Strumpshaw War Memorial 2

Alfred Richard Barton………………Aged 34

 

Possibly

Name: BARTON, ALFRED RICHARD

Rank: Second Lieutenant Regiment/Service: South African Infantry Unit Text: 3rd Regt. Date of Death: 18/07/1916

Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 4 C. Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=770024

 

This was confirmed by Norlink, where there is a picture of 2nd Lt Barton

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

(and for his brother Hugh - see below for Hugh and the Strumpshaw link)

 

The most likely link on the 1901 Census is a 18 year old Alfred Richard who is staying with his uncle, Thomas Allday Barton, aged 55 and a farmer, resident at Threxton House, Threxton, Swaffham.

 

The 9th Division was not involved in the disasters of the first day of the Somme battle, but on 14 July the two Scottish brigades attacked the village of Longueval, and on the following day the South African Brigade was launched at Delville Wood. The wood abutted on the village, and together they formed an important wedge of high ground. Hence the order to the South Africans to take and hold the Wood 'at all costs', and the desperate efforts of the Germans to regain it.

The story of Delville Wood has often been told, for it has an epic quality. The South Africans took virtually all the wood without too much difficulty, but holding it proved another matter. German counter-attacks and shelling were ferocious and incessant. On 18 July, the shelling reached heights of extraordinary fury: often 400 shells a minute would fall on an area roughly 1 000 yards by 1 200. The South Africans repulsed with rifle and bayonet the heavy German attacks that followed. Finally, on the evening of 20 July, six days and five nights after their first advance, the last of the South Africans, 2 officers (both wounded) and 140 men, came Out of the wood. When all the scattered remnants were gathered together, it was found that the Brigade had lost three quarters of its strength, while of those who had actually entered the wood, 90 per cent became casualties.

samilitaryhistory.org/vol082rb.html

 

Hugh Fabian Barton……………….Aged 19

 

Name: BARTON, HUGH FABIAN

Rank: Second Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 9th Bn.

Age: 19 Date of Death: 12/02/1916

Additional information: Son of the Rev. A. J. and Alice E. Barton, of "Wanstrow", Rosebery Rd., Felixstowe, Suffolk. Born at Strumpshaw Rectory, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: I. C. 3. Cemetery: WHITE HOUSE CEMETERY, ST. JEAN-LES-YPRES

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=454342

 

The 9th Battalion were certainly in the trenches near St Jean during the last two months of 1915.

1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t...

 

The 1901 Census has the 4 year old Hugh Fabian living at The Rectory, Strumpshaw

with his father, the Reverend Alfred John Barton, age 50 and born Threxton. Hugh was born at Guestwick. Also resident is Hugh’s 16 year old sister, Ethel Gertrude and two live in servants - a Cook and a Housemaid.

 

Update 26/12/2024.................................

 

From the edition of the Eastern Daily Press dated Tuesday, February 22nd, 1916.

 

THE LATE LIEUT. H.F. BARTON.

SON OF THE LATE RECTOR OF STRUMPSHAW.

Great regret is felt in the village of Strumpshaw at the death of Sec.-Lieut Hugh F. Barton, of the 9th Norfolks, who fell in action in Flanders on February 12th. He was the youngest son of the Rev. A.J. Barton, the late rector of the parish, and the deepest sympathy is felt for him and his family in their sad bereavement. He was only nineteen years of age last month, and at the beginning enlisted in the Public Schools Battalion, having been a member of Felsted School. Soon after he was commissioned in the 9th Norfolks, and had done good work, and his loss is deeply deplored by officers and men. The present rector of Strumpshaw, (Rev. J.C. Spurgin) made allusion to the loss at the churches of Strumpshaw and Braydeston on Sunday, and it was announced that a memorial service will be held in Strumpshaw Church next Sunday afternoon.

 

Parents Alfred John, (60), and Alice Ethel, (52) were still recorded living at Strumpshaw Rectory on the 1911 Census of England & Wales. The couple state they have been married 29 years and the union has produced 6 children – all then still alive. Only two were at home on the night of the census – daughters Sibyl Margaret, (22) and Audrey Cecilia, (9). There were also two live in servants.

 

There is no obvious match for Hugh on this Census.

 

On the day…………………………

 

12th February 1916 – Battalion War Diary.

St. JEAN R. Section.

