Reginald Rowbottom

War Service

Reginald Rowbottom was an Able Seaman on HMS Jupiter RN when he died on 27th February 1942 age 19. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Plymouth Naval Memorial Panel 61 Column 2.
HMS Jupiter was sailing near the northern coast of Java on the evening of 27th February, just before the final stages of the Battle of the Java Sea, when she was struck by a violent explosion. At the time it was thought she had been torpedoed by the Japanese force, but it was discovered she struck a mine in a minefield laid that day by Dutch minelayer ‘Gouden Leeuw’ without the knowledge of the striking force. 84 men were killed, 83 rescued and 97 taken prisoner.
Pontefract & Castleford Express 24 Apr 1942 p2 (with photo)
“STILL MISSING
Mr and Mrs Rowbottom of Green’s Yard, Knottingley, received official word again last week that their grandson, Able Seaman Reginald Rowbottom, who was brought up by them, is still untraced. Able Seaman Rowbottom was with HMS Jupiter, which was sunk in the Battle of Java, and an earlier notification was that he was missing after the battle. He had been in the Navy, for which he volunteered, for over two years, and before that was employed by Messrs. Bagley and Co, Knottingley. He attended the Knottingley Modern School. His birthday fell last Tuesday, and he would have 20 years old.”

Family Life

Reginald Rowbottom was born on 21st April 1922 and was baptised on 14th May 1922 at Christ Church, Knottingley. He was the son of Lilian. The Knottingley Roll of Honour records him as the grandson of Mr & Mrs George Rowbottom of Knottingley (she would have been Caroline), so perhaps they brought him up.
On 22nd December 1924 at Christ Church, Knottingley Lily Rowbottom, daughter of George, married Joseph Faunch.

Plymouth Naval Memorial