Thomas William Dowsing

A Deck Hand with H.M. Drifter Waveney II., Thomas died on 26th of October 1916 at the age of 46. 

Thomas was born at Lowestoft in 1871, a son of Thomas Henry and Mary Ann Dowsing. He was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 7 May 1871. In 1881 his family lived at Wright's Cottages, 1, Beccles Road, Lowestoft. By 1893 his family was living at 3 Ipswich Road, Lowestoft, and Thomas worked as a plumber. 

Thomas married Harriet Burwood at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 24 August 1893. Harriet lived at Milton Road. By 1901 they were living at 9 Chapel Street,. Thomas worked as a house painter. By 1911 they were living at 15 Factory Street, and Thomas worked as a plumber.

Thomas joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 8 September 1915. At the time he, and Harriet, lived at 2 Farrow's Yard, Factory Street. Later Harriet lived at 50 Milton Road, Lowestoft. Thomas served on the 'Waveney II' from 10 September 1915. 

The 'Waveney II' was a net-layer and was one of a number of trawlers, in the Dover Patrol, that were attacked by German destroyers during the night of 26-27 October 1916. The 'Waveney II' was disabled by German destroyers and four crew, including Thomas, killed. The trawler was taken in tow but foundered and sank.   

For details of the attack on the Dover Barrage see: The German attack on the 'Dover Barrage' 26th/27th October 1916 (sussexhistoryforum.co.uk)

Thomas' brother Frederick died in 1917 in the loss of the trawler Willing Boys.