Fine. Very heavy bombardment of St. JEAN Road. Smoke attack on our lines, no infantry attack by the Germans opposite us. Relieved by 9th Suffolks night of 12 / 13. Relief completed by 11.30 P.M. Delayed by possibility of German attack.

Casualities.

2Lt H.F. BARTON killed by shell

2Lt. E. CUMBERLAND wounded by shell.

 

John Edward Blake……………..Aged 21

 

Probably

Name: BLAKE, JOHN EDWARD

Rank: Lance Corporal Regiment/Service: Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 9th Bn.

Age: 24 Date of Death: 15/04/1918 Service No: 9350

Additional information: Son of Walter and Hannah Thompson, of Lingwood Rd., Blofield, Norwich; husband of Marjorie Blake, of Postwick, Norwich, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 34 to 35 and 162A. Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=845159

 

No match on Norlink

 

No obvious matches on the 1901 Census for either a John Blake or a John Thompson.

 

The 9th were moved to the Ypres salient on April 1st 1918 and moved to Dranoute on the 14th.

 

" Next day D and A companies were in front line, C in support and B in reserve. Arrangements had been made for C to counter attack if necessary but it's losses owing to the continuous heavy bombardment commencing at noon on the 15th necessitated B taking it's place as the counter attack force. At 2.30pm on the 15th the enemy advanced and by 3pm had gained a foothold in the front trenches. From these he was once again driven out by B company. Although B held the line and formed a defensive flank they were eventually themselves driven out due to their exposed position.

Line was then formed along the railway with the Ist Leicesters on their left at Clapham Junction. At 10.30pm they were moved back behind Mt Kemmel before being pulled out of line on the 18th.

This was after the 9th had been badly cut up a month before holding the masive German onslaught of the 21st March. Here they had fought a strong rearguard action before being moved out of line to for a refit in Sixte near Proven on the 26th.

 

1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t...

 

John Debbage………………….Aged 21

 

Probably

Name: DEBBAGE, JOHN PRINDLE

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

Date of Death: 13/08/1915 Service No: 20655

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

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=682649

 

Norlink has a picture of John Pringle Debbage, but links him elsewhere in Norfolk.

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

 

The Norlink notes read:-

Private Debbage of Bramerton, was born at Paxworth, 7th January 1893. He waseducated at Cantley School. He enlisted on 4th January 1915 and was drowned on H.M.S. Royal Edward, 13th August 1915

 

The John Debbage on the CWGC database and Norlink was 8 years old and living at Marsh Road, Cantley on the 1901 Census. This was the household of his parents, Henry, (aged 42 and a Teamster on Farm, originally from Panxworth), and Jane, (aged 42 and from London). There other children are Walter, (aged 12 and from Ranworth), and Frederick, (aged 3, born Cantley).

 

The 1901 Census does have a John Debbage age 53, born Ranworth, but now living at Buckenham Road, Strumpshaw. While John is a family man, none of his children have the first name John or Prindle.

 

A passage from the History of Norfolk Regiment tells the story: 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

1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=54871

 

Sidney John Green…………………Aged 20

 

Name: GREEN, SYDNEY JOHN

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

Age: 20 Date of Death: 23/08/1918 Service No: 204000

Additional information: Son of John and Alice Green, of Strumpshaw, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: X. G. 16. Cemetery: SERRE ROAD CEMETERY No.2

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=608785

 

No match on Norlink

 

Sydney Green was 2 years old and living at The Old Hall Strumpshaw, at the time of the 1901 Census. This was the household of his parents, John, (a 40 year old Domestic Gardener, from Necton), and Alice, (aged 39 and from Old Catton). Their other children are Dorothy, (aged 4) and Hilda, (aged 11), both born Strumpshaw. Also living with them are Alice’s mother Rachel Harrowven, aged 74 and from Easton.

 

Extract from the Battalion War Diary.

 

22-8-18. Battn resting in BRADFORD-LEEDS-HALIFAX trenches. Moved up to assembly positions S. of LOGEAST WOOD at 11pm.

23-8-18. Battn attacked at 11am. Attack successful. Railway cutting in front of ACHIET-LE-GRAND taken. Casualties – Captain S.W. [Saxon Weston] MOORE & 2/Lt F. SMITH [Frederick John SMITH, 5th Bedfordshire regiment attached to the 1st Hertfordshire] killed 7 Officers wounded. O. Ranks 26 killed 140 wounded.

24-8-18. Battn moved to position SE of BIHUCOURT.

