COLLETT Ernest

E.H. Collett, HMS Vanguard is listed in “Stourport Men and the War” – a list of men serving, Kidderminster Shuttle, 19th December 1914.

Ernest was the youngest son of Mrs Collett, formerly of the Bell Hotel, Stourport.  He was educated at Hartlebury Grammar School and after leaving school he entered the confectionary business.  He joined his Majesty’s Navy eight years ago as a cook’s mate and at the time of his death was Leading Cook’s Mate.  He joined “Vanguard” in 1914 previous to the outbreak of war and took part in the Battle of Jutland.  His name is recorded on the headstone of his father Frederick Collett (died 1893), Stourport Churchyard, grave D141.

Source for additional information: Kidderminster Shuttle, 21st July 1917, Kidderminster Times 28th July 1917, reported with photo.

HMS Vanguard was a battleship built at Barrow-in-Furmess, England.  She was destroyed by an accidental ammunition explosion shortly before midnight on 9th July 1917 whilst she was lying at anchor at Scapa Flow.  She sank almost immediately with the loss of over 800 lives.

An obituary for Ernest Harry Collett appears in the Stourport Parish Magazine for August 1917.

Ernest Collett has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name on Chatham Naval Memorial.