Frederick Charles Long

A Trimmer with H.M. Drifter Launch Out, Frederick died on 26th of October 1916 at the age of 17. 

Frederick was born at Lowestoft on 30 January 1899, a son of George and Jemima Long. In 1901 his family lived at Rotterdam Road, Lowestoft. Frederick’s mother died in 1902. Frederick’s father married Emma page in 1904. In 1911 his family lived at 10 St Aubyns Road, Lowestoft. Later his parents lived at 31 Saint Peter’s Road, Lowestoft. 

Frederick joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 1 September 1915, claiming to be two years older than he really was. From 1 September 1915 he served with the trawler Launch Out.  

In 1916 the Launch Out was part of a fleet of trawlers that maintained the anti-submarine barrage across the Dover Strait. On the night of 26-27 October 1916 German destroyers attacked the barrage with the intent of causing maximum damage to the trawlers. 

The Launch Out was in the vicinity of the 9 A Buoy, at the southern end of the Sandettie Bank, when attacked. The trawler was sunk. Eight of the nine crew, including Frederick, were killed and the other man, Skipper Horace Kemp, later died of his wounds.   

For details of the attack on the Dover Barrage see: The German attack on the 'Dover Barrage' 26th/27th October 1916 (sussexhistoryforum.co.uk)

Frederick is commemorated on Saint Margaret's and Saint John's War Memorials.