMS Chester was a Town-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy, one of two ships forming the Birkenhead subtype.

Based on the Birmingham sub-class of the Towns, the two Greek ships primarily differed from their British half-sisters in their armament.

In addition, Chester had a requirement for 26.5 knots (49.1 km/h; 30.5 mph) and only used oil-fired boilers to save weight and increase her power to meet the specification.

[2] Along with her sister ship, Birkenhead, she was originally ordered for the Greek Navy in 1914 and was to be named in honour of Lambros Katsonis.

Amongst the gun crew fatalities was 16-year-old John 'Jack' Cornwell who received the Victoria Cross for his dedication to duty though mortally injured.

One of Chester ' s 5.5 inch guns at the Imperial War Museum, London, that was operated by John Cornwell VC during the Battle of Jutland . [ 1 ]
Chester , showing damage sustained at the Battle of Jutland , 31 May 1916
Memorial in Chester Cathedral to 29 men killed and 49 wounded on HMS Chester on 31 May 1916 in the Battle of Jutland.