11 Facts About Pelham Aldrich

Admiral Pelham Aldrich was a Royal Navy officer and explorer, who became Admiral Superintendent of Portsmouth Docks.

Pelham Aldrich was born in Mildenhall, Suffolk, the son of Dr Pelham Aldrich and Elizabeth Frances Aldrich, and married Edith Caroline Issacson in 1875.

Pelham Aldrich entered the Royal Navy as a Naval Cadet in June 1859 and was promoted to sub-lieutenant on 17 September 1864 and lieutenant on 11 September 1866.

Pelham Aldrich served as a lieutenant on the corvette Scout, then from 18 December 1869 on the broadside ironclad Lord Warden and from 15 November 1872 on the Challenger as first lieutenant.

Pelham Aldrich became a commander on 3 November 1876 and commanded the Sylvia and Fawn on surveying expeditions of China and the Mediterranean.

Pelham Aldrich was promoted to captain on 29 June 1883, commanding the Sylvia and Egeria on further surveying expeditions of the Cape of Good Hope and Australia.

Pelham Aldrich was promoted to rear-admiral on 21 December 1898, and served as admiral superintendent of Portsmouth Dockyard between 1 September 1899 and 1 September 1902, flagship HMS Asia.

Pelham Aldrich was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order by King Edward VII in 1902.

Pelham Aldrich retired from the Navy on 22 March 1908 and moved to The Croft, in Great Bealings in Suffolk.

Pelham Aldrich died in Great Bealings and was buried in the local churchyard on 17 November 1930.

Pelham Aldrich's wife was buried in the same place on 6 May 1943, aged 94.