Laboe Naval Memorial.

This is an addition to this entry.


After visiting the U-955 Submarine, we went for lunch in a sketchy coast cafe. It was mediocre 😁.


Laboe Naval Memorial is straight across the U-995 Submarine. The Naval Memorial building is the large tower you can see on top of the page.


Here are some quick facts about the Naval Memorial Tower:


  • Building started in 1927 and finished in 1936;
  • It was build with the intention of remembrance for all who were lost at sea, and succumbed to the watery deep due to World War I;
  • After WWII ended, they rededicated this building to sailors of all nationalities who were lost at sea;
  • The tower stands 72 meters tall, with two observation decks;


While the tower is the main quote-unquote attraction, there is a lot more to this memorial site.


Below this building in a cellar, there is a hall of remembrance and at the back of the tower there is a technical museum.


Hall of Remembrance & The Technical Museum


After we went up the tower, and down the tower (which was an entire experience I wont forget, because it was pretty damn high) we went down to the hall of remembrance. A beautiful circular room filled with garlands and notes, dedicated to the lost ones at sea. We took moment of silence, read some of the metal plaques on the wall and went to the technical museum.


The first thing that caught my eye, was the 'Death at Sea' section. At this section with 9 banners hung down, telling the stories of unfortunate souls who died at sea. (image? see here!)

These stories were really thought provoking and saddened me. Young folks, be it in war or not, all succumbed at sea due to storms, battles, capsizing ships due to rough waters.

And still, working at sea is a gamble that's not always in your favour.


80% of the museum was dedicated to model ships to give us an impression on how it looked, worked. Ships are gigantic, by the way. (Image? see here!)


Another section was dedicated to memorials of a few individuals, and one really stuck out to me.


John Jack Cornwell's tale (image)


Jack Cornwell was born on January 8th, 1900, in Essex England.

He lived his first 15 years as 'an ordinary' boy. He worked as a delivery boy in Essex, until he (without permission) signed up for the Royal Navy.


At the ripe age of 15, Jack was enlisted as a boy, 1st class recruit.

After Jack's training, he was drafted into a newly build light cruiser, also known as the HMS CHESTER.


A few weeks later, the ship Jack was a part of, joined the biggest naval battle in WWI, the Battle of Jutland.


To not beat around the bush, it did not end well for the HMS CHESTER and it's crew. All personnel was killed or severely injured, and succumbed to their wounds only shortly after.

While all of boy Cornwell's crewmates were brutally slaughtered and injured, Jack did not leave his post, injured and all.


He continued to stand alone, awaiting orders to help out the Royal Navy, alone.


After HMS CHESTER's return of battle, Jack (and other living) crew members were transported to a hospital.


At this hospital, at the age of 16, John Jack Cornwell died, succumbed to his wounds, on the 2nd of June, 1916.


Why did this story stand out?


When I first read this story, all I could think of was his bravery. What he must have felt, to resist so hard, awaiting orders and helping out as much as he could. I have great respect for that.


Author: Robin van Eijkelenborg
Created at: 2025-02-23 16:45:03
Updated at: 2025-02-24 15:15:03