St Matthews Thorpe Hamlet War Memorial - Rose to Youels

The Memorial service and dedication of the war memorial cross at St Matthew's Church Thorpe Hamlet, took place on the September 25th 1921, including roll of honour. I assume this was at the old St Matthews, down off Riverside Road, and that the Cross has subsequently been re-located.

 

The new church was built in 1982 to replace the old Victorian church (built 1851 and now converted to offices) on St Matthew's Rd and St Leonards 'Chapel of Ease' on Ketts Hill (built 1907, demolished in 1981)

www.thorpehamlet.free-online.co.uk/page_st_matthews.htm

 

*****Panel 3*****

 

H H Rose

 

Name: ROSE, HENRY HAMMOND

Rank: Private

Regiment: Norfolk Regiment

Unit Text: 10th Bn.

Age: 21

Date of Death: 09/03/1915

Service No: 16353

Additional information: Son of Henry Hammond Rose and Rosa Ann Rose, of 26, Kerrison Rd., Thorpe, Norwich.

Cemetery: FELIXSTOWE (WALTON) CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=397225

 

The 7 year old Henry, born Trowse, is recorded on the 1901 census at 13 School Terrace, Trowse,

Norfolk. This is the household of his parents, Henry, (aged 40 and a Fitter in Electrical Works from Trowse) and Rosa, (aged 43 and from Eyke, Suffolk). Their other children are:-

Agnes……………aged 12.…………..born Yarmouth, Norfolk

Edward…………..aged 2.……………born Trowse

Ellen……………..aged 12.…………..born Yarmouth

Ethel……………..aged 9.……………born Trowse

Gladys……………aged 5.……………born Trowse

 

10th (Reserve) Battalion

Formed in Walton on the Naze in October 1914 as Service battalion, part of K4.

November 1914 : attached to 94th Brigade, original 31st Division.

10 April 1915 : became a Reserve battalion.

www.1914-1918.net/norfolks.htm

 

The death of Henry H., aged 21, was recorded in the Woodbridge, Suffolk District in the January to March 1915 quarter.

 

(see April 2017 comment below for update)

 

M Rowe

 

No obvious match on CWGC, Norlink or Military Genealogy.

 

Military Genealogy has two James Rowe’s who were born Norwich.

 

No obvious match on the 1901 or 1911 censuses.

 

A W Ryder

 

Military Genealogy has an Archibald Walter, born St Thomas’s Norwich.

 

Name: RYDER, ARCHIBALD WALTER

Rank: Private

Regiment: Norfolk Regiment

Unit Text: 9th Bn.

Date of Death: 26/09/1915

Service No: 3/10213

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 30 and 31. Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1768339

 

Archibald can be seen here

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

 

Additional Norlink notes

Private Ryder was born in Norwich on 15th January 1893. He enlisted on 14th December 1914, and was killed on 26th September 1915

 

Archibald is recorded as aged 11 on the 1901 census, which doesn’t tie in with the Date of Birth given on Norlink, however he is the only Archibald shown with a Norwich connection. He was born Norwich, and recorded at 7 Cardiff Road, in the Parish of St Thomas’s. This is the household of his parents, Thomas (aged 63 and a Pensioner from Cambridge, noted as paralysed) and Ellen, aged 39 and a Laundress from Shemley Green, Surrey. Their other children are:-

Ernest C…………..aged 7.………….born Norwich

Frederick………….aged 17.………..born Norwich……Grocers Errand Boy

Mabel……………..aged 14.………..born Norwich

Rosa M……………aged 2.…………born Norwich

 

