Woodbastwick - 1914-19 - Those who served

This memorial is displayed in the church of St Fabian and St Sebastian, Woodbastwick.

 

RoH = www.roll-of-honour.com/Norfolk/Woodbastwick.html

And is a web-site I am deeply indebted too for providing a starting point.

 

Woodbastwick fell within the Rural District of Blofield for both the 1901 and 1911 Censuses.

 

Those who served

 

Corporal Ernest Abel

Suffolk Regiment

 

No obvious match on the 1901 Census or the 1911 Census, (latter only a high-level search).

 

Update There is a Medal index card listed at the National Archive for a 2nd Corporal 40444 Suffolk Regiment, Ernest Abel. He had originally been 3244 Suffolk Regiment.

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+Sergeant John Abel

Scots Guard

 

ABEL John Thomas

Lance Corporal 748. 4th Battalion Guards Machine Gun Regiment. Formerly 13611 Scots Guards. Died of wounds in France & Flanders on 27th March 1918. Aged 22. Born Runhall, Norfolk. Lived Attleborough. Enlisted Norwich. Son of Henry and Annie Elizabeth Abel, of "Old Bird in Hand," Hardingham, Norfolk. Buried: Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, Pas de Calais, France. Ref. VIII. R. 51. (RoH)

 

Its difficult to see the link with Woodbastwick for this John Abel. The list of people served in the Woodbastwick Church describes him as a Sergeant in the Scots Guards, and presumably there is some link through the Cators.

 

Possibly therefore, (the only John Abel listed as serving with the Scots Guards)

Name: ABEL, JOHN

Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Scots Guards Unit Text: 1st Bn.

Age: 26 Date of Death: 27/09/1918 Service No: 16647

Additional information: Son of Mrs. J. Abel, of North Kirkhill, Dyce, Aberdeenshire. Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 3. Memorial: VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1739408

 

No obvious match on the 1901 Genes Reunited Census search, nor a trace of Henry & Annie Elizabeth. Unfortunately I don’t have access to Scottish Census Records. The 1911 high-level Census search has a 15 year old John Abel, (which would tie in with the Hardingham man), recorded in the District of Mitford, Norfolk.

 

Norlink has a Lance Corporal John Thomas Thomas Abel of the Scots Guard, but links him to Hardingham without any further information as to which village he came from, or indeed if he even died during WW1. The Cator’s who owned the village, have historic associations with the Scots Guards. The shoulder tabs in the picture definitely look like they begin “Machine”

norlink.norfolk.gov.uk/02_Catalogue/02_013_PictureTitleIn...

 

The John Abel from Hardingham is also commemorated in the church of St George in the village

flickr.com/photos/norfolkodyssey/868771765/

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Private Harry Alden.........Norfolk Regiment

 

There are two Harry Aldens who were born in Norwich and still resident there in 1901, but neither family appear to have any obvious connection with the Woodbastwick area.

 

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+Corporal Arthur J Alden

North Staffordshire Regiment

 

ALDEN Arthur John

Lance Corporal 7743. 1st Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment. Killed in action in France & Flanders on 9th April 1915. Born Saxlingham, Norfolk. Enlisted Norwich. Commemorated: Ploegsteert Memorial, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium. Panel 8. (RoH)

 

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=873769

 

No match on Norlink

 

There is an Arthur J Alden, aged 13 and born Saxlingham on the 1901 Census. Looking through the rest of the family there is nothing to immediately connect them with Woodbastwick, a village some twenty miles away on the other side of Norwich.

 

Arthur’s family were living at The Gravel Pitts, Stoke Holy Cross, and consisted of father John, (aged 40, a Yardman on Farm and born Rockland St Peter), mother Harriet, (aged 39 and from Saxlingham Thorpe) and siblings

Alice M .............aged 8..........Born Barford

James H..............aged 5..........Born Barford

Mabel P..............aged 3..........Born Stoke Holy Cross

Rose E...............aged 11.........Born Saxlingham

Walter...............aged 1..........Born Norwich

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Driver Henry Austin

Red Cross Motor Ambulance

 

No obvious match on the 1901 Census or the 1911 Census, (latter only a high-level search).

