Garvestone and Thuxton War Memorial

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.

 

1939 - 1946

 

Robert Frost…………….aged 26

 

No obvious match. The only 26 year old, was a Private in the Royal Australian Medical who was born in Queensland, although there are another couple of possibles with age unknown - however in both cases with family links elsewhere in the UK.

 

Ernest Greenwood………aged 34

 

Name: GREENWOOD, ERNEST WALTER

Rank: Flight Sergeant (Air Bomber)

Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Unit Text: 83 Sqdn.

Date of Death: 25/04/1944

Service No: 1461091

Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 7. J. 8-11. Cemetery: DURNBACH WAR CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2101718

 

Details from his wifes headstone in the churchyard extension..

 

In loving memory of Oriel Alice Greenwood

Dearest Mother and Grandmother

Re-united 24th February 1993

With her beloved husband

Ernest Walter Greenwood

Who lies in Durnbach

War Cemetery, Germany

25th April 1944

 

Sadly a father and grandfather never known.

 

Lancaster ND469 Information

Type................................Lancaster

Serial Number................ND469

Squadron.......................83

X1D................................OL-C

Operation......................Munich

Date 1..........................24th April 1944

Date 2...........................25th April 1944

 

Further Information

ND469 was delivered to 83 Sqdn Jan44

ND469 took part in the following Key Operations: Berlin 15/16Feb44; Leipzig 19/20Feb44; Stuttgart 15/16Mar44; Berlin 24/25Mar44; Nuremburg 30/31Mar44; Munich 24/25Apr44-Lost.

 

Airborne 20.56 24Apr44 from Coningsby. Hit by Flak crashing in flames 01.45 25Apr44 some 500 metres NW of Allach, 11 km NW from the centre of Munich. All were buried at Schleissheim-Hochmutting. They were re-interred 24Mar48 in the Durnbach War Cemetery. Sgt French enlisted either in Rhodesia or Basutoland.

F/O J.B.G Pezaro KIA

Sgt E.S.Sowersby KIA

Sgt A.W.Wade KIA

F/S E.W.Greenwood KIA

Sgt G.N.Tebbutt KIA

Sgt G.F.French KIA

F/S W.B.Baldwinson RCAF KIA "

Source: www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=1305

Also: www.156squadron.com/display_newpff_roll.asp?ID=83

 

There is a picture of James “Jimmy” Pezaro and the initial burial plot of the crew here:-

hastang.co.uk/pezaro/pezaro_family.pdf

 

James Mann……………..aged 19

 

The most likely candidate is

 

Name: MANN, PERCY JAMES

Rank: Private

Regiment: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Unit Text: 2nd Bn.

Age: 19

Date of Death: 09/02/1945

Service No: 14707012

Additional information: Son of Percy Frederick and Beatrice Mary Mann, of Hardingham, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: 10. G. 2. Cemetery: JONKERBOS WAR CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2646550

.

2nd Battalion (Reconstituted)

The 15th Battalion, stationed in Orkney as part of 207 Brigade, became reconstituted as the Regiment’s 2nd Battalion. The 2nd(Reconstituted) Battalion landed in Normandy on the 21st June 1944 and fought as part of 227 Brigade, 15th Scottish Division throughout France at the River Odon, Gavrus, Tourmauville Bridge, Caen, Esquay, Mont Pincon, Quarry Hill and Estry, before moving into Belgium and Holland in September 1944. After fighting at Aart, Gheel Bridge and the lower Maas, the Battalion entered Germany in March 1945 and fought at Meijel, the Rhineland, the Rhine itself, Uelzen and Artlenberg, until the German surrender in May 1945

www.argylls.co.uk/history-of-the-regiment/the-argyll-and-...

 

Op Veritable was the code name for the allied operation to drive the Germans from the ground between the River Maas and the River Rhine. The Canadians and British would break out from the Nijmegen bridgehead clearing southeast down between the two rivers to link up with the US forces who would cross the Maas to the south and swing north.

 

There were three defensive lines to overcome, firstly anti-tank ditches and fortified farms, then after a mile or more, several miles of open ground and the defensive Siegfried line which ran south through the Reichswald forest to the town of Goch.

 

The Overall Plan

30 Corps would lead the Canadian attack and as the front expanded the Canadian 2nd Corps would come in on the left of 30 Corps. The 30 Corps. attacking force comprised six infantry divisions, two armoured divisions and three armoured brigades. The initial advance would be five divisions up; 3rd Canadian on the left then 2nd Canadian, 15th Scottish, 53rd Welsh and 51st Highland on the right.

