On the Portsmouth Naval Memorial is the name of Engineer Sub-Lieutenant Edwin Gidney, serving on H.M.S. Empress of Russia with the Royal Naval Reserve who died 10/06/1915.

The son of Charles Gidney, of Jarrow on Tyne.

Edwin Gidney, was the son of Charles Gidney of Jarrow on Tyne, Builder, and his wife Isabella, daughter of William Allison of Sunderland, Engineer.

Edwin was born in Jarrow 23rd December 1873 and was educated at the Higher School in Jarrow. He served his apprenticeship at Messrs Palmer’s Engineering and Shipbuilding Works where he was highly esteemed and gained considerable experience in destroyers and torpedo boats.

He was afterwards a Marine Engineer and latterly employed by the C.P.R. After the outbreak of War he was appointed to H.M. Armed Merchant Cruiser Empress of Russia and died on her on the 10th June 1915 from syncope, following wounds received in action while serving in the Persian Gulf. He was buried at sea with full naval honours.

Source: De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour

Edwin Gidney is remembered in our List of Ships’ Crews.