Herbert Herring

A Cook with Sailing Trawler Trevone (Lowestoft). Herbert died on 29th of January 1917 at the age of 38. 

Herbert was born in 1876. Most sources state that he was born at Lowestoft, however the 1881 Census shows him living with Charlotte Plant, a widow, at 46 Stevens Street, and gives his place of birth as Paddington, London. He has not been traced in the 1891 Census, but in 1901 he was again living with Charlotte, at 46 Stevens Street, and he worked as a quay labourer. 

In 1911 Herbert married Lily Maud Knight. By 1911 they were living at 19 Alma Road and Herbert worked as a quay labourer. 

In 1917 Herbert was the Cook on the sailing trawler Trevone. On 29 January the Trevone was captured by the German submarine U-55 around 30 miles north-west of Trevose Head.

The Benjidog Historical Resources Website has the following: 

James Rose, second hand, was on the deck of the British sailing trawler Trevone at half-past three in the afternoon of 30th January 1917 when a German submarine suddenly appeared on the surface and opened fire. Her second shot hit the peak halyards and the master and crew immediately took to their boat. They were ordered alongside the submarine and told to board her. In attempting to obey, the master and cook were both washed overboard. These two men could easily have been rescued but the Germans took not the slightest notice of them. The Master was seen hanging on to the submarine's side aft for over 10 minutes but finally disappeared. 

See: Merchant Navy Memorials Tower Hill (benjidog.co.uk)