William Henry Bloomfield – Royal Marine Light Infantry, H.M.S. Empress of India

Private William Henry Bloomfield – Royal Marine Light Infantry, H.M.S. Empress of India

William Henry Bloomfield was born in 1897 in Swansea, the son of Henry Bloomfield and Harriet Stephens, who were married in 1893 in Swansea. Henry was originally born Henricks Blomberg in Sweden and, at the time of his marriage, registered his name as Henry Blomberg. By the turn of the century, the family had adopted the surname Bloomfield.

Family Background and Early Life

1901 Census

By 1901, the family were residing at 40 Pentre Estefell Place, Swansea, recorded under the surname Bloomfield. Henry Bloomfield (29), born in Sweden, was employed as a dock labourer, while his wife Harriet (34) managed the household.
Their children were Charles (8), Caroline (6), and William (4).

1911 Census

By 1911, the family had moved to 7 Ann Street, Swansea. Henry Bloomfield (59) was employed as a steel smelter, and Harriet (43) remained at home.
Their children were C. Henry (18), a steel worker; Caroline (16), employed as a general servant; William Henry (14); and Doris Lilian (6).

Military Service and Death

William Henry Bloomfield served with the Royal Marine Light Infantry, holding the rank of Private. During his service he was attached aboard H.M.S. Empress of India.

Empress of India was a Royal Sovereign-class battleship, commissioned in 1894, which by the outbreak of the First World War was employed in secondary and support roles rather than front-line combat. During the war she served as a guard ship and accommodation vessel, housing and training personnel of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, including men of the Royal Marine Light Infantry.

While moored in home waters, Empress of India functioned as a floating barracks and administrative centre, an essential but often overlooked role in sustaining Britain’s naval war effort. Like many naval establishments, the ship was affected by the influenza pandemic of 1918, which spread rapidly through ships, barracks, and dockyards during the final months of the war.

British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records

South Wales Daily Post

In October 1918, William Henry Bloomfield fell ill during this pandemic. According to the British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, he died on 7^th October 1918 at Gosport, aged 21. His death was reported in the South Wales Daily Post on 28^th November 1918.

Burial

William Henry Bloomfield
Haslar Royal Navy Cemetery, Portsmouth
credit - findagrave

Private William Henry Bloomfield is buried at Haslar Royal Navy Cemetery, Portsmouth, the final resting place of many naval personnel who died in service during the First World War.

His death highlights the toll taken not only by combat but also by disease, which claimed thousands of servicemen during the closing weeks of the conflict.