Walter Bertie Turrell

A Mate with Steam Trawler Newhaven (Lowestoft), Walter died on 15th of January 1940 at the age of 41. 

Walter was born at Lowestoft on 17 August 1898, a son of James Albert Garner and Alice Maria Turrell. He was baptised at Christ Church, Lowestoft, on 7 September 1898 and his family lived at 6 Wildes Score. By 1911 his family were living at 1 Wildes Street, The Beach, Lowestoft. 

Walter joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 14 September 1915, number 8643 DA. He served on the trawler Girl Grace until 15 January 1917 when he joined the Admirable. 

On 15 May 1917 the Austro-Hungarian Navy tried to break the drifter barrage across the Straight of Otranto. They attacked with the intention of sinking as many drifters as possible. The event became known as The Battle of the Strait of Otranto. Walter was taken prisoner during the battle and by August 1917 was being held at a prisoner of war camp in Austria. He was released and arrived at Taranto, Italy, on 17 November 1918. Walter was demobilized on 22 January 1919.  

On 21 October 1926 Walter married Grace Laura Spurgeon at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft. Walter was a fisherman and they both lived at 29 Queens Road. By 1939 their home was at 5 Ship Road, Pakefield, Lowestoft, Suffolk.

The Newhaven was supposed to have been lost, around 18 miles south south-east of Lowestoft, due to a mine explosion.