Ernest Harper Smith

A Skipper with Steam Trawler Carry On (Lowestoft), Ernest died on 17th of December 1940 aged 49. 

Ernest was born at Gillingham, Norfolk, on 25 November 1891, a son of James Pye Smith and Ellen Smith. In 1901 his family lived at Frances Terrace, Carlton Road, Carlton Colville. By 1911 his were living at 26 Lovewell Road, Kirkley, and by 1915 their home was at 10 Lawson Road.  

In January 1914 Ernest was awarded his certificate of competency as a Skipper. 

Ernest joined the Royal Naval Reserve, as a Temporary Skipper, number WSA 1011, on 12 January 1915. Throughout the war Ernest was the Skipper of the trawler Roulette. He was demobilised on 15 May 1919. 

On 19 July 1915 Ernest married Edith Maud Jones at Saint Peter’s Church, Kirkley. Ernest was serving with H.M.S. Roulette and Edith lived at Kirkley. By 1923 they were living at 47 Saint John’s Road, and this was still their home in 1939 when Ernest was a fisherman. 

In 1940 Ernest was the Skipper of the trawler Carry On. The Carry On was used as a barrage balloon drifter in the Thames Estuary. During the night of 12 December 1940 many mines were dropped into the Thames Estuary and the Carry On was immobilised. A few days later the Carry On was given permission to sail to Sheerness, deliberately sailing at low speed to avoid detonating acoustic mines. On 17 December the trawler was blown up by a mine. All seven of the crew were killed.   

Ernest’s body was recovered, and he is buried at Normanston Drive Cemetery, Lowestoft.