Heroes and Rebels in the Family Tree—The Crew of the Fishing Trawler “Labrador”

 Heroes and Rebels in the Family Tree—The Crew of the Fishing Trawler “Labrador”

 

On 23 January 1915 the trawler Labrador, LT 1165, left Lowestoft for the fishing grounds. The trawler was due back in Lowestoft on Sunday 31^st in order for her catch to be ready for the Monday market. The trawler was not seen again and it was presumed that the trawler had struck a mine and sank with all eight crew. 

The eight crewmembers who perished were: Skipper, Stephen Peek – Mate, Henry George Adams (age 34) – 1st Engineer, Albert John Newstead – 2nd Engineer, Harry G. Sparks – Trimmer, Emanuel Stephen Peek – Third-Hand, Felix Frankling – Deckhand, Fredrick W. Rushmore – Cook, Samuel Martin.

The body of the skipper Stephen Peak was later brought up in the trawl nets of Kestrel.

Here is the account of the tragedy as originally published in "The Lowestoft Journal and Suffolk County Record, Saturday, 13 February 1915"

LOSS OF A LOWESTOFT STEAM TRAWLER. FATE OF THE LABRADOR. SKIPPER'S BODY FOUND.

For some days there had been grave fears for the safety of the Lowestoft steam trawler "Labrador", a smart iron vessel of 62 tons register, owned by Mr. W. Robbens of Lowestoft. She left Lowestoft for the fishing grounds on January 23rd, and was expected back on Sunday, the 31st., in order to have her catch ready for Monday market. She did not turn up, however, and as the days went by it became almost certain that she had been lost. Confirmation of the sad surmise came to hand on Monday when the steam trawler "Kestrel", of Grimsby returned to that port, and the skipper stated that while fishing in the North Sea, the body of a man was brought up in the trawl. There were no papers on the body, which was described as that of a middle-aged man of about 5ft. 10in. high, with fair complexion, sandy hair and a moustache. On the left forearm was tatooed, Welcome, LT. 713." This description tallies with that of the skipper of the "Labrador", Stephen Peek, of Lorne Road, Kirkley, who was known to have his left arm tatooed as stated. How the "Labrador" met her fate is not known. She was sighted some four or five days after leaving harbour, but since then she had not been seen and no traces of the wreckage have been found. The assumption is that she was mined, as a strong vessel such as she was would scarcely founder owing to stress of weather, and if there had been a collision news would have come to hand. In view of the finding of the skipper's body the vessel has now been officially posted as missing. She carried a crew of eight hands, namely, Stephen Peek, the skipper (married); George Adams, mate (married), St. George's Road, Pakefield; John Newstead, chief engineer (married), 95 Allison Road, Yarmouth; Sparks, second engineer (married), Lorne Road, Kirkley; Felix Franklin, third hand (married), 13 Stanford Street, Lowestoft; William Rushmere, deck hand (single), Pakefield; Stephen Peek, trimmer (son of the skipper); and George Martin, steward (married), St. George's Road, Pakefield.
The fullest sympathy will go out to those who have been bereaved through this latest of the disasters that have overtaken Lowestoft vessels during the past seven or eight months.

Unfortunately, the newspaper made a mistake in the report which the local record office will not correct even in their records, as George Martin reported in the article is actually Samuel James Martin, and that is confirmed by the Commonwealth War Graves whose name is on the Tower Hill Memorial in London for the fishermen that lost their lives in WW1.

From the War Graves Commission.
In Memory of Samuel Martin, Cook
Steam Trawler "Labrador" (Lowestoft), Mercantile Marine
who died on Saturday, 23rd January 1915.
Regiment: Mercantile Marine

Stephen George Peek

A Skipper with Steam Trawler Labrador (Lowestoft), Stephen died on January 23, 1915 at the age of 42. 

Son of Emmanuel Peek 1848-1915 and Mary Ann Elizabeth Tubby 1849-1894. Stephen was born in 1873 in Kirkley, Suffolk, England and was baptised at Saint Peter's Church, Kirkley, on December 7, 1873. In 1881 he lived with his grandmother at 9 Barn Lane, Pakefield.

