St Matthews Thorpe Hamlet War Memorial - Fowler to Robinson

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 2*****

C D Fowler

 

No obvious match on CWGC. There is a Charles Samuel who was born Trowse.

 

Possibly

 

Name: FOWLER, CHARLES SAMUEL

Rank: Corporal

Regiment: Norfolk Regiment

Unit Text: 9th Bn.

Age: 36

Date of Death: 26/09/1915

Service No: 3/10656

Additional information: Son of Samuel and Mary Fowler, of 2, Vulcan Cottages, Trowse, Norwich; husband of Rosa Esther Fowler, of Wroxham Rd., Sprowston, Norwich. Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 30 and 31. Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2942670

 

No match on Norlink

 

There are at least two possible on the 1911 census, but no obvious match for a C D. The likely match for Charles Samuel is listed as a Charles and by the time of the census was recorded in the St Faiths District. While that’s unlikely to be Wroxham Road, it could well be the nearby North-East fringes of the city.

 

The other Charles was born Norwich circa 1891 and is still resident in the city.

 

However, only Charles S is obviously on the 1901 census, recorded as a boarder at 68 Patteson Road.

 

The baptism records include:

Charles, born 4th September 1886, baptised St Peter Parmentergate 26th September 1886. Parents are Thomas, (a Labourer) and Maria, family reside at Normans Buildings.

Charles Arthur, born 28th June 1890, baptised 18th July 1890 at St Peter Parmentergate. Parents are Thomas, (a Packer) and Grace, family reside at Watsons Yard. (Probably the circa 1891 individual on the census).

Charles Frederick, born 13th November 1901, baptised 25th December 1901 at the Octagon Unitarian Chapel. Parents are John and Elizabeth.

 

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...

 

F Fox

 

No obvious match on CWGC, Military Genealogy and Norlink

 

Possibles from the 1901 census include

Francis W. aged 1, recorded 1 Primrose Place, Unthank Road. Parents William and Agnes

Frank Norman, aged 6, born Norwich, recorded Station Road, Briston. Parents Herbert and Mary

Fred, aged 15, recorded 69 Prince of Wales Road. Parents John and Sarah.

Fred G. aged 18, recorded 40 Gloucester Street. Parents Samuel & Clara

Freddy, aged 8, recorded 1 Martineau Lane. Parents Henry & Mary

Frederick C, aged 23, recorded at 46 St Leonards Road, Parish of St Matthews. Frereick is staying with his aunt and uncle Thomas & Georgianna Wilson. He is single and working as a Print Compositor.

Frederick B. aged 6, recorded at 22 Geoffrey Road. Parents are Benjamin and Ruth.

Frederick, aged 23, recorded at “Willows”, Yarmouth Road, Thorpe next Norwich. He is single and working as a Commercial Traveller and Oil Machinery. Parents are Edward and Maria.

Frederick G. aged 34, recorded at 23 Newbegins Yard, St Marys Plain. Wife Ellen J.

 

C E Francis

 

Of the three C E Francis’s on the CWGC database, two have links with other parts of the UK. The only one with no additional information was a Private Charles Edward in the 1st/9th Battalion London Regiment (Queen Victoria’s Rifles) who died 20/09/1916 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=749952

 

There are at least 6 Charles Francis’s of a likely aged to have served in WW1 on the 1911 census and with a Norwich connection. There could well be potential other individuals with different first names.

 

R T Frary

 

Name: FRARY, ROBERT THOMAS

Rank: Private

Regiment: Essex Regiment

Unit Text: 1st Bn

Date of Death: 14/04/1917

Service No: 41540

Memorial Reference: Bay 7. Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1557627

 

The Military Genealogy site lists Robert as born Thorpe Hamlet, resident Norwich.

 

A picture of Robert while he was still serving with the Norfolk Regiment can be seen here

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

 

There is no obvious match for Robert on the 1901 census. The 1911 census has a Robert, born Norwich circa 1886, who is recorded in Norwich still.

 

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

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

 

Thu., Apr 12, 1917

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Sun., Apr 15, 1917

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

 

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

 

F G Gay

 

Name: GAY, FREDERICK GORDON

Rank: Serjeant

Regiment: Suffolk Regiment

Unit Text: 15th Bn.

Age: 26

Date of Death: 06/11/1917

Service No: 320082

Additional information: Son of Robert and Mary Gay, of 18, Stracey Rd., Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich. Native of Oulton, Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: M. 53. Cemetery: BEERSHEBA WAR CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=644575

 

No match on Norlink

 

There is no obvious match for Frederick on the 1901 census for England and Wales. The 1911 census has a Frederick Gordon of the right age, born Briston, Norfolk and recorded in the Aylsham District.

