Walter Harper

A Deck Hand with H.M. Trawler Senator, Walter died on 21st of May 1917 at the age of 31. 

Walter was born at Ellough, Beccles, on 28 March 1884, a son of James and Emma Harper. In 1891 his family lived at a cottage ‘near the Hall’, Ellough. In 1901 his family lived at Lowestoft Road, Worlingham, Beccles. 

In 1901 Walter worked on the fishing smack Genesta, LT 221, at Milford Haven. 

On 5 February 1910 Walter married Amy Constance Welch at Saint Peter’s Church, Kirkley. Walter was a smacksman and they both lived at Kirkley. In 1911 their home was at 64 Albany Cottages, Kirkley Run. For a time, they lived at 7 Arlington Street, Grimsby, by during the war Amy returned to 64 Albany Cottages. 

Walter joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 8 August 1914 and served on the trawler Senator. On 21 May 1917 the Senator was sunk by a mine off Tory Island. Eleven crew, including Walter, died.