The 9th (Service) Battalion was formed at Norwich in September 1914 as part of K3, Kitcheners Third Army. In September 1914 it was attached to the 71st Brigade, 24th Division. The Battalion was assembled around Shoreham during September 1914 and it then spent 11 months in training after formation. Uniforms, equipment and blankets were slow in arriving and they initially wore emergency blue uniforms and carried dummy weapons. The battalion crossed to France between 28th August and 4th September 1915 where they joined X1 Corps and were sent up the line for the developing Battle of Loos. They disembarked at Boulogne almost 1000 strong, but 8 days later were reduced to 16 officers and 555 other ranks. The battalion lost a total of 1,019 men killed during the First World War. It marched from Montcarrel on the 21st September reaching Bethune on the 25th, before moving up to Lonely Tree Hill south of the La Basée Canal. They formed up for an attack in support of 11th Essex but were not engaged. At 03:30 on 26th September orders were received to assist 2nd Brigade on an attack on quarries west of Hulluch. At 05:30 the Battalion were in what had, the day before, been the German front trenches. The attack was launched at 06:45 under heavy fire, especially from snipers, after a full night of marching on empty stomachs and little or no progress was made before the Norfolks sought cover in the trenches. At 16:00 2nd Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment passed through to attack. At 19:00 the Germans opened fire and the Norfolks were forced to fall back to trenches in the rear to take cover before being relieved by the Grenadier Guards whereupon they returned to Lonely Tree Hill. They had lost 5 officers killed and 9 wounded, with 39 other ranks killed, 122 wounded and 34 missing, a total of 209 casualties sustained in their first action

 

forum.planetalk.net/viewtopic.php?t=4844&sid=b3e7614b...

 

C E Ryder

 

Norlink has a picture of Charles Ernest Ryder, stated to be of the 1st/4th Northumberland Fusiliers.

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

 

His cap badge in the picture however appears to be that of the Norfolk Regiment.

 

The accompanying notes are that the picture was taken in 1916 and that Private Ryder was born in Norwich on 13th September 1895. He enlisted on 22nd August 1915, and was killed on 26th October 1917

 

The relevant individual on the CWGC database appears to be this one

Name: RYDER, CHARLES

Rank: Private

Regiment: Northumberland Fusiliers

Unit Text: 1st/4th Bn.

Date of Death: 26/10/1917

Service No: 202125

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 19 to 23 and 162. Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=828511

 

Looking at the Census details, in the 1901 census there is no Charles recorded with a Norwich connection, but there is an Ernest - the brother of Archibald, born Norwich circa 1894. On the 1911 census there is a Charles, born circa 1894, but no Ernest. I only have access to a high-level search for the 1911 census, but that Charles is recorded as living in the same household as an “Archibold” Ryder and an Ellen Ryder.

 

26th Oct 1917

At 3am heavy rain began to fall again and at 4.05am the 4th Bn reported it was in position for the attack.

At zero hour, 5.40am, the barrage opened up and began to creep forward at a rate of one hundred yards every eight minutes. The fusiliers of the149th Bde rose to their feet to advance behind it, with the 4th & 5th Bn Loyal North Lancashires (57th Divn) on the right flank and the 35th Divn on the left. Had the 'going' been good, the troops who lay close up under the barrage (so close indeed that several casualties were suffered) waiting for the first "lift", would not have had a problem advancing at the rate of the creeping barrage.

'The rain had, however, done its deadly work, for all the gallant fellows could do was to drag themselves along through the thick clinging mud and water at a much slower pace than the barrage, which soon got ahead'. Then form "pill box" and shell hole murderous fire was poured upon them. Many fell dead; some of the wounded fell into the gaping holes of water and were drowned; fortunate were those who escaped, but on went the survivors' (Wyrell. p.244).

The allied barrage consisted entirely of shrapnel and was therefore quite useless against the first objective, which consisted of concrete huts. To make matters worse the rain continued to fall heavily and the condition of mud and water were perfectly appalling.

Bn HQ received a wire from the Bde Major at 8.50am stating that a wounded Forward Observation Officer had reported that the first objective had been taken and the men were advancing well to the second objective. This information proved incorrect because 2nd Lt Wood subsequently returned wounded and reported that casualties were heavy and the attack was held up in front of the Huts. The attack had actually ground to a halt about eighty yards west of the line of huts. The machine gun fire and sniping was so severe that any further advance was quite impossible and reporting the situation back to HQ extremely difficult. Two runners were sent to the front line to try and gather information but they both failed to return.

