Edward Thomas Starrett was born in Londonderry in Northern Ireland on 2 July 1909, the son of William Robert Starrett (a policeman in the Royal Ulster Constabulary) and his American born wife Elizabeth Starrett (née MaComb).  At the time of the 1911 Census the family was living at 31 Grafton Street in Londonderry.  

After leaving school Edward Starrett joined the Royal Navy as an Engine Room Artificer with the official number D/MX 48345.  The date of his joining submarines in not known but, on 21 April 1941 he was serving as an Engine Room Artificer 2^nd Class in HMS REGENT (1^st Submarine Flotilla) at Malta when the Submarine was involved in an unsuccessful rescue attempt of a British Minister at Kotor in Yugoslavia.  For his part in this Edward Starrett was awarded a Mention in Despatches (London Gazette dated 30 September 1941).  He was later awarded a Distinguished Service Medal for having completed eight Mediterranean War Patrols in HMS REGENT (London Gazette dated 5 May 1942.  At some point after leaving REGENT Edward Starrett was advanced to Acting Chief Engine Room Artificer and was drafted to the Submarine Depot Ship HMS MAIDSTONE (8^th Submarine Flotilla) at Algiers ‘for Submarine HMS P615’.  

On 18 April 1943 HMS P615 was on patrol off the West Coast of Africa when the submarine was torpedoed by the U-Boat U-123 and was sunk with all hands.  

According to the Commonwealth War Graves Records his Next of Kin was Eva Starrett of Brighton, Victoria.  No record of a marriage has yet been located.  According to Probate Records Edward Starrett lived at 26, Shipquay Street, Londonderry, Northern Ireland and he left his estate to Elizabeth Starrett – his mother.