Ernest John Seeley

An Able Seaman with H.M.S. Royal Oak, Ernest died on 14th of October 1939 aged 21. 

Ernest was born at Penzance, Cornwall, in 1918, a son of Ernest John and Elizabeth Seeley. In 1921 his family lived at 9 Hall Lane, Lowestoft. Later his family lived at 24 Oulton Street. 

Ernest was a short-service rating in the Royal Navy, intending to serve seven years with the navy and then five with the reserve, when the Second World War began.

On 14 October 1939 the Royal Oak was moored at Scapa Flow. A German submarine avoided the anti-submarine measures and was able to torpedo and sink the ship. Of 1,234 crew 835, including Ernest, were killed or subsequently died of injuries.