Garvestone and Thuxton War Memorial - detail

The war memorial is located alongside the church gate leading into the churchyard of St Margarets, Garvestone.

 

There is already some information about this memorial here:-

www.breckland-rollofhonour.org.uk/garv.html

 

In thankful commemoration of the peace 1919 and in grateful remembrance of our brothers of Thuxton with Garveston who gave their lives for right and honour in the Great War 1914-1918.

 

Algernon Easlea………..aged 30

 

Name: EASLEA, ALGERNON HENRY PORTEOUS

Rank: Gunner

Regiment/Service: Royal Garrison Artillery Unit Text: 99th Siege Bty.

Age: 32

Date of Death: 19/01/1918

Service No: 163822

Additional information: Son of William Henry Easlea, late of Tunstcad Hall, Norfolk; husband of Vera Nellie Easlea, of "South Dene," Kimberley Rd., North Walsham, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: I. O. 7. Cemetery: CHOCQUES MILITARY CEMETERY

CWGC: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=166210

 

Chocques was occupied by Commonwealth forces from the late autumn of 1914 to the end of the war. The village was at one time the headquarters of I Corps and from January 1915 to April 1918, No.1 Casualty Clearing Station was posted there. Most of the burials from this period are of casualties who died at the clearing station from wounds received at the Bethune front. From April to September 1918, during the German advance on this front, the burials were carried out by field ambulances, divisions and fighting units.

www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=16500&...

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 15 year old Algernon, (born Ixworth Suffolk), is recorded serving as a School Boy \ Ships cadet on the 1901 census. The ship he was on was moored on the River Thames off Greenhithe, Kent.

 

(See this Wiki article on the training ship - the mystery would be why Algernon ended up serving as a lowly gunner in the army.)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thames_Nautical_Training_College)

 

Algernon is commemorated in the church at Thuxton.

www.flickr.com/photos/norfolkodyssey/869623638/

 

On the 1891 census he is recorded at Hill House, High Street, Ixworth. This is the household of his parents, William, (aged 40 and a farmer from Ickworth), and Rosalina, (aged 30 and from the Isle of Wight). Their other child is William, (aged 7 and from Ixworth).

 

Percy Howard………….aged 21

 

Name: HOWARD Initials: P

Rank: Private

Regiment: Suffolk Regiment

Unit Text: 12th Bn.

Age: 20

Date of Death: 13/07/1918

Service No: 330842

Additional information: Son of the late William and Julia Howard, of Garvestone, Attleborough, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: AA. 3. Cemetery: TOURCOING (PONT-NEUVILLE) COMMUNAL CEMETERY

CWGC: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=278965

 

No match on Norlink

 

Percy is remembered on a headstone in the Churchyard.

 

In loving memory of William.

The dearly loved husband of Julia Howard

Who died April 2nd 1918.

Aged 69 years.

Also of Percy, the dearly

loved youngest son of the above

Who died in Captivity whilst

Serving with the

12th Battn. Suffolk Regt.

Buried in Military Cemetery

Turcoing July 13th 1918.

 

Military Genealogy has a Percy Howard, born Garvestone.

 

The 3 year old Percy, born Garvestone, is recorded on the 1901 census at Farm, Mattishall Road, Garvestone. This is the household of his parents, William, (aged 50 and a Farmer from Norfolk), and

Julia, (aged 46 and from Great Downham). Their other children are:-

Edith…………aged 5.………….born Garvestone

Florence……..aged 1.………….born Garvestone

Lacey………..aged 15.…………born Yaxham………….Farmers Son

Mable……….aged 9.…………..born Garvestone

Maud………..aged 7.…………..born Garvestone

Robert……….aged 21.…………born Yaxham………….Farmers Son

William………aged 19.…………born Yaxham………….Carpenters Apprentice

Large numbers of British troops were captured during the second phase of the German Spring Offensive. The 12th Suffolks were certainly in the front-line as the German assault troops and ferocious barrage forced the collapse of the Portugese Army in their sector.

 

One of the units of the corps brigade was the 11th Suffolks, who were rushed forward to help out on the 40th Divisional front, and soon found themselves fighting alongside the 12th.. The 11th suffered 500 casualties, killed wounded and missing., and undoubtedly the 12th suffered in similar numbers.

 

(The next headstone is for brother Lacey, who died December 7th 1915, aged 30. There is nothing to indicate that his death was war related and he does not appear on the CWGC database).

 

Sidney Jowlings………..aged 23

 

The only person listed with the surname Jowlings on the CWGC database is:-

 

Name: JOWLINGS Initials: S E

Rank: Lance Corporal

Regiment: Norfolk Regiment

Unit Text: 7th Bn.

