The battle of Coronel was fought in the cold waters off the coast of central Chile during the evening of 1 November 1914.  Five German ships faced four British ships including HMS Monmouth. After the roof of HMS Monmouth’s forward turret was blown completely off the ship, beginning to list and take on water, she tried to turn to put her stern into the heavy northerly swell.  Twenty minutes later she was listing to port and none of her guns could be used.  The German cruiser Nürnberg closed to within 600 yards of HMS Monmouth and illuminated her flag with its spotlight in the hope that HMS Monmouth would strike her colours and surrender.  When there was no response, the German ship opened fire, aiming high, but there was still no response.  Nürnberg then fired a torpedo which missed and turned off its searchlight.  HMS Monmouth increased speed and turned towards the German ship, causing her to open fire again. HMS Monmouth capsized shortly before 10pm. The entire crew of 735 men drowned as the seas were too rough to attempt any rescue.

Three Old Mount Kelleians were serving on HMS Monmouth and perished that night:  Frank Brandt, the captain; Lieutenant Commander Bertie Bluett; and Midshipman John Richardson Le Geyt Pullen.

Frank Brandt

Frank Brandt was born in Madras, India, on 2 October 1871, attended Newton Abbot College (which subsequently merged with Kelly College) after which he joined the Royal Navy as a cadet on 15 January 1885.  Two years later he was promoted to Midshipman.  Regularly promoted, he achieved the rank of Commander in 1903 and was appointed to HMS Mercury for duty with submarines and in command of the Portsmouth flotilla.  After serving on HMS Bonaventure and HMS Mercury and commanding the Dover Submarine Flotilla, he was appointed to the rank of Captain on 31 December 1909.  He intended to retire in 1910 but his application was refused so that his experience in submarines was not lost.  After commanding HMS Bonaventure and the Portsmouth Submarine Flotilla, in February 1914 he was appointed to the cruiser HMS Eclipse in command and for trooping duties.  Five months later he was appointed to the cruiser HMS Monmouth in command.

A senior officer, writing in 1913, described him as “a most zealous officer….always ready to share the risks and discomforts of the Submarine Service which owes so much to him, particularly in regard to its development as an offensive arm.  [He had made helpful suggestions for a graduated sight bar to better help torpedo ranges to be judged.] I have a very high opinion of his grit and determination.”

While an officer who served under him recalled that Brandt “was excitable, had a stentorian foretop voice and a famous flow of language”.  His “enthusiasm was unbounded” and the officer ranked Brandt first among “the most human of the Navy’s leaders of the period and among the best loved”.

Frank left a widow and four children and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval War Memorial.

Bertie William Bluett

Bertie William Bluett was born in Jersey on 26 April 1883 and also attended Newton Abbot College.  On leaving, he entered Britannia Naval College, Dartmouth, in May 1897.  His first appointment was to HMS Repulse where his Captain reported that he seemed to be doing well.  Appointed to HMS Isis, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 June 1904.  Two years later he was appointed to the famous battleship, HMS Dreadnought, before undertaking a series of command appointments in destroyers and torpedo boats. Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander on 30 June 1912, Bertie was relieved of command of HMS Usk by his Commander-in-Chief, China, four months later following some dishonoured cheques and absences ashore when bad weather loomed.  He was informed that serious consequences would follow any subsequent misconduct and he was appointed to HMS Monmouth as a punishment.

Bertie left a widow and a daughter and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial and at St Andrew’s Church, Torre.

John Richardson Le Geyt Pullen

Finally, John Richardson Le Geyt Pullen.  Born in Kingsbridge on 26 April 1899 he came from a fourth-generation naval family, his father being Secretary to the Commander-in-Chief at the Nore.  He attended Mount House as a day-boy for a year before passing into the Royal Naval College, Osborne, on the Isle of Wight in December 1911. Subsequently he entered Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, but was there only a very short time when war broke out.  Described as “almost top of his term and an exceedingly promising young officer”, he was appointed Midshipman on HMS Monmouth in August 1914; barely two months later, aged 15½, he was dead.

John is commemorated on Plymouth Naval War Memorial.