Same Age - 17

A Deck Hand with H.M. Drifter Lindsell, Arnold died on 3rd of September 1914 at the age of 17. 

Arnold was born at Barnby in 1897, a son of George and Susan Bailey. In 1901 his family lived at Beccles Road, Barnby, and they were still living at Beccles Road in 1911 and Arnold worked as an errand boy. 

Arnold joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 10 August 1914 and served on the steam drifter Lindsell. When he enrolled he stated that his first name was Ernest and this is how he appears on his Royal Naval Reserve service record. 

A Private with 2/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion, Frederick died on 19th of July 1916 at the age of 17. 

Frederick was born at Ipswich about 1899, a son of Albert William and Emily Barkaway. In 1901 his family lived at Anmess' Yard, Stoke Street, Ipswich. By 1911 they had moved to Lowestoft and lived at 8 Jacob's Street Lowestoft.

A Third Hand with Trawler Mistletoe (Lowestoft). William died on 7th of May 1919 at the age of 17. 

William was born at Lowestoft on 14 March 1902, a son of Herbert William and Martha Ellen Barley. He was baptised t Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 13 January 1903 and his family lived at 26 Raglan Street.

William was a pupil at Clapham Road School and from 11 November 1909 he attended Saint Margaret's School, and, at that time, his family lived at Albert Dairy. In 1911 his family lived at 342 Raglan Street, and later at 67 Carlton Road, Pakefield, Lowestoft.

A Boy 1st Class with H.M.S. Hermes, Roy died on 9th of April 1942 aged 17. 

Roy was born at Lowestoft on 14 August 1924, a son of Frederick James and Esther Maria Bennett. In 1939 Roy’s family lived at 9 Marlborough Road and Roy was an errand boy at a grocery. 

A Deck Hand with H.M. Drifter Hastings Castle, Clifford died on 4th of March 1916 at the age of 17. 

Clifford was born at Lowestoft on 20 July 1898, a son of William Arthur and Jane Elizabeth Burgess. In 1901 his family lived at 85 Bevan Street, Lowestoft. By 1911 they were living at New Road, Tolcarne, Newlyn, Cornwall. In 1915 they were living at 46 Sussex Road.

Clifford joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 20 July 1915 and joined the trawler Dreel Castle. On 1 September 1915 he joined the trawler Hastings Castle.

A Cook with Steam Drifter W. A. Massey (Lowestoft), George died on 11th of March 1918 at the age of 17. 

George was born at Lowestoft on 1 October 1900, a son of George Arthur and Ellen Sarah Church. His family lived at 9 Clements Square. By 1911 their home was at 2 Saint Margaret's Plain. By 1914 their home was at Police Station Road and later Ellen lived at 50 Princes Road. 

An Apprentice with S.S. Arndale (Whitby), George died on 10th of June 1915 at the age of 17. 

George was born at Lowestoft in 1898, a son of James and Mary Cleveland. He was baptised at Saint John's Church, Lowestoft, on 24 June 1898 and his family lived at Laundry Lane. They were still living at Laundry Lane in 1901. By 1911 George's father had died and his mother lived at 4 Strand Street, Lowestoft. Later she lived at 3 Spurgeon Street, Lowestoft.

A Civilian, Pauline died on 22nd of July 1941 at the age of 17. 

Pauline was born at Lowestoft on 12 March 1927, a daughter of James William and Emily Cook. In 1921 her parents had lived at 1 May Road and by 1939 they were living at 27 Ontario Road, Lowestoft, and Pauline worked as a factory hand - food packer. Later her parents lived at 26 Ontario Road.  

Pauline died at 42 Lorne Park Road during an air raid.

Note: the back of 42 Lorne Park Road backs onto the back of 27 Ontario Road.

Katie died on 9th August 1915 at the age of 18.

Katie, known as Kate, was born at Pakefield on 24 April 1898, a daughter of Frederick Sidney and Jane Elizabeth Crawford of 18 Oaklands Terrace, Kessingland. 

Katie worked as a live-in kitchen maid for Arthur Stebbings who had a shop at 12 Lovewell Road, Kirkley. 

At 10.30 p.m. on Monday 9th August 1915 a German zeppelin bombed Lowestoft. One of the bombs fell on 12 Lovewell Road and Kate was killed. Her death certificate notes her cause of death as: 

A Fourth Hand with Trawler Willing Boys (Lowestoft), Robert died on 2nd of October 1917 at the age of 17. 

Robert was born at Pakefield in on 27 January 1900, a son of Robert and Alice Edgeley. In 1901 his family lived at 27 Saint George’s Road, Kirkley. Robert was baptised at Saint Peter’s Church, Kirkley, on 12 March 1902. By 1911 his family were living at 25 Saint George’s Road.

During the First World War Robert worked as the Fourth Hand on the trawler Willing Boys, LT 67.

A Civilian, Maurice died on 13th of January 1942 aged 17.