Date of Death: 22/11/1917

Service No: 29760

Grave/Memorial Reference: II. G. 16. Cemetery: TINCOURT NEW BRITISH CEMETERY

 

(Check first name)

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=255794

 

There is a picture of the 7th Norfolks man on the Norlink site, but the additional notes that go with the picture would seem question whether this is the Garvestone man, although it would make him the right aged and confirms that S E stands for Sydney Ernest.

 

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

 

Accompanying notes

Lance Corporal Jowlings was born at Potash Farm, Hethel, on 17th February 1894. He was educated at the King Edward VI Middle School in Norwich. He enlisted on 12th January 1916 and died of wounds at the 5th C.C. Station in France on 22nd November 1917

On the Great War Roll of Honour, he is recorded as Ernest S.

 

On the 1901 census, the 7 year old Sydney, born Hethel, is recorded at Loddon Road, Norton Subcourse. This is the household of his parents, Ernest R, (aged 35 and a Farmer from London), and Marion, (aged 39 and from Thuxton). The Jowlings also have a daughter, Ida, (aged 11 and born Hingham). Making up the household is a sister-in-law of Ernests, (and possibly therefore a sister of Marion), Ann Holman, (aged 27, single and from Hingham).

 

Battalion War Diary

 

Trenches 20th At 6.20 am an attack was carried out by the IVth Corps in conjunction with other troops on the left. The 12th Division were the right division of the IVth Corps, and the 20th Division were on the left of the 12th Division. On the immediate flank of the Division, the 166th Brigade, 55th Division of III Corps advanced 3 or 4 small posts. Dor this attack the Battalion, minus “B” Coy were in Brigade Reserve. The Brigade attacked on a front of two battalions: 5th R.Berks on right, 9th Essex Rgt on left and the 7th Suffolk Regt were ordered to leapfrog the left battalion and take the HINDERBUG MAIN LINE.

 

Our casualties were slight. Captain C W Archdale was killed, SecLieuts A L Hogarth-Swan and D T Hedges being wounded. Other Ranks:-killed 6, Wounded 24, Missing 6.

 

Trenches November 21st to the 28th 1917.

 

During these eight days following the successful attack of the IIIth Corps, the Hun was extremely quiet doing very little shelling on our part of the line. We relieved the front line Battn.

 

(The likelihood is that Lance Corporal Jowlings was wounded on the 20th.)

 

Harry Newson………….aged 25

 

Probably

Name: NEWSON, HARRY ALBERT

Rank: Serjeant

Regiment/Service: Royal Garrison Artillery

Unit Text: 59th Siege Bty.

Age: 27

Date of Death: 19/07/1918

Service No: 37140

Additional information: Son of Albert John Newson, of Broome Green North, Elmham, East Dereham, Norfolk. Native of Carbrook, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: XVIII. C. 5. Cemetery: BIENVILLERS MILITARY CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=266164

 

No match on Norlink

 

Military Genealogy records Harry Albert as being born Scoulton and residing Thuxton.

 

The 1901 census has an 8 year old Harry, born Carbrooke, recorded at 39 Cooper Road, Willesden, Middlesex. This is the household of his parents, Albert J, (aged 39 and from Carbrooke. Census takers hand-writing is awful, but it looks like occupation is listed as “None”, although he is also described as a worker), and Eleanor, aged 29 and from Carbrooke. Their other children are:-

Mary Jane…………………aged 6.………………born Carbrooke

Lily………………………..aged 3.………………born Carbrooke

Frederick George…………aged 1.……………….born Carbrooke

 

However, on the 1911 census Harry Albert Newson, born circa 1893, is shown as born Scoulton. He was then resident in the district of St Faiths, Norfolk.

 

Note, if he was born in 1893 he could not have been 27 in July 1918. However, there are no obvious matches on the censuses for England and Wales for someone of the right age. For the person on the CWGC database, and the age is consistant with that on the memorial.

 

 

Willie Read…………….aged 21

 

Name: READ, WILLIE

Rank: Lance Corporal

Regiment: East Lancashire Regiment

Unit Text: "B" Coy. 9th Bn.

Age: 22

Date of Death: 27/02/1917

Service No: 14210

Additional information: Son of Mrs. Sarah Ann Read, of Gtehouse, Garvestone, Aweborough, Norfolk.

Memorial: DOIRAN MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1652028

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 6 year old Willie, born Garvestone, is recorded on the 1901 census at Mattishall Road, Garvestone. This is the household of his mother, Sarah, whose marital status is recorded as single. Sarah is 40 and from Garvestone. Her other children are:-

Alice………….aged 5.………….born Garvestone

Ernest…………aged 4.………….born Garvestone

Flora…………..aged 19.………..born Garvestone………..Rural Post Woman & Messenger

James………….aged 13.………..born Garvestone……….Ordinary Agricultural Labourer

John……………aged 16.………..born Garvestone……….Ordinary Agricultural labourer

Lily……………aged 10.………..born Garvestone

Minnie…………aged 8.…………born Garvestone

Winnie…………aged 1 month…..born Garvestone

 

Sarah was still listed as single on the 1891 census, although her occupation is listed as Charwoman. Living with hers are Flora, John James and Lily, (then aged 11 months).

