Sidney John Freeman

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

Sidney was born at Corton on 21 October 1890, a son of John Isaac and Eliza Freeman. He was baptised at Saint Bartholomew's Church, Corton, on 30 November 1890. In 1891 his family lived at Mill Lane, Corton, and by 1901 at The Cliff, Corton. In 1911 they lived at 2 Rocket Cottages, Corton, and Sidney worked as a gardener's labourer.

Sidney joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 2 September 1915 and served with H.M. Drifter Launch Out. 

The Launch Out was one of a number of Lowestoft trawlers, in the Dover Patrol, that were attacked by German destroyers during the night of 26-27 October 1916. The Launch Out stayed afloat before sinking. Eight crew, including Sidney, were killed and the Skipper, Horace Kemp, died of his wounds two days later. 

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