Dates:
War Service:
Ordinary Seaman Ernest Cecil Ewen, //HMS Aboukir, died on the 22nd September 1914 aged 19.
On the Morning of 22nd September 1914, HMS Aboukir was on patrol with HMS Cressy and HMS Hogue when they were sighted by a German U boat (U-9). The submarine fired a single torpedo into the Aboukir and she started to sink. The other two ships, believing that the Aboukir had hit a mine, stopped and started to rescue survivors. The U boat then manoeuvred into position and torpedoed the Cressy and Hogue, sinking all three ships. In all 1459 men died in this incident. The following month U-9 sank HMS Hawke, the ship that Albert Edward Bennett (also named on this memorial) was serving on.
Location of Memorial:
He was lost at sea and is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent. He is also remembered locally on the memorials at St Andrew's Church Catford
Details:
He was the foster son of Alfred and May King of 237 Torridon Road, Catford. He was previously employed as a leather dresser (the same occupation as his foster father).
Source:
Contributed By: Kevin Loughnane
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