James Herbert Hobson Hall

A Deck Hand with H.M. Drifter Launch Out. James died on 26th of October 1916 at the age of 20. 

James was born at Lowestoft on 4 March 1896, a son of James Thomas and Harriet Hall. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft, on 19 April 1896, and his family lived at 96 Wollaston Road. In 1901 his family were living at Gladstone Cottages, Kessingland. By 1911 James’ mother had died and his father had remarried. The family lived at Providence House, Field Lane, Kessingland.

James joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 2 September 1915 and 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 John, were killed and the other man 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)