Robert Henry Richard Sturman

A Cook with Sailing Trawler Boy Percy (Lowestoft). Robert died on 13th of May 1916 at the age of 17. 

Robert was born at Corton in 1898, a son of Harry Alfred and Emily Alice Sturman. He was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 18 November 1898 and his family lived at 27 Arnold Street. In 1901 they lived at 40 Mariners Street. By 1911 Robert's father had died and his family lived at 4 Bixley Place, Kirkley. Later his mother lived at 3 Sparhams Buildings, Saint Peter's Street, Lowestoft.

Robert was the Cook on the trawler Boy Percy. On 13 May 1916 the sailing trawler Boy Percy, LT 90, sailed from Lowestoft for the fishing grounds. 

Jan Letten’s website, wrecksite.eu, suggests that the Boy Percy, along with the trawler Boy Sam, were scuttled off Southwold on 17 May 1916. This seems to be based on a report from the German Navy which indicates that the Boy Percy was stopped by submarine UB-29, the crew forced to take to lifeboats and the trawler sunk. 

The Boy Percy had been due back at Lowestoft on 21/22 May and whatever actually happened none of the crew were seen again.