Puddefoot/Puddifoot, E J
ERNEST JAMES PUDDEFOOT
Remembered with honour Chatham Naval Memorial: Panel 28.
He enlisted 25 September 1913 for a period of 12 years, 5’9″ tall, and passed for Leading Seaman 1 October 1917. He died when K4 was lost during night time exercises, later known as the Battle of May Island. Whilst attempting to avoid a collision with K3, she became the victim of collisions with K6 and K7; she was lost with all hands. His body was not recovered for burial; his widow of Northwood, Middx, was notified of the death.
There is a brief article about and a Death announcement for Ernest in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 9 February 1918.
Son of Henry James and Annie (nee KING) PUDDEFOOT of Watford; husband of Rose (nee BOWDEN) PUDDEFOOT of Northwood.
His parents married 22 May 1893 at St Matthew’s, Oxhey, Herts. Henry died 1931 in Watford aged 63, and was buried 7 December in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Annie died 1939 in Watford aged 66, and was buried 21 June, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Ernest was born 23 March 1894 in Northwood, and baptised 6 May 1894 at Holy Trinity, Northwood. He married 10 April 1916 at Emanuel, Northwood; they had one child. Rose remarried 1923 in the Uxbridge, Middx, district to Harry James HILLMAN, and died 4 January 1961 in Northwood aged 65.
On the 1901 Census, aged 7 he lived in Northwood, with his parents and three siblings. On the 1911 Census, he is proving elusive [not with the family in Watford].
Service number
146875Rank
Able Seaman/Leading GunnerUnit
H.M. Submarine K4Regiment
Date of death
31/01/1918Age at death
23Place of death
Memorial(s)
Notes
His brother Reginald died 16 April 1918 and also features on this Roll of Honour- 1st S.W. Herts Scout Troop [in St Mary's Parish Church Watford] (4)
- Abbot's Langley Herts War Memorial (17)
- Aldbury Herts War Memorial (1)
- Aldenham Herts War Memorial (located in Letchmore Heath Herts) (8)
- All Saints Church Croxley Green Herts (12)
- All Saints Church Harrow Weald Middx (2)
- All Saints Church Hertford (1)
- All Saints Church King's Langley Herts (1)
- All Saints Church Leavesden Herts (31)
- All Saints Church Witham Essex (3)