Vincent Ormerod

 

Gunner RMA/14785
4th R.M. Bn (H.M.S. Marlborough), Royal Marine Artillery

Vincent 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 he was the son of Robert and Susan Ormerod, of 10 Nolan St, Southport, and that he was a native of Todmorden.

At the time of the 1901 Census he was living with his parents and siblings at 12 Rosebery St, Todmorden. The details of his family at the time of this census were as follows.

Dwelling:

12 Rosebery St

Census Place:

Todmorden, Yorkshire, England

Source:

PRO Ref RG13; Piece 4085; Folio 119; Page 19

Marr

Age

Sex

Birthplace

Robert ORMEROD

M

38

M

Yorks Stansfield Todmorden

Rel:

Occ:

Head

Carter (Worker)

Susan ORMEROD

M

40

F

Yorks Stansfield Todmorden

Rel:

Wife

Mary ORMEROD

S

16

F

Yorks Stansfield Todmorden

Rel:

Occ:

Daughter

Cotton Weaver (Worker)

Fred ORMEROD

S

11

M

Yorks Stansfield Todmorden

Rel:

Son

Alice ORMEROD

S

7

F

Yorks Stansfield Todmorden

Rel:

Daughter

Vincent ORMEROD

S

3

M

Lane, Todmorden

Rel: Son

The First World War Medal Rolls show that Vincent was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal, and these were sent to his father (Ref, IC696/1918).

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 is given 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). Pte Frederick T. Swan, R.M.L.I. (Ch19349) is buried in the same grave as Vincent.

Vincent is also 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.

His name 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 as follows:
 

"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."
 

The picture of Vincent Ormerod at the top of this page was kindly provided by Jim Clay, of Essex.

 

HMS_MARLBOROUGH.JPG (76033 bytes)

H.M.S. Marlborough

The gravestone of Vincent's parents in the chapelyard of Shore General Baptist Chapel. Vincent's name is also commemorated on the gravestone.

The war memorial at Shore General Baptist Chapel, with Vincent's name inscribed

The Cornholme War Memorial at Vale Baptist Chapel, with Vincent's name commemorated

(Courtesy Paul Kendall)

Burial of Zeebrugge Raiders at St James' Cemetery, Dover, April 1918

(Courtesy Paul Kendall)

Zeebrugge Corner, St James' Cemetery, Dover

Gunner Ormerod Grave No 1 JPEG.jpg (52928 bytes)

Gunner Ormerod Grave No 3.jpg (78276 bytes)

(Photos courtesy Paul Kendall)

Vincent's grave at Zeebrugge Corner, St James' Cemetery, Dover