John William Tobutt

A Third Hand with Steam Trawler Bass Rock (Aberdeen), John died on 24th of September 1940 aged 36. 

John was born at Lowestoft on 8 January 1904, a son of Maurice and Mary Jane Tobutt. He was baptised at Saint Peter’s Church, Kirkley, on 1 July 1904 and his family lived at 21 Kimberley Road. John had a twin brother, Benjamin. By 1911 his family were living at 5 Chapel Street and this was still their home in 1921 when John was a fisherman working for Leonard Tripp of Old Chapel Street. 

In 1926 John married Florence Louisa King. This was registered in the Mutford district. By 1939 their home was at 1 Well Yard, Saint Peter’s Street, and in 1940 at 2 Minden Road. 

In 1940 John was the Third Hand on the trawler Bass Rock. On 24 September the Bass Rock was sailing off Old Head of Kinsale and was bombed and sunk by enemy aircraft. All four crew, including John, were lost.