Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Harry Grantham was born on 19th November 1887 in Dorking to agricultural labourer and gardener Jesse and Marian Augusta Grantham (nee Ingrams).
Harry’s father Jesse was born in the 3rd quarter of 1862 in Dorking to agricultural labourer and gardener George (born about 1819 in Ewhurst, Surrey) and Eliza Grantham. Jesse was baptised on 31st August 1862 in Coldharbour near Dorking. During the 1881 Census, the family lived in Holmwood and Jesse was working as an agricultural labourer. His mother, Marian was born in the 2nd quarter of 1858 in Westerham, Kent to agricultural labourer George (born about 1819 in Brasted, Kent) and Sarah Ingrams (born about 1819 in Burstow, Kent). Jesse and Marian on 6th June 1885 at St Martin’s church in Dorking. At the time of their marriage Jesse and Marian lived in Dorking and Jesse was working as a gardener.
Harry was baptised on 29th January 1888 at Christ Church in Coldharbour. At the time, the family lived at Anstie Farm in Holmwood.
Harry had six siblings: George born about 1886, Margery born about 1893, Herbert born about 1894, Edith born about 1895, Ernest born about 1898 and Wilfred born about 1900, all in Dorking.
On 31st March 1891, Harry was admitted to South Holmwood Church of England School. At this time the family lived at Spring Cottages in Holmwood. Harry left the school in December 1894.
During the 1891 Census, the family lived at Spring Cottages in Holmwood. Jesse was working as a gardener, Marian Augusta was a dressmaker and was looking after their children Harry and George. Harry´s widowed father George Grantham also lived in the household.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family still lived at Spring Cottages in Holmwood. Jesse was working as a gardener and Marian was looking after their children; builders boy George, garden boy Harry, Margery, Herbert, Edith, Ernest and Wilfred.
On 19th November 1905, at the age of 18, Harry Grantham enlisted into the Royal Navy for a duration of 12 years. He had brown hair, blue eyes, a fresh complexion and was over 5 feet tall. He also had tattoo marks on both forearms. He became an able seaman and his regimental number was 225428. He served on various ships.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Jesse, Margaret and their sons: gardener George and scholars Ernest and Wilfred, were living at Quernmore, Buckingham Road in Holmwood. Jesse was also working as a gardener. The family had a boarder, railway clerk Gilbert William Tiller. The accommodation had five rooms. Marion stated that she had given birth to seven living children
At the time of the 1911 Census, Harry was an able seaman on the HMS Superb at Portsmouth.
SAILOR DROWNED AT LEITH
A naval seaman named Harry Grantham has been drowned at Leith. Deceased had been missing since 3rd March, and this morning his body was found floating in the Edinburgh Dock and was removed to the Police Mortuary. He was 25 years of age, and belonged to Surrey.
Harry Grantham Death Notice © Edinburgh Evening News
Prior to his death Harry was an able seamen on the HMS Attack. He went missing on 4th March 1915 between 9pm and 10pm at Leith Docks. He is presumed to have drowned on that day. His body was found floating in Edinburgh Docks and was recovered at 6am on 17th April 1915.
HOLMWOOD MAN’S NAVAL FUNERAL
The body of Harry Grantham, of H.M.S. “Attack”, whose portrait we published in last week’s issue, was recovered from the Edinburgh Dock, Leith at 6 am on Saturday morning last. The funeral took place at Rosebank Cemetery, Leith on Tuesday, with full naval honours. Owing to the “Attack” being at sea the escort was formed from the ships companies of H.M.S. “Vulcan” and H.M.S. “Cordelia”. The mourners were Mrs. Grantham (mother), Miss M. Grantham (sister), Mr. Hannan, sen R. N., Mr. T. Hannan, Mr. H. McPhail, Mr J. Hannan, Mr. T. Hannan, jun. Mrs. Batchelor, and the Misses M. and J. Hannan. Beautiful floral tributes were sent by : Father, mother, sisters and brothers; Mr. Hannan and family; Mr. and Mrs. Batchelor and family; Captain and Officers of H.M.S. “Attack”, the Ship’s Company of H. M. S. “Attack”; and the Ship’s Company of H.M.S. “Vulcan.”
Harry Grantham Death Notice © Dorking Advertiser
According to the 1915 Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser, Harry was “attached to HMS Attack, and took part in several naval engagements, including the Heligoland battle, the shelling of Zeebrugge, the Cuxhaven raid on Christmas Day, and the attack on the Bluecher which resulted in the sinking of that ship. He went through all those battles without receiving any injury.“
A HERO’S END
We regret to state that A.B. Harry Grantham, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Granthm of Quernmore, Buckingham Terrace, Holmwood, is reported to have met with his death at Leith Docks. The deceased who was 27 years of age, was attached to HMS Attack, and took part in several naval engagements, including the Heligoland battle, the shelling of Zeebrugge, the Cuxhaven raid on Christmas Day, and the attack on the Bluecher which resulted in the sinking of that ship. He went through all those battles without receiving any injury. Lieut. Commander C. Callaghan, of H. M. S Attack writes to Mrs. Grantham as follows: – “I regret that I can only confirm my wire and report that your son, H. Grantham, has been missing since the 4th inst.
Harry Grantham Obituary © Dorking Advertiser
ABLE-SEAMAN HARRY GRANTHAM
He was last seen on board at 9pm and since then nothing has been seen of him. From the very slight evidence I can obtain it is apparent that he may have left the ship which was then in Leith Docks, to visit a friend whom he had apparently mentioned, in HMS Vulcan. He was found to be missing at 9PM on the 6th inst, and at 9.50am his cap was found floating in the basin where HMS Vulcan lies. Of course, there is no direct evidence that your son has lost his life, but I am afraid we have very little hope. I most deeply regret the loss to my ship of a man who always did well in his work and could always be relied on. I very deeply sympathise with you in the anxiety which you must feel.” A. B. Grantham had been in the Royal Navy twelve years.
Harry Grantham Obituary © Dorking Advertiser
Lieutenant Commander C. Callaghan of HMS Attack wrote to Harry´s mother Marian: “H. Gratham has been missing since the 4th inst. He was last seen on board at 9pm and since then nothing has been seen of him. From the very slight evidence I can obtain it is apparent that he may have left the ship which was then in Leith Docks, to visit a friend whom he had apparently mentioned, in HMS Vulcan. He was found to be missing at 9PM on the 6th inst, and at 9.50am his cap was found floating in the basin where HMS Vulcan lies.“
His funeral took place at Rosebank Cemetery in Edinburgh on 20th April 1915, with full Naval honours. The 1915 Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser reads: “Owing to the HMS Attack being at sea the escort was formed from the ships´companies of HMS Vulcan and HMS Cordelia.“ Harry is buried at Rosebank Cemetery, Pilrig in Edinburgh on the east side of cemetery. His grave reference is Special Memorial Cross, Q.W. 384. The headstone reads “Rest in Peace“. At the time of his death his mother Marion was still living at Quernmore, Buckingham Road in Holmwood.
Harry was 27 years old.
Harry’s brother Ernest died of wounds on 13th April 1917 in France aged 19.
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Lived | Holmwood, Surrey | |
| Son of | Jesse and Marion Augusta Grantham of “Quernmore” Buckingham Road, South Holmwood, Surrey | |
| Brother of | Ernest Grantham | |
| Regiment | “H.M.S. Attack” Royal Navy | |
| Number | 225428 | |
| Date of Death | 4th March 1915 | |
| Place of Death | United Kingdom | |
| Age | 27 | |
| Cemetery | Rosebank Cemetery, Pilrig, Leith, Scotland |
