Stanley Llewellyn Oakes

A Seaman with H.M. Trawler Commandant, Stanley died on 2nd of April 1916 at the age of 22. 

Stanley was born at Corton on 7 October 1893, a son of Joseph and Jane Julia Isadore Oakes. In 1901 his family lived at Mill Lane, Corton. Later his parents lived at Gayes Nurseries, 5 Heath Road, Oulton Broad. 

On 31 March 1915 Stanley married Lily May Woods at Saint Peter’s Church, Carlton Colville. Stanley was serving with the Royal Naval Reserve and stated that his home was at Carlton Colville, Lily gave her address as Oulton. Later lily lived at 4 Rock Road Rock Estate, Oulton.

In 1911 Stanley was the fourth hand on the trawler Sceptre at Padstow, Cornwall. He joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 4 April 1912. 

In 1912 Stanley was a Dech Hand on the trawler Limewold, LT 418. In 1913 he worked on the trawler Ocean Reward, YH 730. 

Stanley was called out for service on 3 August 1914 and joined Merchant Fleet Auxiliary Peshawar. On 6 July 1915 he was sent to the Trawler Service and drafted to H.M.S. Columbine, a Depot Ship, as an Acting Second Hand. He served with the trawler Commandant.

On 2 April 1916 the Commandant, accompanied by the trawler Regal, were minesweeping near the Sunk Light Vessel. One mine was brought to the surface and destroyed and, shortly afterwards, the Commandant struck another mine which exploded. The Commandant was lost: five crew, including Stanley, were killed, and two wounded. 

Stanley's brother, Cecil, served with the Suffolk Regiment and died in 1917. His nephew, Cecil, served with the Royal Army Medical Corps and died in 1946.