Walter Henry

An Able Seaman with H.M.S. Cressy. Walter died on 22nd of September 1914 at the age of 34.

Walter was born at Sprowston, Norwich, on 20 August 1882, a son of William Robert and Minnie Henry. In 1891 his family lived at Farm Yard Cottage, Salhouse Road, Rackheath, and later at 48 Lingwood, Norwich.

Walter had been working as a labourer when he joined the Royal Navy, as a Boy 2nd Class, on 14 September 1892. He served until 6 March 1908 and the next day he joined the Royal Fleet Reserve, number RFR/CH/B/4971.

Walter married Helen Emily Littlewood in 1911. For a time they lived in Berkshire, but by early 1914 were living at Hope Villa, Oulton Road. Later Helen lived at 9 Park Hill Road, Oulton, Lowestoft.

Walter was called out for service at the start of the First World War and on 2 August 1914 joined H.M.S. Cressy. 

On 28 August 1914 H.M.S. Cressy was part of the British naval force at the Battle of Heligoland Bight, but took no active part in the battle. On 22 September H.M.S. Cressy, sailing with sister ships Aboukir and Hogue, were in the Broad Fourteens area of the North Sea when each ship was sunk by torpedoes from German submarine U-9. A total of 560 men, including Walter, were killed in the loss of the Cressy.