James Ernest Winfield

A Deck Hand with Fishing Vessel S.D.J. (Lowestoft), James died on 11 May 1947, aged 29.

James was born at Newark, Peterborough, in 1918, a son of William and Maria Winfield. In 1921 his family lived at New Road, Newark, Peterborough. In 1939 his family lived at Wadenhoe, near Oundle.

On 26 December 1940 James married Pearl Elizabeth Curtis at All Saints’ Church, Pakefield. James was a blacksmith based at Christchurch Barracks, Hampshire, and Pearl lived at 14 Nelson Terrace. 

During the Second World War James joined the Northamptonshire Regiment, service number 5885533, and was transferred to the Durham Light Infantry. James saw active service with the Eighth Army in North Africa, Sicily and North-West Europe. 

In May 1947 James was a Deck Hand on the Lowestoft trawler S.D.J., LT 1187, this was reported missing on 11/12 May and it was presumed to have been sunk by a mine in the North Sea, with the loss of all nine crew.