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+Private Alfred G Bailey

Royal Fusiliers

 

BAILEY Alfred George

Private 11120. 13th Battalion Royal Fusiliers. Killed in action in France & Flanders on 15th November 1916. Born Keswich, Norfolk. Lived and enlisted Norwich. Commemorated: Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 8 C 9 A and 16 A.

 

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=771756

 

No match on Norlink

 

There is an Alfred G Bailey, aged 17, born Keswick, Norfolk on the 1901 Census. Alfred was working as a Domestic Groom and was living at The Street, Keswick, the household of his parents, Edward J, (aged 53 and a Domestic Gardener), and Ann, (aged 57), along with brother Herbert S, (aged 15 and also working as a Domestic Gardener)

 

There is a Corporal Alfred Bailey of the Royal Garrison Artillery listed on the People who served memorial in the Swardeston village church, but he appears to have survived. Swardeston is next door to Keswick, and I know when I looked at Swardeston and Mulbarton, there was a smattering of Keswick names on both villages memorials, presumably as a result of individuals choosing to go to church, (these are frequently Parish rather than Village memorials), or moving in the intervening years between 1901 and the outbreak of the war.

www.roll-of-honour.com/Norfolk/Swardeston.html

 

The 1911 Census is now starting to come on line. From a high-level search, it would appear that there were two Alfred Bailey’s living in Norfolk of the right age, (26/27) to tie in with the Groom who was living at Keswick.. One was at Blofield, and one was at Henstead.

 

The fall of Beaucourt: 14th November 1916

 

On Freyberg's right II Corps had taken St Pierre Divion on the afternoon of the 13th and men from the 1st Cambridgeshire Regiment had been ferrying ammunition and grenades across the Ancre to replenish spent supplies.

During the night 111th Brigade from 37th Division had been brought up to assist the 63rd in their assault on the untaken section of the Beaucourt Trench to the left of Freyberg's group. The 13th Royal Fusiliers and 13th Rifle Brigade started their advance at 06:20 hours but despite some gains it soon became apparent that nothing further was going to be achieved until Beaucourt had been taken.

For the push to take the village 190th Brigade had assembled as many men as it could in the vicinity of Beaucourt Station, including 400 men from 1st HAC and about 80 of the 7th Royal Fusiliers. These advanced at 07:45 hours as far as Freyberg, who then led the men immediately into the attack on the village.

Despite the strong resistance in the trenches to the west of the village, Beaucourt fell remarkably easily with the gain of 500 prisoners. By 10:30 hours Freyberg could report that he was in control of Beaucourt.

 

Tanks

The original planning for the attack had utilised a number of tanks, but it had quickly been realised that with the ground so well churned by the bombardment that they would be more of a hindrance and had been sent back to the rear.

Now, on the second day, two were again brought forward in an attempt to deal with the stronghold machine gun nest which continued to hold up the Division's advance to the west of Beaucourt.

Both tanks soon became bogged down in mud but not before one of them had advanced far enough to be able to use its 6 pounder guns to good effect, and causing the German garrison of over 400 to surrender.

That evening the line of advance was pushed further forward around Beaucourt and the left was brought up to the Beaucourt Trench. It would take another few days of fighting to finally secure all that had been envisaged on the 12th

www.webmatters.net/france/ww1_ancre_4.htm

 

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Gunner Charles Brady

Royal Field Artillery

The 1901 Census has a 26 year old Charles Brady, living at Wroxham Road, Sprowston, and working as a Domestic Gardener. He was married, and living with his wife Emma. (aged 25 and from Topcroft) and their children Eva, (aged u/1 and born Sprowston), Mellie F, (aged 4 and born Topcroft), and Mildred G, (aged 2 and born Coltishall).

