Leading Seaman
John Elliott
GIAMBELLI
Royal Navy
27
John Giambelli was born in St Keverne, Cornwall on 23 March 1903, the son of John Giambelli (a Coastguard Boatman and former Able Seaman, Royal Navy) and Helen Margaret Giambelli (née Cotter). He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class at HMS IMPREGNABLE (the Boys Training Ship) on 10 October 1918. After new entry and basic training, he was drafted to the battleship HMS THESEUS from 1 July 1919 to 5 February 1920 and then to the battle cruiser HMS HOOD from 15 April 1920 to 24 May 1922. Able Seaman Giambelli next served in the destroyer HMS VERITY from 4 December 1923 to 23 November 1925 and in HMS EXCELLENT (the Gunnery School at Whale Island) from 20 February 1926.
He was married in Portsmouth in the 3rd Quarter of 1927 to Violet Winifred Alice Smith. He continued to serve in HMS EXCELLENT until 12 October 1927.
John Giambelli joined HMS DOLPHIN for the Submarine Course on 13 October 1927 and then served in HMS L69 from 11 February 1928. A daughter Patricia Mary Violet was born on 10 August 1928. He was advanced to Leading Seaman on 3 October 1928 and continued to serve in L69 until 29 November 1928, when he rejoined HMS DOLPHIN. John Giambelli joined HMS L23 from 15 March 1929 to 13 December 1930 when he was drafted back to HMS DOLPHIN.
Leading Seaman John Giambelli died from appendicitis and peritonitis in the Royal Naval Hospital at Stonehouse in Plymouth on 1 January 1931.
One Response
John Elliott Giambelli was a Leading Seaman, serving in HMS Dolphin. He left a widow Violet Winifred on his death, & daughter Patricia; he was only 27 years old. Cause of death stated as: general peritonitis & acute appendicitis