Harry Upward (1898 - 1969)

Born 6 May 1898 in Horsham, Sussex, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Died 11 Nov 1969 at age 71 in Leatherhead, Surrey, England, United Kingdom

Biography

Birth and early years: Harry was born 6 May 1898 to James Upward and Caroline Gumbrell in Horsham, West Sussex, England. His father was a timber loader, and the family lived at 65 Station Rd on 31 Mar 1901,^[1] but were at no. 18 on 2 Apr 1911,^[2] by which time his father was a road man for the local council (a job he held right up to his death 20 years later), whilst Harry was both a scholar and a part time errand boy.

Naval service^[3] and marriage: Although he was in the UK Royal Navy for many years, some of his assignments might have been to shore bases, particularly in Portsmouth. He was accepted by the British Royal Navy for 12 years service on his 18th birthday on 6 May 1916, but appears to have joined the HMS Impregnable on 20 Nov 1914, given the rating Boy II. His rating was increased to Boy I on 20 May 1915, and his service on HMS Impregnable ended a month later on 15 Apr, joining HMS Africa the next day. He was discharged on 24 Mar 1916 as unsuitable, and the remainder of his naval service commenced when he signed up for 12 years on his 18th birthday. His first rating after re-joining on 6 May 1916, again on HMS Africa, is unclear, but looks like B Sea, increasing to A.B. on 14 Jun 1916. His service on 'HMS 'Africa ended on 7 Nov 1918, shortly before Armistice Day on 11 Nov 1918. and was transferred the next day to HMS Victory I, on which he served until 8 Dec of that year. His post-war service continued with a transfer to HMS Vernon on which he served from 9 Dec 1918 to 3 Mar 1919 as an A.B., becoming Acting Stoker from 4th March. From 4 May he was Stoker on HMS Victory II, transferring to HMS Fisgard on 1st Aug. On 1st Oct 1920 he transferred to HMS Barham, returning to HMS Victory II on 4 Jan 1923. Between 7 Feb 1923 and the time he left the service on 5 May 1928, the day before he reached 30, Harry had a great number of postings, hurriedly scribbled on his service card and difficult to read. However, on 10 Feb 1923, Harry became a married man. He was on leave and staying at 135 Kingston Road in Leatherhead in Surrey, the home of his paternal uncle Mark Upward. His bride was Louie Upward, who worked as a domestic help, the daughter of his uncle Mark and his wife Maria. The witnesses were Mark Upward, more likely his brother than his prospective father-in-law, and Lizzie Upward, his sister. He may have been on extended leave as the couple were married by banns. On the outbreak of war in 1939 he was living at 14 Rye Brook Road in Leatherhead. The notes read ARP. Keyman Ldg. Stoker (Bo... LCC Manor Hospital Epsom. There were two children living with Harry and Loue. On a personal note, he was usually answered to Joe, possibly a nickname he gained in the navy. It may also have been so that he was not confused with his cousin Harry, who was killed as a private in the Dorset Regiment in 1917.

Death: Harry, or Joe as he was known, was 71 and living at 26 Ryebrook Rd in Leatherhead, when he died on 11 Nov 1969 at the age of 71. He was survived by his wife Louie, who died at the same address on 7 Nov 1970, just 24 days short of reaching 72.^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ 1901 England Census Class: RG13; Piece: 950; Folio: 192; Page: 25
2. ↑ 1911 England Census Class: RG14; Piece: 5256; Schedule Number: 74
3. ↑ UK Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services, 1899-1924 The National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services; Class: ADM 188; Pieces: 713 7 976
4. ↑ England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1858-2019 - Findmypast