EDDLES Harold

Surname spelt Eddels on Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Royal Navy Records.

1901 Census
Lawrence Land, Brimscombe
Frederick Eddles, head, age 52, Carpenter and Joiner
Sarah Eddles, wife, age 52
Bernard Eddles, son, age 17, Mill Servicer
Harold Eddles, son, age 14, Mill Servicer
Lucy Eddles, daughter, age 11, School
May Eddles, daughter, age 7, School

Harold Eddels/Eddles was born 15th October 1886 in Stroud, Gloucestershire. He enlisted in the Royal Navy at the age of 18 on 15th October 1904 for a period of 12 years. His next of kin was his mother, Sarah, Lawrence Lands, Brimscome, near Stroud, Gloucestershire. At the time of his enlistment Harold was 5 feet 4½ inches tall with brown hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion. He served on many ships, rising through the ranks from Boy 2nd Class to Able Seaman. Harold joined the crew of the Indefatigable on 17th June 1913 and remained with the ship until its sinking at the battle of Jutland on 31st May 1916.

HMS Indefatigable was a battlecruiser commissioned in February 1911. On 31st May 1916 she engaged with the German battlecruiser Von der Tann at the Battle of Jutland. She was hit by several shells fired from the German ship causing two major explosions. The ship sank rapidly taking 1,015 men with her, only 2 of her crew members surviving the attack.

Harold Eddles/Eddels has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name on Plymouth Naval Memorial surname spelt Eddels.