Alfred George Kippin – Royal Naval Reserve, H.M. Trawler Picton Castle

Skipper Alfred George Kippin – Royal Naval Reserve, H.M. Trawler Picton Castle

Early Life

Alfred George Kippin was born in 1869 in Norfolk, the son of Joseph Kipping and Mary Elizabeth Read, who were married in 1864.

1871 Census

The 1871 Census records the Kippin family living at Marsh Wall, Rutham, Norfolk, their surname recorded as Kippen. Joseph, aged 28, was employed as a General Labourer, and his wife Mary, also 28, cared for their three children: Mary (5), George (2), and Elizabeth (3 months).

Marriage

Alfred George Kippin and Alice Elizabeth Mingay
marriage certificate
St. Peter's Church, Lancashire

In 1894, Alfred married Alice Elizabeth Mingay at St Peter’s Church, Lancashire.

1901 Census

By the 1901 Census, the family—recorded under the surname Hippen—were residing at 2 Rock Terrace, Haking, Hubberston, Haverfordwest. Alfred, aged 31, worked as a Fisherman, and his wife Alice, 26, cared for their young son Alfred (3). Also living in the home were Alice’s mother Anne Mingay (54) and a boarder, Ernest Mingay (23).

1911 Census

The 1911 Census places the family at 48 Alexandra Terrace, Brynmill, though Alfred himself was absent from the household on census night.

Naval Service

Alfred served with the Royal Naval Reserve and rose to the rank of Skipper on H.M. Trawler Picton Castle. Built by Smith Dock Co. Ltd., Middlesbrough, in 1911, the Picton Castle was a 245‑ton naval trawler employed on patrol and minesweeping duties and operated by the Royal Navy during the First World War.

Loss of H.M. Trawler Picton Castle

On 19^th February 1917, Picton Castle struck a mine laid by the German submarine UC‑17, commanded by Ralph Wenninger, and sank approximately three miles southeast of Dartmouth harbour. The disaster resulted in the loss of 12 crew members, including Skipper Alfred George Kippin.

South Wales Daily Post

The tragedy received attention in the press. The South Wales Daily Post reported on the sinking and noted that three of the twelve men lost were from Swansea, underscoring the impact of the disaster on the local community as well as on families across Britain.

British Army and Navy Birth,
Marriage and Death Records

Alfred George Kippin
Plymouth Naval Memorial, Plymouth
credit - findagrave

Alfred George Kippin
Plymouth Naval Memorial, Plymouth
credit - findagrave

The British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records list all those who died in the sinking. With no known grave, Alfred and his shipmates are commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, where their service and sacrifice are formally honoured