61003: Group photograph of crew of H.M.H.S. 'China', including John Leask

My Grandfather John Leask served aboard H.M.H.S. 'China' during the 1st World War as a Helmsman (Quartermaster.) From November 1914 'China' served as a Hospital Ship in and took part at the Battle of Jutland, where smaller Hospital Ships were used to collect casualties from the fighting ships and transfer them to the larger Hospital Ships in the Firth of Forth. As Helmsman he was in charge of one of the launches and rescued the casualties of battle, amongst whom were some Germans. This did not surprise us as before the war he served in the Merchant Navy and had made several trips to Hamburg, where he made good friends with a German family who visited his family home in Leith.

My Grandfather is in the lower first row, right hand side.