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Writer's pictureWendy Sadler

Harold Ernest Tebby RMB 2158, Musician


Harold was born on 16th September 1899 in Southsea, Portsmouth to parents Alice and Ernest. Recorded on the 1901 census, he was the youngest child, aged 1, his two older sisters aged 2 and 4, the whole family living at 121 Brompton Road, Portsmouth.


By the 1911 census Alice and Ernest's family had grown to having 7 children and they were now all residing at 116 Brompton Road, a few doors from their previous address.

Harold enlisted with the Royal Marines Band on 23rd September 1913, a week after his 14th birthday. He was 4'6" tall with blue eyes and light brown hair.

He began training at Eastney as a Band Boy from 23rd September to 27th January 1916 where he learnt the violin and cornet.


He was posted to the brand new ship HMS MALAYA on 28th January 1916, his rank now Musician. He stayed aboard until 6th May 1916, transferring to HMS VANGUARD on 7th May 1916. Harold was aboard the dreadnought during the Battle of Jutland and was just 17 when he was killed.


Ernest Henry Tebby, Harold's father, deserted his wife and children mid 1912 and emigrated to Australia. It is not known if he ever knew of Harold's death. Harold would never also have known about the birth of a half brother in Australia, Bruno, born June 1917.

#262 - 746/843

Sources:

1901 & 1911 England Census

England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 - Free BMD

Royal Marines Registers of Service Index, 1842-1925

CWGC Register

Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 ADM 242/10; Scan Number: 0669

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

WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; Naval Pensions Ledger; Reference: 542931

Pam Scott

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