On April 7, 1896 Stephen married Isabell Susan Haylock at Saint Peter's Church, Kirkley. Stephen was a fisherman and they both lived at Kirkley. In 1901 they lived at 13 Lorne Road, and Stephen was a fisherman, and by 1911 their home was at 5 Lorne Road, Kirkley.

Stephen and Isabel had eight children.  They were:

1.      Emanuel Stephen George Peek 1897–1915

2.      Hilda Susan Peek 1899–1981

3.      Ernest William John Peek 1900-1901

4.      Lilly May Peek 1901-1902

5.      Gladys Ann Peek 1904-1976

6.      John William Peek 1907–1982

7.      Walter Robert Peek 1910–1968

8.      Dorothy Elizabeth May Peek 1912-1991

On Jamuary 23, 1915 the trawler Labrador, LT 1165, left Lowestoft for the fishing grounds. The trawler was due back in Lowestoft on Sunday 31st. The trawler was not seen again and it was presumed that the trawler had struck a mine and sank with all eight crew. 

On February 1, 1915 the Grimsby trawler Kestrel recovered a body. The physical description and the fact that the body had 'Welcome LT 713' a tattooed on the left arm, meant that it was identified as Stephen's body. 

Stephen's son, Emmanuel Stephen, also died in the loss of the Labrador. 

Genealogy: Stephen George Peek 1873-1915 was the son of Emmanuel Peek 1848-1915 and his brother was Edward William Peek 1847-1897 and his wife was Mary Ann Forster 1848-1894 and her father was Samuel Forster 1825-1907 and his brother was Thomas Forster 1837-1888 and his daughter was Caroline Forster 1864-1906.

Emmanuel Stephen George Peek

A Trimmer with Steam Trawler Labrador (Lowestoft), Emmanuel died on January 23, 1915 at the age of 17.

Emmanuel was born at Kirkley in November 7, 1897, the son of Stephen George Peek 1873-1915 and Isabell Susan Haylock 1875-1965. He was baptised at Saint Peter's Church, Kirkley, on December 7, 1897 and his family lived at 96 Pakefield Street. In 1901 they lived at 13 Lorne Road, and by 1911 their home was at 5 Lorne Road, Kirkley.  Emmanuel Peek never married, having died at a young age.

Samuel James Martin

A Cook with Steam Trawler Labrador (Lowestoft), Samuel died on January 23, 1915 at the age of 52. 

Samuel was born at Pakefield in October1861, the son of Henry Lincoln Martin 1838-1872 and Matilda Knights 1838-1932. In 1871 his family lived at 10 Sustins Cottages, High Street, Pakefield. In 1881 they lived at 11 Stone Alley, Pakefield, and Samuel was a fisherman, like his father. 

On 25 December 1889 Samuel married Alice Sophia Turner at All Saints' Church, Pakefield. Samuel was a fisherman and lived at Pakefield. Alice lived at Kirkley. In 1891 they lived at 1 Beach Street, Pakefield, and Samuel worked as a fisherman. In 1901 they lived at 27 Pakefield Street and Samuel was a bricklayer's labourer and by 1911 they were living at 77 Saint George's Road, Kirkley. Together, Samuel and Alice had ten children.   They were:

1.      George Henry Martin 1891–1891

2.      Florence May Martin 1892–1965

3.      Ada Matilda Martin 1895–1969

4.      Alice Mary Martin 1896–

5.      Emmerline Martin 1898–

6.      Frederick Samuel James Martin 1902–1944

7.      Lily Maud Martin 1906–

8.      Jessie May Martin 1910–1912

9.      Arthur E Martin 1912–

10.  Ada Annie Martin 1913–2004

Samuel’s brother-in-law, Samuel Turner, was killed in action in 1917 whilst serving with the 9th Battalion Suffolk Regiment.

Genealogy:  Samuel James Martin 1861-1915 was the brother of Stephen Henry Martin 1868-1960 and his son was Arthur Edward Martin 1912-1987 and his wife was Violet Irene Doy 1917-1999 and her father was Charles Henry Doy Sr. 1879-1916 and his mother was Harriet Elizabeth Adams 1855-1913 and her brother was William Frederick Adams 1848-1907 and his son was George "Pikey" William Welch-Adams 1867-1940.

