On the Chatham Naval Memorial is the name of 4429DA Deck Hand James Jackson Bayes, serving on H.M. Trawler Etoile Polaire with the Royal Naval Reserve who died 03/12/1915.

The husband of P. Bayes, of 19, Princess Street, Scarborough.

James Jackson Bayes was born on the 29th September 1893 at the No 1 Gas House Yard, Quay Street, Scarborough, in Yorkshire. He was one of four children of James and Ellen Rogers Bayes (nee Coultas) of 2 Black Horse Yard, Tutill, Scarborough, Yorkshire. The other children were Maria, Thomas William and Joseph Octavious Bayes.

He was educated at St Thomas Church School, Lowersgate Scarborough and was employed as a Fish Porter at Scarborough Fish Quay. In 1911 he was living at 2 Black Horse Yard, Tutill, Scarborough. James enlisted on the 6th March 1915 stating a residence address as 19, Princess Street, Scarborough, Yorkshire.

James married Phoebe Moss of 19 Princess Street, Scarborough and had two children, James Jackson born 1913 and Helen Rogers born 1914. Phoebe remarried Jeremiah Bullmore in 1926.

HMT Etoile Polaire was hired as an Admiralty Trawler in 1915 this steel hulled 278 Ton Trawler built in 1915 by Jos T. Eltringham & Co, Willington Quay, struck a mine and sank off of the South Goodwins on the 3rd December 1915. Built for Remy & Huret, Boulogne, exact owner when lost uncertain.

The mines were laid by UC-1 commanded by Kapitnleutnant Egon von Werner.

James Jackson Bayes is remembered at Tynemouth in T36.14 page 31 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.