WILLIAM GEORGE RALPH
William is remembered on the war memorial at Holy Trinity Church, Ipswich.
Born: 6th May 1899, St. Helen’s, Ipswich.
Died: 5th July 1940; age 41; by enemy action at sea.
Residence: 10, Alan Road, Ipswich.
William served during the First World War and was at the Battle of Jutland on board H.M.S. ‘Warrior.’
Rank: Chief Petty Officer; Service Number: C/J 32354.
Regiment: Royal Navy, H.M.S. ‘Whirlwind.’
Memorial Reference:
34, 2.
Chatham,
Kent.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Robert James & Annie Emma Agnes Ralph; husband of Olive May Ralph, of Ipswich.
CENSUS
1901 49, Pottery Street, Ipswich.
William was a year old and living with his parents & siblings.
Robert James Ralph, 32, a Tent Maker, born Ipswich.
Annie Emma Agnes Ralph (nee Hazell (1st marriage Barker)), 36, born Ipswich.
Florence May Barker, 14, born Ipswich.
Lily Eva Ralph, 8, born Ipswich.
Robert James Ralph, 6, born Ipswich.
1911 42, Long Street, Ipswich.
William was 11 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
Robert, 43, a Tent Maker – Tent Manufacturer.
Annie, 46.
Lily, 18, a Tailoress – Mantle Makers.
Robert, 16, a Messenger – Jeweller.
1921 King George Dock, Hull, Yorkshire.
William was 22 years and one month old. He was ranked a Leading Seaman for the Royal Navy – Emergency Naval Battalion.
In 1923, Ipswich, William married Olive May Abbott, born 1900, Ipswich – daughter of William Abbott, a Dock Labourer, and Emma Abbott (nee Bumstead), of 51, Cavendish Street, Ipswich.
Olive and William had one daughter:
Patricia Olive Ralph, born 1924, Ipswich.
William’s father, Robert James Ralph, died in January 1932 at 42, Long Street, Ipswich; his mother, Annie Emma Agnes Ralph, died in 1937 in Ipswich.
H.M.S. ‘Whirlwind.’
At 18.26 hours on 5 July 1940, HMS Whirlwind (D 30) (LtCdr J.M. Rodgers, RN) was hit underneath the bridge by one G7e torpedo from U-34 about 120 miles west of Land’s End. The U-boat had spotted the destroyer at 15.30 hours and missed her with two torpedoes at 17.13 hours. The ship immediately lost her forepart while the rest remained afloat and was later scuttled by HMS Westcott (D 47) (LtCdr W.F.R. Segrave, RN) after picking up the survivors. 56 crew members were lost, and one died of wounds the following day.
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