Maurice was born at Lowestoft on 27 September 1924, a son of George Leonard and Evelyn May Garrod. In 1939 his family lived at Tintern House, Chapel Street, and Maurice was a drapery porter.

Maurice was an Air Raid Precautions messenger.  

Maurice died at Morling’s Music Shop, 106 London Road North, during the Waller Raid. 

A Signal Boy with H.M. Drifter Fearless., died on 26th of August 1915 at the age of 17. 

Ernest was born at Lowestoft on 15 July 1898, a son of Thomas William and Edith Gooch. He was baptised at Saint Mark's Church, Oulton Broad, on 15 February 1899. In 1901 his family lived at 60 Victoria Road, Carlton Colville. 

A Deck Hand with Trawler Excel (Lowestoft), Archie died on 4th of June 1915 at the age of 17. 

Archibald, often known as Archie, was born at Framlingham in 1898, a son of William and Catherine Goodwin. In 1901 his family lived at 20 Sandringham Road, Lowestoft. In 1911 Archie, and his sister, lodged at 4 Sandringham Road and he was at school but also worked as a baker's boy/errand boy. 

A Fisherman with the drifter 'Will and Maggie', Wilfred died on 3 November 1914 at the age of 17.

Wilfred was born at Carlton Colville in 1897, a son of George Alfred and Elizabeth Abigail Gower. In 1901 his family lived at 21 Victoria Road, Carlton Colville. By 1914 they had a home at Beccles Road, Carlton Colville. 

A Deck Hand with Steam Trawler Derwent (Boston), James died on 26th of January 1920 at the age of 17. 

James was born at Lowestoft on 2 October 1903, a son of James Henry and Eva Mary Gower. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church on 10 April 1904, and his family lived at 26 Rotterdam Road. The 1911 Census shows James with his maternal grandparents, Thomas and Ellen Wilson, at Pyrancha Cottage, Commodore Road, Oulton Broad. Later his family lived at 68 Carlton Road, Kirkley.

A Civilian, Doris Howe died on 13th of January 1942 at the age of 17. 

Doris was born at Lowestoft on 25 May 1924, a daughter of Percy George Dordy and Edith Mabel Howe. Her family lived at 6 Fir Lane. 

Doris died at London Road North.

A Boy 1st Class with H.M.S. Formidable, Edward died on 1st of January 1915 at the age of 17. 

Edward was born at Lowestoft on 8 April 1897, a son of Robert Capps Jenner and Elsie Capps Jenner. He was baptised at Christchurch, Lowestoft, on 14 November 1897 and his family lived at 25 Spurgeon's Score. By 1911 they were living at 12 Spurgeon Score, and Edward was a fish merchant's errand boy.

Edward joined the Royal Navy, as a Boy 2nd Class, on 28 February 1914. On 6 June 1914 he joined H.M.S. Formidable.  

A Fourth Hand with Sailing Trawler True Vine (Lowestoft), Harry died on 30th of November 1915 at the age of 26.

Harry was born at Broome, Norfolk, on 1 April 1898, a son of Arthur and Harriet Lewell. In 1901 his family lived at Lugg Lane, Broome. From 20 November 1902 Harry attended Broome School. Before 1909 his family lived at Corton. From 16 April 1909 Harry was a pupil at Saint Margaret's School, Lowestoft, and his family lived at 10 Oulton Street, Lowestoft, and this was still their home in 1911. 

A Trimmer with H.M. Drifter Launch Out, Frederick died on 26th of October 1916 at the age of 17. 

Frederick was born at Lowestoft on 30 January 1899, a son of George and Jemima Long. In 1901 his family lived at Rotterdam Road, Lowestoft. Frederick’s mother died in 1902. Frederick’s father married Emma page in 1904. In 1911 his family lived at 10 St Aubyns Road, Lowestoft. Later his parents lived at 31 Saint Peter’s Road, Lowestoft. 

A Cook with Steam Drifter Reliance (Lowestoft), Robert died on 7th of October 1917 at the age of 17. 

Robert was born at Lowestoft in 1900, a son of Robert Willis and Margaret Ellen Lumsdaine. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft, on 28 October 1900 and his family lived at 3 Lincoln’s Buildings, The Beach. His parents married in 1900 and his younger half-siblings all had the surname Willis. By 1911 his family were living at 1 Lincoln’s Buildings, Whapload Road, and later at 194 Clapham Road.

A Driver with 58th (2/1st London) Divisional Train, John died on 13th of July 1916 at the age of 17. 

John was born at Kirkley in 1899, a son of John Frederick and Mahala Meadows. He was baptised at Geldeston on 17 September 1899. In 1901 his family lived at Carlton Road, Pakefield. Later his family lived at Willow Cottage Carlton Colville Lowestoft.

A Fisherman with Drifter Will and Maggie (Lowestoft), Frank died on 3rd of November 1914 at the age of 17. 

