John Eadie (top row, middle).

John Eadie from Newhaven ran away to sea when still a young boy. He sailed on the ‘weekly boats’ to the continent. During the First World War in 1915 he volunteered to work on the minesweepers. He was killed on 2nd April 1916 when his ship, HMS Commandant, struck a mine off Lowestoft.

Had John discussed with his wife Sophia (née Young) his intentions of joining the war effort before volunteering, he may have been persuaded not to enlist as they had three children Agnes, Charlotte and John.

The HMS Commandant was a trawler converted for use as a minesweeper. Five men in total were lost and John’s body was never recovered. Those who survived visited John’s wife who told her that those members of crew who jumped of one side survived, and those who jumped of the other side were dragged down with the ship.

John Eadie is the grandfather of Sophia Abrahamson.

Donor number: 0301-025