Acle - Great War Memorial - Goodrum to Rowe

Robert William Goodrum…………………………........(Roll of Honour)

 

31137 Driver Goodrum, 63rd Battery Royal Field Artillery who died on Wednesday 16th August 1916 aged 25 years. Probably killed in the action at Kut, he is buried at the Bagdad (North Gate) Cemetery.

 

(More likely died a PoW on the march after the fall of Kut - no additional info on CWGC.)

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=633576

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has the 10 year old Robert, who had been born in Acle, living at Walsham Road, Acle. This was the household of his parents, Robert, (aged 44 and a Farm Teamster from Acle), and Louisa, (aged 43 and from Upton) as well as their other son, Herbert, (aged 12)

 

Following the defeat of the Turkish forces at the Battle of Ctesiphon, 22/11/1915, the allies were left too weak to continue their advannce and so fell back to the City of Kut. This proved to be a tactical mistake, as the Turks, under German military advisers, were able to isolate the city and then hold off relief attempts. Amonst the units trapped were the 63rd Battery RFA under the leadership of Major H Broke Smith. Eventually, at casuallies rose, with supplies exhausted and epidemics breaking out, the city surrendered to the Turks on April 29th 1916. A significant portion of the troops who fell into Turkish hands were units with Norfolk associations, including the 2nd Norfolks, In an eerie forerunner of the treament of the captured Norfolks following the fall of Singapore in 1941, the prisoners were very poorly treated.Most of the Arabs left in Kut were hanged by the Turks for helping the British.

 

During May 1916, 2000 British Troops, including the Norfolks, started the march some were still in Khaki some were almost naked. The first day they walked 15 miles without food or water. Behind the column were many dead or dying, those who dropped out were killed by the Arab guards. They were first taken to a temporary camp at Shumran about 80 miles from Kut.

The Kurdish guards had stolen the troops food rations and even their water bottles and boots. The British officers were separated at Shumran and were taken up river by steamer leaving their men to walk and die. Wounded officers were then repatriated to India. From Kut to Baghdad is 100 miles, marching 12-15 miles a day lying at night on the open ground. They were herded like sheep by mounted guards with sticks and whips.

The route of the death march was through what is now Iraq into Turkey, a distance of over 400 miles: Aziziya, Baghdad, Tikrit, Mosul, Nisibin, Ras alAin, Mamourra and Aran

The American Ambassadors at Constantinople (Messrs. Morgenthau and Elkus) saw the results of the march and protested, but to no avail. Other diplomatic efforts during the siege, such as the payment of ransom to the Turkish Government, failed. It seems that the Turkish Government wished to impress its Central Power partners.

 

It has been estimated that 70% died, either on the march or on arrival at the prison camps.

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

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Stanley Goodrum…………………………........(Roll of Honour)

 

33126 Private Goodrum, 36th Labour Battalion who died on Sunday 14th October 1917 aged 28 years. After enlisting in Norwich he served in the Royal Fusiliers before transfer to the Labour Corps and his unit served throughout Belgium. At the time of his death five other men died in the same incident and sixteen others died from wounds the following day. He is buried at the Dunhallow Advanced Dressing Station Cemetery at Ypres

 

Check, but suspect 36th Battalion were the Regiment Pioneers. CWGC notes he had transferred to 106th Company, Labour Corps.

 

Additional info lists that he was the brother of Miss E. E. Goodrum, The New Rd., Acle, Norwich.

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2936067

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has the 11 year old Stanley living at New Road, Acle, having been born in the village. This was the household of his parents, John, (aged 40 and a Farm Teamster from Acle), and Ann M, (aged 34 and from Acle). Living with them are John’s brother Frederick, (single, aged 38 and a Farm labourer from Acle), and their children,

George R……………aged 16.……..born Acle…………..Bakers Assistant

Herbert……………aged 14.……….born Acle

Florence R Rumbold (Step daughter)….aged 13.……..born Acle

George Rumbold (Father in Law)……aged 64.…..born Acle……..Farm Labourer

 

33rd, 34th, 35th, 36th and 37th (Labour) Battalions

Formed at Seaford (33rd) and Falmer (34th to 37th) in May and June 1916. April 1917 became the 99th to 108th Labour Companies, Labour Corps.

www.1914-1918.net/royalfus.htm

 

A quick search of the burials in the cemetery attached to All Hallows ADS shows that the unit mix in October 1917 is almost entirely Artillery men. There was no obvious front-line action at this time.

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William James Green…………………………........(Roll of Honour)

 

203979 Private Green, 1st Hertfordshire Regiment who died on Friday 23rd August 1918 aged 20 years. Son of George and Martha Green of Acle he was awarded the Military Medal. He is buried at Bucquoy Communal Cemetery Extension near Arras.

