More about Ernest Head

Ernest was a crew member of H.M.S. C 19 which was launched in 1909 and was based in Dundee, attached to Depot Ship H.M.S. Vulcan and the 7th Submarine Flotilla between 1910 & 1912. From there she moved to the Tyne, attached to H.M.S. Alecto as part of the 10th Flotilla in 1914. She was finally sold for scrap in 1920.

Ernest Head   193392   H.M. Submarine C19

DUNDEE NAVYMAN IS DROWNED.

WASHED OFF SUBMARINE.

Leading Seaman Ernest Head, of H.M. Submarine C19, one of the flotilla attached to Dundee, has been lost overboard.

Mrs Head, who resides at 51 Crescent Street, Dundee, yesterday received official intimation of the sad occurrence from the Admiralty.  The statement is couched in the laconic terms characteristic of the Admiralty, and reads :–“Telegraphic information has reached this Department that Ernest Head Leading Seaman, official number 193392 belonging to His Majesty’s submarine C19, tender to H.M.S. Alecto, has been lost overboard from the first-named vessel.  (Here is stated the location of the vessel.)  The date of death is not stated, but the telegram reporting the occurrence was forwarded to-day.”

The Admiralty’s notification was followed immediately by a letter of sympathy from one of Leading Seaman Head’s officers.

The unfortunate man was in his thirty-sixth year, and was a native of Cromer.  He settled down in Dundee when the naval base was established in the Tay.  Deceased is survived by a widow and four children.

Mrs Head has already been visited by one of the lady visitors in the Dundee Branch of the Soldiers and Sailors’ Families’ Association.

Dundee Courier 9th September 1914