 

The 1911 Census has a 33 year old Charles Henry registered in the District of Blofield. The 26 year old Gardener now appears to be resident in the District of Loddon,

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+Sapper John Burrows

Royal Engineers

 

The RoH has BURROWS John Mandell

Private 34693. 9th Battalion The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. Formerly 164369 Royal Engineers. Killed in action in France & Flanders on 7th June 1917. Aged 38. Born and enlisted Norwich. Husband of Susanna Burrows, of Spixworth Rd., Old Catton, Norwich. Buried: Wulverghem-Lindenhoek Road Military Cemetery, Heuvelland, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Ref. V. F. 17 (RoH)

CWGC reference is:-

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=450189

 

This would appear to be an unrelated individual, if the unit shown in the church is correct. However the rank shown is Sapper.

 

The only J Burrows listed on CWGC as serving with the Royal Engineers

Name: BURROWS Initials: J

Rank: Lance Corporal Regiment: Royal Engineers Unit Text: 38th Div. Signal Coy.

Date of Death: 10/05/1918 Service No: 42569

Grave/Memorial Reference: II. K. 7. Cemetery: VARENNES MILITARY CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=72755

 

This John Burrows has a different service number.

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has a number of potential John Burrows born in Norwich and the suburb of Sprowston, which is off the roads that lead to Woodbastwick. However there is not one of the right age to tie in with John Mandell Burrows, on the Genes Re-united search engine.

 

The basic search of the 1911 Census that’s available reveals that a John Burrows of the right age was recorded in the District of Blofield.

 

The 7th June 1917 was the opening day of the Battle of Messines, a considerable success for the British. Significant mining of the German front line had been achieved. When the British artillery bombardment ceased, the German troops emerged to man their weapons in anticipation of the coming attack. At this point the simultaneous detonation of 19 mines (600 tons of explosives) is claimed to have cost over 10,000 German lives. The 74th Brigade, of which the 9th Loyal North Lancs formed a part, were part of the force that then moved forward to hold the ground. The explosion is claimed to have been the loudest man-made noise up to that time. Or to quote the General in charge - "Gentlemen, we may not make history tomorrow, but we shall certainly change the geography."

74.125.77.132/search?q=cache:cNQFB2habycJ:www.firstworldw...

 

The most serious fighting of the day was in the northern sector of the battle, where the 9th

was.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Messines

Flickr: Explore!

www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-CowMaor-t1-body-d12.html

www.ww1battlefields.co.uk/flanders/messines.html

www.1914-1918.net/25div.htm

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Maj.General Albermarle B E Cator, DSO

Scots Guards

 

On the 1901 Census, Albermarle Cator was a 64 year old JP, living off his own means and resident at Woodbastwick Hall. Living there with him was his wife, Mary M, (aged 65), his daughters Diana M, (aged 28), Christobel, (age 26), his son Christopher, (aged 20) and a Grand-Daughter Frances A Hawley, (aged 11 months), plus a small army of servants.

 

From the memorial plaque in the church.

 

Major-General Albermarle Bertie Edward Cator, C.B. D.S.O.

 

Joined Scots Guards 8th June 1897

Served in South Africa War 1899 - 1902

And Great War 1914 - 1918, when he commanded 37th Infantry Brigade followed by 58th Division.

 

Commanded

Scots Guards29th March 1920 - 30th November 1923

Inf. Brigade Shorncliffe 1st December 1923 - 30th September 1925

Sind Rajpunta District, India 3rd April 1927 - 2nd April 1931

London District and Brigade of Guards 4th April 1932 - 18th November 1932

 

Died 18th November 1932, aged 55.

www.thepeerage.com/p5062.htm#i50612

 

Bury House, London.