 

At 11am, 2nd Lt Burton was sent forward to reconnoitre and he confirmed that the attack was held up about one hundred yards short of the Huts. At 1pm Sgt Thompson returned from the front line and confirmed 2nd Lt Burtons’ report stating that casualties were very heavy. Similar news was brought down later by Capt J.V. Gregory. This information was relayed to Bde HQ by pigeon and signalled by Lucas Lamp. Several messages were sent during the afternoon. Two platoons from the Reserve Company, under the command of 2nd Lts Peddie and Scott, were sent forward at 6pm to consolidate the original line held before the attack.

 

The Bn was relieved about midnight by the 4th Bn East Yorks and proceeded, via the duckboard track known as Railway Street, to Rose Crossroads camp. The 6th Bn DLI organised straggler posts in likely places to round up men returning from the front line and to guide them to camp.

 

Roll call revealed the appalling casualties suffered by the 4th Bn. 2nd Lts D.A.Smith, and W.Ruddy had been killed in action with 2nd Lt R.A.A Simpson later dying of wounds. 2nd Lts G.R.Charlewood, A.W.P.Leary, H.B.Bell, J.R.Ruddock and R.Wood were wounded, and 2nd Lt R.G.Rayner and H Stobbs were missing. Thirty-six fusiliers had been killed, one hundred and fifty-six wounded and sixty four were still missing. A total of two hundred and fifty six, more than fifty percent of those that had gone into action.

 

Casualties

Records show that at least 100 fusiliers from the 4th Bn were actually killed in action or died of wounds between the 25th and 27th of Oct 1917.

 

© Neil Storey 2004.

www.4thbnnf.com/45_171024_171026_ 2nd_passchendaele.html

 

A C Savage

 

Name: SAVAGE, ALFRED CHARLES

Rank: Second Lieutenant

Regiment: Suffolk Regiment

Unit Text: 8th Bn.

Age: 24

Date of Death: 31/07/1917

Additional information: Son of William W. and Annie Savage, of 13, Chalk Hill Rd., Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 21. Memorial: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=921423

 

Alfred Charles can be seen here

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

 

The picture was taken in 1917, so presumably shortly after he was commissioned in May, (it was taken at Coe’s Studios in Norwich) as he then travelled to France and was dead by July. Sobering thought.

 

Additional notes from Norlink

Second Lieutenant Savage was the son of William W. Savage of Norwich. On release from business he joined the 10th Norfolks in February 1916, held an Aldershot certificate as instructor and received his commission on May 1917. He was educated at Norwich Secondary School. Killed in action 31st July 1917 at Hooge.

 

The 8 year old Alfred C, born Norwich, is recorded on the 1901 census at 16 Ella Road, in the Parish of St Matthews. This is the household of his parents, William W, (aged 38 and a Shoe Manufacturer from Norwich) and Annie, (aged 33 and from Aldershot in Hampshire). Their other children are:-

Bertram J…………….aged 10.……………born Norwich

Donald J……………..aged 6.……………..born Norwich (see below)

Dorothy………………aged 1.……………..born Norwich

Wallace……………..aged 5.………………born Norwich

William H…………..aged 11.……………..born Norwich..(see below)

 

There is a likely Medal Index Card for a Alfred Savage which shows him as a Lance Sergeant (TR/A/263) in a Training Battalion before becoming a Lieutenant in the Suffolk Regiment .

 

The Battle of Passchendaele

 

18th Division

 

53 Bde

 

53 Bde’s task was to leapfrog 30th Div once Glencorse Wood had been taken.

 

8th Bn, Suffolk Regt arrived in Jackdaw Trench at 8.10am to find Glencorse Wood stille in enemy hands despite reports to the contrary. They dug in near Clapham Junction. Meanwhile 6th Bn, Berkshire Regt bogged down on the Menin Road also under fire from Glencorse Wood. With the help of 79 Coy, RE they destroyed some pill boxes between road and wood. Five tanks sent to assist bogged down in mud and were destroyed by shell-fire. By 10am they had dug in at the cross roads north west of Glencorse Wood.

