Clement Minister

A Skipper with H.M. Drifter Oceans Gift II, Clement died on 30th of August 1917 at the age of 29. 

Clement was born at Carlton Colville on 7 February 1888, a son of William and Annie Minister. In 1891 his family lived at Bell Corner, Carlton Colville, and by 1901 they were living at Primrose Cottage, Chapel Road, Carlton Colville. Later his parents lived at Pond Farm, Mutford.

On 7 February 1911 Clement married Winifred Maud Castleton at Saint Peter’s Church, Carlton Colville. Clement was a fisherman and they both lived at Carlton Colville. In 1915 they lived at 1 Cotmer Road, Carlton Colville. Later Winifred lived at 65 Carlton Road and then at Belvoir Cottages, Carlton Colville. 

In 1911 Clement was awarded his certificate of competency as a skipper.

Clement joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 26 January 1915. He served as the Second Hand on the trawler Jessman until July 1917 when he was promoted to Temporary Skipper. On 15 July 1917 he became the Skipper of the drifter Ocean’s Gift II.  

On 30 August 1917 the Ocean’s Gift was sailing off the Wash when a fire occurred on board: some sources suggest this was caused by an explosion. Clement was reported missing, feared killed, as a consequence of the fire that destroyed the drifter. 

Clement's name appears on the war memorial at Saint Margaret's Church.