25-8-18 to 31-8-18. Battn in Divisional Reserve in shelters SE of BIHUCOURT.

[Comment; Officers also killed – Lt George ABBOTT and Ronald Henry Pruess ARNHOLTZ on the 23rd August and 2/Lt Laurence REEVES died from his wounds on the 25th]

www.bedfordregiment.org.uk/hertsrgt/1stherts1918diary.html

 

William John Harrison……………..Aged 20

 

Up to 18 potential matches on the CWGC database

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has a 5 year old William John living at The Post Office, Strumpshaw. This was the household of his parents, William, (aged 34 and Sub Postmaster, Grocer and Pork Butcher) and Mina, (aged 31 and from Blofield). Their other children are Alfred James, (aged 4), Eleanor Maria, (aged 11), Gladys May, (aged 9), Grace Maud, (aged 8), Mary Elizabeth, (aged 1), and Stella Louise, (aged 2).

 

Arthur Robert Howes………………..Aged 19

 

Name: HOWES, ARTHUR ROBERT

Rank: Private Regiment Royal Warwickshire Regiment Unit Text: "B" Coy. 1st/7th Bn.

Age: 19 Date of Death: 08/10/1917 Service No: 29255

Additional information: Son of Robert William and Clara Howes, of Strumpshaw, Norwich.

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

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=837457

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has the 2 year old Arthur Howes living at Blofied Road, Lingwood. This is the household of his widowed grandfather Samuel Hinds, (aged 55 and a farmer). Living with them are Arthur parents, Roberts Howes, (age 32 and a Traction Engine Driver from Beighton) and Clara, (aged 28 and from Lingwood). Arthur’s siblings are Esther, (aged 1, born Moulton), and Samuel, (aged 5 and born Moulton).

 

Sunday 7th October 1917 - Day 63 Third Ypres (Passchendaele)

 

Rainfall 10.4mm

 

Poelcappelle

 

49th Div

 

Patrols raided in Celtic Wood

 

48th Div

 

143 Bde

 

An attack on Burns House and Vacher Farm failed.

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

 

(7th Royal Warwicks were part of the 143rd Brigade)

 

Robert George Hylton………………..Aged 33

 

Name: HYLTON, ROBERT GEORGE Initials: R G Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 2nd Bn. Date of Death: 31/03/1916 Service No: 19095 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 10. Memorial: BASRA MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=866274

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Cenus has the 18 year old Robert, born Strumpshaw but now living at Postwick Lane, Brundall and employed as an Agricultural Labourer. This is the household of his parents, George, (aged 58, also from Strumpshaw and an Agricultural Labourer) and Sophia, (aged 60 and from Strumpshaw).

 

The Brigade (Including the 2nd Norfolks) arrives at Kut

On 5 December 1915, The Brigade arrives at Kut. The Turks are reinforced in great numbers and surround the town. They positions on the other side of the river and cut the garrison off from help from outside.

 

The Siege of Kut

During the siege of Kut which lasted for 5 months aircraft were first used to try and drop supplies to the garrison. The aircraft could not carry enough supplies some were shot down and the attempt ended in failure. The Turks used aircraft more successfully in bombing the town, many troops having been wounded were then killed in hospital by an air raid. Several attempts were made to break out across the river on floating bridges, but as the river was in flood at this time of the year the attempts failed. Radio contact with the outside world was kept up until the end.

Towards the end of the siege the daily ration for British troops was reduced to ten ounces of bread and one pound of horse or mule flesh. Indian troops who refused to eat flesh were dying of scurvy at the rate of 10 to 20 a day. In all 1746 people died during the siege from wounds or disease.

 

www.stephen-stratford.co.uk/pte_wilby.htm

 

Robert Killington……………………..Aged 35

 

Name: KILLINGTON, ROBERT ALBERT

Rank: Serjeant Regiment/Service: Army Service Corps Secondary Unit Text: attd. 7th Mounted Bde.H.Q.

Age: 36 Date of Death: 24/06/1917 Service No: MT/16956

Additional information: Son of Rosa Killington, of Lingwood, Norwich; husband of Gertrude Louisa Killington, of 61, Queensmill Rd., Fulham Palace Rd., London.

