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Remembered Today:

Gunner Vincent Ormerod - 4th R.M. Bn (H.M.S. Marlborough), Royal Marine Artillery


Paul Ormerod

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Remembering today Vincent Ormerod - Gunner RMA/14785 - 4th R.M. Bn (H.M.S. Marlborough), Royal Marine Artillery - who died on 23 April 1918, aged 20, whilst serving with the Royal Marine Artillery.

On this date 4th Bn, Royal Marines and Royal Marine Artillery were involved in the Raid on Zeebrugge, launching an amphibious assault on the German-held port from H.M.S. Vindictive and the Wallasey ferryboats, Iris and Daffodil.

Vincent was killed whilst serving in the Trench Mortar Section with H.M.S. Iris II, having volunteered from H.M.S. Marlborough.

 

The Commonwealth War Graves Debt of Honour Register notes that Vincent was the son of Robert and Susan Ormerod, of 10 Nolan St, Southport, and that he was a native of Todmorden.

Vincent was born in Lane, Todmorden, and was living at 12 Rosebery St, Todmorden, at the time of the 1901 Census.

By the time of the 1911 Census, he was living at 10 Nolan Street, Southport, and working as a shop assistant in a grocer's.

 

Vincent's Service Record states that he was born on 9 June 1897 in Cornholme, Todmorden, Lancs.

He enlisted on 2 November 1915 in Liverpool, and gave his mother's address as Southport.

Vincent served aboard H.M.S. Marlborough between 13 August 1916 and 13 February 1918, and from 14 February 1918 with 4th R.M. Battalion 14/2/18. His Service Record confirms that he took part in raid on Zeebrugge, Belgium, and was killed in action on 23 April 1918.

According to his Service Record Vincent was 5ft 7.5 inches tall, with brown eyes and brown hair. His trade is given as "Corporation Highway".

 

Vincent is buried in the cemetery of St James, Dover, Kent (Grave Ref. P. W. 15A), in the same grave as Pte Frederick T. Swan, R.M.L.I. (Ch19349).

His name is commemorated on the war memorial in the chapelyard of Shore General Baptist Chapel, near Todmorden, Yorkshire, and on the gravestone of his parents, which is in that same chapelyard.

He is also commemorated on the Cornholme War Memorial, at Vale Baptist Chapel, Yorkshire.

The inscription on his parents' grave reads:

"IN / Loving Memory / -of- / William Henry, SON OF / ROBERT & SUSAN ORMEROD, / OF RIDGE GATE, / WHO DIED JULY 4TH 1893, AGED 6 YEARS. / ALSO THEIR SON Vincent / WHO WAS KILLED IN THE RAID ON / ZEEBRUGGE. APRIL 23RD 1918. / AGED 20 YEARS. / AND WAS BURIED AT ST JAMES CEMETERY DOVER / SPLENDID HE PASSED, THE GREAT SURRENDER MADE, INTO THE LIGHT THAT NEVERMORE / SHALL FADE. / ALSO Fred Ormerod, / DIED NOV. 7TH 1932, AGED 42 YEARS. / ALSO THE ABOVE / Robert Ormerod / DIED MAY 4TH 1937 / AGED 74 YEARS / Susan, WIFE OF THE ABOVE / DIED SEPT. 12TH 1942, / AGED 81 YEARS."

 

The Southport Guardian (Saturday 27 April 1918), reported the death of Gunner Vincent Ormerod:

"THE NAVAL RAID

SOUTHPORT GUNNER KILLED

Official news has been received by Mr. and Mrs. R. Ormerod of Nolan Street, to the effect that their son, Gunner Vincent Ormerod, of the Royal Marine Artillery has been killed in action in the recent naval raid on Ostend and Zeebrugge. He was one of the few chosen from his vessel and along with the others had had special training. Gunner Ormerod joined the navy when 18 years of age, and had been on this vessel nineteen months. Previous to joining the Navy he was assistant scoutmaster of the St. John Scouts, Birkenhead, and was also an active member of the YMCA. His bright and cheery disposition gained for him many friends who will receive the sad news with deep regret."

 

Vincent Ormerod.jpg

Gunner Ormerod Grave No 1 JPEG.jpg

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