ERNEST SAMUEL ALDOUS

From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

Born: 28th August 1892, Ipswich.

Baptised on the 25^th September 1892, at St. Helen’s Church, Ipswich – family home at 75, Regent Street, Ipswich.

Died: 8th November 1917; age 25; accidentally drowned at Dunkerque whilst serving on board H.M.S. Botha.

Residence: 27, Tower Street, Ipswich.

Occupation: a Bricklayer.

Enlistment: Chatham. Height 5ft 7 ins, fresh complexion, grey/brown eyes & brown hair. Scar on the left forearm. Signed up for 12 years on the 28th August 1910.

Service:

Ganges II – Boy II Class – 19th July 1910

Ganges II – Boy I Class – 20th October 1910 – 5th December 1910

Magnificent – Boy I Class – 6th December 1910

Magnificent – Ordinary Seaman – 19th January 1911 – 27th February 1911

Irresistible – Ordinary Seaman – 28th February 1911 – 9th April 1911

Pembroke II – Ordinary Seaman – 10th April 1911 – 1st May 1911

Foresight – Ordinary Seaman – 2nd May 1911

Foresight – Able Seaman – 11th August 1911 – 20th October 1911

Pembroke I – Able Seaman – 21st October 1911 – 21st February 1913 – 5 days in Cells

Antrim – Able Seaman – 27th February 1913 – 14th March 1913

Antrim – Able Seaman – 15th March 1913 – 4th November 1913 – 5 days in Cells

Antrim – Able Seaman – 10th November 1913 – 11th July 1914 – 7 days in Cells

Antrim – Able Seaman – 18th July 1914 – 25th June 1915 – 7 days in Cells

Antrim – Able Seaman – 3rd July 1915 – 12th July 1915 – 14 days in Cells

Antrim – Able Seaman -27th July 1915 – 19th August 1916

Pembroke I – Able Seaman – 20th August 1916 – 14th October 1916

Hibernia – Able Seaman – 15th October 1916 – 16th March 1917

Pembroke I – Able Seaman – 17th March 1917 – 1st May 1917

Botha – Able Seaman – 2nd May 1917 – 22nd September 1917 – 14 days in Cells

Botha – Able Seaman – 8th October 1917 – 8th November 1917.

Rank: Able Seaman, Royal Navy; Official Number Port Division: J.8989. (Ch) H.M.S. Botha.

Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.

Memorial Reference:

IV.B.4

Dunkirk Town Cemetery Extension,

Nord,

France.

Relative Notified & Address: Son of Elizabeth, of 27, Tower Street, Ipswich.

Brother to SAMUEL GEORGE ALDOUS and stepbrother to FREDERICK DUNNETT. kia.

CENSUS

1901   West View, Foxhall Road, Ipswich.

Ernest was 8 years old and living with his parents, siblings and stepbrother.

Samuel Aldous, 52, a bricklayer, born Stadbroke, Suffolk.

Elizabeth Aldous (nee Dunnett), 44, born Denham, Suffolk.

Mabel Annie Aldous, 17, a Tailoress, born Stradbroke.

Sidney John Aldous,15, a Bricklayer’s Assistant, born Stadbroke.

Florence Elizabeth Aldous, 12, born East Bergholt, Suffolk.

Ethel Alice Aldous, 10, born Ipswich.

Samuel George Aldous, 4, born Ipswich.

Frederick Dunnett, 21, a Bricklayers Labourer, born Billingford, Norfolk.

1911   Glengarriff, Ireland.

Ernest was 18 years old and an Ordinary Seaman on board H.M.S. Irresistible, a 1st Class Battleship.

Ernest is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Margaret’s Church, Ipswich.

H.M.S. Botha: