Leonard Claude Chase

A Deck Hand with Steam Trawler Carry On (Lowestoft), Leonard died on 17th of December 1940 aged 62. 

Leonard was born at Carlton Colville on 10 December 1878, a son of George and Phyllis Ann Elizabeth Chase. He was baptised at Saint Peter’s Church, Carlton Colville, on 26 January 1879. In 1881 his family lived at Ellingham, Norfolk. By 1891 they were living at 4 Peto’s Cottages, Pakefield, and Leonard was an agricultural labourer. In 1901 they lived in a cottage at Grove Farm, Pakefield, and Leonard worked as a fisherman. By 1911 they were living at Marsh Lane, Carlton Colville, and Leonard was a fisherman working on drifters.

Leonard joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 12 December 1914, service number A 7087. Leonard had prior service with the Naval Reserve and had been discharged in 1908. In 1915-1916 Leonard served with H.M.S. Comus and was present at the Battle of Jutland. From 1916 to 1919 he served with H.M.S. Dreel Castle. Leonard was demobilised on 22 July 1919 and awarded a disability pension. In 1920 his pension was converted into a gratuity payment. 

In 1918 Leonard married Laura Mary Berryman. This was registered in the Falmouth district. By 1921 they were living at Dodington Cottages, Carlton Colville, and in 1939 they lived at 2 Council Houses, The Street, Carlton Colville, and Leonard was a fisherman. 

In 1940 Leonard was a Deck Hand with the trawler Carry On. The Carry On was used as a barrage balloon drifter in the Thames Estuary. During the night of 12 December 1940 many mines were dropped into the Thames Estuary and the Carry On was immobilised. A few days later the Carry On was given permission to sail to Sheerness, deliberately sailing at low speed to avoid detonating acoustic mines. On 17 December the trawler was blown up by a mine. All seven of the crew were killed.