Grave/Memorial Reference: III. B. 4. Cemetery: LAHANA MILITARY CEMETE

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=333926

 

No match on Norlink

 

Lahana Military Cemetery lies 1 kilometre west of the village of Lachanas on the old Thessaloniki-Seres road, about 56 kilometres north-east of Thessaloniki, Greece.The cemetery was begun in July 1916 for burials from the 27th Casualty Clearing Station, to which sick and wounded men were brought from the Struma front. The cemetery was also used from June to August 1917 by the 18th Stationary Hospital.

 

After the Armistice, 41 of the graves in Plots II and III were brought in from the two front line cemeteries at Paprat (about 12 km north-west of Lahana) and from other small burial grounds.

www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=35001&...

 

The 1901 Census has a Robert Killington who is a Driver in the Army Service Corps. Robert is aged 18 and from St Helens, Lancashire. Presumably his unit were on manoeuvres, as they are prosaically listed as being “South of the Canal”

 

Ernest Rose…………………………Aged 19

 

No obvious match on the CWGC database

 

There is a 3 year old Ernest Rose on the 1901 census, born Strumpshaw but now living at Church Street, Blofield. This is the household of his parents, William I, (aged 26 and a General Farm Labourer from Hassingham), and Jessie, (aged 24 and from Strumpshaw). Living with them are daughter Eleanor E, (aged 2 and born Brundall) and Williams widowed mother, Eleanor, (aged 66 and from Poringland, now living on Parish Poor Relief).

 

William Thompson…………………..Aged 32

 

Name: THOMPSON, WILLIAM

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

Age: 32 Date of Death: 14/04/1917 Service No: 41590

Additional information: Son of George and Elizabeth Thompson, of The Loake, Strumpshaw, Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Bay 7. Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=777358

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has the 15 year old William living two doors down from The Rectory at Strumpshaw, and four doors from the “Shoulder of Mutton” Public House. Strumpshaw is his birth village, and he is employed as a General Agricultural Labourer. This is the household of his parents, George, (aged 49 and a General Agricultural Labourer), and Elizabeth, (aged 52). Their other children are:

 

Ernest………………..aged under 1

George Robert…..aged 18 and a General Agricultural Labourer

Henry…………………aged 22 and a General Agricultural Labourer

Louisa………………..aged 10

Mary…………………..aged 13

Robert………………..aged under 1

Ruth Leah…………..aged 5

 

Thu., Apr 12, 1917

The Bn. marched from billets at FOSSEUX to ARRAS (abt 10 miles) and on arrival was at once ordered to proceed with the remainder of the 88th Bde to relieve the 37th Bde near MONCHY-LE-PREUX. The Bn arrived at ARRAS at 3pm and left to carry out the relief 4 miles off at 6.30pm. Owing to intense congestion on the road and other delays the relief was not completed until 3am on 13th.

Prior to leaving ARRAS orders had been issued for an attack on the German line in company with the 1st NFLD to be made on the 13th at an hour to be notified later.

The attack was to be made from an Assembly trench which was to be dug on the night of the 12/13 by 2nd Hants, 4th Worcs were in support to the attack.

Owing to the late hour at which the Brigade relief was completed & consequent impossibility of making adequate preparation for the attack the operation was postponed.

At daylight therefore on the 13th the Brigade was situated as shown in the attached map.

At 11am orders were received to make the attack at 2pm. These orders also were cancelled a few minutes before Zero.

During the night 13/14 the 2nd Hants dug the required assembly trench and operation orders were issued to the Bn. by Lt. Col. Halaham. App. B.

At 5.30am on 14th the barrage fell and the battalion left the trench & carried out the assault.

In spite of a certain weakness of the barrage the objective was gained and by 6.30am all companies had reported that they were busy digging in.

In the mean time "X" Coy detailed to form a flank guard to the thence attacking Coys had at once come in contact with the enemy.

Therefore acting under Capt. Foster's orders No. 5 Platoon got into shell holes at about 0 1b 8.1 and opened fire. No. 8 Platoon being checked by machine gun fire from ARROW COPSE No 7 was directed to outflank this copse with the result that No 8 could again get forward , capturing the 2 machine guns & driving the enemy out of the copse. The small wood at O 2a 7.5 was also in hostile occupation but was cleared by Lewis Guns & Rifle Grenades. The Company then moved forward to the N. end of the copses where all platoons came under fire from a line of hidden machine guns. The company now began to form the chain of strong points as detailed in operation orders.