Frank was born at Carlton Colville in 1897, a son of George and Griselda Newrick. Frank was baptised at Saint Peter's Church, Carlton Colville, on 12 September 1897. In 1901 his family lived at 25 South Elmham Terrace. In 1911 Frank lived with his sister, Emma Fisher, at South Elmham Terrace. 

A Private with 54th (1/1st East Anglian) Casualty Clearing Station, Charles died on 13th of August 1915 at the age of 17.

Charles was born in Norwich in 1897, a son of Christopher Robert and Emma Oldfield. In 1901 his family lived at Yarmouth Road, Thorpe, Norwich. By 1911 his family were living at Park Hill Road, Oulton, Lowestoft, and Charles worked as a gardener's boy at a nursery (possibly with his father).  

A Private with 3rd Bn. Ernest died on 17th of January 1915 at the age of 17. 

Ernest was born at Lowestoft in 1898, a son of Louisa Mary Oldman. He was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church on 21 September 1899 and his mother lived at 3 Wesleyan Chapel Lane. In 1901 his family were living at 1 Wesleyan Chapel Lane. His mother later married William Edmonds and in 1911 Ernest lived with his mother and step-father at 8 White Horse Street. Later his mother lived at 27 Chapel Street Lowestoft.

A Trimmer with Steam Trawler Labrador (Lowestoft), Emmanuel died on 23rd of January 1915 at the age of 17.

Emmanuel was born at Kirkley in 1897, a son of Stephen George and Isabell Susan Peek. He was baptised at Saint Peter's Church, Kirkley, on 7 December 1897 and his family lived at 96 Pakefield Street. In 1901 they lived at 13 Lorne Road, and by 1911 their home was at 5 Lorne Road, Kirkley.

A Seaman with H.M.S. Cressy, Frederick died on 22nd of September 1914 aged17. 

Frederick was born at Lowestoft on 14 January 1897, a son of Frederick James and Ellen (Nellie) Rudd. In 1901 his family lived at Wood's Loke and by 1915 their home was at 36 Rotterdam Road. Frederick attended Yarmouth Road School, Oulton Broad. 

In 1914 Frederick worked on the trawler Stowe LT 70.  

Frederick joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 9 February 1914. Frederick was called out for service at the start of the First World War and on 3 August 1914 joined H.M.S. Cressy. 

A Boy Cook with H.M. Trawler John Pascoe, Frederick died on 28th of October 1917 at the age of 17. 

Frederick was born at Flixton on 11 March 1900, a son of Robert and Mary Ann Sexbury. In 1901 his family lived at The Street, Flixton. By 1911 they were living at Saint Mary’s Terrace, Flixton Road, Bungay. Later his parents lived at 23 Ipswich Road, Lowestoft, then 62 High Street, and then 44 Princes Road. 

From 8 April 1907 to 18 April 1913 Robert was a pupil at Bungay Boys School. 

A Civilian, Douglas died on 10th of April 1941 aged 17. 

Douglas was born on 29 December 1923, a son of Robert and Kathleen Emma Sherrington. Douglas was probably born at Aldringham with Thorpe, where is father was a Police Constable. By 1939 Douglas’ father had died and his family lived at Denehurst, Park Road, Lowestoft.   

Douglas was a member of a First Aid Post and was injured when the First Aid Post at Till Road was bombed on 9 April 1941, he died the next day at Lowestoft and North Suffolk Hospital.

A Trimmer with H.M. Trawler Glenprosen, Bertie died on 3rd of November 1916 at the age of 17. 

Bertie was born at Barsham, near Beccles, on 17 March 1899, a son of Samuel and Emma Eliza Stebbings. In 1901 his family lived at The Cottage, Roos Hall, Barsham. In 1911 his family lived at Oulton Street, Oulton. Later their home was at 8 Meadow Cottages, Oulton, Lowestoft. 

Bertie joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 14 July 1915, claiming to be two years older than he actually was. He served on the trawler Glenprosen.

A Cook with Sailing Trawler Boy Percy (Lowestoft). Robert died on 13th of May 1916 at the age of 17. 

Robert was born at Corton in 1898, a son of Harry Alfred and Emily Alice Sturman. He was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 18 November 1898 and his family lived at 27 Arnold Street. In 1901 they lived at 40 Mariners Street. By 1911 Robert's father had died and his family lived at 4 Bixley Place, Kirkley. Later his mother lived at 3 Sparhams Buildings, Saint Peter's Street, Lowestoft.

A Private with 7th Bn. Christopher died on 2nd of August 1915 at the age of 17. 

Christopher was born at Lowestoft in 1898, a son of Walter and Maude Mary Wren. In 1901 his family lived at 139 Clapham Road, Lowestoft, and this was Christopher's home throughout his life.

Ernest volunteered soon after the outbreak of war and enlisted in the Suffolk Regiment at Lowestoft. He served with the 7th Battalion and arrived in France with the Battalion on 30 May 1915. 

The War Diary of the 7th Battalion has the following entry for 1 August 1915: