Joseph Aldrich b.1891

Doug Coleman has kindly shared this photo of his grandfather by Pembroke gate.

(Click picture to enlarge).

Joseph was born on 5th February 1891, and raised in a Foundling Hospital. He was a scholar on the TS (Training Ship) Port Jackson, a four mast sailing ship, on which he went round the world, at the age of 14.

Joseph joined the Royal Navy on his 18th birthday, in 1909, after having served as a volunteer on HMS Ganges (Boy Service). He was at the Messina earthquake in Italy, in 1908, and received a medal for his service there.

He served various ships and shore establishments between 1909 and 1920, including war service. For three years from 1921, he served on HMS Repulse, which again took him round the world. Joseph married in 1918, and had one daughter.

In May 1928 Joseph suffered severe injury after falling from a train on his way to join a ship in Scotland. After 9 months in hospital, Joseph was invalided from the Royal Navy, and was employed in the Royal Naval Barracks at Pembroke from 1929, until his retirement. Joseph remained active in early retirement, and enjoyed gardening and rug-making

Joseph entered Pembroke House reitirement home in Gillingham in June 1979, and passed away one year later.

Joseph's sevice certificate can be downloaded here.