William James Besford

A Skipper, William died on 21st May 1947 at the age of 58.

William was born at Scratby on 10th March 1889, a son of James and Jane Besford. He was baptised at Ormesby Saint Margaret Church on 28th April 1889. In 1901 his family lived at Newport Road, Hemsby.

In June 1912 William married Gertrude Grace Marion Turner.  

William joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 15th February 1915, service number 1186 S.A., and became a Skipper. He served on the requisitioned trawlers Young Archie, Unity, and Sheet Lightning, and was specially noted for his good services rendered in connection with mine clearance on the Belgian Coast. He was discharged on 9th November 1919. 

By 1939 William and Gertrude had settled at Lowestoft and were living at 68 Southwell Road. 

During the Second World War William served with the Royal Naval Reserve. He was appointed Temporary Boom Skipper on 15th July 1940 and Temporary Chief Boom Skipper on 30th June 1942.

In 1947 William was the Skipper on the Trawler Bucentaur. On 21st May 1947 the Bucentaur was involved with a collision with the American merchant/troopship Wilson Victory, sailing from Bremerhaven (for details see Wood v. United States, 125 F. Supp. 42 (S.D.N.Y. 1954) :: Justia ).

The Bucentaur was lost with all hands.