Name
Edward Ewart Grosse
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
31/05/1916
18
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Ordinary Seaman
J/30003 (PO)
Royal Navy
H.M.S. Defence
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
Panel 14.
United Kingdom
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
Christ Church Memorial, Watford,
St Michael and All Angels Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of Edward Henry and Martha Podger (nee CUMMINS) GROSSE; brother of Lily P BISHOP of Watford.
His parents married 1 August 1880 at St Matthew’s. Oakley Square, Camden, London. Edward died 5 October 1897 at University College Hospital, Middx, aged 40, and was buried 11 October in St Pancras Cemetery, London. Martha remarried 12 November 1899 at St Matthew’s, Oakley Square, to George James FRENCH. George died 1916 in Watford aged 72, and was buried 18 March in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Martha died 1912 in Marylebone, London, aged 51, and was buried 10 July, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Edward was born 15 May 1898 in St Pancras, and baptised 22 November 1901 at Christ Church, Watford. He attended Callowland Board School, Watford, from 9 April 1907 to 31 October 1910; then Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 11 September 1911 to 26 January 1912.
On the 1901 Census, aged 2 he lived in Watford, with his mother, step-father and three siblings. On the 1911 Census, at school aged 12 he still lived in Watford, with his mother, step-father and two siblings.
Wartime Service
He had re-enlisted 16 May 1916 for a period of 12 years: a grocer’s assistant, 5’4″ tall, after having served as a Boy II Class aboard H.M.S. Powerful from 9 March 1914; promoted to Boy I Class 21 November 1914 and joined H.M.S. Defiance 13 December 1914. He joined H.M.S. Defence 9 January 1915 and was promoted to Ordinary Seaman 15 May 1916. Defence was sunk during the Battle of Jutland when fired upon by one German battlecruiser and four dreadnoughts; she was struck by two salvos from the German ships that detonated her rear magazine. The fire from that explosion spread to the ship’s secondary magazines, which exploded in turn. There were no survivors, the body was not recovered for burial; his sister was notified of his death. He was entitled to the Victory, British War and Star medals.
There is a Death announcement for Edward in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 17 June 1916, and an article in the St Michael’s Church Parish Magazine dated July 1916.
Additional Information
Recorded as GROSSE C E in the Borough Roll of Honour.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