These upper chambers had numerous occupants of which two are note worthy. The first was Albermarle Bertie Cator in 1904. 'Alby" Cator was the Scots Guards officer incarnate. During the Great War, at the first battle of Ypres, he assumed command for several critical days when he was the only field officer left in the brigade. Cator survived the war and lived until 1932, when, at the age of 55 he dropped dead from a heart attack whilst out hunting.

www.the-mea.co.uk/brief-history.asp

 

www.mortiboy.co.uk/mort/gwar1a.htm

 

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Captain Christopher A M Cator MC

Scots Guards

 

On the 1901 Census, the 20 year old Christopher is resident at Woodbastwick Hall, the household of his parents. His occupation is given as Army Officer, (Lieutenant), in the 7/12th (?) Hussars

 

From the memorial plaque in the church

Captain Christopher Arthur Mohun Cator M C

Served in the South African War with 7th Hussars from 11th August 1900 to June 1902. Joined Special Reserve of Officers Scots Guards 15th August 1914. Served in the Great War 1914 - 1918. Retired 22nd May 1919. Died 7th December 1923, aged 42.

 

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Captain Henry J Cator MC

Royal Scots Grays

 

On the 1901 Census, the 4 year old Henry J was living at Church Farm House, the household of his parents, John Cator Esq. Justice of the Peace and various squiggles - could be mayor, Norfolk County or Major Norfolk ??? John was 38 and his wife Maud was 34.

 

From the memorial plaque in the church.

Henry John Cator OBE MC

For many years Squire of Ranworth and Woodbastwick. Born 25th January 1897. Died 27th March 1965 in Fernleigh, Australia.

Served in the Royal Scots Greys 1914- 1918

Airborne Forces 1939-1945

 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_SAS

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Private Arthur R Corke

Norfolk Regiment

 

The most likely match is a 6 year old Arthur, living at Nelson Street, North Walsham.

He was living in the household of his parents, William, S, (aged 36, a House Builder, born in North Walsham) and Jane, (aged 33 and born Bury St Edmunds). Also there are brothers John, (aged 2, born North Walsham), William, (aged 7 and born North Walsham), and sisters Dorothy, (aged 4, born North Walsham), Florence, (aged 9, born North Walsham), and Maud, (aged 11, born North Walsham).

 

There is no Arthur Corke of the right age coming up on the 1911 Census for England and Wales.

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Driver George Crisp

R.A.S.C (M.T)

 

No obvious match on the 1901 Census

 

There are no George Crisps recorded in the District of Blofield in the 1911 Census. There is one, aged 26 in the District of St Faiths.

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Private Wallace Crisp

Suffolk Regiment

 

The only Wallace Crisp listed on the 1901 Census for England and Wales is a 31 year old Druggist and Chemist, living with his widowed father at the “Live & Let Live” Inn, Windsor Road, South Lynn, Kings Lynn. It seens unlikely that they would become an ordinary private soldier, and Wallace’s age at the time of the outbreak of war would have made it unlikely that he would have been taken as a Volunteer in 1914/15.

 

The 41 year old Wallace is still listed in the District of Kings Lynn in the 1911 Census.

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Private Albert Ellis

Norfolk Regiment

 

No obvious match on the 1901 Census

 

There is a 15 year old Albert E Ellis registered in the District of Blofield on the 1911 Census. Looking again at the 1901 Census, that gives us Albert Edward Ellis, living at Mill Hill, Woodbastwick. Albert is an American born, British subject. He is living with his father George, a 30 year old teamster on farm, who had been born in Woodbastwick and mother Rosanna T. who was 28 and born at Salhouse. Albert’s siblings are George J, (aged 9, born Woodbastwick), Gertrude F, (born US), and Beatrice E, (born US).

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+Private George Ellis

Norfolk Regiment

 

ELLIS George Ernest

Private G/67713. 6th Battalion The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Formerly 3540 Yeomanry Cyclists. Killed in action in France & Flanders on 30th June 1918. Aged 19. Born and lived Woodbastwick. Enlisted Wroxham. Son of Edward and Sarah Ellis, of Church Cottages, Sprowston, Norfolk. Buried: Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery, Albert, Somme, France. Ref. I. B. 18. (RoH)

 

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=294324

 

No match on Norlink

The 2 year old George Ellis was living in a “Cottage on Slad Lane” in the 1901 Census. This was the household of his parents, Edward, (aged 39, a Teamman on Farm, born Woodbastwick), and Sarah, (aged 39 and born Horning) as well as brothers Edward, (aged 11), Reginald, (aged 4), William, (aged 7) and sisters Annie, (aged 6), and Lily, (aged 9).

