Henry Edward Talbot

An Able Seaman with H.M.S. Grenade, Henry died on 29th of May 1940 at the age of 34. 

Henry was born at Wimbledon on 24 July 1905, a son of Henry George and Martha Talbot. On 17 December 1905 he was baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Wimbledon, and hid family lived at 65 Palmerston Road, Wimbledon. In 1911 his family lived at 516 London Road, Lowestoft.

Henry joined the Royal Navy, as a Boy 2nd Class, on 24 August 1921. He had been working as a market gardener before he joined the navy. He served continuously with the navy until his death. He was awarded the Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal just a few months before he died. 

On 1 December 1939 Henry was drafted to H.M.S. Grenade. He took part in the Norwegian Campaign in 1940. The Grenade took part in the Dunkirk evacuation by providing cover in the northern part of the Channel but, on 28 May 1940, and rescued 33 men from a sinking coaster. The Grenade made on journey to Dunkirk and on the night of 28-29 May 1940 was bombed by German Stuka aircraft. The explosions set fire to the ship and killed fourteen men, including Henry, and wounded four others. The ship then drifted into the channel of Dunkirk Harbour and later exploded and sank.   

Henry's father served with the Northumberland Fusiliers and died in 1918.