Richard Sydney Jermany

A Second Hand with H.M. Drifter Pelagia, Richard died on 28th of November 1916 at the age of 27.

Richard was born at Wicklewood, Norfolk, on 1 July 1889, a son of Benjamin and Harriet Jermany. In 1891 his family lived at Low Street, Crownthorpe, Norfolk. Between 22 January 1894 and 23 April 1903 Richard attended Hardingham School. He left school to go into agricultural work. By 1901 the family were living at Denmark Green, Hardingham. 

In 1910 Richard married Mary Ann Butcher. In 1911 their home was at Beccles Road, Barnby. In 1918 Mary Ann married Frederick Bailey and lived at 16 Sycamore Avenue, Oulton Broad. 

Richard was awarded his certificate of competency as a skipper in 1913. 

Richard joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 27 September 1915. He served on the trawler Orient II and joined the trawler Pelagia on 14 October 1915. 

On 28 November 1916 the Pelagia was sailing around one mile south-east of the Nab Light Vessel and struck a mine and sank. All twelve of the crew were killed.

Richard’s brother Arthur James Jermany also died in the loss of the Pelagia. Richard’s body was recovered, but Arthur’s was not found.