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

 

The Suffolks lost 59 dead on this day according to the entries on the CWGC database.

 

D J Savage

 

Name: SAVAGE Initials: D J

Rank: Private

Regiment: Norfolk Regiment

Unit Text: 1st/4th Bn.

Date of Death: 19/04/1917

Service No: 200425

Grave/Memorial Reference: XXIII. F. 2. Cemetery: GAZA WAR CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=651255

 

There is a picture of Donald John Savage of the 1st/4th Norfolks who was posted missing after the Battle of Gaza on the 19th April 1917, on Norlink.

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

 

Norlink notes Private Savage lived at 13, Chalk Hill Road, Norwich. He enlisted in September 1914, and was reported missing at Gaza on 19th April 1917

 

This would make him the brother of Alfred Charles listed above and William Harry below.

 

19th April 1917 During the 2nd Battle of Gaza,

 

Facing the Tank Redoubt was the 161st Brigade of the 54th Division. To their right were the two Australian battalions (1st and 3rd) of the Imperial Camel Corps Brigade who had dismounted about 4,000 yards from their objective. As the infantry went in to attack at 7.30am they were joined by a single tank called "The Nutty" which attracted a lot of shell fire. The tank followed a wayward path towards the redoubt on the summit of a knoll where it was fired on point blank by four field guns until it was stopped and set alight in the middle of the position.

The infantry and the 1st Camel Battalion, having suffered heavy casualties on their approach, now made a bayonet charge against the trenches. About 30 "Camels" and 20 of the British infantry (soldiers of the 5th (territorial Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment) reached the redoubt, then occupied by around 600 Turks who immediately broke and fled towards their second line of defences to the rear.

The British and Australians held on unsupported for about two hours by which time most had been wounded. With no reinforcements at hand and a Turkish counter-attack imminent, the survivors endeavoured to escape back to their own lines.

To the right (west) of Tank Redoubt, the 3rd Camel Battalion, advancing in the gap between two redoubts, actually made the furthest advance of the battle, crossing the Gaza-Beersheba Road and occupying a pair of low hills (dubbed "Jack" and "Jill"). As the advances on their flanks faltered, the "Camels" were forced to retreat to avoid being isolated.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Gaza

 

More than a thousand one hundred of the men of the 54th posted killed wounded or missing were from the two Norfolk regiment battalions, equating to 75% of their strength. Eastern Daily Press "Sunday" section May 5, 2007

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Gaza

 

On 19th April the Norfolks took part in a disastrous attempt to take Gaza. In this action casualties for the battalion were 478 (55 killed, 323 wounded and 100 missing).

www.oldbuckenham-pri.norfolk.procms.co.uk/pages/viewpage....

 

W H Savage

 

Name: SAVAGE, WILLIAM HARRY

Rank: Serjeant

Regiment: South Staffordshire Regiment

Unit Text: 1st Bn.

Age: 28

Date of Death: 26/10/1917

Service No: 41669

Additional information: Son of William W. and Annie Savage, of 13, Chalk Hill Rd., Norwich.

Memorial Reference: Panel 90 to 92 and 162 to 162A. Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=828742

 

There is a picture of William Harry here

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

 

The picture title includes the information that he was 10th “Royal” Norfolks before transferring to the 1st South Staffs.

 

Additional Norlink notes: Sergeant Savage lived at 13, Chalk Hill Road, Norwich. He enlisted in September 1914, and was killed in action or died of wounds on 26th October 1917

 

William was a brother of Alfred Charles and Donald John - see above.

 

Friday 26th October 1917 - Day 82

 

Rainfall 8 mm

 

Today marks the start of the Second Battle of Passchendaele. Zero Hour was 5.40 am.

 

91 Bde

 

91 Bde attacked with 1st Bn, South Staffordshire Regt, 21st Bn, Manchester Regt and 2nd Bn, Queen’s Regt with 20th Manchesters in Support.

