George William Healey
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
He was the son of William and Louisa Healey who in 23 years of marriage had seven children born living of whom only four survived; George William (b. 25 July 1887), Ethel Lilian (birth registered 1890 J/F/M), Ida Amy (b. 1896 A/M/J) and Wesley Clifford (b. 13 December 1898). In 1891 William and Louisa were living at 10 Kirke White Place, Meadows, with George William (2) and their daughter, Ethel L (1). By 1901 the family was living at 55 Middle Furlong Road, Meadows. When the census was conducted William was at home with their four children, George William (12), Ethel (11), Ida Amy (4) and Wesley C (2), while his wife was a visitor in the home of Mrs Sarah Jane Armstrong in South Wilford. In 1911 George was serving in HMS Minotaur on the China Station.. His parents and three siblings were then living at 36 Lammas Street, Meadows, together with a boarder, Frederick Musson. George married Kate Elizabeth Smith in 1914 (marriage registered J/F/M Catherington, Hampshire) and lived at 79 Newcombe Road, Fratton, Portsmouth. Kate remarried after his death (Alfred Shann, marriage registered A/M/J 1922, Portsmouth). His father, William Healey, probably died in June 1919 aged 59; the CWGC record only names George's mother and his widow. Of George's siblings: Wesley Clifford married Lilian M Cooke in 1923 (marriage registered A/M/J Nottingham) and died on 18 June 1979 aged 80 (death registered June, Basford). At the time of his death he was living at 37 Melbury Road, Woodthorpe, Nottingham. Ethel Lillian married Ralph W Coy in 1915 (marriage registered A/M/J Nottingham).
George joined the Royal Navy on 16 September 1904 when he was 17 years old and signed a 12 year engagement on 25 July 1905. He served in the following ships and shore establishments: HMS Ganges, 16 September 1904-9 April 1905 (Boy 2nd Class, Boy 1st Class 6 April 1904); HMS Roseawen, 10 April 1905-10 August 1905 (Ordinary Seaman 25 July 1905); Victory I, 11 August 1905-31 August 1905; HMS Revenge, 1 September 1905-7 September 1806; HMS Britannia, 8 September 1906-12 October 1908 (Able Seaman 28 May 1907); HMS Excellent, 13 October 1908-27 February 1909; Victory I, 28 February 1909-18 March 1909; HMS Revenge, 19 March 1909-9 August 1909; HMS Eclipse, 10 August 1909-12 November 1909; Victory I, 13 November 1909-3 January 1910; HMS Minotaur, 4 January 1910-25 May 1912; HMS Spartiate, 26 May 1912-10 July 1912; Victory I, 11 July 1912-1 September 1913; HMS Hercules, 2 September 1913-16 April 1915 (Leading Seaman 1 January 1914); Victory I, 17 April 1915-5 May 1915; HMS Excellent, 6 May 1915-18 June 1915; Victory I, 19 June 1915-5 July 1915; Europa II, 6 July 1915-18 April 1918 (Petty Officer 23 October 1917); Victory I, 19 April 1918-3 June 1918; HMS Hercules, 4 June 1918-18 October 1918. His service record is annotated 'NP12015/18, DD. [Discharged Dead] broncho pneumonia following influenza onboard HMHS Garth Castle.’ He is buried in Portsmouth (Kingston) Cemetery (grave ref. Bramble's 2.30).
In memoriam published 18th October 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “HEALEY. – In loving memory of George William Healey, late 1st Class Petty Officer, Royal Navy, who died at sea from pneumonia October 18th, 1918, after 15 years' service. Sleep on, beloved, sleep, and take thy rest; we loved thee well, but Jesus loved thee best. – From sorrowing mother, sisters, brother, and brother-in-law.” Above is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
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