The Old Costessey War Memorial - 3

1914 - 1919

 

Henry Francis Melton

 

Most likely

Name: MELTON Initials: H

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

Date of Death: 17/02/1917 Service No: 23782

Grave/Memorial Reference: VI. F. 23. Cemetery: REGINA TRENCH CEMETERY, GRANDCOURT

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=235140

 

No match on Norlink

 

No obvious matches on the 1901 Census. There is a Melton family recorded at The Street, Costessey, with the head of the household shown as Maria Melton, aged 40 and with 6 daughters as well as sons James, a 17 year old Labourer and Harry, aged 9. Maria also has an older son, Arthur Paul, aged 20, born London and employed as a brick-layer, indicating Maria had been previously married. On the 1891 census, the head of the household was Herbert Melton, a 30 year old Letter Carrier born at Barford, Norfolk.

 

15th /17th February 1917 (NB 8th Norfolks were part of the 18th Division, who attacked alongside the Royal Naval Division (RND) on these dates)

 

The RND moved into the line around Grandcourt at the end January 1917 with preparation for offensive action towards Miraumont. An attack was planned for February and was to be conducted by units of 189 Brigade, with mainly Hood and Hawke assaulting and Nelson in close reserve. The attack went ahead in the evening of 3 February and into the early hours of the 4th. The Brigade succeeded in capturing River trench and settled on its gains but suffered casualties of 24 Officers and 647 other ranks. figures which were significant, especially in the light of the losses three months prior to this.

 

On 7th February it was the turn of l90 Brigade to attack. This went well with 1/HAC taking Baillescourt Farm which was in the river valley 600yds ahead of the line taken and established on the 4th. The position now was that the line was advanced into the river valley, but the high ground to the north and south was still in German hands. It was this high ground that was to be the subject of attacks of 3 Divisions on the 17th

 

The plan was to take the sunken lane opposite Baillescourt farm. The lower part of this lane approximately 100yards was in British hands. What was needed was to take the rest of this lane and link with troops to the north. Once this lane had been taken strongpoints were to be formed 50 yards in front of the sunken lane. On the southern flank, the 18 Division was attacking northwards, at 90 degrees to the RND. On their right flank. 2nd division was also attacking Boom ravine northwards towards Pys and Petite Miraumont. The purpose of all of these attacks was to take this high ground and remove a bulge in the British line west of Courcelette/ Pozieres.

 

Conditions generally were bad. The ground bad been frozen, but now was thawing out, leaving the battlefield muddy. There were no trenches as such, they had been blown away, at best there was a line of shell holes. The result was that there were no landmarks, making it difficult to orientate units- It must be remembered that there was only map and compass to find your way around, not the modern Magellan system aided by satellites. Carrying parties and people attempting to get to the front line were becoming disorientated and frequently lost.

 

Zero hour was 5.45 am, the attack commenced with a terrific artillery support. The Germans retaliated with artillery, but it was not strong, especially to the North. Despite these conditions there appeared to be the usual confusion of HQ not receiving any news and this lead to confusion over where the artillery should be directing its fire. It was decided to keep to the fire plan until something was heard from Howe or 1/RM. The RND's artillery was being asked to assist on the 18th Divisions front where big problems were occurring.

www.royalnavaldivision.co.uk/mir1.htm

 

This query also appeared on a geneology forum as part of a request for more information.

 

15th/19th February 1917

 

My great uncle, Robert Bradfield, (8th Bttn Norfolk Regiment, Private, No.43577) was killed at Ancre. A relative discovered the following from the Norfolk Regimental Museum in Norwich. The men were moved into the front line on 15th February 1917. Battle commenced on 16th and lasted to the 19th. Robert died of wounds on 20th February 1917. There were 57 wounded but I don't know how many were killed.

 

archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/NORFOLK/2000-08/09...

 

 

Frank Matthews

 

Name: MATTHEWS, FRANK HERBERT JOHN

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

Age: 20 Date of Death: 23/04/1917 Service No: 316861

Additional information: Son of Philip Matthews, of Costessey, Norwich, and the late Agnes Matthews.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Bay 3. Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=780740

 

No match on Norlink

 

No obvious match on the 1901 Census.

