Ernest Lynn Pigford (1882-1916)
Annfield Plain man served as able seaman on HMS Black Prince at the Battle of Jutland
Ernest Lynn Pigford was born on 23 March 1882. He was the son of Robert Henry Pigford (1860-1932) an Assurance agent for the Prudential Assurance Company Limited. His mother was Sarah Pigford nee Lynn (1859-1914). He was the second born son of five children made up of three girls and two boys. In 1891 the family lived at Newall’s House Colliery before moving to 23 Victoria Terrace, Annfield Plain. Ernest was living here in 1901 when he is described as a school teacher and in 1911 when he is described as a house painter. At some point, perhaps to train as a teacher, he attended Armstrong College in Newcastle-upon-Tyne which was part of Durham University.
Ernest was enrolled in the Tyne Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR). He was an able seaman with the service number Z8911. During the war he was mobilised to serve in the Royal Navy and assigned to HMS Black Prince.
Black Prince was transferred to the Grand Fleet in December 1914 and took part in the Battle of Jutland in May 1916. During the battle the ship was hit by at least twelve heavy shells and several smaller ones, sinking within 15 minutes. There were no survivors from Black Prince with Ernest being one of the crew of 857 killed.
Ernest’s body was not recovered for burial. He is honoured on the Chatham Naval Memorial. He is also remembered on several memorials in his home town of Annfield Plain and at Armstrong College, Newcastle-upon-Tyne where he studied.
Ernest Lynn Pigford was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service in World War One.
Universities at War: Digital Memory Book – Armstrong College war memorial
http://memorial.ncl.ac.uk/scroll.php?entry=142&soldierinfo=true
Civil Parish: Kyo
Birth date: 23-Mar-1882
Death date: 31-May-1916
Armed force/civilian: Navy
Residence: Newall’s House, Collierley (1891 census)
23 Victoria Terrace, Annfield Plain (1901and 1911 census)
Education: Armstrong College, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (Durham University)
Employment: School teacher (1901 census)
House Painter (1911 census)
Family: Parents: Robert Henry Pigford (1860-1932), Sarah Pigford nee Lynn(1859-1914)
Siblings: Frederick William Pigford, Dorothy Pigford, Ethel Pigford, Edith Pigford
Military service:
Z8911
Able Seaman
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR)
Medal(s): Victory Medal
British War Medal
Memorial(s): Chatham Naval Memorial
Cenotaph, Annfield Plain
Roll of Honour, St Aidan’s Church, Annfield Plain
Table and Plaque, Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Annfield Plain
Plaque, Armstrong College, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Roll of Honour, Armstrong College, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Gender: Male
Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham
