Eaton - The Great War - Panel 5

V Leggett…………Corporal

 

Possibly

Name: LEGGETT Initials: V J

Rank: Corporal Regiment: Yorkshire Regiment Unit Text: 10th Bn.

Date of Death: 15/04/1917 Service No: 33106

Grave/Memorial Reference: VII. G. 3. Cemetery: WARLINCOURT HALTE BRITISH CEMETERY, SAULTY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=91376

 

(The other two V Leggetts in the CWGC databases are Sappers in the Royal Engineers. The additional information given links them both to other parts of the country)

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 census has a 3 year old Victor Leggett. Victor had been born at Hethersett, but by the time of the Census was living at 4 Church Lane, Eaton. This was the household of his parents - John, (aged 42 and a coachman from Methwold) and Martha, (aged 32 and from Felthorpe, Norfolk). Victor’s siblings are :-

 

Dulsie………….aged under 1.……..n\a…..born:Eaton

Ernest………….aged 6.………………..n\a…..born:Hethersett

Florence………aged 10.………………n\a……born:Hethersett

Hilda……………aged 12.……………..n\a…….born:Eaton

Olive……………aged 9.………………..n\a……born:Hethersett

Selina………….aged 5.………………..n\a……born:Hethersett

 

The 10th Yorkshire were involved in the First Battle of the Scarpe, 9th-14th April 1917, which was part of the wider Battle of Arras. After initial success, the hoped for break-through failed to materialise, combined with a break in the weather and the Battle petered out. Pehaps Corporal Leggett died as a result of wounds received during the preceding days.

www.webmatters.net/france/ww1_arras_VIIa.htm

 

The Cemetery where Corporal Leggett was buried does indeed seem to have been mainly used by Casualty Clearing Stations and Field Ambulances.

www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=8700&a...

 

The Medal Index Card listing for Corporal 33106 of the Yorkshire Regiment is in the name of Victor J Leggett. He had previously been Private 9166 Northumberland Fusiliers. He is recorded on Soldiers Who Died in the Great War as born Norwich.

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A E Leverett……………Private

 

Name: LEVERETT, ARTHUR

Rank: Private Regiment: The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment Unit Text: 7th Bn.

Age: 27 Date of Death: 17/12/1917 Service No: 27408

Additional information: Son of Robert and Kate Leverett, of 19, Church Lane, Eaton Village, Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: VII. B. 10. Cemetery: ROCQUIGNY-EQUANCOURT ROAD BRITISH CEMETERY, MANANCOURT

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=244175

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has a 10 year old Arthur J.Leverett who was originally born in Hethersett but now living at 17 Church Lane Eaton. This is the household of his parents, Robert, (aged 34 and a Groom &Gardener from London) and Kate, (aged 35 and from Bunwell, Norfolk).

 

Arthur’s siblings are:-

Beatrice A……………………aged 13.………….born:Bunwell

Ellen E W…………………….aged 3.……………born:Eaton

James J R W……………….aged 4.…………….born:Eaton

Rose M…………………………aged 8.…………….born:Hethersett

 

I can find no record of the 7th Battalion being in action at this moment, but the CWGC notes on the history of the Cemetery indicates Private Leverett may well have died of wounds received earlier.

 

Etricourt was occupied by Commonwealth troops at the beginning of April 1917 during the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line. It was lost on the 23 March 1918 when the Germans advanced, but regained at the beginning of September. The cemetery was begun in 1917 and used until March 1918, mainly by the 21st and 48th Casualty Clearing Stations posted at Ytres, and to a small extent by the Germans, who knew it as "Etricourt Old English Cemetery"

www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=200008...

 

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H Loveday……………..O M Sergeant

 

Probably

Name: LOVEDAY, HORACE HENRY

Rank: Serjeant Regiment/Service: Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 8th Bn.

Date of Death: 31/07/1917 Service No: 14617

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 4. Memorial: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1619390

 

No match on Norlink for Loverday or Loveday

 

The 1901 Census has no obvious Horace Loveday, but it does have a Henry Loveday, aged 3, living at the Stables, Tombland along with his father Henry, (aged 28, a Coachman Domestic from Harpley, Norfolk) and Nellie, (aged 26 and from Islington, London). Henry has two sisters, Olive, (aged 4), and Beryl, (aged 1).