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Driver Reginald H Ellis

Royal Field Artillery

 

See entry for George above

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+Private Charles Fox

R.A.M.C

 

There are many Charles Fox of the most likely ages, but none with an obvious Woodbastwick connection. The most likely based on nearby Villages is a Charles Fox who was aged 28 at the time of the 1901 Census, a single bricklayer living with his parents at Tower Street, Horning, having been born at Hoveton St John.

 

The high-level search available for the 1911 Census has a 15 year old Charles recorded in the District of Blofield and a 23 year old Robert Charles.

 

Our 28 year old bricklayer now appears to be registered in the District of St Faiths.

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Private Edward J Fox

Royal Marines

 

The most likely match is an Edward J Fox who at the time of the 1901 Census was aged 20, single, and a carpenters assistant, living at The Street, Salhouse. This was the household of his parents, James G, (a 45 year old Yardman on a Farm) and Mary A, (aged 41). Both parents had been born in Salhouse. Amonst his siblings was Herbert, A, aged 18 and a Postman.

 

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Officers Servant Ernest G Fox

Royal Navy

 

Looking at a scan of the original 1901 Census, we have a “Earnest” Fox, aged 8, living near The Green, Woodbastwick. This is the household of his parents, William Fox, (aged 43 and a Marshman by trade, born Woodbastwick) and Mary Ann, (aged 48 and born Salhouse). As well as Earnest, their other children living with them at the time were daughter Annie, (aged 10) and sons Fred, (age 16 and a Domestic Under Gardener), Harry, (aged 13 and a Domestic Gardener) and William, (aged 15 and a Cattle Boy on Farm)

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Private Frederick Fox

Lincolnshire Regiment

 

See Ernest G above

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Stoker Petty Officer Herbert A Fox

Royal Navy

 

See Edward J above

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Ordinary Seaman Harry E Fox

Royal Navy

See Ernest G above

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Stoker Chief Petty Officer Elijah Hardesty

Royal Navy

 

The only Elijah Hardesty on the 1901 Census for England and Wales was already 50. He doesn’t even appear on the 1891 Census, (at least not on the transcribed version on the Genes Re-united site). In 1901 he was an ordinary Agricultural Labourer, who was born at Bergh Apton but had married Sophia C., from Salhouse. Sophia was also 50. Living with them was their daughter Annie, (aged 14), and sons James, (aged 17 and an ordinary agricultural labourer), and Thomas, (age 23 and a Railway Labourer)

 

There is no match at all on the 1911 Census for England and Wales, (18/01/09), although not all the Counties are loaded as yet.

www.1911census.co.uk/search/tnaform.aspx?x=252057341

 

However there is a James Hardesty on the Salhouse village roll of honour which notes that he is the son of Mr and Mrs E Hardesty of Brick Kiln Farm, Woodbastwick.

I assume this is probably the James referred to above as aged 17 and an ordinary agricultural labourer, which makes it surprising that he isn’t commemorated in Woodbastwick.

www.roll-of-honour.com/Norfolk/Salhouse.html

 

see comment below from DVC214, Elijah's great great great grandson.

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Private Herbert Hubbard

Royal Fusiliers

 

Herbert was living in “a Cottage in Slad Lane” at the time of the 1901 Census. He was aged 21 and employed as a Labourer on the Estate. The head of the household was his widowed mother, Elizabeth aged 56. Also resident was his 18 year old sister Maud who was working as a Teacher in the “National School”

 

On the 1911 Census a 31 year old Herbert Hubbard is still registered in the District of Blofield.

