FRANK ERNEST PAUL
The branch of the Paul family to which Frank Ernest belonged had their roots on the Isle of Wight but spent periods in Portsmouth. Frank Ernest himself was born in Ryde.
The Paul family had a strong tendency to name their children Frank, and those children also had a tendency to marry women named Ellen, all of which makes it difficult to trace their lineage. The first positive identification of Frank Ernest occurs in the 1891 census when he was 8 years old. He was then living with his mother, Ellen, 3 sisters and two brothers at 16 Park St., off St. Paul's Road, Southsea.
He left the family home to join the navy almost as soon as they would accept him and by 1901 was a Cook's Mate, 1st Class at HMS Vernon, the torpedo training school. By 1911 he had established himself as Ship's Cook in his own right and when ashore stayed at his sister Beatrice's house at 89 Dover Road, Copnor. In 1912 Frank Ernest married Ada Trodd but we don't know if they set up a separate home of their own.
Sometime after the Great War broke out Frank Ernest was posted to HMS Black Prince and on 31st May 1916 the ship took part in the Battle of Jutland and was sunk with the loss of her entire crew.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission lists Ship's Chief Cook Frank Ernest Paul (343352) RN, HMS Black Prince, died 31/05/1916, aged 33. Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial (Panel 21). Son of Frank Paul, of Portsmouth; husband of Ada Paul, of 46, Bonchurch Rd., Milton, Portsmouth.
Frank Paul is also commemorated on the St. Alban's Church WW1 memorial (as 'Francis Ernest Paul') and the Cenotaph. He is not listed in the 'National Roll of the Great War'.
Tim Backhouse
March 2014