James Alfred Ashby

A Third Hand with sailing Trawler Chrysolite (Lowestoft), James died on 4th of July 1917 at the age of 31. 

James was born at Oulton on 4 January 1884, a son of Edward and Emma Ashby. He was baptised at Saint Michael’s Church, Oulton, on 3 February 1884 and his family lived at Oulton. In 1891 his family lived at Yarmouth Road, Oulton. By 1901 they were living at Woods Loke and James was a fisherman.  

On 20 October 1906 James married Gertrude Eliza Cook at Saint Peter’s Church, Kirkley. James was a fisherman and they both lived at Kirkley. By 1911 they were living at 2 The Avenue, Kirkley.  

On 4 July 1917 the Chrysolite was fishing four nautical miles off Haisbro Lightship. The trawler struck a mine and sank. Five of the crew were killed. 

James’ half-brother, Jonas Annis, died in 1917 whilst serving with the Machine Gun Corps.