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Private Bertie Jermany

Norfolk Regiment

 

The 1901 Census has two Bertie Jermany’s. One is aged 10 and lives Near the Green, at Woodbastwick. He is a Bertie J, and was born at Woodbastwick, He lives in the household of his parents, Benjamin, (aged 44 and a “Marshman” by trade), and Mary E, (aged 41). Also resident are Bertie’s brothers Basil, (aged 13 and a Cattle Boy on Farm), and sisters Beatrice, (aged u/1), Elice, (aged 20), Ethel J, (aged 12), Herbert, (aged 19 and a Domestic Gardener), Louis, (aged 5), Noel J, (aged 8) and Victor, (aged 7),

 

The 1918 Electoral Register has Bertie James living “opposite the Church”

jermy.org/elecreg-1918.html

 

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Private Herbert Jermany

Norfolk Regiment

 

See brother Bertie above

 

The 1918 Electoral Register has a Herbert Benjamin at Decoy Cottage, Woodbastwick.

jermy.org/elecreg-1918.html

 

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Driver Victor Jermany

Royal Field Artillery

 

See brother Bertie above

 

The 1918 Electoral Register has a Victor William living “opposite the Church”

jermy.org/elecreg-1918.html

 

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Corporal John Jermy DCM, MM

Norfolk Yeomanry

 

The 1901 Census has a William J Jermy, (aged 4, born St Faiths) living at Street Farm, Woodbastwick. There is no obvious John Jermy otherwise. William was living in the household of his parents, William, (aged 46 and a farmer, born South Walsham) and Mary L, (aged 48, born Wymondham).

 

I suspect it is father William who is recorded as dieing on the 4th November 1922

jermy.org/shwill00.html

 

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+Private George King

Norfolk Yeomanry

 

KING George Edward

Private 320404. 12th (Norfolk Yeomanry) Battalion. Norfolk Regiment. Killed in action in France & Flanders on 12th September 1918. Aged 21. Born Sprowston. Enlisted Norwich. Son of James and Hannah King, of Woodbastwick, Norwich. Buried: Strand Military Cemetery, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium. Ref. VIII. M. 10. (RoH)

 

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=165293

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has a 5 year old George King who was born at Sprowston but is now resident at a “Cottage near the Church”, Woodbastwick. This is the household of his parents, James, (aged 38, a Gardener Domestic from Shotesham, Norfolk), and Hannah, (aged 36 and from Shotesham), along with brothers Bertie, (aged 15, and a Domestic Groom, born Shotesham), Sidney, (aged 6, born Stanhoe), and sisters Ethel, (aged 2, born Sprowston), Hannah, (aged 12, born Shotesham), May (aged 8, born Dunston), Rosa, (aged 14, born Shotesham) and Violet, (aged 11, born Shotesham)

 

See comments for more on the Lambert family. *******************************************************************

Private Alfred C Lambert

Norfolk Regiment

 

See Brother George below for family

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+Private George H Lambert

Norfolk Regiment

 

LAMBERT George

Private 1837. 6th Battalion Norfolk Regiment. Transferred to (239024) 428th Agricultural Company, Labour Corps. Died on 28th February 1919. Aged 24. Son of Alfred and Harriet Lambert, of Woodbastwick; husband of Carrie Lambert, of Mill Cottages, Sledmere, Malton, Yorks. Buried: Woodbastwick (SS. Fabian And Sebastian) Churchyard. North-East of Church. (RoH)

 

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2802351

 

No match on Norlink

 

In 1901 the 6 year old George Herbert Lambert was living at Hidness Farm, Ranworth (with Panxworth). George had been born at Brandiston. He lived at this address with his parents, father Alfred, (aged 42 and a Hoop Hurdle maker from Beccles), and mother Harriet, (aged 31 and born Norwich). Also resident were siblings,

Alfred........................aged 8.........born Bawdeswell

Alice.........................aged 13........born Norwich

Ernest......................aged 10........born New Catton, Norwich

Florence Louise......aged 12........born Hainford

Frank Sidney...........aged 20.......born Upper Hellesdon, Norwich

(also a Hoop Hurdle maker)

Mabel Maud...........aged 3,,,,,,,,,,born Cawston

Voilet Ethel (as shown on the original !) aged 1.....born Panxworth

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Sergeant Frank Lambert

Norfolk Regiment

 

See Brother George above for family

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Sergeant Frank Lamkin

Scots Guards

 

No obvious match on the 1901 Census or the 1911 Census, (latter only a high-level search, both only England and Wales).

