Edward Clarke

A Mate with Sailing Trawler Boy Percy (Lowestoft). Edward died on 13th of May 1916 at the age of 35. 

Edward was born at Gillingham in 1880, a son of Charles and Esther Clarke. In 1881 his family lived at Gillingham and by 1891 they were living at Flixton Road, Blundeston. By 1901 they were living at 34 Stevens Street, Lowestoft, and this was still their home in 1911. 

On 7 January 1904 Edward married Edith Emma Thompson at All Saints' Church, Pakefield. Edward was a fisherman living at Lowestoft and Edith lived at Pakefield. By 1911 their home was at 54 Wilson Road, Kirkley. Later Edith lived at 3 Black Street, and in 1921 at 31 Carlton Road, Pakefield. 

Edward was the Mate 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.  

Edward's brother Walter was lost in 1920 with the trawler Derwent.