 

The Battle of Pilkem, 31 July - 2 August 1917

 

30th Division, with 53rd Brigade of 18th (Eastern) Division in support, attacked through Sanctuary Wood in the direction of Stirling Castle. 21st Brigade was unable to leave its assembly position on time due to heavy German shellfire and without protection of its own protective barrage became mixed up in the tangle of the wood as they approached Jar Row trench. Some men of the 18th King's veered off left and got mixed up with other units on the Menin road at Clapham Junction. 90th Brigade also lost direction and 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers signalled that they had taken Glencorse Wood, but in fact had only reached Chateau Wood. 53rd Brigade, whose job was to take the advance on from Glencorse Wood, were surprised to find the wood in enemy hands. Despite being reinforced by five tanks, the brigade was held up by heavy fire.

(This information was taken originally from the 1914-1918 site, but as a result of a current re-organisation (April 2009), this information is no longer present there)

 

Updated see comment 4 below

 

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J B Midforth………………Private

 

Name: MIDFORTH, JOHN BRIAN

Rank: Private

Regiment: Bedfordshire Regiment Unit Text: 8th Bn.

Age: 31

Date of Death: 10/02/1917

Service No: 40160

Additional information: Son of Robert Brian Midforth and Mearah Midforth, of Hull; husband of A. M. Midforth, of 60, Bury St., Unthank Rd., Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: V. D. 41. Cemetery: VERMELLES BRITISH CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=252120

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has a 15 year old John who had been born in Hull but was now living at 28 Onley Street, Norwich and employed as an apprentice to an Organ Pipe Manufacturer. This was the household of his parents, Robert B, (a 47 year old Organ Pipe maker from Hull) and Mearah, (aged 40 and from Notinghamshire). Also resident are siblings:-

Alfred, aged 12

Frederick T, aged 14 and a Telegraph messenger

Harry, aged 8

Mearah, aged 6

Lily, aged 21 and a Tailoress

(All born Hull).

 

Battalion War diary

HOHENZOLLERN. B, C & D Coy in front line & saps. A Coy in support

11 Feb 1917 Bn in line as above - Enemy snipers active. Casualties 2/Lt Batt wounded. 3 O.R. killed, 4 OR wounded.

www.bedfordregiment.org.uk/8thbtn/8thbtn1917diary.html

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W V Morgan………………………………....Captain

 

Name: MORGAN, WILLIAM VANSTONE

Rank: Captain Regiment/Service: Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 4th Bn.

Date of Death: 19/04/1917

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panels 12 to 15. Memorial: JERUSALEM MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1646422

 

Captain Morgan can be seen here:

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

The Norlink notes accompanying the picture read “Captain Morgan was educated at Norwich Grammar School, and, upon leaving school, was articled to Mr. J.W. Cockrill, M.I.C.E., Borough Surveyor, Great Yarmouth. He joined his father's firm and managed their branch business in Diss. He took a commission in 1/4th Norfolk Regiment in 1913. Gazetted as Captain, 1915. He went to Gallipoli in 1915 and was killed in action, 19th April 1917, aged 27.”

 

The 1901 Census has 11 year old Wiliam V Morgan living at 211 Unthank Road, Norwich. This is the household of his parents, Benjamin B. (aged 41 and a Surveyor and Valuer from Norwich), and mother Minnie, (aged 36 and from Chipping Ongar, Essex).. William’s siblings are Alice M. (aged 9), Dorothy E, (aged 6), Geoffrey F. (aged 3) and Robert P. (aged 4). The Morgan’s have three live in servants.

 

The 2nd Battle of Gaza which took place on this day was almost a total disaster for the allies.

More than a thousand one hundred of the men of the 54th posted killed wounded or missing were from the two Norfolk regiment battalions, equating to 75% of their strength. Eastern Daily Press "Sunday" section May 5, 2007

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Gaza

 

Captain Morgan also appears on the Diss War Memorial

www.roll-of-honour.org/Norfolk/Diss.html

 

Updated April 2017 - see comments below.

