Sydney Albert Press

A Petty Officer with H.M.S. Gloucester, Sydney died on 22nd of May 1941 aged 33.

Sydney was born at Walthamstow on 12 November 1907, a son of Henry and Margaret Press.

Sydney joined the Royal Navy, as a Boy 2nd Class, on 10 May 1923. 

Sydney married Elizabeth Lyons at Saint Luke's Church, Hackney, on 25 December 1928. Sydney was serving on H.M.S. Devonshire and Elizabeth lived at 81 Paragon Road, Hackney. 

A long serving sailor Sydney was awarded the Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1940. 

In 1939 Elizabeth was living at 9 Waterhall Avenue, Chingford. Later she moved to Lowestoft.

On 22 May 1941 H.M.S. Gloucester was involved in the Battle of Crete and was attacked and sunk by enemy aircraft. Out of the crew of 802, 722 were lost.