 

23rd April 1917 - from the War diary of the 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment who went into action alongside 1st Norfolks.

Appendix XII. OPERATION ORDER No.73. Map Reference VIMY Scale 1/10,000. 22nd April 1917.

1. ATTACK. The 5th Division will attack and capture S Trenches from VIMY-AVIONS Railway to the SOUCHEZ Railway.

2. POSITION. 15th Infantry Brigade will attack on the right. 95th Infantry Brigade will attack on the left. 15th Infantry Brigade will attack with first Battalion Norfolk Regiment and 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment on the left. (95th Infantry Brigade on the left of 1st Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment.)

3. BOUNDARIES. 1st Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment – Right T.1.c.80/60 – T.1.d.10/90. Left S.6.central to junction of railway and road at N.31.c.95/90 exclusive.

4. OBJECTIVES. 1st Objective T.1.b.10/10 to T.1.b.0/6 thence to N.31.c.3/1. 2nd Objective T.1.b.60/85 to N.31.d.20/50 thence to 31.c.95/90.

5. BARRAGE. On German front line from Zero to Zero plus ten. German second line (1st objective) from Zero plus 10 to Zero plus 14. About 100 yards (1st objective) a pause of 24 minutes will be observed. It then creeps forward at a rate of 100 yards in 4 minutes until it reaches the outskirts of AVION.

6. GENERAL METHOD. A & B Companies will take the first objective with two platoons each in first wave and two platoons in second wave. A Coy. on the right, B Coy. on the left.

C & D Companies will take second objective, “C” on the right, “D” on the left.

Dividing line between Companies – T.1.a.7/7 (where LENS – ARRAS road crosses German second line) to N.31.d.3/3.

7. DETAILED METHOD. From 30 yards our side of Outpost Line.

A Company. 1st platoon of this company that moves will avoid CYRIL TRENCH on East side of the road and close to it will deploy 150 yards from the road. 2nd platoon will follow this one keeping along the road and from 200 yards to 400 yards will change direction man by man and lay in the ditch in the road. The advance will be made from the left about half hour after deployment. 3rd platoon will attack the triangle at T.1 central and enfiladed with -- (1) Bombs below ground (2) Lewis Guns on top – the WATER TOWER TRENCH and FOSSE No.7 TRENCH. 4th platoon will support the 3rd and act as Moppers Up for the whole company. Touch must be kept with the 1st Norfolk Regiment on the right and the whole triangle including junction of CYRIL TRENCH taken.

B Company. Right on LENS – ARRAS road and left on left boundary keeping touch with 95th Infantry Brigade. The first two platoons will go straight to their objectives and the second two platoons will get into the German front line and mop up.

C & D Companies will advance at 100 yards distance from assaulting companies and will get into A & B Companies objective as soon as it is taken. They will wait in this trench until barrage moves forward from stationary line Zero plus 38 when they will move forward to final objective behind the barrage.

8. Watches to be syncronised at Commanding Officers conference.

9. FIRING. There will be no firing or bombing until after barrage had opened. If parties are met they will be bayoneted.

10. COMMUNICATION. I Power Busser junction of A & B Companies in first objective. Visual should be possible at south end of same wall to a point to be notified.

11. CONTACT AEROPLANE. Will fly at Zero plus 1 hour and Zero plus 2 hours. Flares will be lit if called for by KLAXON HORN and in places as invisible as possible from the enemy. Only front line troops will light them.

12. S.O.S. See V.P.A.

13. TIME TABLE. Time table and detail for relief of 15th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment as attached. Previous time tale to be cancelled.

14. ROYAL ENGINEERS. R.E. i/c section will report to Battalion headquarters at 2am.

15. PRISONERS. To be collected in CYRIL TRENCH. 16th Royal Warwickshire Regt. to arrange escorts.

16. ZERO HOUR. 4.45am

17. FLAGS. Flags will be carried and not stuck in the ground.

18. BATTALION H.Q. Battalion Headquarters at S.12.b.8/1

Please acknowledge.

(Signed) Beale Lt. & Adjt., 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.