 

The Queen’s attempted to take Lewis House but were driven bck to the Start Line by MG fire as were the Manchesters. The South Staffs started well as they were in dead ground and they took a mound southwest of Hamp Farm. From here D Coy attempted to take the farm itself and C Coy attacked Berry Cottage. Both attacks were unsuccessful with the two companies suffering heavily from MG fire.

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

 

 

A Semmence

 

Name: SEMMENCE, ALBERT DAVEY

Rank: Regimental Serjeant Major

Regiment: Norfolk Regiment

Unit Text: 2nd Bn.

Age: 40

Date of Death: 14/04/1915

Service No: 3326

Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. George Semmence, of Wymondham, Norfolk; husband of Daisy Gillies Semmence, of 6, Belsize Rd., Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: III. E. 7. Cemetery: BASRA WAR CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=631465

 

Albert can be seen here

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

 

The additional Norlink notes are:

Regimental Sergeant Major Semmence was born in Wymondham on 29th November 1874, and educated at Wymondham Grammar School. He enlisted as a Private on 3rd October 1892, and was killed in action at Shaiba, Mesopotamia, on 14th April 1915

 

Albert is also remembered on the Wymondham Town War Memorial.

 

In due course the Turks initiated their offensive with simultaneous preliminary bombardments of Shaiba and Qurna on 11 April 1915. In the latter case the bombardment of the British 6th (Poona) Division progressed for three days while periodic attempts at piercing the town's defences were unsuccessfully attempted; eventually a counter-attack by the 2nd Dorsets and 24th Punjabis routed the Turks with heavy losses.

 

However the Turks' main effort was launched at Shaiba.

On 13 April, two days after the bombardment of the town started, Turkish troops attempted to outflank the British across the floods that separated Shaiba from Basra, while Turk cavalry prepared for a frontal assault.

However the timely intervention of two British Infantry battalions served to rapidly disperse the Turk cavalry, resulting in a full withdrawal by the latter into woods nearby. Possession of these were in turn secured by the British following an infantry battle throughout 14 April.

Casualties during the woodland battle were heavy: the Turks incurred around 2,400 casualties, and the British around half that number. Some 5,000 troops on each side were involved in the fighting in all.

www.firstworldwar.com/battles/shaiba.htm

 

On April 12th 1915 after some days of probing assaults a force of some 12,000 Turks and 10,000 Arabs attacked Shaiba where the Norfolks were located. They did not take the town but retired to dig in about 1500 yards from our lines to continue their assaults. Reinforcements were sent for from Basra but the floods hindered them. The following is from the Hunts Post dated 28th May 1915 and it tells a little of the action at Shaiba during those few days in April.

"Sgt and Mrs Dighton of Spaldwick have received several interesting letters from their eldest son Pte Whit Dighton of the 2nd Norfolks who has been on active service in the Persian Gulf since last November and is possibly the only representative from the Huntingdon district out there, .......... Pte Dighton says the country in which he is now located is a desert, miles away from any town, with blinding sandstorms which are far worse than rain. After four days terrific fighting against a superior body of Turks, "suddenly we received the order to charge. We fixed bayonets and put all the strength into it we could. The Turks were completely taken by surprise, and we were upon them in a flash. Their confusion was indescribable. They ran for their lives, thousands of them, and we quickly occupied their trenches, and simply potted them over like ninepins. As they ran some threw away their arms and surrendered. Our artillery completed their rout. Their losses totalled some thousands ....... I cannot speak too highly of our officers; they are bricks - every one of them. One gave me his last drop of water from his bottle, or I don't think I should have been left to tell the tale."

On the 13th April the Norfolks had broken out to rush the Turkish front line trenches and took them at bayonet point. They did not immediately pursue the enemy to the second line but rested up. They had been under harassment for some days and directly under arms for 36 hours continuously. On the 14th April an attack on the Turkish second line entrenchments began at noon with White 18th Brigade on the right of the line and the 16th Brigade on the left. This developed into a stationary firefight, in the heat of the midday sun. At 4 pm a last British effort was made and the Turkish rear lines fell.

www.roll-of-honour.com/Huntingdonshire/SpaldwickDighton.html

 

E M Sendall

 

Name: SENDALL, EDMUND MATHIAS

Rank: Private

Regiment: Norfolk Regiment

Unit Text: 1st/4th Bn.

