Stephen George Martin

A Deck Hand with H.M. Trawler Strathrannock, Stephen died on 6th of April 1917 at the age of 25. 

Stephen was born at Pakefield on 13 February 1892, a son of Robert and Jessie Ann Martin. He was baptised at All Saints’ Church, Pakefield, on 8 May 1892. From 18 March 1895 Stephen was a pupil at Cunningham School. In 1901 his family lived at Cliff Gardens, Pakefield. By 1911 they were living at 9 Beach Street, Pakefield, and Stephen was a herring fisherman. Later his parents lived at 72 Pakefield Street, Kirkley.

Stephen joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 2 January 1917. He served on the trawler Strathrannock.

On 5 April 1917 the Strathrannock, along with other trawlers, was minesweeping of Saint Abbs. The next day the minesweepers were sweeping off Saint Abbs Head. Around 11 a.m. the Strathrannock struck a mine and blew up. The explosion split the trawler in two and it sank instantly. All thirteen crew on board, including Stephen, were killed.