Ernest Huddleston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Ernest Whiteside Huddleston
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| Born | 18 August 1874 Murree, Punjab |
| Died | 10 October 1959 (aged 85) Devon, England |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Royal Indian Marine |
| Rank | Commander |
| Awards | CIE CBE Stanhope Silver Medal |
Captain Sir Ernest Whiteside Huddleston (1874–1959) was an important British naval officer. He served in the Royal Indian Marine, which was like India's navy at the time. He held key positions, including Deputy Director.
Later in his career, he became an adviser to the High Commissioner for India. He also served as an aide-de-camp (a personal assistant) to the Viceroy, who was the highest British official in India.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ernest Whiteside Huddleston was born in 1874 in Murree, a town in the Punjab. At just seven years old, he began attending Bedford Modern School. He studied there from 1881 to 1888.
When he was fourteen, Ernest left school to join the Merchant Navy. This was a fleet of ships that carried goods and passengers around the world.
Ernest Huddleston joined the Merchant Navy in 1888. By 1895, he earned his certificate as a Second Mate. This allowed him to serve as an officer on large ships.
He then joined the Royal Indian Marine. His first service was during a military campaign in Egypt. He also took an officer's course at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich.
In 1897, he was on the troopship Warren Hastings. The ship was wrecked off the coast of Mauritius. Ernest Huddleston played a brave role in rescuing people from the ship. For his courage, he received a silver medal for gallantry from the Royal Humane Society.
Service in Conflicts
Huddleston continued his service in important conflicts. He was part of the China Expedition (1901–02). This expedition aimed to help during the Boxer Rising.
During World War I, he served as a senior officer in charge of marine transport in Bombay (now Mumbai). He was promoted to Captain in 1918. After this, he became the port officer for Madras (now Chennai). In 1924, he was appointed Deputy Director of the Royal Indian Marine. He even served as the acting director for several months in 1925.
Later Roles
After his time in the Royal Indian Marine, Huddleston worked for the Indian Civil Service. He became a shipping surveyor and adviser to the High Commissioner for India in London. He also served as an aide-de-camp to the Viceroy, Lord Reading.
Ernest Huddleston retired from the Royal Navy in 1934. He was knighted in 1939, which means he received the title "Sir."
Family Life
On August 4, 1904, Ernest Huddleston married Elsie Barlow-Smith. They had known each other since they were children in Bedford. Their first child was a daughter named Barbara.
Their son, Trevor Huddleston, was born in Bedford on June 13, 1913. Trevor later became a famous Bishop in Johannesburg, known for his work against apartheid.
Ernest's first wife, Elsie, passed away in 1931. In 1932, he married Lorna Box. Ernest Huddleston died on October 10, 1959, in Devon, England, at the age of 85.
