John Henry Chapman

A Boatswain with Steam Trawler Exeter (Lowestoft), John died on 29th March 1941 aged 41. 

John was born at Pakefield on 28 August 1899, a son of John and Alice Chapman. He was baptised at All Saints’ Church, Pakefield, on 11 February 1900. In 1911 his family lived at 4 Beach Street, Pakefield. In 1918 John lived at 73 Pakefield Street. By 1939 his mother was living at 45 Corton Road. 

John served with Y Section of the navy and on 6 June 1918 he joined the Royal Naval Reserve, number DA 20657. He served as a Deck Hand on the trawler Fiery Cross and was demobilised on 30 April 1920. 

On 10 May 1933 John married Hilda Mildred Gwenith Allen at All Saints’ Church, Pakefield. John was a fisherman living at 73 Pakefield Street and Hilda lived at 34 Church Road. In 1939 they lived at 46 All Saints’ Street, Pakefield. Later Hilda lived at Somerleyton.  

In 1941 John was the Boatswain on the trawler Exeter. On 29 March 1941 the Exeter was fishing five miles south of the Ballycotton Light Vessel when it was bombed and sunk by German aircraft with the loss of all nine crew.