Edward Ambrose Smith
He gave his occupation as fisherman when he joined the Royal Navy on 14 September 1900 on a 12 year engagement. He was discharged to the Royal Fleet Reserve (B4638) on 15 September 1912 on completion of his engagement and rejoined the Royal Navy on 7 August 1914.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Edward Ambrose also Edward Albert.
He was the son of Ambrose and Matilda Smith (CWGC). Neither of his parents have yet been traced in Nottingham.
He was married to Sarah Ann (b. 16 February 1879) date of marriage not yet traced. The Naval Casualties Record has Sarah's address as c/o Mrs Yeoman, East Allington, South Devon. Edward's medals were sent to her in September 1921 at 108 Orwell Street, Grimsby, while the CWGC record, probably of a later date, gives her address as 7 Peel Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth.
The Probate record (proved 30 June 1924, Lincoln) gave Edward's address as 146 Newmarket Street, Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
Edward Smith enlisted 14 September 1900 on a 12 year continuous service engagement, joining the Royal Fleet Reserve on 15 September 1912 on completion of his engagement. He rejoined the Royal Navy on 7 August 1914, Stoker 1st Class, but had a short period with Nelson Battalion Royal Naval Division before returning to sea service.
His last ship was HMS Redbreast, a passenger cargo ship launched in April 1908 (operator G&J Burns Ltd Glasgow), but requisitioned in 1915 by the British Government and tasked as an anti-submarine Q-ship and then as a fleet messenger ship.
HMS Redbreast was torpedoed and sunk by UC-38 in the Aegean Sea on 15 July 1917 while on passage from Skyros to the Doro Channel; 42-44 ship's company and three Royal Marines lost; one survivor taken prisoner.
Edward's body was not recovered for burial and he is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial (22).
Registers of Seamens’ Services. Edward Ambrose Smith occupation fisherman. CS Engagement (12 years) 14 September 1900:
Vivid II. Stoker, 14 September 1900-12 February 1901. Niobe, 13 February 1901-5 September 1902 (Cells 7 days) 13 September 1902-18 November 1902. Hogue, 19 November 1902-14 January 1903. Vivid, 16 January 1902-13 March 1904, St George, 14 March-18 April 1904 (Cells 7 days), 26 April 1904-14 May 1906. Vivid II, 15 May 1906-25 January 1907 (Stoker 1st Class 1 July 1906). Then ships/shore establishments: Blake (1907-1907), Leander (1897-1909) Hawke (1909-1909), Tamar (1909-1909), King Alfred 1909-1909), Tamar (1909-1910), King Alfred (1910-1910), Vivid II (1910-1910), Pomone (1910-1912), Leander (1912-10 September 1912), Vivid II (11 September 1912-14 September 1912). Discharged shore, Continuous Service expired. Joined Royal Fleet Reserve, Devonport B4638, 15 September 1912. Rejoined Vivid II, 7 August 1914, Stoker 1st Class, then to Victory (shore) with period as Acting Leading Seaman then as Stoker 1st Class to Europa 27 August 1915-31 December 1915; (-), 1 January 1916-15 December 1916; Europa I, 16 December 1916-9 February 1917; Redbreast, 10 February 1917-15 July 1917. Service document noted ‘NP 6059/1917. DD [Discharged Dead] 15 July 1917 Killed when HMS Redbreast was sunk.’
Administrative record: Sea Service. Edward Ambrose Smith Devonport 296005, RFR/B/4638.
Wife: Sarah A Smith, 108 Orwell Street Grimsby.
Where serving:
5 September 1914 Nelson Battalion (B/403).
1 March 1915 Nelson Bn Embarked RND Expeditionary Force..
26 July 1915 Transferred to the Fleet.
5 November 1915: Recd. D.O. No.53 26 July 1915 Transferred to Vice Admiral Commanding at Mudros.
10 November 1915: Parchment Certificate with Conduct Sheet enlosed, sent to Brigade Paymaster, 1st RN Brigade, Blandford.
23 February 1916. AFB 103 recd. (Change of Rating, Pt. Said, 1 March 1915 to Actg. L.S. [Leading Seaman]. AFB 213, R6 Transfd to Vice Adml Cmdg at Mudros 24 July 1915. AFB 213, 22.1.16. Dischgd from RND, 12 January 1916). AFB 103 filed.
21 April 1916. Service Certificate showing service RND 15 September 1914-26 July 1915 Nelson Battalion. B403. Rating Sto.1 (Rating RND Actg. Ldg. Seaman, 1 March 1915-26 July 1915 (unpaid.) forwarded to CO HMS Europa (Conduct Sht. enclosed).
UC-38. Commissioned 26 October 1916. U-boat commander Oberleutnant zur See Alfred Klatt, Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class (b. 30 November 1889), in command 19 October 1916-4 August 1917. During his command, 32 ships were sunk including HMS Newmarket auxiliary minesweeper (previously Great Eastern Railway Company, Harwich), torpedoed and sunk south of Nikaria Island, Aegean Sea (70 casualties, three survivors taken prisoner), and three ships damaged. UC-38 'depth charged by French destroyers in the Ionian Sea, 14 December 1917, nine dead 19 survivors.' (uboat.net/wwi/boats)
UB-69. U-boat commander Oberleutnant zur See Alfred Klatt, 12 October 1917-9 January 1918. 'U-boat destroyed [9 January 1918] in an explosive sweep followed by a depth charge off Bizerta, Mediterranean, 31 dead (all hands).' (uboat.net/wwi/boats)
CWGC Additional information: Son of Ambrose and Matilda Smith, of Nottingham; husband of Sarah Ann Smith, of 7, Peel St., Stonehouse, Plymouth.
WW1 Pension Ledgers: widow Sarah Ann Smith (b. 16 February 1879) residence Grimsby.
Edward's medals, 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, were issued to his widow, Sarah Ann Smith, 108 Orwell Street, Grimsby, on 22 September 1921.
Probate: Smith Edward Ambrose otherwise Edward Albert of 146 Newmarket-street Grimsby Lincolnshire died 15 July 1917 at sea Probate Lincoln 30 June [1924] to Oscar Debusscher (sic) skipper of a trawler. Effects £123 11s. 6d.
Note: Oscar Peter John De Busscher (res. Grimsby 1921, d. 1958 aged 81, residence 86 Yarborough Road, Great Grimsby; burial record gave occupation as 'retired skipper').
Photo of Edward Ambrose Smith
Commemorated on Plymouth Naval Memorial (www.cwgc.org)