Edward was born in the small Norfolk village of Terrington St John to parents George and Sarah on 16th May 1893 - on the 1901 census he was 7 years old and lived with his parents and 5 siblings at Wash Dyke Road, Walpole St Peter, Norfolk , his father an engine driver on a farm.
He left employment as a gardener aged 19 and joined the Royal Navy on 25th October 1912 for 12 years service. He was 5’3 with brown hair and hazel eyes and a ruddy complexion. In total contrast to his previous outdoor life Edward began training as a Stoker 2nd Class at HMS PEMBROKE II, leaving on 13th March 1913. He was posted to his first and only ship, HMS VANGUARD on 14th March 1913 - he rose in rating to Stoker 1st Class on 25th October 1913 and Acting Leading Stoker on 19th April 1917 and served aboard during the VANGUARD’s participation in the Battle of Jutland.
He was just 24 years old when he died, remembered in perpetuity on the Chatham Naval Memorial and locally at Walpole St Peter, Norfolk.
He was awarded the Star, Victory and British medals, awarded to his father while his mother received his pension.
(#277 - 169/843)
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
1901 England Census
Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services, 1848-1939 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services; Class: ADM 188; Piece: 900
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty: Naval Casualties, Indexes, War Grave Rolls and Statistics Book, First World War.; Class: ADM 242; Piece: 007 (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty and predecessors: Office of the Director General of the Medical Department of the Navy and predecessors: Service Registers and Registers of Deaths and Injuries. Registers of Reports of Deaths
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/7; Scan Number: 0779
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 048/0186/CLA-CLA
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 98
Photo source - British Newspaper Archives