Claude Robert Ernest Wylie

A Second Hand with H.M. Drifter Maida., Claude died on 16th of March 1940 at the age of 38. 

Claude was born at Lowestoft on 26 October 1901 (note: this is the date shown on numerous sources, however the Kirkley baptism register states 24 November), a son of Robert and Florence Louisa Wylie. He was baptised at Saint Peter's Church, Kirkley, on 26 December 1901 and his family lived at 12 Beaconsfield Road. Later they lived at 15 Saint John Street, Kirkley. The 1911 Census shows Claude, and siblings, visiting relatives at 17 Woodstock Road, Finsbury, London. From 15 October 1913 Claude attended Lowestoft School of Science.

In 1921 Claude was lodging at Willingham with his uncle and aunt and he worked, for his father, as a fisherman. 

Claude married Ruth Evelyn Briggs at Saint Peter's Church, Kirkley, on 9 August 1926. The marriage register states that they were both living at Kirkley and that Claude was a spaman. By 1939 they were living at 80 Kimberley Road and Claude worked as a fisherman.  

The Maida was used in minesweeping duties and was sunk by a mine off Margate, ten miles east of North Foreland. Six of the crew, including Claude, were killed and six rescued by the minesweeping drifter Mare.