Thank you to Lenka Cathersides and Wendy Shuttleworth for the following research.
Richard Francis Pomphrey was born on 23rd February 1894 in Caterham, Surrey to Richard and Annie Ada (nee LaRondie) and was baptised on 6th May 1894 at St Mary’s church in Reigate, Surrey. At the time of his baptism the family lived in Caterham and Richard was working as a shoemaker.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at Colin Road in Caterham. Richard was still working as a bootmaker and Annie was looking after their children: Richard Francis, Louisa, Alice and Dorothy.
On 16th August 1910 Richard became a Cadet in the Royal Navy. He was a Boy Servant and his service number was L/2143. The first ship he served on from 16th August 1910 was HMS Pembroke I. He had a fresh complexion, brown hair and grey eyes. He had an image of a heart and clasped hands with the words “True Love” tattooed on his right forearm. Prior to his service he was working as a shop boy.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Richard was a Boy Servant in the Royal Army stationed in Chatham, Kent.
Richard was transferred on 20th June 1913 into the Royal Navy in Chatham for duration of 12 years. The first ship that he served on after his transfer was HMS Pembroke I: from 20th June 1913 to 30th July 1914.
At the time of his death he was a Cook’s Mate with the service number M/6140 (Ch).
PETTY OFFICER DROWNED
2nd Class Petty Officer Richard Pomphrey, reported drowned on May 2nd, was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Pomphrey, of 12 Church Gardens, Dorking.
He had been seven years in the Navy, and previous to that was for a short time an assistant to Messrs Hepworth, clothiers and drapers, Redhill. He started his career at the Athenaeum Printing Works, Brighton Rd. He was one of the Old Reigate Volunteers, under Sergt. Major Garton, and lived at Cecil Road, Redhill.
Richard Francis Pomphrey Death Notice © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
Many of our readers will remember 2nd Class Petty Officer Frank Richard Pomphrey, the son of Mr and Mrs Richard Pomphrey, late of Cecil Road, Redhill, now residing in Church Gardens, Dorking. It has now been officially reported he was drowned on May 2nd. Petty Officer Pomphrey had been in the Navy for seven years, and had naturally seen much service. He had served on the Shannon, and other well-known destoyers and cruisers, and took part in the fighting off Cuxhaven. He had been in several of the scraps in the North Sea, and had been wounded. Of late he had done duty on a torpedo destroyer, and was drowned on the occasion of one of these boats going down, when 60 other lives were lost. Prior to joining the Navy he worked for Messrs Hepworth, clothiers and drapers and also at the Anthenaeum Printing Works. Prior to the Territorials being formed he was a member of the old Volunteers.
Richard Francis Pomphrey Death Notice © Surrey Mirror findmypast.co.uk
Richard Francis Pomphrey drowned on 2nd May 1917 while serving on HMS Derwent. The ship struck a mine and sank in the English Channel.
He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial on panel 25.
Pomphrey Family History
Richard’s father Richard was born in 3rd quarter 1866 in Reigate, Surrey to labourer and gardener John, born about 1820 in Kent, and Louisa, born about 1829 in Sussex. His mother Annie Ada LaRondie was born in the 4th quarter of 1867 in Aldershot, Hampshire to tailor Francis, born about 1828 in Boulogne, France and Mary Ann, born about 1829 in Somerset. Richard and Annie married on 29th April 1893 at St Mary’s church in Reigate. At the time of their marriage the couple lived in Reigate and Richard was working as a boot maker.
Richard had seven siblings: Louisa born about 1896; Alice born about 1898; Dorothy born about 1900; Rose born about 1902, all in Caterham, Surrey; Nelly born about 1905 and Hilda born about 1907 in Reigate and Charles born about 1909 in Redhill, Surrey.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Richard’s parents lived at 12 Church Street in Dorking. Richard was working as a boot repairer and Annie was at home. The household further comprised of their children: Louisa, Alice, Dorothy, Rose, Nelly, Hilda and Charles. Annie stated that she had given birth to eight children. The accommodation had five rooms.
| Born | Caterham, Surrey | |
| Son of | Richard and Annie Ada Pomphrey of 12 Church Gardens, Dorking | |
| Regiment | Royal Navy. H.M.S. Derwent | |
| Number | M. 6140 | |
| Date of Death | 2nd May 1917 | |
| Place of Death | At Sea | |
| Cause of Death | Killed when destroyer was sunk by a mine in the English Channel | |
| Age | 23 | |
| Memorial | Chatham Naval Memorial |
