Joseph Rodgers

A Trimmer with Steam Trawler Derwent (Boston), Joseph died on 26th of January 1920 at the age of 23. 

Joseph was born at Liverpool on 2 June 1896, a son of Thomas and Margaret Rodgers. In 1901 his family lived at 66 Beacon Lane, Everton. In 1911 they lived at 24 Calder Street, Liverpool, and Joseph was a grocer’s errand boy. By 1915 they were living at 12 Copeland Street, Liverpool. 

On 5 August 1917 Joseph married Norah Ethel Poll at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft. Joseph was an Able Seaman with H.M.S. P. 32, and Norah lived at 22 Duke’s Head Street. Their home was at 17 Arnold Street, Lowestoft. 

Joseph joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 15 November 1915. He served as a Seaman, service number 8730A. Joseph served at H.M.S. Victory until 25 December 1915 when he joined H.M.S. Excellent. He joined H.M.S. P. 32, a P-Class patrol boat, on 1 April 1916 and returned to H.M.S. Victory on 1 July 1917, then, on 1 January 1919 he joined H.M.S. Heythrop (under H.M.S. Pekin) and was involved in mine clearance work. He was demobilized on 1 September 1919 but kept up his enrolment with the Royal Naval Reserve and was still engaged with the reserve when he died.  

In 1920 Joseph worked on the Grimsby registered trawler Derwent, GY 525. The trawler was reported missing on 26 January 1920 and is thought to have struck a mine. The vessel was lost with all ten crew.