Age: 28

Date of Death: 19/08/1915

Service No: 4368

Additional information: Husband of the late Ellen E. Sendall.

Memorial Reference: Panel 42 to 44. Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=682013

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 11 year Edmund, born Norwich, is recorded on the 1901 census at 40 Carrow Road, in the Parish of St Matthews. This is the household of his parents, Alfred, (aged 53 and a Boot Maker from Norwich) and Mary A. (aged 48 and from Norwich). Their other children are:-

Alfred………..aged 18.………born Norwich….General Labourer

Charles……….aged 16.………born Norwich…..Houseboy Domestic

Ethel………….aged 7.………..born Norwich

Mary A……….aged 9.………..born Norwich

Sarah A……….aged 17.………born Norwich…..Bootmaker

 

An Edmund M Sendall married an Eleanor R Palmer in the April to June 1915 quarter in the Wayland District of Norfolk.

 

1/4th Battalion

August 1914 : in Norwich. Part of Norfolk and Suffolk Brigade, East Anglian Division.

May 1915 : the formation was retitled as 163rd Brigade, 54th (East Anglian) Division.

29 July 1915 : embarked at Liverpool and moved to Gallipoli via Mudros. Landed at Suvla Bay on 10 August 1915.

www.1914-1918.net/norfolks.htm

 

Between the 10th and the 19th, the 1st/4ths were continuously losing men, including a number on the 12th when the 1st/5th advanced into the scrub and pretty much “disappeared”, leaving the 1st/4ths covering the line and providing covering fire for the few stragglers that returned. Many of the wounded and sick were treated offshore on Hospital Ships. Unable to leave position and overwhelmed by the numbers, many of the dead were simply “buried at sea” and subsequently commemorated on the Helles Memorial.

 

Captain Montgomerie's diary of events in the 1/4th Battalion whilst in the neighbourhood of Jephson's Post on this day is as follows

19th. - All. quiet during day. Worked hard all night fetching food, water, etc., and improving the trenches.

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

 

A Senior

 

Military Genealogy has an Alfred born Thorpe Hamlet, but there is no obvious match from the 12 possibles on the CWGC database and there is no match on Norlink. CWGC does have an Lance Corporal A Senior from the 7th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, but there is no age of any other additional information that might connect him.

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=250638

 

However the Great War Roll of Honour does confirm he was an Alfred.

 

The 1901 census has a 9 year old Alfred R, born Norwich, who is recorded at 87 Quebec Road East, in the Parish of St Matthews. This is the household of his parents, Alfred N. (aged 48 and a Wheelwright from Gloucester) and Kate G, (aged 47 and from Norwich). Their other children are:-

Arthur E…………..aged 18.………………..born Norwich………….Gardener (Domestic) - see below

Ernest M………….aged 6.…………………born Norwich - see below

Eva A……………..aged 23.………………..born Norwich…………Tailoress

Frank W…………..aged 14.……………….born Norwich………Blacksmith (Beer Making)

Horace W…………aged 16.……………….born Norwich………Wheelwright

Nellie M…………..aged 21.……………….born Norwich…….Drapers Shop Assistant

Richard P………….aged 20.……………….born Norwich……Engine Fitter

Stanley G………….aged 11.……………….born Norwich

 

Like his brother Arthur, Alfred was awarded the Military Medal.

 

A E Senior

 

Military Genealogy has an Arthur Ernest born and resident Norwich. The most likely possible is

 

Name: SENIOR, ARTHUR ERNEST

Rank: Serjeant

Regiment: Rifle Brigade

Unit Text: 1st Bn.