 

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=305721

 

Private Green can be seen here

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

 

The 1901 Census has a William J Green living at Bridge Road, Acle. This is the household of his parents, George , (aged 32 and a Labourer\Stockman from Fleggburgh), and Martha E, (aged 30 and from Stokesby). Also living with them is another sin, George T, (aged 8 and born Fleggburgh), and a daughter Clara L. (aged 6 and born Acle).

 

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

 

The 1st Herts were part of a bigger action involving 3 divisions and tanks tasked with recapturing the village.

www.achiet-le-grand.org/august_1918.htm

 

 

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Only Jones………………….…………………........(Roll of Honour)

 

2496 Private Jones ‘C’ Company 1/4th Territorial Battalion Norfolk Regiment who died on 7th October 1915 aged 28 years. The 1/4th Bn Norfolk Regiment was mobilized at the outbreak of war and after extensive training they embarked on the SS Aquitania at Liverpool to arrive at Suvla Bay (Gallipoli) on 10th August 1915. He was wounded and taken on board a hospital ship where he died the same day. He was buried at sea and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial.

 

CWGC tells us he was in C Company and that he was the son of Daniel and Eliza Jones, of Fleggburgh, Great Yarmouth.

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=681408

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has what looks like an Onley Jones, aged 14 and resident as a boarder at The Street, Acle. He was born in Acle and now works as a Cow Boy on farm. He lives in the household of the Clements family, which is headed by the widowed 51 year old Robert, who works as a Milkman on farm. On the 1891 Census “Only” Jones, aged 4, was living at Damgate, Acle. This was the household of his parents, Daniel Jones, (aged 34 and a Railway Labourer from Halvergate), and Eliza, (aged 35 and from Thurne). Their other children are:

Leah…………….age 13.…….born Stokesby……….Domestic Servant

Rachel…………..age 11.…….born Stokesby

Ruth…………….age 10.…….born Stokesby

Charles………….age 7.……..born Stokesby

Lynca(sp.??? male)…(age 5)……….born Acle

 

I then rechecked the 1901 Census - the 46 year old Eliza was by then a widow, working as a Housekeeper. She was visiting friends on the night of the Census at a household in Green Lane, Potter Heigham that included as boarders a 17 year old Charles Jones, who was employed as a cattleman on Farm, a 14 year old Lyna Jones, (male), and a 7 year old John who had been born Acle.

 

After the fighting in the middle of August, the struggle was more against disease and hardship than against Turkish guns and rifles. Dysentery caused havoc in all ranks, and in the middle of October there remained of the 1/4th Battalion only sixteen officers and 242 men fit for duty.

user.online.be/~snelders/sand.htm

 

 

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Herbert Laight………………….…………………........(Roll of Honour)

 

151 Private Laight, 1st Eastern Company Non-Combatant Corps who died on Wednesday 27th November 1918 aged 33 years. He and three other members of the large Acle family served during the war. Nothing is known of the circumstances of his death and he is buried at the Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

 

CWGC notes that he was the son of William and Ellen Laight, of Acle, Norfolk.

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=503059

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has the 15 year old Herbert living at The Post office, The Street, Acle, the village of his birth. This is the household of his parents, William, (age 55 and a Sub-Postmaster and Shopkeeper from Lincoln), and Ellen, (aged 54, a shopkeeper and from Acle). Also with them are:

Edward……………..age 13.…………..born Acle

Ella…………………age 17.…………..born Acle……….Post Office assistant

Emma………………age 20.………….born Acle……….Post Office assistant

Ethel………………..age 21.………….born Acle……….Post Office clerk

Florence……………age 27.………….born Acle……….Shop assistant

Ralph………………age 9.……………born Acle

Ruth……………….age 24.…………..born Acle……….Post office Clerk

 

 

Unwilling soldiers

 

3,400 Cos (Consciencious Objectors) accepted call-up into the Non-Combatant Corps (NCC) or the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) as non-combatants. The NCC (the 'No-Courage Corps' as the press rudely called it) was set up in March 1916, part of the army and run by its regular officers. The COs assigned to it were army privates, wore army uniforms and were subject to army discipline, but didn't carry weapons or take part in battle. Their duties were mainly to provide physical labour (building, cleaning, loading and unloading anything except munitions) in support of the military.

 

The NCC may have been a shock to the COs who agreed to join it. But for the absolutists and alternativists who were forcibly enlisted into the NCC it was much worse. They immediately faced the question of whether to agree to wearing uniform. The men who decided to refuse were formally charged and court-martialled. Often they were treated harshly, bullied, deprived of basic needs and rights, and imprisoned in inhumane conditions. So were the men who refused to perform duties like handling munitions or building rifle ranges. Some broke down, physically or mentally, as a result of their ill-treatment.

