Royal Navy – HMS President
Harold Christian was born in Cheltenham on 29 September 1867 as the eldest son of Rear Admiral Henry Christian MVO, a former Chief Constable of Gloucestershire, and Emily Margaret Christian (née Moore) of Heighthorne, The Park, Cheltenham. He was educated privately and at Dartmouth Naval College, being appointed a Naval Cadet in January 1881 on HMS Britannia, stationed in Dartmouth, Devon, and sent to HMS Alexandra in 1882.
He had three sisters, Emily Susan (1866-1958), Mary Constance (1868-?), Lilian (1870-1908) and a brother Ewan (1873-?), who attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His father died in 1916, and his mother in 1923.
Harold served on various ships in the Mediterranean, in China and the East Indies before retiring in 1912. Volunteering for active service in 1914, he was given command of HMS Brilliant, a post he filled for 16 month, being involved in patrol duties chiefly in the North Sea and in the bombardment of the right wing of the German Army on the Belgian coast. The hardship of the posting brought on a serious illness forcing him to give up his ship and he was subsequently assigned to the War Office.
In addition to the British War And Victory medals, Harold was awarded the 1914 Star medal.
Harold died aged 50 at Charing Cross Hospital on 15 November 1917 , after being knocked down by an army vehicle whilst crossing The Mall on the way to his club from the Admiralty . He is buried to the north of St Mary’s Church, Great Witcombe, Gloucestershire. He is commemorated on the Cheltenham War Memorial and All Saints Church, Cheltenham and St Stephen’s’ Church, Cheltenham memorials.
Harold was unmarried and the address given in his will was The Hut, Tetcott, Devon.
Researched by Baden Russell who adds: In compiling the biography on behalf of his daughter, Kim, and granddaughter, Cammie, who agreed to ‘adopt’ Harold’s grave, I wish to thank and acknowledge Dave and Jimmy James for their website ‘Leaving Cheltenham’ and Joe Devereux and Graham Sacker for their book ‘Leaving all that was dear.‘