William Flowers was born in Carlton Colville in 1863 and was the son of William Flowers (1828) and Emily Dunn. In 1871 he was living at 5 The Street, Kirkley. In 1881 he was working as a fisherman on the Lowestoft lugger "Happy return", which was in port in Cornwall. He married Mary Ann Knights on 23rd July 1889.

Sources
• 1. Information on William Flowers and his family is based on Jenny Ellis-Newman's Data and other census Data. • 2. Jenny Ellis-Newman/Paul Mantripp's Data. William Flowers married Mary Ann Knights on 23 Jul 1889 at Pakefield. • 3. 1871 Census. 5 Street, Kirkley. William Flowers. Son. Age 8. Born Carlton Colville. • 4. 1881 Census. Vessels, Cornwall. "Happy Return", Lowestoft, Fishing Lugger. William Flowers. Unmarried. Age 18. Fishing Man. Born Carlton Colville.