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Gerald E Morse……….2nd Lieutenant

 

Name: MORSE Initials: G E

Rank: Second Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Flying Corps Unit Text: 2nd Sqdn. Date of Death: 31/10/1917

Grave/Memorial Reference: III. J. 18. Cemetery: BETHUNE TOWN CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=60863

 

No match on Norlink

 

The only Gerald Morse listed on the 1901 Census was 5 years old, had been born in Middlesex and now resided at 80 Goldington Avenue, Bedford. However, a high-level search of the 1911 Census confirms that while that individual is still residing in Bedford, (and is a Gerald Frank), there is a Gerald Ernest age 13, living in Norwich. However, another look at the 1901 Census doesn’t throw up any likely members of the Morse family with any connection by birth or residence with the West side of Norwich.

 

There’s a bit more about 2 Squadron at this time on the Squadron’s web-site

www.twosqnassoc.co.uk/pages/bosses/snow.htm

Updated See Comment 3 below

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R Mortimer…………………….Private

 

Possibly

Name: MORTIMER Initials: R G

Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 8th Bn.

Age: 24 Date of Death: 10/01/1916 Service No: 13399

Additional information: Son of Charles W. and A. Mortimer, of 108, Devonshire St., Dereham Rd., Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: I. B. 5. Cemetery: ALBERT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION

 

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=552120

 

But could be

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1546067

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has no match for a R. Mortimer in Norwich, but it does have a 9 year old Russell G. Russell was born at Bawburgh, Norfolk, and was currently living at “Bridge Foot” in that village. This was the household of his parents, Charles W, (aged 36 and an Agricultural Labourer from Marlingford) and Adeline, (aged 37 and from Hackford).

 

The Battalion had been in the Somme region since summer, 1915. During this time they were to become familiar with the routine of life in the trenches. As with other front line units, they spent time in and out of the lines, experiencing both the dull and unpleasant realities of trench warfare and the occasional action in the form of raiding parties, etc.

(Although this was written about another Battalion in the same Brigade, I’m sure that it applies equally to the 8th Norfolks)

 

www.6throyalberks.co.uk/1stJuly/default.html

 

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W H Mower……………………….1st Class Petty Officer

 

Probably

Name: MOWER, WILLIAM HARRY

Rank: Sick Berth Steward Regiment/Service: Royal Navy Unit Text: H.M.S. "Falmouth" Age: 33 Date of Death: 09/07/1918 Service No: 360442

Additional information: Son of Charlotte Mower, of 93, Glebe Rd., Norwich, and the late William Mower.

Grave/Memorial Reference: AA. 245. Cemetery: NORWICH CEMETERY, Norfolk

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2803249

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has William Mower, aged 16 and a Factory Junior Clerk, living at 45 Caernarvon Road, Norwich, with his parents William, (aged 58, Grocers assistant) and Charlotte, (aged 50) as well as siblings Harry, (aged 11), Jessop, (aged 13), and May (aged 19)

 

William’s death is recorded as “illness” at the Royal Naval Barracks at Chatham. The Pandemic that was to become known as Spanish Flu was just getting started, and William may have been one of its early victims.

www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1918-07Jul.htm

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C Noble……………………….Private

 

Name: NOBLE, CHARLES

Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Royal Army Medical Corps Unit Text: 6th Field Amb. Age: 23 Date of Death: 12/09/1918 Service No: 93442

Additional information: Son of Frederick Waller Noble and Jane Matilda Noble, 74, Waldeck Rd., Eaton, Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: VI. A. 11. Cemetery: BAC-DU-SUD BRITISH CEMETERY, BAILLEULVAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=18964

 

Private Noble can be seen here:

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

The Norlink notes simply records that he was from Eaton.

 

The 1901 Census has a 6 year old Charles Noble living at 4 Upton Road, Norwich. This was the household of his parents, Frederick W. (aged 48 and a Carpenter from Norwich), and Jane M, (aged 43 and from Norwich). Charles’ siblings are:-

Alice E…….aged 8

Hilda C…….aged 12

Kate E……..aged 16.……………Domestic Housemaid…Born Islington, London

Mabel G…..aged 10

Percy B……aged 1.

 

Also resident there was Charles widowed maternal grandmother, Maria A. Slart, aged 74 and from West Bradenham.

 

This unit was part of the 47th London Division.

www.1914-1918.net/47div.htm

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R C Norman…………………..Lance Corporal

 

Probably

Name: NORMAN, REGINALD CHARLES

Rank: Lance Corporal Regiment/Service: Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 8th Bn.