Date of Death: 23/10/1916

Service No: 750

Awards: M M

Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 16 B and 16 C. Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=812024

 

No match on Norlink

 

The only Arthur listed on the 1901 census with a Norwich connection is the brother of Alfred above and Ernest below. (See Alfred for family details).

 

26th October 1916

 

Lesboeufs

 

4th Div attacked here with two brigades, 12 Bde on the left and 11 Bde on the right.

 

In 11 Bde, 1st Hampshires were halted by fire from Boritska Trench, as were the French on their right flank. 1st Rifle Brigade came up in support but were only able to establish posts short of the objective.

forum.irishmilitaryonline.com/showthread.php?t=9058&p...

 

E M Senior

 

Name: SENIOR, ERNEST MONTAGUE

Rank: Lance Corporal

Regiment: The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)

Unit Text: 6th Bn.

Age: 22

Date of Death: 10/04/1917

Service No: 40097 Additional information: Son of Alfred Henry and Kate Gertrude Senior; husband of Hannah Maria Senior, of 63, Cohens Rd., Thorpe, Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: I. P. 8. Cemetery: DUISANS BRITISH CEMETERY, ETRUN

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=41199

 

I suspect that should be Cozens Road.

 

No match on Norlink.

 

See brother Alfred above for family details.

 

The 12th Division, of which the 6th The Queens were part, (as was the 7th Norfolks) were heavily engaged in the opening two days of the Battle of Arras, and were part of the initial Allied success.

 

J Sexton

 

Name: SEXTON, JAMES HORACE

Rank: Private

Regiment: The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)

Unit Text: 6th Bn.

Age: 19

Date of Death: 04/07/1918

Service No: 63691

Additional information: Son of Herbert and Jane Sexton, of 7, St. Matthew's Rd., Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: I. N. 22. Cemetery: GEZAINCOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=35619

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 2 year old James, born Norwich, was recorded on the 1901 census at 7 St Matthews Road, in the Parish of St Matthews. This was the household of his parents, Herbert J. (aged 34 and a Wheelwright from Norwich) and Jane, (aged 31 and from Thornham, Norfolk). Their other children are:-

Gladys J………….aged 3.…………..born Norwich

Herbert…………..aged 11.………….born Norwich

Montague………..aged 8.…………..born Norwich

 

The Battalion had been engaged in a successful attack on the 30th June, but they and fellow Brigade unit’s the Bedfords and the Royal West Kents, were subject to repeated counter-attacks on the 1st. Contact was lost with the Bedfords and the West Surreys were forced back to what had been the old German Front line trench. They were relieved about 5 am on the 2nd and moved back to the Reserve line. The 3rd was reported as very quiet, and on the 4th they were pulled out of the line altogether.

 

J R Shingles

 

Name: SHINGLES, JOHN

Rank: Private

Regiment: Essex Regiment

Unit Text: 1st Bn.

Secondary Regiment: Norfolk Regiment

Secondary Unit Text: formerly (16864),

Age: 28

Date of Death: 12/10/1916

Service No: 20977

Additional information: Son of George and Sarah Anne Shingles, of 167 Albert Rd., Quebec Rd., Norwich.

Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 10 D. Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1552573

 

No match on Norlink

 

The Great War Roll of Honour has John down as serving in the Essex Regiment at his time of death., Private 20977. Strangely his Medal Index Card, (which only lists him as J.Shingles) appears to have no reference to him being in the Norfolks.

 

The 11 year old John, born Norwich, is recorded on the 1901 census at 12 Albert Place, Gas Hill in the Parish of St Matthews. This is the household of his parents, George, (aged 49 and a Carter from Burlingham, Norfolk) and Sarah A, (aged 45 and from Burlingham) Their other children are:-

Alice…………..aged 16.………..born Thorpe St.Andrews…………General Domestic Servant

George…………aged 19.……….born Great Plumstead

Gerty………….aged 10.…………born Norwich

Kate …………..aged 14.………..born Thorpe St Andrews………….General Domestic Servant

Mabel…………aged 3.………….born Norwich

May……………aged 7.…………born Norwich

Samuel………..aged 22.…………born Great Plumstead……………Road Labourer

Stephen……….aged 6.…………..born Norwich

 

After having spent 10 weeks in the Ypres Salient the 88th Brigade, the brigade in which the Royal Newfoundland Regiment was serving, was temporarily attached to the British 12th Division, which was holding Gueudecourt. By nightfall on October 10, the regiment was manning a 450-metre section of the trench on the northern outskirts of the village.

