John Henry Bidle

A Seaman Steward with H.M. Trawler St. Achilleus. John died on 1st of June 1940 at the age of 37.

John was born at Lowestoft on 18 October 1903, a son of John (Jack) William and Hannah Tyrrell Bidle. In 1911 his family lived at 14 Seago Street, Lowestoft. John attended Saint Andrew's School before, from 14 January 1913, becoming a pupil at Saint John's School until leaving school on 18 December 1914 'to go to work.'

On 6 April 1931 John married Martha Jane Able at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft. John was living at 46 May Road, and working as a fisherman, and Martha lived at 34 Edinburgh Road and was a factory hand. In 1939 Martha lived at 34 Edinburgh Road with her family. 

During World War Two John served on H. M. Trawler St. Achilleus. Early in 1940 war the St. Achilleus had gone to Norway to bring refugees to England. In May 1940 the trawler was working to evacuate troops from Dunkirk and during its third crossing, on 31 May, struck a mine in the Dunkirk area. 

Note: Although it is recorded that the St. Achilleus struck a mine on 31 May 1940, the date of death of the crew that died is given as 1 June 1940.