 

The preliminary bombardment commended at 0500hrs on the 8th February and the leading elements of the Division crossed the start line at 1046 hrs.

51hd.co.uk/history/hekkens

 

During the next 24 hours the important road centre of Cleve fell to the 15th Scottish. It was probably during this battle that Private Mann died.

 

George Richardson………aged 23

 

Possibly

Name: RICHARDSON, WILLIAM GEORGE

Rank: Private

Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 5th Bn.

Age: 23 Date of Death: 23/01/1942

Service No: 5774810

Grave/Memorial Reference: Sp. Mem. 18. E. 20. Cemetery: KRANJI WAR CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2821272

 

Military Genealogy has down as born Norfolk, resident Norwich.

Only other one I can’t readily eliminate.

Name: RICHARDSON, GEORGE THOMAS

Rank: Petty Officer (Air Fitter)

Service: Royal Navy Unit Text: H.M.S. Dasher

Age: 23

Date of Death: 27/03/1943

Service No: FAA/FX. 79940

Memorial Reference: Bay 4, Panel 4. Memorial: LEE-ON-SOLENT MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2975145

 

Extract from the 5th Battalion Norfolk Regiment War Diary

 

23rd Jan 42 At dawn cycle patrol - plus one patrol B Coy acting as advance guard moved forward 1/2 mile and encountered a road block. Cycle patrol fired on. B Coy patrol tried to by-pass roadblock but was unsuccessful. Lieut. G. H. R. Pallister seriously wounded. Remainder of B Coy endeavoured to outflank roadblock on North. Several casualties - 2/Lieut. P. H. McKean killed. 3" mortars used on supposed enemy positions and C Coy put round South flank. All efforts to move block unsuccessful at that time. C Coy successful in getting two patrols beyond roadblock but did not get across road. At approx 1130 hours Div Commander ordered Battalion to withdraw to Ayer Hitam into harbouring area South of village. CO reported to 11 Div at 1300 hours and received orders to be ready to move at 1600 hours by MT to Batu Pahat via Skudai and Pontain Kechil. Battalion moved off at 1600 hours and went into harbouring area five miles West of Skudia. CO reported to Commander 28 Bde at Pontain Kechil.

Source: www.cofepow.org.uk/pages/armedforces_5th_bn_royal_norfolk...

 

HMS Dasher

 

Shortly after getting to the Firth of Clyde on 27 March 1943, she suffered a major internal explosion and sank.

 

Various possible causes have been suggested, including one of her aircraft crashing onto the flight deck and igniting petrol fumes from leaking tanks. Much of what happened will never be known. Her death toll, 379 out of 528 crewmen, despite rapid response and assistance from ships and rescue craft from Brodick and Lamlash on the Isle of Arran and from Ardrossan and Greenock on the Scottish mainland, was amongst the highest in British home waters. Many escaped the ship but died of hypothermia or burns suffered when escaped fuel ignited on the water. Most of the dead were buried at Ardrossan or Greenock.

The government of the time, eager to avoid damage to morale and anxious to avoid any suggestion of faulty US construction, tried to cover up the sinking. The local media were ordered to make no reference to the tragedy, and the authorities ordered the dead to be buried in a mass unmarked grave. Furious relatives protested and some of the dead were returned to their loved ones for burial. The survivors were ordered not to talk about what happened. This policy subsequently attracted much criticism, and now memorials to those lost exist at both Ardrossan and Brodick.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Dasher_(D37)

 

One of those lost in the sinking of the Dasher is now believed to have provided the body for the Man who

Never Was(aka Operation Mincemeat) - an Allied deception plan to mislead German Intelligence.

www.secretscotland.org.uk/index.php/Secrets/HMSDasher

uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3260.html

 

George Softley………….aged 24

 

Most likely

 

Name: SOFTLEY, CYRIL GEORGE

Rank: Private

Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment

Unit Text: 4th Bn.

Age: 24

Date of Death: 08/05/1943

Service No: 5776797

Grave/Memorial Reference: 4. F. 39. Cemetery: KANCHANABURI WAR CEMETERY

 

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2194940

 

Miltary Genealogy has Cyril down as born Norwich and resident Norwich.

 

One of the many who would match into captivity with the fall of Singapore in February 1942 and who would subsequently die in Japanese captivity.

www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=108364...

 

Done