BORN SKIPSEA 29/05/1875. SON OF WILLIAM & GRACE WHITE, OF CHARLOTTE STREET, OF HULL. HE MARRIED IN 1902. HIS WIFE CATHERINE (FEGAN) WHITE, LIVED AT 162 HIGH STREET, SHEERNESS AND AT 44 BRITTON STREET, GILLINGHAM, KENT. DROWNED ON 05/05/1918, AGED 44. HE HELD THE LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL. HE IS COMMEMORATED ON THE WITHERNSEA WW1 MEMORIAL.
HMS Rhododendron, built by Irvine’s Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. Ltd., West Hartlepool in 1917 and owned at the time of her loss by Royal Navy, was a British sloop of 1290 tons. On May 5th, 1918, HMS Rhododendron was sunk by the German submarine U-70 (Otto Wünsche), North Sea. 15 persons were lost.
PEOPLE ON BOARD HMS ‘RHODODENDRON’
1. BANHAM, HENRY GEORGE (19), Telegraphist (no. J/27546), Son of W. H. and Alice Jane Banham, of East Villa, Harlow, Essex, Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial
2. BIRCHALL, CHARLES JOHN (24), Able Seaman (no. J/19236), Son of Mr. and Mrs. Sarah Birchall, of 46, Hill St., Peckham, London, Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial
3. BRADLEY, ARTHUR (24), Stoker 1st Class (no. K/33133), Son of Job and Mary Ann Bradley, of 2, New Rd., Old Park Rd., Kings Hill, Wednesbury, South Staffs, Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial
4. CRADDUCK, ARTHUR EDWARD (19), Stoker 1st Class (no. K/41377), Son of Lewis and Emily Cradduck, of Lathbury Cottages, Lower Stoke, Rochester, Kent, Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial
5. CRANFIELD, WILLIAM (39), Stoker 1st Class (no. K/33038), Husband of M. E. Cranfield, of 4, Brigade Place, Greenwich, London, Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial
6. DOE, LEONARD WILLIAM (22), Stoker 1st Class (no. K/41405), Son of Mrs. Dorcas Doe, of 13, Vange Hall Cottages, Vange, Pitsea, Essex, Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial
7. DUNCAN, JOSEPH (37), Engine Room Artificer 4th Class (no. M/20113), Husband of Jenny Duncan, of 47, Cowpen Rd., Haverton Hill, Middlesbrough, Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial
8. HAMMOND, STANLEY JOHN (29), Lieutenant, Husband of Miriam Rebecca Hammond, of Somerset Villa, Pill, Bristol, Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial
9. HUGHES, ALBERT HENRY (27), Petty Officer Stoker (no. 366197), Son of Alfred James and Mary Ann Hughes, of I, Jeffrey Place, Great College St., Camden Town, London. Native of Ramsgate, Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial
10. JACKSON, JOSEPH (30), Leading Stoker (no. K/8323), Son of Mr. W. and Mrs. M. Jackson, of Camberwell, London, Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial
11. MARSHALL, HENRY GEORGE EDWARD (25), Leading Stoker (no. K/15877), Husband of Emily E. Marshall; of 7, Market St., Dover, Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial
12. TOPP, THOMAS EDWARD (23), Leading Victualling Assistant (no. M/12941),Son of Mary Topp, of 38, Garden Terrace, Kingsdown, Swindon, Wilts, Chatham Naval Memorial
13. WHITE, AMBROSE WILLIE (44), Petty Officer Stoker (no. 281483), H.M.S. Rhododendron, Royal Navy, 05/05/1918, Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. Son of William and Grace White, of Hull; husband of Catherine White, of 4, Cottage, Union St., Liverpool, Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial
14. WILDE, FRED (32), Sub-Lieutenant, Son of James and Mary Wilde, of Exeter; husband of Helen Alberta
