In Seaham Cemetery is the Commonwealth War Grave with a private headstone of Master Edward John Roberts serving on S.S. Lady Helen with the Mercantile Marine who died 27/10/1917.

The husband of Sarah Jane Roberts, of 5, Princess Road, Seaham Harbour.

The headstone reads:-

In
Loving
Memory
Of
Edward John Roberts
Master Mariner
who was lost in the Lady Helen
by enemy action Oct. 27th 1917
aged 55 years
beloved husband of
Sarah Jane Roberts

Duty Nobly Done

Also their daughter Florence Louisa
who died 14th August 1889 aged 1 year

W. Bro. Revd. David T. Youngson, PPAG Chaplain, Northumberland gives the following:

The information given below in respect of some of the brethren is the best possible conclusions from Lodge records, Grand Lodge records, Commonwealth War Graves Commission and data in respect of merchant ship losses during the First World War.

661 Fawcett Lodge
Year of Warrant 1856
Masonic Hall, Seaham Harbour

Edward John ROBERTS
Mercantile Marine, Master S.S. Lady Helen

A Master Mariner he was Initiated on the 24th October 1898; Passed 9th January 1899 and Raised on the 16th February 1899. He died on the 27th October 1917 aged 55 .

The S.S. Lady Helen (811 GRT) was owned by the Marquis of Londonderry, Seaham Harbour and was torpedoed by the German Submarine UB34 half a mile east of South Cheek, Robin Hoods Bay on a voyage from Yarmouth to Seaham Harbour with the loss of seven lives.>

Edward John Roberts is remembered at Seaham on S117.31 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.