From this point no further definitive news could be gathered as to the fate of this company. A few men eventually rejoined the battalion & from their statements it is certain that all Platoons their proper positions where they were at once attacked by very superior German forces & were finally overwhelmed in these positions at a time between 6.30 and 7.30 am.

The main attack by the remaining 3 Coys having reached their objective by 6.30 am started to dig in and reports were sent back to Bn. Hqrs that large forces of the enemy could be seen in the BOIS du SART & the BOIS des AUBE PINES and that all covering parties were sent forward were at once coming under heavy machine gun & rifle fire.

It became apparent rapidly to the Coy commanders that an immediate counter attack was being prepared and this also was reported to Bn. Hqrs. These reports were confirmed by two Coy commanders in person returning wounded from the main attack. [Capt Tomlinson Capt Caroline]

Steps had already been taken to get the Artillery on to the points where the enemy was reported to be massing but owing to the destruction of the wires by shell fire it was an hour before the guns opened fire.

By 7.30am the counter attack had fully developed in all its strength of at least 9 battalions. The weight of the attack seams to have come from the N. East & thus fell on "X" Coy. This Coy in spite of a stout resistance was gradually overwhelmed. Vide app. C.

From 7.30 onwards no reports, messages or wounded men arrived at Bn Hqrs or the Aid Post it is therefore apparent that "X" Coy having been overrun the hostile forces got between MONCHY & the attacking Companies of the Essex & NLFD. No men have returned from these Companies.

As soon as it became clear that MONCHY itself was being attacked patrols were put out from Hqr party to hold street barricades in MONCHY. No German succeeded in entering MONCHY. It must be remembered that during all this time the town was under an intense enemy barrage thus rendering it almost impossible to reinforce or support the two Battalions & making the work of the respective Hqrs parties extremely arduous.

Except for a certain amount of support from the 4th Worcester & 2dn Hants they fought on alone & these two battalions broke up a German attack designed not to drive them back but to retake MONCHY itself.

Appendix C. contains a copy of the Special Order issued by the G.O.C. 88th Bde.

Of the Officers who went into action the following is killed : 2/Lt. L. Cousins.

The following are wounded :- Capts R.E.G. Caroline, J. Tomlinson, Lieuts ?.W.J. Taylor

R. Eastwood. 2/Lt's H. Ockendon, S. ?. Andrew, F.W. Barker.

The following are missing :- Capt H.J.B. Foster, Lt C.R. Brown, 2/Lts A.L. Piper, S.N.R. Eyre, C.H. Feline H.R. Newth, P.W. Coombs, L.F. Portway; G.W. Turk.

Total casualties 17 officers & 644 OR. out of a strength of 31 officers & 892 O.R.

 

Sun., Apr 15, 1917

The remnants of the Battalion were now withdrawn & went to billets in ARRAS.

 

1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=594...

 

This horrendous battle cost the 1st Battalion a vast number of casualties, 17 officers and 644 other ranks were either killed, wounded or went missing. Later it was established that 203 soldiers were made prisoners of war, most of them were wounded and 16 of them died in captivity in Germany.

1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/i...8&hl=monchy

 

Stephen Frederick Tunmore………………Aged 23

 

Name: TUNMORE, STEPHEN FREDERICK

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

Age: 23 Date of Death: 03/05/1917 Service No: 5120

Additional information: Son of Stephen and Sarah A. Tunmore, of Strumpshaw, Norfolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: Bay 6. Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=778025

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census lists a 7 year old “Frederick” Tunmore, living at Workhouse Road, Lingwood. This is the household of his parents Stephen, (aged 39 and a Engine Driver Stationary, from Norwich), and Sarah, (aged 31 and from Strumpshaw) Their other children are Laura, (aged 10) and William (aged 4).

 

William would also lose his life in the war - see next entry.

 

Stephen was born the 22nd February 1894

familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/w/a/l/Vanessa-J-Walle...

 

The Division of which the 8th Surreys were part was engaged in the very costly Third Battle of the Scarpe on this day.

www.1914-1918.net/bat18.htm

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Arras_(1917)

 

William Tunmore……………………Aged 20

 

Name: TUNMORE, WILLIAM

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

Age: 20 Date of Death: 10/08/1917 Service No: 5100

Additional information: Son of Stephen and Sarah A. Tunmore, of Strumpshaw, Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: VIII. E. 6. Cemetery: HOOGE CRATER CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=459516

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census lists a 4 year old William Tunmore, living at Workhouse Road, Lingwood. This is the household of his parents Stephen, (aged 39 and a Engine Driver Stationary, from Norwich), and Sarah, (aged 31 and from Strumpshaw) Their other children are Laura, (aged 10) and Frederick (aged 7).