 

www.ppu.org.uk/learn/infodocs/cos/st_co_wwone1.html

 

This report in the Hansard shows some of the dilemmas faced by individual conscientious objectors serving in the Corps.

hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1918/mar/06/non-comba...

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William Leeder Laight………………….…………………........(Roll of Honour)

 

152439 Petty Officer Stoker Laight, H.M.S. Spey who died on Wednesday 7th March 1917 aged 47 years. Having served as a regular sailor he was recalled for war service at the age of 45 years. H.M.S. Spey formed part of the Home Defence and operated in the Thames Estuary. In high winds the Spey lost an anchor and was involved in a collision with SS Belvedere – a mud-hopper carrying sludge from London. As a result of the accident nineteen of the crew of thirty-seven from H.M.S. Spey were lost. He is buried in the churchyard of St Peter’s church at Boughton Monchelsea, Kent.

 

I assume this has been confimed, as there are no additional details on the CWGC entry for this individual.

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=369523

 

This William is commemorated in the Churchyard of St Peter, Broughton Monchelsea

www.stpeters-church.org.uk/church.html

 

However, there is also this individual:-

Name: LAIGHT, WILLIAM

Rank: Private

Service: Royal Army Medical Corps Unit Text: 2nd/1st (Home Counties) Field Amb Age: 19 Date of Death: 12/09/1917 Service No: 493352

Additional information: Son of William Leader Laight and Mary Jane Laight.

Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. D. 20. Cemetery: MENDINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=437980

 

(Of course Leeder\Leader may be a family name, and so the two individuals may be related or even father and son)

 

The younger William Laight was born at Broughton Monchelsea, Kent, and at the time of the 1901 Census, aged 3, he was living at Church Road, Broughton Monchelsea. His mother Jane, although married, is given as the head of the household. Reading the details of William Leeder Laight, I would hazard a guess that he was in the Royal Navy at the time and away on service and so does not appear on the Census.,

 

You have to go back to the 1871 Census to find a William Laight of the right age living in Acle, although the actual address isn’t shown on the scanned sheet available on the Genes Re-united site. However his 25 year old father is another William, and is a Coachman from Lincoln, so likely to be related to the Postmasters family listed for Herbert Laight.

 

The situation is made clear here

www.warcemetery.nl/kentfallen doc.pdf

The old William was the father, the younger William the son. Father William was born 21st October 1869

at Acle, and was the son of William and Ellen Laight, (nee Leeder).

 

No match on Norlink

 

Spey, collision

BOORMAN, Albert E, Chief Petty Officer (RFR A 2025), 147658 (Ch)

BULL, Joseph A, Able Seaman (RFR B 4816), 179032 (Ch)

HANCOX, George W, Able Seaman (RFR B 6033), 183687 (Ch)

HARRIS, Alfred, Armourer's Crew, 206312 (Ch)

HODDER, John F, Stoker 1c (RFR B 5867), SS 100896 (Ch)

HUMPHREY, Ernest F, Act/Lieutenant, RNR

ILSTON, John, Petty Officer, 147886 (Ch)

KEATLEY, John, Stoker 1c (RFR B 7525), 291835 (Ch)

LAIGHT, William L, Stoker Petty Officer (Pens), 152439 (Ch)

MERRITT, John, Private, RMLI (RFR B 1659), 10581 (Ch)

MORGAN, Charles C, Corporal, RMLI (RFR B 362), 5097 (Ch)

REED, Alfred J, Private, RMLI (Pens), 2222 (Ch)

REYNOLDS, William, Act/Warrant Officer

RUNACLES, Arthur W, Ordinary Seaman, J 28414 (Ch)

SEARLE, Frederick, Stoker 1c (RFR B 7769), SS 103252 (Ch)

SHIPLEE, Frederick J, Officer's Steward 2c, L 4954 (Ch)

SMITH, Arthur J, Chief Stoker, 154073 (Ch)

SOULSBY, George, Engine Room Artificer 1c, RNR, EB 426

WOODWARD, William T, Leading Stoker (RFR B 8722), 289658 (Ch)

WORNAST, Charles J, Able Seaman (RFR B 4784), 184111 (Ch)

www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1917-03Mar.htm

 

There’s a picture here of the Spey and confirmation that she was sold off until 1923, so she wasn’t scrapped straight away

www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/r_n_gunboats.htm

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George Alfred Lake……………………………….................................................(RoH)

 

6561DA Deckhand Lake, H.M. Trawler ‘New Comet’, Royal Navy Reserve who died on Saturday 20th January 1917 aged 33 years. The trawler was requisitioned by the Royal Navy in 1915 but it is not known if he was already a member of its crew. Records show that it was sunk by a mine off Orford Ness. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in Kent.