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Farrier William Moyes

3rd Hussars

There is a 12 year old William F, living at Lower Road, Tasburgh, the village where he was born, but neither he nor his family had any obvious connection with this part of Norfolk at the time of 1901 Census. Otherwise no obvious match on the 1901 Census.

 

The 22 year old William Frank is registered in the Henstead District for the 1911 Census.

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Private Ernest Nockolds

Norfolk Yeomanry

 

No obvious match on the 1901 Census or the 1911 Census, (latter only a high-level search).

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Private William H Nockolds

Norfolk Regiment

 

No obvious match on the 1901 Census or the 1911 Census, (latter only a high-level search).

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Private Charles Roofe

Machine Gun Corps

 

The 1901 Census has a 1 year old Charles living in a dwelling “adjoining the Post Office”, Woodbastwick. This was the household of his parents, William E, (aged 38, a general shoeing smith, born Gunton) and Maria E, (aged 39, born Swardeston). Also resident were brothers Frederick (aged 4), Thomas W, (aged 10 and born Norwich), and sisters Annie, (aged 8), Daisy, (aged 7) and Gertrude, (aged 6). The Roofe’s also had a live in servant, Blanch Ellis, aged 14 and born Woodbastwick, presumably a relative of Albert, George & Reginald Ellis, listed above.

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Private Frederick R Roofe

Queens Westminster Rifles

See brother Charles above for family details

 

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Corporal Farrier Thomas W Roofe

Australian Imperial Force

See brother Charles above for family details

 

God bless Australia !

 

As usual their archive system comes up trumps, - Thomas’s service file can be found on line here

naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=8036581&I=1&am...

 

In summary his place of birth is given as Woodbastwick, he is a farrier blacksmith by trade having served an 8 year apprentice at Norwich. His next of kin is his father William, still living at Woodbastwick. His service number was 22279. He enlisted on the 4.8.1915 at Maribyrong, Victoria initialy in an Infantry Battalion but was transferred in May 1916 with the trade qualification of Shoeing Smith and was assigned to the 23rd Howitzer Brigade, 109th Battery. He sailed for England in May 1916, arriving July 1916 and then on to France where he was assigned to the 8th Field Artillery Brigade, gaining promotion to Corporal Farrier. He was repeatedly hospitalised in 1918 with furuncolosis (Boils). He was discharged from the Army on the 30/11/1919. At his pension medical board, I think the doctor has written that his military related injuries are as a result of “scabies and gassing” - typical doctor’s handwriting, so look for yourself.

 

There is still a Thomas Roofe, aged 20, registered in the District of Blofield.on the 1911 census

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Private David Saunders

Bedfordshire Regiment

The 1901 Census has a 1 year David Saunders living at Low Road Cottage, Woodbastwick, with his parents, David, (aged 35, a Woodman Labourer, born Ranworth), and Sarah, (aged 29 and born Salhouse) as well as sisters Elsie, (aged 7, born Salhouse), Flossie (aged 9, born Salhouse), Mary, (aged 3), and Mildred, (aged 5, born Salhouse).

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Signaller John Sexby

Suffolk Regiment

The only John Sexby on the 1901 Census is a 19 year old Land Agents Clerk, born Horstead and now a boarder in the household of, Mary Foulger, (age 59, a widow and a blacksmith!) on Norwich Road Horstead. There is no match on the 1891 census.

 

By the 1911 Census there is a 29 year old John Sexby registered in the District of Blofield.

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Private John Thurtle

Norfolk Regiment

The 1901 Census has a 25 year old married Gamekeeper, John R Thurtle, living at The Honeycombs, Salhouse. He was born at Ranworth. His wife is Edith C, (aged 25 and from Salhouse) and they have two sons, Arthur I, (aged 4) and Robert W (aged 4 months).

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Lance Corporal Ernest Varvel

R.A.S.C (M.T)

There is only 1 Ernest Varvel listed on the 1901 Census for England & Wales. He is a 26 year old Domestic Coachman born in Norwich. He is a live-in servant at Alvaston Hall Stables, Reaseheath near Nantwich.

