Sidney Richard Ayers

A Deck Hand with H.M. Drifter Launch Out. Sidney died on 26th of October 1916 at the age of 26. 

Sidney was born at Lowestoft on 23 September 1889, a son of Thomas and Bessie H. Ayers. In 1891 his family lived at 132 Saint Peter’s Street and this was still their home in 1901.

In 1911 Sidney was the fourth hand on the Lowestoft trawler Ivan, at Padstow, Cornwall. 

On 25 December 1913 Sidney married Sarah Alice Whatling at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft. Sidney was a smacksman and they were both living at 132 Saint Peter’s Street. By 1915 they were living at 25 Till Road. Later Sarah lived at 96 Carlton Road.

Sidney joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 1 September 1915 and served with the trawler Launch Out.  

In 1916 the Launch Out was part of a fleet of trawlers that maintained the anti-submarine barrage across the Dover Strait. On the night of 26-27 October 1916 German destroyers attacked the barrage with the intent of causing maximum damage to the trawlers. 

The Launch Out was in the vicinity of the 9 A Buoy, at the southern end of the Sandettie Bank, when attacked. The trawler was sunk. Eight of the nine crew, including John, were killed and the other man later died of his wounds.   

For details of the attack on the Dover Barrage see: The German attack on the 'Dover Barrage' 26th/27th October 1916 (sussexhistoryforum.co.uk)