Thomas John Smith

A Skipper with sailing trawler Chrysolite, Thomas died on 4th of July 1917 at the age of 44. 

Thomas was born at Corton on 21 December 1872, a son of Samuel and Betsy Smith. He was baptised at Saint Bartholomew’s Church, Corton, on 5 January 1873. In 1881 his family lived at High Street, Corton. In 1891 they were living at 31 Cambridge Road and Thomas was a mariner. 

In 1898 Thomas married Ellen Margaret Day. In 1901 they lived at 9 Melbourne Road and Thomas was a fisherman. By 1911 their home was at 96 Morton Road.

In 1911 Thomas was the master of the trawler Fern at Padstow.

On 4 July 1917 the Chrysolite was fishing four nautical miles off Haisbro Lightship. The trawler struck a mine and sank. Five of the crew were killed.