Samuel John Saunders

A Deck Hand with H.M.S. Vigorous. Samuel died on 18th of October 1918 at the age of 19. 

Samuel was born at Lowestoft on 9 April 1897, a son of William John and Eliza Saunders. He was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 5 May 1899 and his family lived at Malsters Score. By 1901 they were living at 3 Spurgeon's Score and by 1911 at 1 Florence Terrace, Saint John's Road. By 1915 their home was at 12 Raglan Street. 

Samuel joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 31 August 1915 and served on the trawler Daily Bread. On 26 November 1915 he joined the Eskburn. He joined the Reward on 12 May 1916. he then joined the Satellite, on 6 October 1917; the Samuel Spencer on 31 December 1917.

Samuel contracted influenza and was admitted to the Royal Naval Sick Quarters at Larne (H.M.S. Vigorous) on 11 October 1918. He then developed pneumonia which proved fatal.