Name
William George Harry Coldrey (poss Couldrey)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
15/08/1916
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Able Seaman
J/10922
Royal Navy
H.M.S "Victory"
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HASLAR ROYAL NAVAL CEMETERY
E. 25. 14.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial
Pre War
William was born 31 March 1895 in Hitchin and christened on 1 May 1895. Son of William and Elizabeth Ellen Coldrey.
In 1901 the family were living at 19 Union Road, Hitchin. Present were both parents: William (29) and Elizabeth (28), with William and working as a gas fitter. Their children were: William George Harry – known as Harry (6) and Violet (3). A sister-on-law, Louisa Young (23) was also present.
By 1911 his parents were living alone at 8 Victoria Road, Hitchin. Elizabeth was listed as Elizabeth Helen. William was working as a whitesmith I a general ironmongers shop. They had been married 17 years, with 2 children, both living. William (junior) had left home as was recorded in the Navy at H.M.S. Impregnable, Devonport recorded as 16
He enlisted on 13 March 1913, for 12 years’ service when he was working as an errand boy, and was described as 5’ 3 ½”, with dark brown hair and grey eyes. However his service started earlier as a ‘Boy’ from 18 January 1911. He served in various ships and training establishments from that date until the 31 March 1913 when he became an ordinary seaman. From this date his service is recorded as: Cockrane to 8 April, Victory I 12 April, Dido to 13 May, Duncan to 7 March 1914, Hindustan – another training ship, and he was there when war was declared.
Wartime Service
After war was declared, and while still on H.M.S Hindustan, he was promoted to Able Seaman (28/9/1914) and on 17 January 1915 was posted to H.M.S. Victory I – an accounting and holding barracks for the fleet sailing from Portsmouth and was there until 18 April 1915.
His service during the war has not ben found. It has been suggested that he was in a Scottish Hospital for a year, however he died in Haslar Hospital in Gosport. from pulmonary tuberculosis
He is buried in the New Ground, Row 25, Grave 14 in the Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery in Gosport.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