 

Frederick would also lose his life in the war - see previous entry.

 

William was born 30th September 1896

familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/w/a/l/Vanessa-J-Walle...

 

"On 1st August the 8th Battalion East Surreys assembled in the New Dickbusch area. The afternoon of the previous day had seen the start of four days incessant rain which rendereed impossible any further offensive until a period of fine weather might allow the waterlogged soil to recover. Under these conditions the men were crowded into a few tents and shelters at New Dickbusch and had a very uncomfortable time. At midnight on the 3rd August their relief by the 7th Battalion was started but, because of the flooding, this entailed a long and tiring march by road and it was 10am before it was completed. Two companies were placed in Jam Trench, the old German front line and the remaining two companies in Crab Crawl Tunnel which was in a very bad state with six inches of water in it. The Germans maintained a very heavy barrage over the next few days. The 7th Bn Queens launched an attack on Inverness Copse, which had been postponed owing to heavy rain, at 4.35am on 10th August supported by 8th East Surreys. Casualties were heavy from very heavy shell fire and one officer and thirty eight other ranks were killed. One of those was 5100 Private William TUNMORE, aged 20 years."

 

He and his colleagues are buried at Hooge Cemetery.

 

1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?s=95fc527f42d...

 

John Lambert Ward……………….Aged 25

 

No obvious match on the CWGC database for J.L. J or L Ward

 

No match on Norlink

 

The most likely match on the 1901 Census is a 10 year old John L Ward living at Blofield Road, Lingwood, the village of his birth. This is the household of his parents, Lambert W, (age 48 and an Ordinary Farm Labourer from Lingwood), and Frances, (aged 47 and from the same village). Their other children are Arthur W, (aged 12), Edith L. (aged 8), George R, (aged 17 and also a Farm Labourer), and Russell J, (aged 5).

 

Robert Wilson……………………Aged 41

 

Most Likely match

Name: WILSON, ROBERT

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

Age: 40 Date of Death: 29/10/1914 Service No: 5173

Additional information: Son of the late John and Hannah Wilson.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 8. Memorial: LE TOURET MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1564179

 

No match on Norlink

 

No obvious match on the 1901 Census, but given his age and date of death, it is likely that Robert was a professional soldier in Britains Pre-War army, and could well have been serving overseas in 1901.

 

On the 1891 Census there is a 17 year old Robert living at 6, The Alley, Blofield and employed as a Bricklayers Labourer. This was the household of his widowed Grandmother, Sarah Ann Wilson, a 66 year old Washerwoman and Domestic Servant. Sarah has another one of her grandchildren, a 21 year old George Carter who is also a Bricklayers Labourer, living with her. All were born at Blofield.

 

Battle of La Basse 10th October 1914 - 2nd November 1914.(Part of the Race to the Sea)

 

The German attack was renewed on 24 October along the entire Sixth Army front. A daylight attack failed to make any headway. It was followed by an attack at dusk, which did break into the British trenches at two places, but local counterattacks restored the situation.

A second night attack, on 26/27 October, caused more problems. Part of the British line was broken, and the village of Neuve Chapelle captured. This created a shallow salient in the British line. At this early period in the war the buildings of Neuve Chapelle still survived, making the village a dangerous strong point that threatened the British lines. A major counter attack was launched on 28 October, but failed to retake the village. On 29 October the village was reported to have been evacuated, but later in the day German troops used the ruins as cover for their last major attack of the battle.

After the failure of the attack on 29 October, the Germans moved much of their heavy artillery north towards Ypres, where it took part in the battle of Gheluvelt.

www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_la_bassee.html

www.roll-of-honour.com/Regiments/NorfolkRegimentLeTouret....

 

Athur Conan Doyle, in his “The British Campaign in France and Flanders 1914” tells us that starting from the 25th, the 1st Norfolks and 1st Devons were tasked with holding the salient of the village of Givenchy, and they defied all efforts to dislodge them.

 

books.google.co.uk/books?id=a2PKHfRXFBYC&pg=PA219&amp...