The attack began at 2:05 pm on 12 October 1916. The regiment advanced in line with the 1st Essex Battalion on their left. The men kept so close to the supporting artillery barrage that several became casualties from the shrapnel of their own supporting guns. Likewise, the Germans were compelled by the shelling to remain under cover and as a result were quickly engaged in hand-to-hand fighting. By 2:30 p.m. both assaulting battalions of the 88th Brigade had secured their initial objective, Hilt Trench in the German front line.

As the Newfoundlanders advanced to their final objective, Grease Trench some 750 metres from their starting line, heavy machine-gun fire coming from the front and the right flank forced the regiment back to Hilt Trench. On their left flank, a German counter-attack drove the 1st Essex Battalion back to the outskirts of Gueudecourt, leaving the Newfoundlanders with an open flank. Newfoundland bombing parties cleared and secured the vacated portion of Hilt Trench and as a result doubled the length of the regiment's front line. All ranks began digging in the hard chalk to construct a new firing step and parapet and reverse the former German position.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gueudecourt_(Newfoundland)_Memorial

 

A R Shreeve

 

Name: SHREEVE, ALAN ROBERT

Rank: Lance Serjeant

Regiment: Gloucestershire Regiment

Unit Text: 2nd/6th Bn.

Age: 23

Date of Death: 19/07/1916

Service No: 367208

Additional information: Son of Charles Robert and Alice Shreeve, of 36, Plumstead Rd., Norwich.

Memorial Reference: Panel 60 to 64. Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1768924

 

Alan can be seen here

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

 

Norlink notes include that he was formerly of the 1st/6th Norfolks.

 

19 July 1916

Whilst the Battle of the Somme was raging, the British Commander in Chief General Sir Douglas Haig decided to open a more modest battle in the area of Armentières near the Belgian border.

Part of his reasoning was that the German Army was moving men south away from this area in an effort to shore up their defences on the Somme. An attack here towards Lille would put them in a dilemma as to whether or not they could thin out this sector any further.

Fromelles is a small village on the Aubers Ridge to the south of Armentières. Most of the area that was held by the Allies is very flat with a number of water features and streams.

Behind Fromelles and Aubers lies the ridge which easily overlooks the battlefield.

The Battle

The objectives of the Australian 5th Division and the British 61st Division on their right were to capture the village and the ridge.

The attack was centred around a point known as the Sugarloaf and at 1100 hours on 19 July 1916 the British artillery put down a bombardment on the German front line as the infantry made their way up to their jumping off points.

From their vantage point and on a bright summers day the Germans could see the attack preparing and launched a counter bombardment onto the communication trenches as the men were making their way to the front.

The German bombardment wreaked havoc on the Australian's lines. As men were trying to get forward, wounded were trying to push their way back to the Aid Posts adding to the chaos.

The two bombardments continued until at 1800 hours the infantry finally launched their assault.

On the left of the Australian line, the 8th and 14th Brigades swiftly took the German front line and started to consolidate their positions. The 15th Brigade next to the British in the centre however was struggling across wide open ground in the teeth of fierce machine gun fire.

On the right of Sugar Loaf the 61st Division had also been halted by uncut wire. In a scene familiar to those on the Somme not three weeks earlier, the Allied bombardment had failed in its objective of cutting the wire and destroying the German positions.

An attempt to organise a truce with the Germans to bring in the wounded was refused by the Allied Commanders, despite having been agreed to by the German Commander.

The battle had been a complete disaster.

www.webmatters.net/france/ww1_fromelles.htm

 

Alan is also remembered on the Roll of Honour at The United Reform Church at Princes Street in the City

Done