John Dyball Brunson (1882-1916) of Martham
John is listed on the War Memorial as one of those who gave his life during the First World War.
John was born in 1882 in Martham and he was known as Jack. He was the sixth child of Humphrey Benjamin Brunson & Clara, nee Bishop. His middle name of Dyball comes from his grandmother’s maiden name. He had six siblings, namely: Charles, Mary Ann Ethel, Emily E, Charles Christmas, Benjamin Humphrey, and Ann.
Whilst John was included in the 1891 census as living with his widowed mother at Somerton Road by 1901 he was a crew member and Ordinary Seaman.
John’s military serial number was Able Seaman 199115 and he was aboard HMS Coquette, which was a D-class destroyer, when it was sunk by a mine from a German submarine on 7th March 1916 with 22 casualties. She was lost at the entrance to Black Deep off the East Coast near Harwich after striking a mine laid by the German submarine UC-10. Her position was at an approximate position of 51°45′N 01°30′E. co-ordinates: 51°45′N 01°30′E (about 10 nautical miles (19 km) East of Clacton-on-Sea).
John is commemorated in St Mary the Virgin graveyard section H, plot J3 and at Chatham Navy Memorial, Kent. Column 16.
His brothers Charles and Benjamin are also buried in the graveyard as are his parents, an aunt, an uncle and a nephew.