 

CWGC notes that he was the son of George Lake, of The Hill, Acle, Norfolk, and the late Elizabeth Lake.

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=3053053

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has a 17 year old George A Lake living at Rotten Marsh Road, Acle, born Halvergate and employed as a General Carter and Petroleum Hawker. This was the household of his parents George, (aged 53 and a Railway Platelayer from Freethorpe), and Elizabeth, (aged 56 and from Mautby).

 

New Comet, ship lost

BLYTH, Clifford, Deck Hand, RNR, DA 6847

BURCH, Robert N, Deck Hand, RNR, DA 11528

CLARKE, Arthur F, 2nd Hand, RNR, SA 215

CROSBY, James, Engineman, RNR, ES 4528

CUMBERLAND, Henry, Trimmer, RNR, TS 2176

GIBBONS, Martin, Trimmer, RNR, TS 2519

LAKE, George A, Deck Hand, RNR, DA 6561

MANZIE, Thomas, Engineman, RNR, ES 2919

MARTIN, Joseph H, Deck Hand, RNR, DA 7534, DOW

www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1917-01Jan.htm

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George Hungerford Morgan………………………………...........(RoH)

 

430346 Lance Corporal Morgan, 7th Battalion Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment) who died on Tuesday 15th August 1917 aged 37 years. As a 35 year old farming in Canada he enlisted in the Canadian Army served with the C.E.F. in Europe in March 1916. He recovered and died in the famous attack on Hill 70. Although not a native of Acle he is commemorated on a prayer desk in the parish church with his cousin – Lt E.Coleman. He is also commemorated on the Vymy Memorial.

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1572088

 

No match on Norlink

 

George was born on the 8/12/1890 in Madras, India. On his enlistment papers he gives his next of kin as a H R Morgan, living at what looks like Mangalore, Madras coast, India.

Although he gives his profession as farmer, he also states he did three years service in the Mysore Rifles. George Attested on the 4th March 1915.

 

His attestation papers can be seen here

collectionscanada.ca/databases/cef/001042-119.02-e.php?im...

collectionscanada.ca/databases/cef/001042-119.02-e.php?im...

 

The 7th Battalion were in the second wave of the attack on Hill 70. By about 7.00 am the Battalion was reduced to about 120 men and three officers, and were pinned down by heavy machine gun fire. Even so they were among the most advanced of the Canadian Battalion, and had to pull back slightly to prevent themselves from being outflanked by German Counterattacks.

 

The battalions War Diaries for the period can be seen here,

 

data4.collectionscanada.gc.ca/netacgi/nph-brs?s1=7th+Batt...

 

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George Rowe………………………………...............................(RoH)

 

20701 Private Rowe 1st Battalion Essex Regiment who died on Friday 13th August 1915 aged 20 years. One of two sons of Thomas and Miriam Rowe of Acle who were killed in WW1. George Rowe enlisted in Norwich to the Norfolk Regiment and volunteered to reinforce the Essex Regiment. He was one of those 300, or so, reinforcements carried by the transport “Royal Edward” which was torpedoed and sunk in the Aegean Sea. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial.

 

CWGC notes add that he was the son of Thomas William and Miriam Rowe, of 12, New Terrace, The Hill, Acle, Norwich.

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=683223

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has a 6 year old George and a 4 year old William, (both born Darnall, Yorkshire), living at 55 Catcliffe Road, Attercliffe cum Darnall, Sheffield. This was the household of his parents, Thomas W, (a 37 year old Bricklayer from Tickhill, Yorkshire), and Miriam, (aged 33 and from “Norfolk Narbro” - presumably Narborough). Their other children are Lucy M, (aged 8), and Robert, (aged 2). By the 1911 census, the 43 year Miriam is recorded in the District of Blofield, Norfolk.

 

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.

A passage from the History of Norfolk Regiment tells the rest of Teddie's 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

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

 

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William Rowe………………………………....................................(RoH)

 

15678 Private Rowe 7th (Service) Battalion Norfolk Regiment who died on Monday 26th August 1918 aged 22 years. One year younger than his brother George he arrived in France on 30th May 1915. He suffered wounds to his face and right leg and was admitted to No 2 General Hospital at Le Havre in November. Returned to duty he was again wounded in the lower back, paralysed and severely ill. He was transferred to the Fulham Military Hospital where he died. He is buried in St Edmund’s churchyard at Acle beneath a stone bearing the inscription, “Erected to the honoured memory of William Rowe by the Officers, soldiers and parishioners of Acle, who died for King and Country.”

 

CWGC adds that he was the son of William and Miriam Rowe, of 12, New Terrace, The Hill. Acle.

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2802330

 

No match on Norlink

 

 

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

www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/acle/acle.htm

 

Done