The Old Costessey War Memorial - 5

Live Worthy of their example.

 

1914-1919

 

John Sissen

 

Name: SISSEN, JOHN

Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Royal Warwickshire Regiment Unit Text: 1st/8th Bn. Date of Death: 27/08/1917 Service No: 29375

Additional information: Son of Mrs. Edith Maria Sissen, of King's Villa, Costessey, Norwich, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 23 to 28 and 163A. Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=3064994

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has the 3 year John living at The Street, Costessey. This is the household of his parents, Henry, aged 49 and a Bricklayer from Costessey, and Edith, aged 30 and a Tailoress from Norwich. Their other children are Arthur, aged 6, Henry, aged 15 and a Shoemakers apprentice, Stephen, aged 8, and William, aged under 1.

 

A history of the 48th Division, of which the 1st/8th Warwicks were part, includes the following battle honours for 1917.

 

Local operations around St. Julian. 19, 22, 27 Aug 1917

 

www.ordersofbattle.darkscape.net/site/warpath/divs/48_div...

 

However, it would appear that the 143rd Brigade, which included the 1st/8ths, were the divisional reserve on this day, as only the 144th and 145th Brigades appear in these records of the action.

 

forum.irishmilitaryonline.com/showthread.php?t=11535&...

 

There is some family research on-line in connection with John.

www.martinzuerner.co.uk/descendants-chart.htm

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNc2INfhqAw

This site has a (small) picture of John.

www.norfolkmills.co.uk/Watermills/costessey.html

 

 

Watson H Sparkes

 

Name: SPARKES, WATSON HENRY

Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: "A" Coy. 1st Bn.

Age: 21 Date of Death: 27/07/1916 Service No: 14031

Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sparkes, of Wensum Square, Costessey, Norwich.

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

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=813718

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has the 5 year old Watson living at The Street, Costessey. This was the household of his parents, Henry W, aged 38 and a Journeyman Miller from Plumstead, London and Sarah E, aged 32 from East Beckham, Norfolk. Their other children are Ernest W, (aged under 1)and Leonard A, (aged 4).

 

 

27th July 1916 From the War diary of the 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment

 

OPERATION ORDER NO.6 1/BEDFORDSHIRE Rgt. REF. Sheet LONGUEVAL 27th July. 1916

1. The 15th Infantry Bde. will attack the village of LONGUEVAL on 27th inst.

2. The attack will be preceded by a bombardment of 2 hours commencing at 2 hours before zero, i.e. at 5.10 A.M.

3. (a) At ZERO i.e. 7.10 A.M. 2 Coys 1/NORFOLK RGT. will advance from their line of assembly to the first objective. (b) The Guns will then lift onto the 2nd line of barrage. (c) A & B Coys will occupy the trenches vacated by two coys 1/NORFOLKS at this time.

4. (a) At 8.10 a.m. 2 coys 1/NORFOLKS will advance to 2nd objective (b) remaining 2 coys 1/NORFOLKS will move up into trenches vacated by 2 assaulting coys of 1/NORFOLKS (c) A.& B. Coys will move into the Trenches vacated by last 2 coys 1/NORFOLKS (d) C. & D. Coys will occupt original line of assembly. (e) At 8.40 A.M. Guns will lift onto final objective.

5. (a) At 8.40 A.M. A. & B. Coys. will attack the final objective. (b) The Guns will lift onto a line [blank] to [blank] & will stay on this line

6. A.Coy. will be responsible for that part of the objective lying to the right of the road running N.-S. through LONGUEVAL.. B.Coy. to the left of this road. (b) A.Coy. is responsible for the ORCHARD & for the strong post at [blank]. Special attention should also be paid to the right flank. (c) B.Coy. is responsible for the strong point at [blank]

7. When the final objective is captured, it will be consolidated AT ONCE & held at all costs.

8. Green flares will be lit at 9 a.m. & 2 p.m. & on reaching the final objective.

9. Bn. H.Q. is in old German 2nd line at S.17.d.5/9.

10. Aid Post is in dug out in old German 2nd Line. formerly occupied by H.Q. 1/NORFOLK Rgt.

11. All other instructions have been issued verbally.

REPORT ON OPERATIONS 26/28 JULY 1/BEDFORDSHIRE Rgt 26.7.'16 11.15.P.M.

