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Navy death/records from WW1

ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Diane

Diane Report 11 Feb 2008 11:13

Can anyone help me with the following:

Edward Morris Cuthbert (going by name of Morris in censuses) born 1867 was apparently killed in the Battle of Jutland, on a ship that sank.

This doesn't appear to be the case as he doesn't appear on the navy casualty list on Ancestry or the Battle of Jutland lists. I am thinking he was quite old to have been in WW1 ?

Does anyone know anything about searching for Naval personnel? Where could I find anything to prove he served/died in WW1 ?

I've looked on documents online on the national archives, and there seem to be so many different types of division within the Navy, I am thoroughly confused... could anyone simplify it for me?

thanks
Diane

Staffs Col

Staffs Col Report 11 Feb 2008 11:29

There is nothing showing on the CGWC site or on the naval casualty lists that I have...I have also checked civilians employed in warships who were lost and nothing there either.
.what makes you think he was involved in the Battle of Jutland?
I dont think his age would have stopped him serving in WWI

Diane

Diane Report 11 Feb 2008 11:43

Colin,

Hi.. this is a relative of my uncle... and it was what passed through family "stories". The other story was that my uncle's grandfather was awarded the Military cross.. and I've verified that with his medal card, so strange that such a specific "fact" as the Battle of Jutland for the brother (Edward) doesn't seem to be verifiable.

Mind you, although I have him on censuses etc, I can't find his birth record on Civil Reg at the moment, I am wondering if he had a different name, but then I haven't found any Cuthbert's that are close either. He was born Northamptonshire (Stanwick) if that is any help in search engines!

thanks for your efforts, Colin.

Pete

Pete Report 11 Feb 2008 12:12

There is a Ralph CUTHBERT born Stanwick Northants who was a Petty Officer in WW1. His death is commemorated on the CWGC website

Pete

Pete Report 11 Feb 2008 12:13

Name: CUTHBERT, RALPH
Initials: R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Petty Officer 1st Class
Regiment/Service: Royal Navy
Unit Text: H.M.S. "Laurentic."
Age: 38
Date of Death: 25/01/1917
Service No: 176117
Additional information: Son of Joseph Cuthbert, of Northampton; husband of Edith Maud Cuthbert, of 9, Wake St., Pennycomequick, Plymouth.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 20.
Memorial: PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL

Pete

Pete Report 11 Feb 2008 12:14

From the National Archive index of Seamen

Name Cuthbert, Ralph
Official Number: 176117
Place of Birth: Stanwick, Northamptonshire

Date 20 March 1878

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7378225&queryType=1&resultcount=1

Diane

Diane Report 11 Feb 2008 12:23

Pete,

thanks for that... Ralph was Edward Morris' younger brother... maybe stories have got muddled...

Diane

Diane Report 11 Feb 2008 12:32

Pete,

I've found out quite a bit from googling Laurentic... the ship was sunk after hitting a mine, and all were lost onboard, as it happened at night, and although some made it to lifeboats, they all died of the cold.

Perhaps this is the right "incident" that has passed through family history, just the wrong relation, and wrong place!

Pete

Pete Report 11 Feb 2008 13:09

I had a quick look at the census and saw Morris CUTHBERT with the family in the 1881 census and again in 1891 with his wife, kids and in-laws but didn't find him in the 1901.

Pete

Diane

Diane Report 11 Feb 2008 13:11

Pete - its mistranscribed as Cathcart in the 1901.. but still no clues on his official birth, or his death.. !

Diane

Diane Report 13 Feb 2008 12:52

In conclusion... my uncle thinks Ralph IS the right relation, albeit slightly muddled stories, as now he remembers it being the brother closest in age to his grandfather.... as always... can't believe all you hear!!

Thanks for all the input, its been brilliant to find it.