Gerald Hugh Algar Pretty

A Commissioned Gunner with H.M.S. King George V, Gerald died on 10th of February 1919 at the age of 36. 

Gerald was born at Elmham, Suffolk, on 21 August 1882, a son of James Bingham and Alice M. Pretty. In 1891 his family lived at Edwins Hall, Woodham Ferris, Essex. By 1901 his family home was 11 Victoria Road, Oulton Broad. Later they lived at Walcot Lodge, Bainton, Stamford, Lincolnshire.

Gerald joined the Royal Navy, as a Boy 2nd Class, on 20 July 1898, and served on H.M.S. Impregnable. He joined H.M.S. Lion on 28 July 1898 and was advanced to Boy 1st Class on 20 April 1899. He joined H.M.S. Agincourt on 24 November 1899 and H.M.S. Resolution on 10 January 1900 and was advanced to Ordinary Seaman on 21 August 1900. He then went to H.M.S. Duke of Wellington I on 19 January 1901.

On 9 February 1901 Gerald joined H.M.S. Bellona. He was advanced to Able Seaman on 13 June 1901. He joined H.M.S. Duke of Wellington on 21 November 1901 and H.M.S. Excellent on 9 February 1902 was rated as Seaman Gunner. He returned to H.M.S. Duke of Wellington on 20 September 1903. On 1 October 1903 he joined H.M.S. Firequeen I and then, on 14 October 1903 joined H.M.S. Apollo and joined H.M.S. Excellent on 11 February 1904. 

From 1 March 1904 Gerald served with H.M.S. Andromeda. He was advanced to Leading Seaman on 5 February 1905 and Petty Officer 2nd Class on 21 December 1905. He joined H.M.S. Excellent on 17 July 1906. In 1907 he became a navy diver. He joined H.M.S. Terrible on 16 July 1907 and H.M.S. Excellent on 5 May 1908 and H.M.S. Revenge on 14 May 1908. He joined H.M.S. King Edward VII on 27 March 1909. He was advanced to Pettey Officer 1st Class on 4 May 1911. On 1 August 1911 he joined H.M.S. Excellent. In July 1912 he became a Gunlayer 3rd Class and, in September that year, a Gunner’s Mate, and in October 1912 and Gunlayer 1st Class. On 17 August 1913 he joined H.M.S. Vernon. Also in 1913 Gerlad joined the United Service Lodge of Freemasons. 

On 14 October 1913 Gerald commissioned as an Acting Gunner, and he was confirmed in this rank on 23 October 1914. On 7 January 1914 he joined H.M.S. King George V and served in that battleship throughout World War One and was present at the Battle of Jutland.

Gerald contracted pneumonia and was admitted to Granton Royal Naval Hospital, Edinburgh, where he died on 10 February 1919.