James was born in Rettendon 12th January 1892 to Frederick George and Eliza Sargent and he was baptised at Rettendon Parish Church on 29th May 1892. By 1911 he was living with his parents at Edwin’s Hall Cottage, Woodham Ferrers and was employed as a cowman. His father was employed as a horseman and by that time the couple had produced 11 children all still living. Frederick had married Eliza Munson at Rettendon Parish Church on 2nd October 1880
When he joined the navy on 25th February 1913, signing on for 12 years as a regular, he must have thought that he would get away from the tedium of farm work and enjoy some adventure not realising that war with Germany was just around the corner.
Following service at various training ships and on HMS Zealandia, a King Edward VII class battleship, he transferred to HM Submarine “E34” on 17th August 1917 not long after it was commissioned in March of that year. “E34” was mainly involved in mine laying but, on the 10th May 1918, the captain spotted U-boat UB-16 on the surface near Harwich and managed to torpedo her with the loss of all hands other than her captain. In her career UB-16 had sunk 23 British merchant vessels, many of them fishing boats, and the destroyer HMS Recruit.
James served as a stoker first class which is rather misleading. “E34” had diesel engines for surface running and electric motors for when submerged so there were no boilers to stoke. Stokers would operate and, under the supervision of the Engine Room Artificers, help in the maintenance of the fuel lines. Aboard submarines they would also undertake other duties, such as operating the valves necessary to open the ballast tanks. The crew of the “E34” are pictured here.
The submarine “E34” was reported missing and believed sunk on 20th July 1918 whilst on its 24th mine laying mission between the Frissian Islands of Texel and Vlieland off the North Dutch coast. It is believed that she struck a mine possibly laid previously by “E51” and was lost with all hands, three officers and twenty eight men, which sadly included James Alfred Sargent. “E34” was the last “E” class submarine to be lost in the Great War.
During all his time in the navy James’ record shows that his character was “v.g.” and his ability “sat”. His record also shows that he was 5ft 7” had a 35½” chest, brown hair, grey eyes and fair complexion.
James as well as being remembered on Woodham Ferrers War Memorial is also commemorated, together with his mates, on the Portsmouth Naval War Memorial.
Frederick died in January 1923 and is buried in Runwell Churchyard. Eliza subsequently moved to Downham Hall Cottage, Billericay.