Ambrose Husting Rampling

An Engineman with H.M. Trawler Agile, Ambrose died on 27th of April 1917 at the age of 41. 

Ambrose was born at Bermondsey, London, on 6 March 1876, a son of Joseph and Sarah Rampling. By 1881 Ambrose’ father had died and his family were living at Morton Road, Kirkley. By 1891 Ambrose’ mother had married Thomas Masterson and the family lived at Morton Cottage, Morton Road, and Ambrose was an apprentice shoemaker. Later his mother lived at 1 Short Street, Kirkley. 

On 17 April 1897 Ambrose married Bertha Barnes at Saint John’s Church, Lowestoft. Ambrose was a shoemaker living at Sandringham Cottages, Wollaston Road, and Bertha lived at 43 Bevan Street. They lived at 99 Park Road, Lowestoft, and Ambrose had his own boot making business.

Ambrose was working as a saddler when he attested for the Army at Lowestoft on 20 November 1914. He joined the Army Service Corps, service number T5/1451. Ambrose was discharged on 21 November 1914 as ‘not likely to become an efficient soldier.’

Ambrose joined the Royal Naval Reserve, as a Deck Hand, on 26 November 1914 and he was promoted to Engineman 1 February 1917. Ambrose served on the trawler Agile.  

On 27 April 1917 the Agile struck a mine three miles east of the Sunk Head Light Vessel, Harwich. Ambrose was one of three crew who were killed, and one man was seriously wounded.