Report on action at La Coulotte.. Lt. Colonel P.B. Worrall M.C. Commanding 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.

Sir, I have the honour to report that I received orders to attack LA COULOTTE from T.1.d.1/9 to T.1.a.3/9. and attach a copy of my Operation Orders which I personally explained in detail to all Officers and NCO’s. Briefly, I had to make:

(a) a frontal attack to the N.

(b) a flank attack East on WATER TOWER TRENCH.

AND (c) attack on triangle south of WATER TRENCH from the south, including a large part of CYRIL TRENCH held by the Germans.

The whole undertaking seemed to be most hazardous.

I considered the WATER TOWER TRENCH to be key to the situation and so attacked it frontally and in enfilade. Had I not got this footing, my Battalion must haave been wiped out by WATER TOWER TRENCH if we were held up by wire.

NARRATIVE.

4.40am. For half an hour previous to this I heard no M.G. fire and this proved a successful deployment.

5.15am. Two wounded reported that left company had reached 1st line German trench. It proved afterwards to be correct but with regard to extreme left only.

6.15am. 24 prisoners marched in from DEVONS and BEDFORDS captured at the junction of these two Battalions. 6.5am O.C. right assault company reported wounded but right company going through gaps. This Officer in charge and many others afterwards reported that it took at least five minutes to get through the wire, that there were few gaps, and a double belt (the first one 15 yards thick) in front of the first line.

7.05am. Touch with NORFOLKS reported.

7.55amj. Right 2nd wave (“C” Coy.) report they had passed through first objective (second German line) met with strong resistance, machine gun fire from houses and minerwerfer, but captured 9 prisoners (sent back), and 2 machine guns which they later smashed, and parties actually reached buildings T.1.b.5/9 and made a great attempt to rush LA COULOTTE from there, patrols were also sent out from there to try and get touch with the NORFOLKS , and companies on the left.

9.50am. NCO’s from “B” and “D” (left companies) reported that their right was held up, they had been surrounded and several prisoners had been taken. I have satisfied myself that these men were between two belts of wire with wire and a communication trench on the right from which they were enfiladed, and the gaps through which they had advanced were covered, and that they were bombed from the front and like rats in a trap.

Lt. Hunter from the right and who was on the other side of the road witnessed it and stated they were absolutely powerless.

10.00am. I sent orders to “A” and “C” to hang on and throw a defensive flank from junction of LENS-ARRAS ROAD and 1st German line and make strenuous efforts to get in touch with “B” and “D” .

11.05am. Lt. Woodford wounded, reported that “B” and “D” took the German 2nd line and were at once driven out of it with the exception of extreme left (communication trench T.1.a.30/95). Capt. C.A.S. Morris O.C. B Company was killed in rallying his men to make a gallant attack on machine guns, holding up their advance from 2nd line. At the same time I received a message that the remnants of A and C Companies were under 100 in WATER TOWER TRENCH and TRIANGLE, and that there were some NORFOLKS fighting with them and that they could not hold out much longer. They asked for reinforcements and bombs.

1.30pm. I applied at once for permission to conduct retirement in person but on this being refused I despatched Lt.H.J.EVERERTT MC with all available men from headquarters with 700 bombs and detailed orders for retirement if forced back, and I considered it imperative:

1. To hold the strong point in CYRIL TRENCH and not save the OUTPOST LINE

2. To evacuate my wounded (some 30) in the TUNNEL before evacuation.

My orders were more than carried out, the bombs were taken up under heavy fire, though some sent up by another Regiment failed to arrive, a splendid attack was led by a Sergeant of the NORFOLKS before the withdrawal, all the wounded were got away, and barricade strengthened before withdrawal.

[Cannot read time]. Verbal message received that A and C Companies had withdrawn to our original OUTPOST LINE and that Lt. H.J.EVERETT MC again sent up with a further supply of ammunition and bombs for strong point in CYRIL TRENCH.

[Cannot read time]. My position at the time of this withdrawal was:

1. About 60 men of “A” and “C”, all me effective rifles and some NORFOLKS from about T.1.a.6/7 to T.1.a.9/0 (German Front Line).