Henry George Adams

A Mate with Steam Trawler Labrador (Lowestoft), Henry died on January 23, 1915 at the age of 34. 

Henry was born at Pakefield on June 14, 1881, the son of Henry George Adams 1856-1920 and Sarah Gilby 1860-1907. Henry was baptised at All Saints' Church, Pakefield, on July 13, 1884. Henry attended Cunningham Infants School from August 27, 1884 and Cunningham Mixed School from June 25, 1888. In 1891 his family lived at 10 Beach Street, Pakefield, and by 1901 were living at 51 Tonning Street. Henry was a fisherman. 

On August 29, 1907 Henry married Ruth Maria Barber at Saint Peter's Church, Kirkley. Henry was working as a fisherman and they both lived at Kirkley. By 1911 they were living at 9 Saint Georges Road, Lowestoft. Henry and Ruth were not known to have children.  After Henry's death Ruth remarried George Samuel Scott.

Genealogy:  Henry George Adams 1881-1915 was the son of Henry George Adams 1856-1920 and his father was John Adams 1824-1882 and his brother was William Adams 1818-1841 and his wife was Elizabeth Leggett 1818-1867 and her father was James Leggett 1795-1875 and his father was William Leggitt 1771-1842 and his father was William Leggett 1742-1820 and his father was Jonathan Leggett 1710-1756 and his father was Nicholas Legget 1678-1710 and his mother was Anne Lewes 1650-1730 and her brother was Thomas Lewis 1645-1688 and his daughter was Elisabeth Luis 1675-1753 and her daughter was Mary Frankling 1718-1768 and her son was John Copeman 1753-1830 and his son was William Copeman 1792-1876 and his daughter was Anne Copeman 1817-1891 and her son was George Albert Mann 1853-1942.

Harry Grice Sparkes

A Second Engineer with Steam Trawler Labrador (Lowestoft), Harry died on January 23, 1915 at the age of 25.

Harry was born at Hales, Norfolk, on May 27, 1890, the son of Alfred Thomas Sparkes 1849-1932 and Emily Grice 1847- . He was baptised at Heckingham, Norfolk, on June 22, 1890 and his family lived at Heckingham. In 1891 his family were living at Yarmouth Road, Hales. By 1901 they had moved to 6 Carlton Road, Carlton Colville, and this was still their home in 1911 when Harry worked as a herring fisherman. 

On August 18, 1912 Harry married Bessie Simmons at Saint Peter's Church, Kirkley. Harry was working as a fisherman and they both lived at Kirkley. Their children were:

1.      Evelyn C M Sparkes 1913-1958

2.      Ellen E Sparkes 1915-

 After Harry's death Bessie lived at 1 Wycombe Terrace, Saint Georges Road, Kirkley, Lowestoft.  And she later married Frank Edward Gotts in 1921. 

Genealogy: Harry Grice Sparkes 1890-1915 was the husband of Bessie Simmons 1891-1952 and her mother was Rachel Anna (Annie) Colby 1864-1908 and her mother was Rachel Hannah Martin 1841-1925 and her brother was Henry Lincoln Martin 1838-1872 and his son was Stephen Henry Martin 1868-1960 and his son was Arthur Edward Martin 1912-1987 and his wife was Violet Irene Doy 1917-1999 and her father was Charles Henry Doy Sr. 1879-1916 and his mother was Harriet Elizabeth Adams 1855-1913 and her brother was William Frederick Adams 1848-1907 and his son was George "Pikey" William Welch-Adams 1867-1940.

Felix Frankling

A Third Hand with Steam Trawler Labrador (Lowestoft), Felix died on January 23, 1915 at the age of 31.

Felix was born at Kirkley on March 10, 1884, the son of William Strutt Frankling 1846-1923 and Phoebe Comer Jarvis 1847-1914. Felix was baptised at Saint Peter's Church, Kirkley, on April 9, 1886 and his family lived at Saint Georges Road. Note the baptism register gives his surname as Franklin.  In 1891 his family lived at 49 Lawson Road, Kirkley, and by 1901 their home was at 1 Church Road, Kirkley. 

