James Devlin was the son of John and Hannah Devlin, and brother of Michael John Devlin, Killeenan, Cookstown. Before joining the Royal Naval Reserve, James was employed in Iron Works at Port Clarence-on-Tees, where he had lived and worked for over 20 years. He was serving as a stoker on board HMS Hampshire and was lost at sea when the ship struck a mine off the Orkney Isles on 5th June 1916. 643 sailors lost their lives with the sinking of the Hampshire, including Lord Kitchener, John Forrest and James Devlin.
From the Brompton Barracks Chatham - At the traffic signals turn right onto Globe Lane - A231 (signposted 'Historic Dockyards'). Keep in left hand lane then turn left onto Dock Road (signposted Gillingham). At roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Wood Street - A231 (signposted Gillingham). Turn Right on Mansion Row (The memorial is signposted from here), then 1st left on Sally Port Gardens and finally 1st right on King's Bastion. Follow road through the housing estate, the car park to the memorial is at the end of this road. The Memorial overlooks the town of Chatham and is approached by a steep path from the Town Hall Gardens. A copy of the Memorial Register is kept in the Naval Chapel of Brompton Garrison Church and may be consulted there.
