Able Seaman Claude Alexander Edgar Loader
Royal Navy. HMS Challenger
12/12/1918
Son of Captain Alfred Edgar Loader (ASC) & Mrs
Bridget Loader.
Served in Somaliland Expedition 1908-1910 and Persian
Gulf 1909-14.
One of two brothers who both fell. Brother of Private
Percy
Augustus Loader.
Died of influenza, aged 28
NEWS ITEM in Jersey
Evening Post of Monday 9 November 1914
A Jack Tar's Experience. Claude Loader
of HMS Mermaid arrived in the Island yesterday morning.
He states that his vessel was on patrol duty on the
Belgian coast during the bombardment of the German trenches
between Ostend and Neiuport and gives a vivid description
of his experiences, stating that the "blue jacket"
is having a fairly rough time of it, rendered all the
more tedious by the fact that theirs is a waiting and
watching game. He added that all the men were anxious
to get to grips with the Germans so as to settle once
and for all the question of Naval supremacy. AB Loader
was very sanguine about the ultimate result of the battle
and added that it would be much more interesting for
all concerned if they could only induce the German Navy
to come out. With reference to the fighting proper,
the subject of our interviewee stated that they were
several times shelled by the German shore batteries,
but the shells either fell short or went well over the
vessel. The Falcon, a sister ship, was struck several
times and had to return to England for repairs. Whilst
on the way home the Mermaid fouled a mine searcher and
sustained damage to her stern and as this necessitated
her being docked for repairs the crew were allowed leave
for a few days. Seaman Loader, who wears the Somaliland
Medal hopes to have a chance of meeting the Germans
in a fair and square fight.
NEWS ITEM in Jersey
Evening Post of Friday 21 March 1919
Another Sad Death. The many friends of
Claude Alexander Loader of HMS Challenger, who served
through the Battle of Jutland and other engagements,
will learn with regret that whilst homeward bound he
was seized with influenza and passed away a few days
later.
