Albert Ernest Brockwell
- Family History
- Military History
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Albert was the second son of Alfred William and Eliza Brockwell (nee Ecob). Alfred and Eliza were married in 1882 and had four children; Alfred, Florence Mary (5 September 1886), Mabel Hail and Albert Ernest. Alfred was a leather worker. In 1891 Alfred and Eliza were living with their two oldest children, Alfred and Florence, at 9 Vernon Street, in the civil parish of St Mary. Eliza died in 1899 aged 41 and in 1901 Alfred was living at 71 Kirkstead Street, Hyson Green, with his children Alfred (17), Florence (14), Mabel (9) and Albert (5). By 1911 Albert was Alfred's only child still living at home, his siblings having married. Albert and his father were living at 18 East Street, Nottingham. At the time of the 1911 Census Alfred, a printer's compositor, his wife Ada and their son Frank (2) were living at 15 Nugent Street, Calcutta Street, Nottingham. Florence Mary had married George Edward Robinson and they and their son, George Frederick (1), were living in Doncaster where George was a locomotive fireman. (Florence died in 1977 aged 91.) Mabel was a domestic servant working in a household in West Bridgford; she was later to marry (Greadley). Albert's married sister, Florence Robinson, of 72 Logan Street, Highbury Vale, Bulwell, was named on the naval record as the relative who was notified of his death. Albert's brother, Alfred, joined the Sherwood Foresters (15249) but transferred to the Labour Corps (165866). He was killed in an accident at Grantham on 20 March 1918 and was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery. Albert's father, Alfred William, may have died in 1930 age 70.
Albert joined the Royal Navy in January 1912 and at the age of 18 on 26 January 1914 engaged for 12 years. Ships and shore establishments: HMS Ganges, 2 January 1912-27 July 1912 (Boy 2nd Class); HMS Ganges II, 28 July 1912-9 August 1912 (Boy 1st Class 9 August 1912); HMS Commonwealth, 10 August 1912-26 January 1914 (Ordinary Seaman 26 January 1914-22 June 1914); Pembroke I, 23 June 1914-26 June 1914; Victory I, 27 June 1914-2 August 1914, HMS Invincible, 3 August 1914-27 August 1915 (Able Seaman 27 May 1915); HMS Vernon, 28 August 1915-23 November 1915; (-) (Midge), 24 November 1915-17 July 1916; Greenwich (Pellew), 18 July 1916-12 December 1917. HMS Pellew was an 'M' Class destroyer, laid down in 1915 and commissioned the following year. Pellew and HMS Partridge with four trawlers sailed from Lerwick on 11 December 1917, escorting a six ship convoy bound for Bergen. The convoy was attacked the following day by four German destroyers. The trawlers and merchant ships were sunk and Partridge so badly damaged that the captain ordered 'abandon ship'. Partridge was later sunk. Pellew was damaged and four members of the ship's company, including Albert, were killed in the action. Albert was buried at sea and is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Nottingham Post notice (abridged), 20 December 1917: 'Brockwell killed in action December 12th on HMS Pellew, Albert Ernest age 21.' Obituary published 21st December 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “BROCKWELL. – Killed in action December 12th, on H.M.S. Pellew, Albert Ernest, aged 21. Deeply mourned. – Sorrowing fiancée Emmy.” In memoriam published 12th December 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “BROCKWELL. – In loving memory of Albert, killed in action on H.M.S. Pellew on December 12th, 1917. Sadly missed. – Sister Ada. “BROCKWELL. – In loving memory of Albert, killed in action at sea, H.M.S. Pellew, December 12th, 1917. Some time, some day, we'll understand. – Sister Florrie. “BROCKWELL. – In loving memory of Albert, killed in action on H.M.S. Pellew, December 12th, 1917. In God's keeping. Ever remembered. – Emmy.” Above notices are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
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