Date of Death: 21/10/1916 Service No: 13437

Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 1 C and 1 D. Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=806611

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has a 7 year old Reginald C. living at 118 York Street, Norwich. This is the household of his parents, Benjamin C, (a 40 year old Postman from Norwich), and Adeline E. (aged 36 and also from Norwich). Their other children are Agnes J.E, (aged 8), and Hilda A, (aged 3 months)

 

While its not shown as a separate Battle Honour, the 8th certainly seem to have been in action in the period 21st/22nd October. The CWGC database lists 32 fatalities for the Battalion on the 21st and a further 8 on the 22nd.

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S W Palmer…………….Sergeant

 

Name: PALMER, SIDNEY WILLIAM

Rank: Serjeant Regiment/Service: Gloucestershire Regiment Unit Text: 2nd/44th Bn.

Age: 19 Date of Death: 05/07/1916 Service No: 6240

Additional information: Son of Edward and Jane Palmer, of 32, Glebe Rd., Unthank Rd., Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 60 to 64. Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1766218

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has the 3 year old Sidney Palmer living at 32 Glebe Road, Norwich. This was the household of his parents, Edward, (a 47 year old Museum Attendant from Norwich) and Jane, (aged 40 and from Wymondham). Their other children are William, (aged under 1), Arthur, (aged 11), and George, (aged 12).

 

Serjeant Palmer had originally enlisted in the Norfolk Regiment, where his service number was 1718. His place of enlistment is given as North Walsham. He is recorded as being killed in action.

www.glosters.org.uk/soldier/26924

 

The 2/4th (City of Bristol) Battalion had only arrived in France on the 24th May 1916.

www.1914-1918.net/glos.htm

 

The Unit would see its first battle on the 19th July, as part of 61st Division. The Division would suffer over 1,500 casualties in a disastrous diversionary attack at Fromelles which was intended to tie down reserves in their area and keep them away from the Somme.

www.webmatters.net/france/ww1_fromelles.htm

 

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A B Parker……………Corporal

 

Probably

Name: PARKER, ARTHUR BURGESS

Rank: Corporal Regiment/Service: Essex Regiment Unit Text: 1st Bn.

Date of Death: 13/08/1915 Service No: 20560

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 144 to 150 or 229 to 233. Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=683111

 

No match on Norlink

 

There are at least 6 Arthur Parkers either born and still resident, or now resident in the Norwich area. None are in the Eaton area of Norwich - Globe Place and Kings Street probably being the closest.

 

HMT Royal Edward, 11,117 grt, sunk 13th August 1915 by German submarine SMU UB14, 6 miles W from Kandeliusa, Aegean Sea, carrying goverment stores from Avonmouth & Alexandria to Mudros. Owned by Canadian Northern Steamships Ltd-Toronto. 132 crew died. Out of a total compliment of 1586 (crew and troops) less than 500 were saved.

 

1/Essex lost 174 O.R's, but 172 of them were volunteers who'd transfer from the Norfolk's (3rd Special Reserve) based at Felixstowe, 100 on 23 June and 200 on 24 July.

 

Colonel Tonge refers to the loss of 300 men, the best draft that ever left Felixstowe. These men volunteered to join the Essex Regiment and appear to have constituted the drafts of June 23 and July 24 1915. They were part of the reinforcements carried by the transport "Royal Edward" which was torpedoed and sunk in the Aegean Sea on August 14th 1915. She sank two and a half minutes after the torpedo struck her.Of the 1,400 men she carried only 600 were saved,and the drowned included all but 18 of the 300 Norfolk men. The men who had had a route march just before leaving Alexandria, were waiting on deck for foot inspection at about 9.20 am. Their lifebelts were down below, and when the ship was unexpectedly struck most of them ran below to fetch the belts. Owing to the ship's sudden heeling over and sinking, these never got up again. Those who escaped were picked up by a hospital ship which responded to the s.o.s. signal. To partly replace this sad loss, another draft of 150 men to the Essex Regiment was dispatched on September 29, 1915.