 

The 1911 Census has the 35 year old Ernest resident in the District of St Georges, London.

 

There is a family web-site here

 

donaldfamily.co.uk/3/11043.htm

 

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+Rifleman Albert White

Rifle Brigade

 

WHITE Albert

Rifle Brigade. No further information available at present. (RoH)

 

Choices are

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=4040352

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=913795

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1750167

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=154457

 

No match on Norlink

 

No obvious match on the 1901 Census

 

The high-level search on the 1911 Census reveals a 21 year old Herbert Albert White registered in the District of Blofield. Going back and checking, this would tie in with an 11 year old Herbert on the 1901 Census who was living at Railway Bridge Road, Lingwood

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Private John Whisken

??

There is only 1 John Whisken on the 1901 Census for England & Wales and he is a 15 year old living at Church Street, Bishops Castle, Herefordshire. He is staying with his Uncle John Pugh, who is listed as an Innkeeper. There is no obvious link with Norfolk.

 

By the 1911 Census a 27 year old John William Whisken is registered in the District of Blofield.

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Private James Wilson

Norfolk Regiment

The 1901 Census has a 17 year old Farm Labourer living at Hulver Cottage, Ranworth, with his widowed father John, (aged 62 and a farm labourer), brother William, (age 33 and a farm labourer), and sister Ethel May, (aged 14 and under occupation listed as “Housekeeper”)

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Inspector Robert Winter

Cape Military Police

There a number of Robert Winter’s on the 1901 Census from Norwich, plus one from Salhouse who had moved to Manchester and was already aged 40. Of course “our” Robert Winter could already be in South Africa at that time, serving in the Boer War.

 

The 1911 still has too many potential matches - the only one in the District of Blofield was aged 65.

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Gunner Benjamin Wrench

Royal Field Artillery

There is only one Benjamin Wrench recorded on the 1901 Census for England and Wales, and he is 7 years old and living at Spixworth Road, Old Catton, Norfolk. He was living there with his parents, George, (age 33, a brick kiln burner from Norwich) and Alice, (aged 28 and from Old Catton.) Also resident is sister May, (aged 8)

The 17 year old Benjamin is resident in the district of St Faiths, Norfolk at the time of the 1911 Census.

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Driver Bertie Woodcock

R.A.S.C (M.T)

The most likely Bertie Woodcock on the 1901 census was aged 1 and living in the hamlet of Waterloo, near Horsham St Faiths. His father William, aged 52 and from St Faiths, was a farmer. His mother Annie, was aged 32 and from Norwich. Also resident were brothers Ashley, (aged 3) and Sidney, (aged 5). There is an S Woodcock listed on the St Faiths Village Memorial, but as there are several Woodcock familys in the village I’ve not been able to conclusively prove it is Sidney.

 

There are two 12 year old Bertie Woodcock’s on the 1911 census, both registered in the District of St Faiths.

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Ordinary Seaman Samuel Woods

Royal Navy

The 1901 Census has 1 year old Samuel living at Primrose Corner, Woodbastwick, with his parents, Frederick Woods, (a 34 year old Woodman from Salhouse), Sallie M Woods (aged 26 and from Salhouse) as well as sisters Ida V, (aged 3) and and Lilian T, (aged 4) Ida and Lilian both have Salhouse as their place of birth, so the Woods were fairly recent arrivals in the village.

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Private Hubert Youngman

R.A.M.C

There are two Hubert Youngman’s listed on the 1901 Census for England & Wales. One was aged three, had been born at Sidcup Kent and was now resident Bexley. The other was aged 24 and was Head Groom at a Norfolk Stud. He was currently living at 3 Church Lane Cottages, Heacham, and was born at Holt. He was living at this address with his wife, Maude, (aged 24 and from Wimbotsham, Norfolk) and their daughter Lilian K, (aged 1).

 

The 34 year old Hubert was registered in the district of Smallburgh by the time of the 1911 Census.

 

 

Done