Ernest Frederick Andrews

Date of birth: 29th December 1886
Place of birth: Fulham, Middlesex, England
Previous occupation: Labourer
Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Chief Petty Officer
Service Number: 221204
Joined Hood: 2nd January 1923 (Chief Petty Officer)
Left Hood: 5th January 1925 (Chief Petty Officer)







Biographical Information: Ernest Frederick Andrews was born on the 29th of December 1886 In Fulham London and described his occupation as a Labourer. He enlisted into the Royal Navy on his 18th Birthday on the 29th of December 1906 although had served previously as a Boy 2nd and 1st Class, (Signaler) from 29th of April to the 6th of December 1903. His service period was originally 12 years although this was extended during WW1.

After training on the training ship HMS Impregnable and Vivid based at Devonport he served on various vessels as a Ordinary and Able Seaman including HMS Majestic, (pre dreadnaught) part of the Devonport Division of the home fleet in 1908-9, and HMS New Zealand, (king Edward the VII Class) April July 1911, again, in the home fleet and where Ernest Andrews gained his promotion to Leading Seaman.

After a further period of training at HMS Vivid, he joined HMS Pelorus, which was involved in policing the Persian Gulf, between August 1911 and May 1912 to stop gun running in the area as these weapons often found the way the troublesome tribesmen on the North West Frontier. The conditions of this operation for often adverse due to the climate and lack of provisions and the crews were often required to undertake extra hours.

When the Great War began, Ernest Andrews served from August 1914 to April 1916 on HMS Pyramus, (a small cruiser) which was involved in The Battle of the Rufiji Delta, fought in German East Africa (modern Tanzania) from October 1914-July 1915, between the German light cruiser SMS Königsberg, and a powerful group of British warships. The battle was a series of attempts to sink the blockaded German cruiser that eventually resulted in the destruction of Königsberg. Ernest Andrews was promoted in February 1916 to Petty Officer.

After another period of training at HMS Vivid he served aboard HMS Vanquisher, (V Class Destroyer) between the 1st of September 1917 to the 9th of February 1920. This destroyer was involved with other ships from the 20th Flotilla, based at Immingham, Near Grimsby. The function of the Flotilla was to lay mines in German waters. It was a highly secretive operation and dangerous. The destroyers were chosen for their speed and many of the guns and torpedo tubes were removed, replaced by mine rails and mines.

He was back at HMS Vivid in February 1920 to August 1921. In 1922, He was promoted to Chief Petty Officer whilst again at HMS Vivid and joined HMS Hood as Chief Petty Officer (Master Gunners Mate) from the 8th of January 1923 to 5th of January 1925. It was during this period that he was on board for the famous World Cruise of the Special Service Squadron from the 27th of November 1923 to the 28th of September 1924, covering over 38,000 miles.

He spent a year at Vivid 1 before being shore pensioned on the 29 December 1926 and when he joined the Royal Fleet Reserve. His record indicates that he passed his leadership for Warrant officer although there is no reference to him being promoted to this rank.

He again saw service in WW2, again becoming a Chief Petty Officer at HMS Rayleigh, a new Training establishment for young seaman created in January 1940 and based at Torpoint, Cornwall. He was probably an instructor within the RFR. He died on the 4th of November 1940, as a result of multiple injuries sustained in the Norton Fitzwarren train crash, which occurred that day and where 27 people were killed, 13 of who were Navy Personnel. His death certificate confirmed his rank at the time as Chief Petty Officer, Gunners Mate. He is mentioned on the War Memorial in St Nicholas Churchyard in Hurst, Berkshire. There is also a grave within the churchyard to him and his wife Grace, Lillian, Edith Andrews who died on the 27th of October 1984, aged 99 years.

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