John Ernest Bessey

A Deck Hand with H.M. Drifter Pelagia, John died on 28th of November 1916 at the age of 37. 

John was born at Oulton on 21 February 1879, a son of John and Phoebe Bessey. He was baptised at Saint Michael’s Church, Oulton on 30 March 1879. In 1881 his family lived at 16 South Elmham Terrace, Oulton Broad, and by 1901 at 94 Cambridge Road. In 1911 the family lived at 143 Saint Margaret's Road, and John was a drift net fisherman.

In 1912 John married Sarah Ellen Pye: this was registered in the Loddon district. By 1915 they lived at 19 Church Road, Lowestoft. In 1918 Sarah married Benajamin Savage and lived at Hull. 

John joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 6 October 1915 and served with the trawler Evening Primrose before joining the Pelagia on 14 October 1915.  

On 28 November 1916 the Pelagia was sailing around one mile south-east of the Nab Light Vessel and struck a mine and sank. All twelve of the crew were killed.

John's brother Edward died during a Lowestoft air raid in World War Two.