Place Name
Named in honour of the First World War sailor boy and recipient of the Victoria Cross, who grew up in the area. John Travers Cornwell VC (January 8, 1900 – June 2, 1916) was just 16 years old when he was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery at the Battle of Jutland during the First World War. He joined the Royal Navy in 1915, aged 15, and served on HMS Chester. When the boat was attacked by gunfire in May 1916, he remained at his post firing despite being severely injured and all his comrades killed around him. He died from his wounds two days later. He was the subject of the poem: “The boy stood on the burning deck”. This is one of nearly 40 streets named after people in the borough that carry both a first and last name.
