Stoker John Ralph Royal Navy
The Man John Ralph was born in Chatham, Kent on Sunday 1st January 1905, son of Robert, a Well Sinker in an Artesian Well Boring company, and Rose Annie nee Crouch. He was one of six children, George William (1900–1966), Frank (1906–1970), Harry (1909–1974), Walter (1903–1990) and another sibling who died very young. John was Baptised on 3rd February 1905 at Christ Church, Luton, Kent.
The 1911 census shows the family living at 17 King’s Road, Luton and John aged 6 still at school. Following his education, John became a Greengrocer’s Assistant and on 18th August 1924 aged 19 enlisted into the Royal Navy for a period of 12 years as a Stoker 2nd Class, (a sailor who specialised in engine room duties). He was described as 5’.5.” Tall, a 36” chest, light brown hair, blue eyes with a fresh complexion. He had a scar on the right side of his nose and left thumb.
During the next 15 years he saw service in numerous HM Ships:
John was still serving in Pembroke II at the outbreak of World War II on 3rd September 1939, but was discharged on ill health grounds aged 34, on 1st November the same year with Otorrhea, ear drainage that can happen because of trauma or an ear infection, such as otitis media or swimmer's ear. He was later awarded the War Medal 1939-45 for his services up to that period. His character was very good and service satisfactory to superior throughout his 15 years.
Shortly following his discharge he was employed as a Skilled Labourer at HM Dockyard, Chatham, his extensive Naval experience serving him well. During the second quarter of 1944 he married Ethel May Allen, a Barmaid, in Chatham and they had no children.
John worked at the Dockyard until his retirement in 1965 aged 60, when he was awarded the Imperial Service Medal, this appearing in the London Gazette of 26th February 1965. Ethel and John lived at 28 Church Terrace, Luton, Chatham and he passed away on 5th December 1973 aged 68.
Ethel remarried in 1977 and became Ethel Wincell and she passed away in January 2005 aged 86.
The 1911 census shows the family living at 17 King’s Road, Luton and John aged 6 still at school. Following his education, John became a Greengrocer’s Assistant and on 18th August 1924 aged 19 enlisted into the Royal Navy for a period of 12 years as a Stoker 2nd Class, (a sailor who specialised in engine room duties). He was described as 5’.5.” Tall, a 36” chest, light brown hair, blue eyes with a fresh complexion. He had a scar on the right side of his nose and left thumb.
During the next 15 years he saw service in numerous HM Ships:
- HMS Pembroke II, a shore base unit in Chatham until 31st December.
- HMS Calliope, a C-class light cruiser 1 Jan – 16 Mar 25.
- HMS Ceres, a C-class light cruiser 17 Mar 25 – 17 Dec 27.
- HMS Pembroke II 18 Dec 27 – 23 Sep 29.
- HMS Shropshire, a heavy cruiser of the London sub-class of County Class cruisers 24 Sep 29 – 24 Mar 32.
- HMS Pembroke II (including HMS Velox a V-class destroyer) 25 Mar 32 – 1 Oct 34.
- HMS Cardiff, a C-class light cruiser and Flagship of the Nore Reserve, (including HMS Vesper a decommissioned V-class destroyer) 2 Oct 34 – 27 Nov 36.
- HMS Pembroke II including (HMS Hotspur an H-class destroyer) 28 Nov – 28 Dec 36.
- HMS St Angelo Malta 1 Feb 37 – 16 Oct 38.
- HMS Pembroke II 17 Oct 38 – 23 Feb 39.
- HMS Cumberland 24 Feb 39 – 28 Jul 39.
- HMS Pembroke II 29 Jul 39 – 1 Nov 39 – discharged.
John was still serving in Pembroke II at the outbreak of World War II on 3rd September 1939, but was discharged on ill health grounds aged 34, on 1st November the same year with Otorrhea, ear drainage that can happen because of trauma or an ear infection, such as otitis media or swimmer's ear. He was later awarded the War Medal 1939-45 for his services up to that period. His character was very good and service satisfactory to superior throughout his 15 years.
Shortly following his discharge he was employed as a Skilled Labourer at HM Dockyard, Chatham, his extensive Naval experience serving him well. During the second quarter of 1944 he married Ethel May Allen, a Barmaid, in Chatham and they had no children.
John worked at the Dockyard until his retirement in 1965 aged 60, when he was awarded the Imperial Service Medal, this appearing in the London Gazette of 26th February 1965. Ethel and John lived at 28 Church Terrace, Luton, Chatham and he passed away on 5th December 1973 aged 68.
Ethel remarried in 1977 and became Ethel Wincell and she passed away in January 2005 aged 86.
The Story The medal trio awarded to John Ralph were acquired from The Medal Centre on Friday 10th March 2023, whilst on a coach from Pattaya to Bangkok in Thailand! They were of immediate interest because of the Imperial Service Medal / Royal Navy Long Service combination, not held in this collection but sought for one the sub-themes.
A lot of the biographical detail had already been completed, which coupled with a trawl of Ancestry.UK enabled a biography to be compiled.
Of interest is that unusually, the award of just the War Medal 1939 to a RN recipient is not because of operational service throughout, or entering the war in the later years, but because he was discharged on medical grounds about nine weeks after the start of the WWII!
Research was complicated slightly by two John Ralph’s being born in 1905 both at Chatham and appearing in the 1911 census. However, extensive checking and cross-referencing lead to these details seemingly being correct. The other John had a middle name – Frederick - used in all other references. Thus, on the balance of probabilities these details are correct.
A lot of the biographical detail had already been completed, which coupled with a trawl of Ancestry.UK enabled a biography to be compiled.
Of interest is that unusually, the award of just the War Medal 1939 to a RN recipient is not because of operational service throughout, or entering the war in the later years, but because he was discharged on medical grounds about nine weeks after the start of the WWII!
Research was complicated slightly by two John Ralph’s being born in 1905 both at Chatham and appearing in the 1911 census. However, extensive checking and cross-referencing lead to these details seemingly being correct. The other John had a middle name – Frederick - used in all other references. Thus, on the balance of probabilities these details are correct.
Medal Details:
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
- Imperial Service Medal: JOHN RALPH
- Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal: K.64571.J.RALPH.STO.1.HMS.CUMBERLAND.
Page last updated 5 Apr 23
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