 

A feel for the campaign and the experiences of ordinary soldiers can be gained from this site.

www.dublin-fusiliers.com/salonika/salonica.html

 

George Stocking………aged 45

 

Name: STOCKING, GEORGE EDMUND

Rank: Pioneer Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers

Unit Text: No. 8 Foreway Coy.

Age: 44

Date of Death: 30/09/1918

Service No: 118595

Additional information: Son of David and Edney Stocking, of Thuxton, Attleborough, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: III. D. 3. Cemetery: BEUVRY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=305135

 

Beuvry village was largely occupied during the War by Royal Engineers, Supply units and Artillery horse-lines. It remained in British possession even during the German offensive of April, 1918. The Cemetery Extension was begun in March, 1916, and used by units and field ambulances until October, 1918.

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=31304&...

 

No match on Norlink

 

No obvious matches for George, David or Edney Stocking on either the 1901 or 1911 census for England and Wales.

 

Jesse Ward………………aged 18

 

Probably

Name: WARD, JESSE ANDREW

Rank: Private

Regiment: Royal Fusiliers Unit Text: 13th Bn.

Age: 19

Date of Death: 04/10/1917

Service No: G/48598

Additional information: Son of Lucy E. Ward, of Winburgh Rd., Westfield, East Dereham, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: III. D. 23. Cemetery: ZANTVOORDE BRITISH CEMETERY

CWGC: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=160614

 

Military Genealogy has Jesse Andrews Ward born Shipdham, resident Garvestone

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 2 year old “Jessie” A, born Dereham, is recorded on the 1901 census at 16 Adcocks Yard, Baxter Row, East Dereham. This is the household of his Grand-Parents, Charles, (aged 62 and a General labourer from Dereham), and Kate, (aged 55 and from Walton, Norfolk). Living with them is their daughter, Lucy E, single, aged 25 and employed as a General Domestic Servant. Lucy was born Scarning. There is also another Grandson - John E A Ward, (aged 4 and from Scarning). Given the information on the CWGC database entry, the likely scenario is that Lucy is Jesse’s mother, and it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to assume John is her son as well.

 

There is a possible match in the baptismal records of St Nicholas, East Dereham, although the entry has apparently suffered over the years. A boy child, Jesse, born 7th May 1898, was baptised in the church on the 6th July 1899. Mothers name is partially legible -L??? Elizabeth. However, no maiden name is given for the mother and the father is listed as a John Ward, who was a ??? Labourer. The family reside at Northall Green..

 

Thursday 4th October 1917 - Day 60 Passchendaele

 

Rainfall 4.6mm

 

Today marks the start of the Battle of Broodseinde.

Zero Hour was set for 6 am.

 

Gheluvelt

 

37th Div 111 Bde

 

111 Bde attacked with 13th Bn, King’s Royal Rifle Corps and 13th Bn, Royal Fusiliers. 10th Bn, Royal Fusiliers was in support. The KRRC’s ojective was Lewis Farm . However they reached and occupied Tower Trench and were then pinned down there by MG fire from the farm. The Fusiliers had to wheel towards the northern part of Gheluvelt Wood with the objective of taking the line of dugouts there. Fire from a blockhouse and Lewis Farm forced them to stop and dig-in short of their objective.

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

 

Colin Whitehand……….aged 19

 

Name: WHITEHAND Initials: C L

Rank: Private

Regiment: East Surrey Regiment Unit Text: 8th Bn.

Age: 19

Date of Death: 20/11/1918

Service No: 35038

Additional information: Son of Frederick and Isabella Whitehand, of Garvestone, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: III. B. 9. Cemetery: POZNAN OLD GARRISON CEMETERY

CWGC: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=472697

 

Cemetery: POZNAN OLD GARRISON CEMETERY Country: Poland

After the First World War, the graves of Commonwealth servicemen who had died in Poland as prisoners of war were gathered together in this cemetery. There are now 174 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in the cemetery

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=34718&...

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 2 year old Colin Leslie, (born Gillingham, Norfolk), is recorded on the 1901 census at Village Street, Gillingham. This is the household of his parents, Frederick, (aged 46 and a Police Constable from Hingham), and Isabella, (aged 40 and from Yaxham). Their other children are:-

Edith May………….aged 5.………….born Poringland

Frank L…………….aged 8.………….born Whissonsett

Frederick H………..aged 13.…………born Whinburgh

Herbert J…………..aged 12.…………born Whinburgh

 

The baptism of Colin Leslie, born 14th January 1899, took place on the 26th February 1899 at St Mary, Gillingham. His parents are listed as Frederick and Isabella Whitehand who resided in Gillingham. His fathers occupation is listed as Police Constable.

 

Done