THE grave of a ship captain executed for ramming a German U-boat during the First World War has been restored.

Captain Charles Fryatt from Harwich, a master for the Great Eastern Railway based at Parkeston, was executed by the Germans in 1916.

The Harwich resident sailed more than 100 times between Harwich or Tilbury and Rotterdam during the war.

He was given a gold watch by directors of the Great Eastern Railway after refusing to stop for a German submarine during a routine passenger ferry crossing between Harwich and Rotterdam in March 1915. He was chased for 40 nautical miles but escaped.

Then, on March 28, 1915, off the coast of Holland, he was again signalled to stop, but refused to surrender and instead forced the submarine to crash-dive.

But despite receiving a gold watch from the Admiralty for his actions, it was this bravery that also led to his death.

Captured off the coast of Holland, he was taken to Bruges, where he was executed by firing squad on July 27. Capt Fryatt’s body was returned to England in July 1919, when he was taken by gun carriage to St Paul’s Cathedral for a memorial service, attended by members of the royal family.

A special train from London Liverpool Street then brought his body home to rest in Dovercourt.

Captain Fryatt was one of only three sets of remains repatriated following the end of World War I, the others being Nurse Edith Cavell and the Unknown Warrior.

His grave, located in All Saints churchyard, has been restored after becoming worn to such an extent the lettering was barely legible.

Harwich councillor Garry Calver, who has overseen the refurbishment project, said: “We are both pleased and relieved that we have been able to have the memorial completely refurbished before the centenary of Captain Fryatt’s burial.

"This has been a big team effort and everyone has worked together to ensure that this nationally important memorial is once again looking its best.”

The refurbishment, costing £5,785, was carried out by Adamson Conservation to a schedule of works drawn up by Simon Swan Associates, and funded by the Railway Heritage Trust.

Mr Calver added: “The Railway Heritage Trust has made this possible and we are extremely grateful to them for their generous support throughout.

“The project has not been without its difficulties but Andy Savage has been there for us from beginning to end.”

Consideration is now being given to holding a service of rededication of the memorial grave in the spring of 2019 - 100 years since his burial.

Mr Calver said: “We have been mindful throughout that, whilst this is a nationally important memorial, it is also the resting place of a loved one and we have been in contact with the family at every stage.

“It was lovely to be able to advise Captain Fryatt’s relatives that the work was complete. I know it means a lot to them.”