Frederick Charles Sayer
A Skipper with H.M. Trawler Gabir, Frederick died on 24th of May 1918 at the age of 34.
Frederick was born at Carlton Colville on 19 March 1884, a son of Charles and Alice Sayer. His family has not been traced in the 1891 Census, but in 1901 they were living at 7 Victoria Road, Carlton Colville, and Frederick, like his father, was a wherryman.
On 13 September 1908 Frederick married Maria May Breach at Saint Margaret’s Church. Frederick was a fisherman and they both lived at Whapload Road. In 1911 their home was at 2 Swiss Cottage, Whapload Road. Frederick was awarded his certificate of competency as a skipper in 1912. By 1915 they were living at 59 Trafalgar Street. Later Maria lived at 130 Denmark Road, and subsequently she lived at 5 Sunshine Terrace, Oulton Broad.
Frederick joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 23 September 1915. Initially he served as a Deck Hand with the trawler Avon. He was promoted to Second Hand on 15 June 1916 and joined the trawler Mana Prince. The Mana Prince has not been traced, but may be an alternative name for the Q-Ship Mana, also known as the Goblin. On 17 February 1917 he joined Q 23, also known as the Result, and on 3 March 1917 he joined the trawler Victoria Regina. Frederick was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, London Gazette 29 June 1917, for his work in minesweeping operations between 1 July 1916 and 31 March 1917.
On 11 June 1917 Frederick was promoted to Temporary Skipper. He joined the minesweeping trawler North King on 8 July 1917, and the Garnet on 1 October 1917. Frederick joined the trawler Desiree on 1 November 1917, and, on 1 January 1918, he joined the trawler Thomas Ansell. Frederick took command of the trawler Gabir on 1 March 1918.
On 24 May 1918 the Gabir was patrolling off Pakefield and struck a mine. Frederick, and another man, were killed in the explosion and three seriously injured.
Frederick’s brother-in-law, John Breach, served in the Suffolk Regimen and died in 1914.
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Frederick Sayer
130
Denmark Road
Lowestoft
United Kingdom
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