Leading Seaman Edwin Heinrich Alan Ponsford
| Date of Birth | 24 September 1888 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 26 |
| Date of Death | 4 June 1915 |
| Service Number | |
| Military Service | Howe Battalion |
| Merton Address | 6 Alverston Avenue |
| Local Memorial | St. Luke's Church, Wimbledon |
Additional Information
Edwin was born in Steyning, Sussex on 24 September 1888 to Charles William Avenell Ponsford and Elizabeth Emma nee Allardyce. He had two younger brothers, Reginald Avenell Ponsford and Charles Allardyce Ponsford and it appears that a further two children sadly died in infancy.
Edwin’s father died in 1892 and his mother married Thomas Clouth. They went on to have one child, Annie Elizabeth Rebecca Clough.
By the 1911 census, the family were all living at 6 Alverston Avenue in Wimbledon Park. Edwin was a Handicraft teacher, his brother Reginald a motor mechanic and youngest brother Chares was an Insurance Clerk.
Edwin enlisted on 24 September 1914 in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) as a Leading Seaman in Howe Battalion and was sent to Turkey to take part in the Gallipoli Campaign.
He went missing on 4 June 1915 and was presumed lost in action but the notes on the Source Citation for Casualties read
“29/1/16: Next-of-Kin informed by Dev/212685 Chief Petty Officer William Parnell Hobbs RN, that a friend had received a postcard from Ponsford saying he was a POW in Constantinople & was treated well. RND Records enquired of Hobbs: Hobbs reply: No direct evidence, “I asked what became of Ponsford, ‘Oh he’s alright’ (said one of them) he’s a prisoner in Constantinople & being treated well with very little work to do, so & so had a postcard from him; but who the man was that received the postcard from him I am unable to say, & who the individual was that gave me this information I am unable to say, as there were a group of them all piling news into me. Myself I feel convinced someone received a postcard from him. Will make further enquiries on return to Blandford.” ; Born 24/9/1896. A Handicraft Teacher. Formerly served: Territorial Queen’s Westminsters. Resided with mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Clough, at 6 Alverstone Avenue, Wimbledon Park, London, S.W. ; ADM/171 = St.V.B. issued to Mother, IC/15707/1916.”
Edwin is commemorated on the Helles Memorial and in St Luke’s Church, Wimbledon Park. His effects of £230 went to his mother.