Thomas William Bayes

A Third Hand with Steam Trawler Derwent (Boston), Thomas died on 26th of January 1920 at the age of 23. 

Thomas was born at Scarborough on 30 August 1896, a son of James and Ellen Bayes. In 1901 his family lived at 1 Gashouse Yard, Scarborough, and by 1911 they were living at 2 Black Horse Yard, Scarborough and this was still the family home in 1915. 

On 17 March 1917 Thomas married Rose Louisa Francis at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft. Thomas was a Decker with H.M.S. Vitality, and Rose lived at her family home, 29 Jacob's Street.

Thomas joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 7 April 1915 and served as a Deck Hand, service number 5518/DA. He served on the trawler Vitality until 30 October 1917 when he joined the trawler Raven II. He was demobilized and discharged on 6 June 1919.  

In 1920 Thomas worked on the Grimsby registered trawler Derwent, GY 525. The trawler was reported missing on 26 January 1920 and is thought to have struck a mine. The vessel was lost with all ten crew. 

Thomas’ brother-in-law, Daniel Francis, was also lost with the Derwent.