The Battalion left its Bivouac POMMIERS REDOUBT and marched to Brigade Advanced H.Q. Here owing to very heavy Barrage & poison Gas shells in the Valley the Battalion halted for two hours. The Barrage was still intense but a fresh wind made advance possible & only two cases of gas poisoning have been reported. Shell fire was moderately severe in the valley and increased as the old German Second line Trenches were approached. 27.7.'16 [Capt. PARKER wounded] 3.50 A.M. Battn arrived in position of assembly in German 2nd Line Trenches and improved cover 5.30 A.M. Operation Orders received & communicated to Company Commanders. 7.0 A.M. A & B Coys in accordance with orders, left to take up their position in Reserve trenches at LONGUEVAL. 7.40 A.M. Report received from O.C. 1/NORFOLKS that owing to heavy shell fire, he required assistance 8.20 A.M. OC 1/BEDFORDSHIRE Rgt arrived at H.Q. 1/NORFOLK Rgt in LONGUEVAL having arranged for A & B Coys to assault the second line in conjunction with NORFOLKS & for C & D Coys to pass through & take third line. O.C. 16/ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE Rgt was requested to occupy front line trenches when these were vacated by C & D Coys. A & B Coys had at 7.30 A.M. occupied first line at 'E' & reserve trenches at 'B'. 9.00 A.M. C Coy arrived at E D Coy arrived at B and A Coy pushed across towards German Redoubt at F where the two leading NORFOLK Coys were being held up [100 prisoners surrendered here] Lt. FYSON with his platoon attacked house at G and took 32 prisoners. 9.5 A.M. C Coy advanced across PRINCES Street but were held up by Machine Gun fire from House at Cross Roads (I). This house was taken by a party of NORFOLK bombers. At the same time, two platoons of A Coy reached position marked H & K near FLERS Road where they were in touch in [sic] the ROYAL FUSILIERS on their right. A German counterattack was met with LEWIS Gun & Rifle fire, the estimated Enemy Casualties being 50. Several small posts were observed on the Ridge, apparently protected by wire. 9.30 A.M. C Coy crossed PRINCES STREET and took up a position parallel with NORTH Street joining up the two leading NORFOLK coys. They were unable to progress further owing to heavy Machine Gun fire from DUKE Street. They consolidated their position. 1 Officer & 30 men went forward from B Coy at C to reinforce a Coy of NORFOLKS at A. This coy was held up by Machine Gun fire from direction of DUKE Street & was unable to advance. STOKES Mortar Battery was asked to cooperate, but did not come into action. Later, heavy Artillery was asked to bombard this post. While awaiting this & the opportunity to advance, B & D Coys endeavoured to improve their cover under a hurricane bombardment.

Casualties in these two

B Coy 2 Officers 54 O.R. out of 5 Officers & 166 O.R.

D Coy 2 Officers 106 O.R. out of 5 Officers & 176 O.R.

6.30 P.M. ROYAL FUSILIERS on right, owing to heavy shell fire, retired and out line at K & H was slightly withdrawn to cover exposed flank. 7.0 P.M. B Coy received orders to retire to German Second Line trenches, leaving one platoon to hold line at A. A similar order was sent to D Coy but did not reach there and a second order was sent at 8.0 P.M. 9.0 P.M. C Coy tried to establish itself on East side of NORTH ST. but had to withdraw. They consolidated in touch with NORFOLKS & the SOUTH STAFFORDS of 2nd Division 28.7.'16 6 A.M. 1/D.C.L.I. & 1/E.SURREYS arrived & took over the line & the Battalion withdrew to POMMIERS Redoubt. The total casualties were 9 Officers 303 O.R. out of 23 Officers 807 O.R.

15th Infy. Bde. 1st Bedfords

The Brigadier-General Commanding wishes to express to all ranks of the Brigade his great admiration at the magnificent manner in which they captured the Village of LONGUEVAL yesterday. To the 1st NORFOLK Regiment and the 1st BEDFORDSHIRE Regiment and some of the 16th ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE Regiment, who were able to get into the enemy with the bayonet, he offers his heartiest congratulations. He knows it is what they have been waiting and wishing for many months. The 1st CHESHIRE Regiment made a most gallant and determined effort to reach their objective and failed through no fault of their own. The way in which the Troops behaved under the subsequent heavy bombardment was worthy of the best traditions of the British Army The Brigade captured 4 Officers and 159 other ranks 28/7/1916

www.bedfordregiment.org.uk/1stbtn/1stbtn1916appendices.html

 

William C White

 

No obvious match on CWGC

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has the 14 year old William living at The Street, Costessey. This was the household of his parents Albert, a 40 year old Carpenter from Costessey, and Harriet, aged and originally from Brandon, Suffolk. Their other children are Annie, aged 12, Eleanor, aged 6 and Gertrude, aged 9.

 

1939 - 1945

 

W Orford

 

Name: ORFORD, WILLIAM FRED

Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Royal Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 2nd Bn.

Age: 24 Date of Death: 04/05/1944 Service No: 5775952

Additional information: Son of Fred Orford and of Mary Ann Orford (nee Gary), of New Costessey, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: 2. C. 15. Cemetery: KOHIMA WAR CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2601899

 

The 2nd Battalion were heavily engaged in the Battle of Kohima at this stage.

Reports of the action on this day are referred to briefly here,

www.britain-at-war.org.uk/html/body_randle.htm

 

C Roberts

 

Name: ROBERTS, CHARLES AMBROSE

Rank: Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 2nd Bn.

Age: 33 Date of Death: 06/05/1944 Service No: 203323

Additional information: Son of Thomas and Sarah Roberts; husband of Monica Roberts, of New Costessey, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: 2. C. 3. Cemetery: KOHIMA WAR CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2602003

 

It was on this day that Captain John Randle of the battalion won the VC in the attack on the enemy position known as “Norfolk Bunker”

www.britain-at-war.org.uk/html/body_randle.htm

 

E Smith

 

Too many to choose from (479 matches on CWGC)

 

H O Solomon

 

Name: SOLOMON, HAROLD OLIVER

Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Royal Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 6th Bn.

Age: 26 Date of Death: 10/09/1945 Service No: 5776798

Additional information: Son of George Odger Solomon and Charlotte Solomon, of New Costessey, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 52. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2072182

 

 

Done