Edward George Housego – Royal Marine Light Infantry, H.M.S. Cressy

 Private Edward George Housego – Royal Marine Light Infantry, H.M.S. Cressy

Early Life and Family Background

Edward George Housego was born in 1881 in Caterham, Surrey, the son of George William Housego and Martha Matilda Coles. Although there is no clear direct link between Edward and the Swansea or Loughor area, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission entry lists a relative, brother‑in‑law E. Housego, residing at 13 North Road, Upper Loughor, Swansea. This may reflect a clerical or transcription error, as other documentation suggests a different local address.

1911 Census

The 1911 Census records Edward already serving with the Royal Marine Light Infantry, listed as a Private stationed at Ganges II Barracks, Harwich, Essex. This confirms that he had enlisted before the outbreak of the First World War and was engaged in training or early service within the Royal Marines at that time.

Service in the Royal Marine Light Infantry

H.M.S. Cressy

Edward served as a Private aboard H.M.S. Cressy, one of three ageing Cressy‑class armoured cruisers that formed the Royal Navy’s 7^th Cruiser Squadron at the beginning of the war. Although considered outdated by 1914, these ships were still heavily manned and tasked with patrol and escort duties in the North Sea.

More Information About H.M.S. Cressy

H.M.S. Cressy was launched in 1899 and built during a period when armoured cruisers were central to Britain’s global naval presence. By the start of the First World War, however, ships of her class were considered slow and vulnerable—particularly against the rapidly advancing threat of submarine warfare. Despite these shortcomings, they remained in active service due to the significant demand for patrol vessels early in the conflict.

At the outbreak of war, Cressy served with the 7^th Cruiser Squadron, conducting patrols in the southern North Sea alongside her sister ships H.M.S. Aboukir and H.M.S. Hogue. Their task was to protect merchant shipping routes and safeguard the eastern approaches to the English Channel. Because of their age and slow speed, the squadron soon earned the unofficial nickname “the Live Bait Squadron”, reflecting widespread concerns about their vulnerability.

On the morning of 22^nd September 1914, the three cruisers were carrying out routine patrols when they were sighted by the German submarine U‑9, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Otto Weddigen. Shortly after 6 a.m., Aboukir was struck by a torpedo and began to sink. Believing she had hit a mine, Hogue and Cressy closed in to assist and to rescue survivors.

As Hogue moved alongside, U‑9 fired again, sinking her within minutes. Cressy responded by lowering boats and attempting to defend the survivors in the water, but she soon became the next target. Several torpedoes found their mark, and Cressy rapidly capsized and sank, leaving little chance of escape for the men aboard.

The loss of Cressy, Hogue, and Aboukir resulted in over 1,400 deaths, making it one of the most devastating early-war naval disasters. The attack highlighted the deadly effectiveness of U‑boats and prompted significant changes in Royal Navy patrol tactics. Private Edward George Housego was among those who perished.

Death and Commemoration

British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records

Edward George Housego
Chatham Naval Memoria, Chatham
credit - findagrave

According to the British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, Edward George Housego lost his life while serving aboard H.M.S. Cressy.
With no known grave, he is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, which honours sailors and marines lost at sea.

These same records list his next of kin as his brother, W. G. Housego, residing at 13 Montpelier Avenue, Loughor, likely explaining the South Wales connection associated with his remembrance