James William Wilson

A Cook with Fishing Vessel Research (Lowestoft), James died on 17th of May 1916 at the age of 62.

James was born at Lowestoft on 16 April 1853, a son of John and Mary Ann Wilson. He was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 1 May 1853. In 1861 his family lived at Infirmary Plain, Lowestoft. By 1871 James' family were living at 3 Turner's Court, Factory Lane, Lowestoft, and James was a scavenger. In 1881 James lived with his sister, Hannah Balls, and her husband, Alfred, at 9 The Hemplands, Lowestoft, and James worked as a general labourer. 

In 1891 James was still working as a general labourer and living with his sister Hannah, and family, at Bishops Buildings, Lowestoft. In 1901 they were living at 25 Crown Street, and James was a general labourer. In 1911 James was living with his sister Hannah, and her children, at 6 Edinburgh Road, Lowestoft, and James was a general labourer. 

James was the Cook on the sailing trawler Research, LT 1028. On 17 May 1916 the Research spotted a submarine, UB-18, about two miles away. The submarine closed on the trawler and fired. The Skipper of the Research, George Smith, ordered the crew to get their small boat out, which they did under fire from the submarine. Just as the boat was ready to be launched a shot hit the trawler in the rigging and brought down the mainsail. Pieces of shell hit three of the crew, killing James outright and wounding the others. The crew managed to get clear and took James' body with them. The submarine then sank the trawler. 

Some local newspaper reports state that the 'Research' was fired on without any warning. James was buried at Lowestoft on 22 May 1916.