In Tynemouth (Preston) Cemetery is the Commonwealth War Grave of:
E. Head
Leading Seaman, R.N. 193392
H.M. Submarine “C.19”
5th September 1914 Age 34
Sleep on beloved
and take thy rest.
He was the husband of Mrs. G. Head, 21 Cornelia Street, Barnsbury, London.
There is another headstone which reads:
In loving memory of
Leading Seaman
Ernest Head
of Submarine C19
who died 5th Sep. 1914
whilst on active service
aged 36 years.
Erected by his shipmates.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Ernest Oliver Head was one of 4 children.
His parents John Head and Maria Elizabeth Reeves were both natives of Wymondham, Norfolk where they were born in 1834 and 1850 respectively. John’s father also named John Head was a weaver, Maria Elizabeth was the daughter of the late John Reeves a blacksmith.
Prior to their marriage they were living at 69, Berwick Street, City of Westminster, London and were married at St. Luke’s Church in the Parish of St. James Westminster, Middlesex, July 2nd 1872.
Their daughter Louisa Maria, affectionately known as Jennie, was born in the parish of St. Pancras in 1873, Augustus John in the district of St. George Hanover Square, Westminster in 1876 as was Adelaide Elizabeth in 1878 and Ernest Oliver, December 29th 1879. Ernest and his brother Augustus were baptised by their parents in the parish of St. Stephen, Westminster, May 9th 1880 whilst the family was living at 15, Coburg Buildings in the parish of St. Margaret, Westminster, named in honour of Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert as he was born in Coburg.
Coburg Buildings accommodated 108 families they had moved into number 68, Coburg Buildings by 1881. John Head supported his family employed as a messenger for the “Army and Navy Stores.”
John Head died in 1891 and was buried within City of Westminster Cemetery, Hanwell, April 16th 1891 since 1965 known as Hanwell Cemetery. His widow Maria Elizabeth head nee Reeve died in 1892.
In 1897 Ernest Oliver Head joined the Royal Navy as Ernest Head at Chatham, Kent stating he had been a cabin boy. He was trained aboard H.M.S. Impregnable an old 3 mast, 121 gun ship built in 1860 and H.M.S. Ganges which was no longer seaworthy and docked at Devonport she was stripped of her guns and fitted out as a Training Ship for Boys.
Ernest had risen to the rank of Boy 1st Class and served with H.M.S. Agincourt and Jupiter obtaining the rank of Able Seaman by 1900. Able Seam Head served on the battle ship H.M.S. Colossus and Albion then H.M.S. Rosario on the China Station in the Far East to protect British interests, trade routes and colonies in Chana and surrounding waters.
After serving with H.M.S. Triumph for two year he was trained and gained a Torpedoman certificate then joined the 7th Submarine Training Flotilla and had risen to the rank of Leading Seaman by 1913.
Commissioned at Sheerness on June 20th 1912 H.M.S. Alecto had left Dundee for service with the 7th Submarine Flotilla, June 13th 1914. Leading Seaman 193392 (CH) at the time of his demise was serving aboard H.M. Submarine “C.19” used primarily for coastal defences and training in home waters which was at the time providing support to H.M.S. Alecto during Tyne patrols.
Leading Seaman 193392 (CH) Ernest Head was washed overboard and drowned, September 5th 1914. Official confirmation was sent by the Admiralty to his wife Georgina, whom he had married in 1911, to their home address of 6, Crescent Street, Dundee, Scotland. She also received a letter of sympathy from her late husband’s officers.
Leading Seaman 193392 (CH) Ernest Head is at rest within Tynemouth (Preston Cemetery grave K.C. 12126, He was 43 years of age.
July 28th 1911 Ernest had married Georgina Neave who had two children of her own, Davina who was born July 28th 1904 and James Neave born May 27th 1908 for whom Ernest had taken responsibly.
She received a pension in the sum of 21 shillings a week as of March 1st 1915 for herself and the two children which would be diminished as each in turn reached the age of 16 years.
A newspaper article in the Dundee Chronicle mentions 4 children in all. This must be an error as Naval pension documents mention by name only the Neave children.
Georgina Head-Neave (maiden name unknown) resident of 21, Cornelia Street, Barnsbury, Middlesex died February 25th 1934 her effects in the sum of £133 were assigned to her daughter Davina Neave. She was buried in Islington, London March 26th 1934.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Ernest Head is remembered on our List of Ships’ crews.
