James Alfred Doy

A Deck Hand with H.M. Trawler Arfon, James died on 30th of April 1917 at the age of 45. 

James was born at Lowestoft on 15 July 1870, a son of Money and Ellen Jane Doy. In 1871 his family lived at 3 Thurston Road, and by 1881 at Saint Peter’s Street. Later his father lived at 93 Seago Street.  

On 1 September 1891 James married Charlotte Butcher at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft. James was a mariner and they both lived at 3 Christchurch Square. By 1897 they were living at 1 Factory Court. By 1911 they were living at 9 North East Cottages, Brighton Street, Hull, and later Charlotte lived at 6 Camberwell Avenue, Brighton Street, Hull. 

James took two years off his age when he joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 24 January 1916 and he served on the trawler Arfon. On 30 April 1917 the Arfon was sailing off Saint Alban’s Head, Dorset, and struck a mine and exploded. Ten crew, including James, died, and three others were rescued.  

James' brother in law, Frederick Fisher, served in the Royal Naval Reserve and died in 1918.

Note: some sources give the family name as Doye.