Ernest George Gooch

A Signal Boy with H.M. Drifter Fearless., died on 26th of August 1915 at the age of 17. 

Ernest was born at Lowestoft on 15 July 1898, a son of Thomas William and Edith Gooch. He was baptised at Saint Mark's Church, Oulton Broad, on 15 February 1899. In 1901 his family lived at 60 Victoria Road, Carlton Colville. 

Ernest attended Carlton School and from 9 May 1904 attended Denmark Road School, and his family lived at 3 Laundry Lane, Lowestoft. From 13 July 1905 Ernest attended Saint John's Boys School, and, from 15 July 1898 the British School, Lowestoft. In 1911 his family lived at 83 Wollaston Road, Lowestoft.

Ernest joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 6 February 1915. From 16 February 1915 he served with the drifter Fearless. 

On 26 August 1915 Ernest, at Dover Harbour, left his ship in a rowing boat and was not seen alive again. Ernest's body was recovered, near the Prince of Wales Pier, Dover, on Wednesday 1 September.   

An account of the inquest appeared in The Dover and County Chronicle on 11 September 1915, page 5:

ERNEST E. GOOCH

The Coroner said that in the case of Ernest E. Gooch he had no evidence at all, the witnesses being at sea. He had a statement, which he read, to the effect that the deceased was missing from his ship; he had gone ashore in a boat, which was afterwards was found drifting, with his cap in it. The police were informed that he was an absentee, and a warrant issued for his arrest. On September 1st, it was reported that the body had been recovered, and steps were at once taken for its removal to the mortuary, and the police were informed. The body had been badly mutilated, having apparently been in contact with propellers. The Coroner explained that he was afraid he could not do much without the presence of witnesses; and that the doctor who had been called in to the previous case, was concerned in that, was also absent. It was agreed to adjourn the inquest till Tuesday afternoon, at 3 o’clock.

The adjourned inquest was held on Tuesday afternoon when P.C. A. Baker gave evidence to receiving the body, and removing it to the mortuary, where it was examined by Dr. Bailey, who said that death was probably due to drowning. Dr. Baird gave evidence to examining the body on September 1st, at the mortuary. It was much decomposed, and had evidently been in the water several days, and in his opinion death was due to drowning. 

A statement was handed in, to the effect that deceased was missing since the 26th  ult. He had gone ashore in the boat, which was found drifting. The police were informed as to his absence, and a warrant was issued for his arrest, as an absentee. 

After further evidence, the Coroner summed up, and the jury returned a verdict of accidental death. The remains of the lad Gooch were removed to his home at Lowestoft on Tuesday morning.