Stoker 1st Class Ernest G Lidbetter
| Date of Birth | 26 February 1893 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 25 |
| Date of Death | 31 October 1918 |
| Service Number | K/14384 |
| Military Service | HMS Vivid ll Royal Navy |
| Merton Address | |
| Local Memorial | Morden Cemetery |
Additional Information
Ernest George Lidbetter was born in Battersea on 26th February 1893 to parents James, who worked as an Excavator and Emily (nee Haffenden)
His parents had married in Brighton in 1877 and their first 5 children: Annie, James, Charles, Percy and Maud were all born in this area.
By 1889 the family had relocated to 37 Orville Road, Battersea where another child named Florence was born then Ernest and Harry followed in 1895.
By 1901 the family were living at 129 Meyrick Road, Battersea. The four eldest children had now moved away leaving parents James and Emily with Maud aged 15, Florence 12, Ernest was aged 8 and Harry aged 6.
By 1911 the family were now living at 17 Field Place, off Plough Lane, Merton. The census shows that James and Emily had been married for 34 years and of their nine children one had died. Ernest had now taken up employment as a labourer at an oil factory. Towards the end of the year Ernest’s mother Emily died aged 55 and was buried in Morden cemetery.
The following year on 1st April, Ernest enlisted with the Royal Navy as a Stoker II Class. He signed up for 12 years and given the service number K/14384. He was described as being 5ft 7in tall, chest 35 ½, brown hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion. His occupation was listed as a paint maker labourer.
He started his service on HMS Vivid II. This was not in fact a ship but a land base in Devonport. He also served on HMS Colossus where he was promoted to Stoker I class on 1st July 1913 and also on HMS Vengence before being transferred back to HMS Vivid II.
On 19th July 1916 Ernest was transferred to hospital suffering from tuberculosis of the lungs and was discharged from the Royal Navy on 9th August as he was no longer fit for service. On leaving the Navy he took up employment as a Porter.
Ernest married Alice Maud Self on 30th March 1918 at St. Peters Church in Battersea. The marriage was short lived as Ernest died later that same year on 31st October. He was buried on 8th November in Morden Cemetery Garth Road. His name also appears on a stone memorial in the churchyard.
At the time of Ernest’s death his widow Alice was living at 31 Meyrick Road Battersea.