 

WW2

 

George Arthur Ashley…………………….Aged 24

 

Name: ASHLEY, GEORGE ARTHUR

Rank: Driver Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers Unit Text: 251 Field Park Coy.

Age: 24 Date of Death: 02/09/1943 Service No: 2078641

Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: 5. F. 9. Cemetery: CHUNGKAI WAR CEMETERY

 

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2352436

 

The notorious Burma-Siam railway, built by Commonwealth, Dutch and American prisoners of war, was a Japanese project driven by the need for improved communications to support the large Japanese army in Burma. During its construction, approximately 13,000 prisoners of war died and were buried along the railway. An estimated 80,000 to 100,000 civilians also died in the course of the project, chiefly forced labour brought from Malaya and the Dutch East Indies or conscripted in Siam (Thailand) and Burma (Myanmar). Two labour forces, one based in Siam and the other in Burma, worked from opposite ends of the line towards the centre. The Japanese aimed at completing the railway in 14 months and work began in October 1942. The line, 424 kilometres long, was completed by December 1943. The graves of those who died during the construction and maintenance of the Burma-Siam railway (except for the Americans, whose remains were repatriated) were transferred from camp burial grounds and isolated sites along the railway into three cemeteries at Chungkai and Kanchanaburi in Thailand and Thanbyuzayat in Myanmar. Chungkai was one of the base camps on the railway and contained a hospital and church built by Allied prisoners of war. The war cemetery is the original burial ground started by the prisoners themselves, and the burials are mostly of men who died at the hospital.

www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=203500...

 

Horace George Forder………………Aged 38

 

Name: FORDER, HORACE GEORGE

Rank: Gunner

Regiment: Royal Artillery Unit Text: 65 (The Norfolk Yeomanry) Anti-Tank Regt

Age: 38 Date of Death: 22/02/1943 Service No: 1122622

Additional information: Son of Horace George and Sarah Harriet Forder; husband of Olive Annie Forder, of Strumpshaw, Norfolk.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: III. C. 22. Cemetery: SFAX WAR CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2182766

 

In May 1943, the war in North Africa came to an end in Tunisia with the defeat of the Axis powers by a combined Allied force. In the south, the Axis forces defeated in Egypt at El Alamein withdrew into Tunisia along the coast through Libya, pursued by the Allied Eighth Army. Most of those buried in Sfax War Cemetery died in attacks on successive Axis positions at Medenine, the Marith Line and Wadi Akarit, in March and April 1943.

www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=47312&...

 

Harold William High……………………Aged 27

 

Name: HIGH, HAROLD WILLIAM STRUTHERS

Rank: Private Regiment: Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment Unit Text: 5th Bn. Age: 27 Date of Death: 21/09/1944 Service No: 5951830

Additional information: Son of Beatrice Minnie High, of Strumpshaw, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 63. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2133641

 

The 5th Bedfords and Herts were another unit from the ill-fated 18th Division, arriving piecemeal late in the Malayan campaign and finally being surrendered on mass with the Fall of Singapore. See the note under George Ashley for their subsequent treatment.

 

Alfred Waterton………………………….Aged 29

 

Name: WATERTON, ALFRED

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

Age: 29 Date of Death: 24/05/1940 Service No: 5770748

Additional information: Son of Albert and Ada Waterton, of Strumpshaw, Norfolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 44. Memorial: DUNKIRK MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2767796

 

The retreat to Dunkirk

 

The period in which Alfred Waterton died (24th May 1940) was one in which the 2nd battalion, along with a number of other units, was sacrificed in order the for the British Expeditionary Force to retreat to the channel. Shortly afterwards, on the 27th came the surrender of the 2nd Battalion and the subsequent massacre at Le Paradis.

 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Paradis_massacre

www.norfolkbc.fsnet.co.uk/archive_collection/strips_farro...

 

On the 24th the 2nd Battalion, along with what was left of 4th Brigade, took over the defense of a 21 mile stretch of the canal line running from the railway bridge south of Aire to La Basee. They arrived at Locon, but scouting patrols looking for accomodation and defensive positions came under fire from Germans wh had already crossed the canal. Units advanced as night fell aiming to push the Germans back over the canal. Sleep deprived from days in combat, and with only one map between the entire HQ staff, troops became lost and dis-orientated.

 

(see page 281, Dunkirk by Hugh Sebag-Montefiore)

books.google.co.uk/books?id=ZM71HK2ysoAC&pg=PA297&amp...

 

 

Done