Alfred's Story.
River Weaver Navigation Minutes, Volume 19 pages 113 & 116 – The Engineer, J. A. Saner reported that Alfred Harrison, who was a Stoker on H.M.S. Cressy is officially reported to have lost his life. (Oct. 1914) Alfred had been a Weaver Employee and a Naval Reservist, he had left a widow and two young children. Volume 22 page 105 – named again at the Engineers Annual report of the 23rd Nov. 1917.
C.W.G.C. - records Alfred Harrison as Royal Navy Stoker 1st Class, Service No SS/106971, died 22nd Sept. 1914, remembered at Chatham Naval Memorial. No family details recorded.
National Archives, Royal Navy Ratings Service Records 1853-1928, have Attestation Card for Alfred, born in Northwich, date of birth 23rd May 1883. (Therefore aged 31 +/- 1 year when drowned.) His occupation is recorded as Factory Labourer. Enlisted 21st April 1908 for a period of, looks like 5 + 7 years. Alfred's personal details give his height 5ft 4in, chest 36.25in with brown hair, blue eyes, completion fresh. Alfred drowned in the “Broad Fourteens” North Sea 22nd Sept. 1914 when H.M.S. Cressy, an armoured cruiser, was sunk by a German Submarine, U9 along with “Aboukir” and “Hogue.” Two Dutch ships rescuing 286 and 147 men. (Assumed across the three ships.)
Navy Pension records record Alfred Harrison with the Rank of Stoker 1st Class, Royal Fleet Reserve, died on the 22nd Sept. 1914. They also record his marriage on the 20th May 1911 and that there were two children, George D. Harrison and Margaret L. Harrison. The family appear to be living at Newbridge, Winsford.
The Northwich Guardian article on the River Weaver Navigation, date 21st September 1916 includes the following “He (the Chairman) regretted to have to add that out of those on active service two had lost their lives, Alfred Harrison, a river banks-man, who was lost in the Cressy and ……..."
Research Bob Heaton