 

Addenda 1994 From: "Men of Gallipoli"(David & Charles,1988) by kind permission of the publishers. One of the features of the Cape Helles monument is the rows of names of men drowned in the torpedoing of the Royal Edward,which sank in the Eastern Mediterranean on 13th August with a loss of over 850 lives. .A.T.Fraser in the Border Regiment,was in a deckchair on the afterdeck starboard side when suddenly dozens of men ran past him from port to starboard. The explosion came before he had time to ask what was the matter."The ship had no escort and we had not been ordered to have our life-belts with us. The hundreds on deck ran below to get their life-belts and hundreds below would have met them on their way up. I shared a cabin accessible from the deck I was on and I raced there to get my life-belt and ran to my life-boat station which was on the star- board side. As the men arrived they fell in two ranks. Already the ship was listing and this prevented our boats from being lowered, so we were ordered to jump for it. I saw no panic, but of course one could imagine what was happening on the inside stairs. I swam away from the ship and turned to see the funnels leaning towards me.When they reached the sea,all the soot was belched out,there was a loud whoosh and the ship sank. No explosion,no surge.

 

So I was alone.The little waves were such that in the trough you saw nothing,

on the crest you saw a few yards.The water was warm. I wondered if there were sharks". Fraser found some wood to rest on and he was joined by a seaman, an older man who had twice previously been torpedoed. This brought the young Scot confidence. An up turned Royal Edward lifeboat was to provide 17 of the survivors with a little more security though in what Fraser calls half-hourly recurring turbulence, the boat turned over, offering them conventional but completely waterlogged accommodation every alternate half hour but at least providing them with something to do. There was no singing and little conversation. The first ship that passed hailed the scattered men and promised to signal for help.It could not stop as it had high explosives for Lemnos. Some of the men became depressed and showed unwillingness to clamber back in the life boat when it overturned,but on each occasion all were persuaded. Finally the hospital ship SOUDAIN arrived to pick them up in her life-boats,and at 2 o'clock Fraser was safely aboard her after just under five hours in the sea. He remembers that"a large number of men lost their false teeth as we were constantly sick in the sea- and these men were sent back to England. We the younger ones,were clothed and kitted and on another ship three days later for Gallipoli

www.geocities.com/heartland/acres/5564/royaledward.html

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R C Partridge…………………Captain

 

Probably

Name: PARTRIDGE, ROBERT CHARLES

Rank: Captain Regiment/Service: 5th Dragoon Guards (Princess Charlotte of Wales's) Age: 32 Date of Death: 08/09/1914

Grave/Memorial Reference: 3. Cemetery: SABLONNIERES NEW COMMUNAL CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=574243

 

But could be

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=267254

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has a Robert Charles Partridge listed as an 18 year old Officer Cadet at Sandhurst. While there are other Robert’s of approximately the right age, given the date of death and the unit, it must be a very strong likelihood that the Sandhurst cadet is the one we are looking for. His place of birth is given as Shimpling, Suffolk.

 

There is no exact match on the 1891 Census, but an 8 year old Robert C, born Suffolk, is staying with his Aunt at 7 Newmarket Road, Norwich along with his brother Anthony F, aged 18. The Aunt’s name unfortunately is totally indecipherable, but she is described as being of independent means and was born at Islington, London. Again her age is difficult to read from the scanned document - best guess is 43.

 

The BEF took part in the First battle of the Marne, (8th September - 10th September) in which the French Army took the offensive and defeated the German thrust towards Paris. The BEF was used to split the 1st and 2nd German Armies, with the cavalry being used to probe the gap that had opened between the opponents formations.

www.schoolshistory.org.uk/Year9/firstworldwar/1914/septem...

www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_marne1st.html

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_the_Marne

cnparm.home.texas.net/Wars/Marne/Marne05.htm

warpath.orbat.com/cav/1_cav_div.htm

 

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R C Patteson…………………….Signaller

 

Name: PATTESON Initials: R C

Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 9th Bn

Age: 19 Date of Death: 18/12/1917 Service No: 200649

Additional information: Son of Charles and Ellen E. Patteson, of 13, Eaton St., Norwich. Native of Eaton.

Grave/Memorial Reference: XXXI. D. 9A. Cemetery: ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=504683

 

Signaller Reginald Charles Patteson can be seen here:-

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

The Norlink notes read “Signaller Patteson was born in Eaton village, Norwich, on 21st August 1898, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Patteson. He enlisted on 15th September 1914 in the Norfolk Regiment, and afterwards attached to the 9th Norfolk Regiment in France. On 30th November 1917 he was wounded, and he died on 18th December 1917”

 

There are no obvious matches for Reginald or Charles Patteson on the 1901 Census.

 

This is the only casualty recorded for the 9th battalion on this day.

Done