On February 23, 1907 Felix married Eleanor Sprigg at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft. Felix was working as a fisherman and the both lived at 6 Till Road, Lowestoft. By 1911 they were living at 13 Stanford Street. Felix and Eleanor had two children.  They were:

1.      Felix William John Frankling 1908-1951

2.      Ehel Elizabeth M Frankling 1911-1975

After Felix's death Eleanor married, Harry Ince in 1921, and lived at 4 Coronation Terrace, Pakefield Street, Lowestoft.

In 1911 Felix was the Third Hand on the trawler Coriander at Padstow. 

Genealogy: Felix Frankling 1884- was the father of Ethel Elizabeth M Frankling 1911-1975 and her husband was Stanley Gordon Rose 1907-1992 and his father was Samuel James Rose 1867-1920 and his father was Samuel James Rose 1841-1903 and his mother was Rose Titlow Smith 1820-1867 and her mother was Mary Ann Green 1790-1870 and her mother was Ann Burwood 1763-1847 and her father was David Burwood 1731-1818 and his mother was Judith Salter 1707-1773 and her mother was Judith Farrow 1680-1718 and her mother was Anne Mewse 1654- and her father was Philip Mewse 1629-1673 and his brother was Simon Mewse (butcher) 1641-1719 and his son was Simon Mewse (butcher) 1672-1741 and his son was Simon Mewse 1695-1736 and his daughter was Mary Mewse 1727-1797 and her daughter was Elizabeth Curtis 1756-1831 and her son was John Curtis Adams 1797-1873 and his son was William Frederick Adams 1848-1907 and his son was George "Pikey" William Welch-Adams 1867-1940,

Frederick William James Rushmore

A Deck Hand with Steam Trawler Labrador (Lowestoft), Frederick died on January 23, 1915 at the age of 34.

Frederick was born at Pakefield on October 5, 1881, the son of William Frederick Rushmore 1859-1942 and Elizabeth Ann Warford 1861-1947. He was baptised at All Saints' Church, Pakefield, on November 13, 1881. Frederick attended Cunningham Infants School from April 13, 1885 and, from June 25, 1888, Cunningham Mixed School. In 1891 his family lived at 2 Beach Street, Pakefield. 

On January 3, 1910 Frederick married Florence Ethel Taylor at Saint Peter's Church, Kirkley. Frederick was a fisherman and they both lived at Kirkley. By 1911 they were living at 6 Wilson Road, Kirkley, and Frederick was a drift net fisherman. Frederick and Florence had one daughter during their marriage.  She was:

1.      Irene Rushmore 1910-

After Frederick's death, Florence married Charles William Smith in 1919 and lived at 69 Pakefield Street, Lowestoft.

Frederick's brother John died in 1941 in the loss of the Fishing Vessel Westfield.

Genealogy: Frederick William James Rushmore 1881-1915 was the son of Elizabeth Ann Warford 1861-1947 and her mother was Griselda Tyrrell 1835-1930 and her mother was Elizabeth Day Burwood 1791-1877 and her father was Henry Bell Burwood (Fish Merchant/Boat Builder) 1766-1851 and his father was George Burwood 1743-1823 and his mother was Judith Salter 1707-1773 and her mother was Judith Farrow 1680-1718 and her mother was Anne Mewse 1654- and her father was Philip Mewse 1629-1673 and his brother was Simon Mewse (butcher) 1641-1719 and his son was Simon Mewse (butcher) 1672-1741 and his son was Simon Mewse 1695-1736 and his daughter was Mary Mewse 1727-1797 and her daughter was Elizabeth Curtis 1756-1831 and her son was John Curtis Adams 1797-1873 and his son was William Frederick Adams 1848-1907 and his son was George "Pikey" William Welch-Adams 1867-1940.

The crew were commemorated at the Tower Hill Memorial, London England.  The Tower Hill Memorial commemorates men of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets who have no known grave, stands on the south side of the garden of Trinity Square, London, close to The Tower of London.