2. On my left from T.1.a.5/6 to T.1.a.1/8 the remnants of “B” and “D” lying out in front of German Wire till dusk, being continually bombed, grenaded and minenwerfened.

[Cannot read time]. A proportion of “B” and “D” Companies withdrew under the smoke of a protective barrage on German 2nd Line trench, to left of OLD OUTPOST LINE.

Copy of orders of my forced retirement attached.

I consider that my Officers, NCO’s and men showed great devotion to duty against untold odds, particularly wire and machine guns and I am forwarding under separate cover a list of recommendations.

I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant

P.R.WORRALL, Lt.Colonel commanding 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.

 

 

www.bedfordregiment.org.uk/1stbtn/1stbtn1917appendices.html

 

Arnold Randell

 

Name: RANDELL, ARNOLD

Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Royal Army Medical Corps Unit Text: 45th Field Amb Age: 28 Date of Death: 01/09/1917 Service No: 88228

Additional information: Son of Albert and Emma Randell, of Costessey, Norwich. Born Harleston, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: XVIII. F. 5. Cemetery: LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=147033

 

No match on Norlink

 

No obvious match on the 1901 Census.

 

During the First World War, the village of Lijssenthoek was situated on the main communication line between the Allied military bases in the rear and the Ypres battlefields. Close to the Front, but out of the extreme range of most German field artillery, it became a natural place to establish casualty clearing stations. The cemetery was first used by the French 15th Hopital D'Evacuation and in June 1915, it began to be used by casualty clearing stations of the Commonwealth forces. From April to August 1918, the casualty clearing stations fell back before the German advance and field ambulances (including a French ambulance) took their places.

www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=14900&...

 

 

Alfred Read

 

(NB - this is a correction to my original posting, which had identified as a possible a Norwich man who died on the 12/04/1917 while serving with the Kings Royal Rifle Corps in the Battle of Arras)

 

READ, A

Rank:Private

Service No:29329

Date of Death:19/11/1916

Age:39

Regiment/Service:Royal Fusiliers

10th Bn.

Grave ReferenceVIII. F. 16.

CemeteryCONTAY BRITISH CEMETERY, CONTAY

Additional Information:

Son of Alfred and Emma Read, of Costessey, Norwich.

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/81820/READ,%20A

 

The Find My Past and Military Genealogy search of the database Soldiers Who Died in the Great War have this soldier as an Alfred Read, born Costessey, Norfolk. FMP has him as 29329 Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)

 

CONTAY BRITISH CEMETERY, CONTAY

 

Historical Information

The site was chosen in August 1916 for burials from the 49th Casualty Clearing Station, which arrived at Contay at the end of August. It was joined by the 9th CCS in September. All the burials in Plots I to IV and the majority of those in Plots VII and VIII (the plot numbers V and VI were not used) cover the period August 1916 to March 1917. Most of them were made from these two clearing stations.

www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/8000/CONTAY%20BRITI...

 

1939 - 1945

 

C Sparkes

 

Name: SPARKES, CYRIL ARTHUR

Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Royal Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 5th Bn.

Age: 23 Date of Death: 12/06/1943 Service No: 5778296

Additional information: Son of Leonard and Annie Sparkes, of Costessey, Norfolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: 2. L. 48. Cemetery: KANCHANABURI WAR CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2194960

 

 

W Sutherland

 

Name: SUTHERLAND, WALTER HUBERT

Rank: Lance Corporal Regiment/Service: Royal Armoured Corps

Unit Text: "A" Sqdn. 13th/18th Royal Hussars

Age: 29 Date of Death: 06/03/1945 Service No: 14346602

Additional information: Son of Arthur Daniel and Alice Maud Sutherland; husband of Edith Matilda Sutherland, of New Costessey, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: 46. G. 10. Cemetery: REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2046265

 

 

F G Swindells

 

Name: SWINDELLS, FRANCIS GEORGE

Rank: Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Reconnaissance Corps

Unit Text: 18th (5th Bn. The Loyal Regt.) Regt.

Date of Death: 06/07/1944 Service No: 117962

Grave/Memorial Reference: 14. A. 5. Cemetery: KRANJI WAR CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2821702

 

 

Done