George William Bunn

An Engineman with H.M. Drifter George V, George died on 3rd of June 1917 at the age of 39. 

George was born at Kessingland on 4 July 1878, a son of George and Ellen Bunn. He was baptised at Saint Edmund’s Church, Kessingland, on 28 July 1878. In 1891 his family lived at Market Place, Kessingland, and George was a general labourer. In 1901 their address was Old Market, Kessingland, and George was a fisherman. In 1911 their address was Market Place, Kessingland, and George was a drift fishing engine driver.

George joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 4 September 1915 and served on the trawler Osprey until 19 November 1915 when he joined the trawler King George V. On 3 June 1917 the trawler was ‘hauling’ mines in the Dover Strait when one blew up and sank the trawler. Eight men, including George, were killed and one man was wounded but survived.