 

The divisional engagement includes Capture of the Sheria Position. 6 Nov 1917.

 

Part of the Third Battle of Gaza.

 

The once-formidable Gaza-Beersheba line was now looking vulnerable. At dawn on 6 November, the next blow was struck by the British when all three divisions of Chetwode's XX Corps attacked on a broad front near Sheria, about the midpoint of the Ottoman line. The initial objectives were reached by 1 pm and, while the 74th Division was held up on the right, the 10th and 60th Divisions were through the Ottoman defences by 2.30 pm, with the 60th Division capturing the railway station at Sheria. It was planned that the 60th Division would capture the Ottoman position on the hill of Tel el Sheria during the night, but the Ottoman forces fired a nearby ammunition dump during their retreat, making the attack unadvisable.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Battle_of_Gaza

 

The Turkish left consisted of a series of fortified positions protecting Sheria, running from Hareira, to Rushdi and then to Kauwukah at the east of the line. The British attack began at 5 a.m. on 6 November. By 4.30pm the eastern two positions had been captured. Hareira and Sheria itself fell early on 7 November.

With their left broken, on 7 November the Turks pulled out of Gaza.

www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_gazaIII.html

 

Further action was seen by the 24th Welsh during the attack, and subsequent capture, of the Sheria Position on 6 November. The Battalion giving a good account of its self when sent forward to assist men of the Suffolk regiment who were being counter-attacked.

www.hellfirecorner.co.uk/westlake/Westlake4.htm

 

S R Gibbs

 

The only S R Gibbs on the CWGC database is a Sidney Rufus, of the 7th Battalion Suffolk Regiment. Sidney died on the 26/11/1917 and is commemorated on the CambraI Memorial.

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1753138

Military Genealogy has Sidney listed as born Gorleston on Sea but no place of residence is recorded.

There is a picture of Sidney on Norlink

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

 

Notes

Private Gibbs was born on 19th January 1890, at Gorleston-on-Sea, the son of John Charles Gibbs, of 119 Church Road, Gorleston. He enlisted on the 2nd November 1915 and was killed on 26th November 1917

 

There is no obvious alternative match to Sidney on the 1901 or 1911 census. One possible Red Herring is a 76 year old Sidney Gibbs, born Thorpe Norwich, who is recorded as an inmate of an institution at Northgate Street, Great Yarmouth on the 1901 census. However he is recorded as a single man, but it does mean there was at least one Gibbs family in the area.

 

The Battalion was involved in the Capture of Bourlon Wood at this time.

 

W J Grimmer

 

Name: GRIMMER, WILLIAM JOHN

Rank: Gunner

Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery

Unit Text: 380th Bty. 158th Bde.

Age: 34

Date of Death: 28/06/1918

Service No: 170552

Additional information: Husband of M. J. Grimmer, of 45, St. Leonards Rd., Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: II. E. 12. Cemetery: HOUCHIN BRITISH CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=512866

 

No match on Norlink

 

There is no obvious match on the 1901 census. The 1911 census has a William born circa 1884 Costessey, Norwich who is recorded in Norwich.

 

His Military Index Card has him down as Gunner 70552.

 

Some of the confusion around the history of the unit lies in that there were two 158th Brigades of the Royal Field Artillery, the first being re-named in 1917.

 

The brigade was formed at Heytesbury on 13 April 1917 under Lieutenenat Colonel H. E. Hanson DSO. Batteries under command were 2/1st Shropshire RHA, 2/1st Berkshire RHA, 380 Battery RFA and 381 Batter RFA. The Brigade Ammunition Column was found from men of the two RHA batteries.

 

The period June-July was spent in frequent moves between the lines at Givenchy and rest at Houchin.

www.1914-1918.net/Diaries/wardiary-158BdeRFA.html

 

B Grissell

 

Only match

Name: GRISSELL, BERNARD SALWEY

Rank: Lieutenant Colonel

Regiment: Norfolk Regiment

Unit Text: Cdg. 1st/5th Bn.

Age: 37

Date of Death: 19/04/1917 Awards: D S O

Additional information: Son of the late Thomas de la Garde Grissell, of Redisham Hall, Beecles, Suffolk; husband of Olive Grissell. Served in the South African war.

Grave/Memorial Reference: XXIII. C. 5. Cemetery: GAZA WAR CEMETERY

CWGC: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=650204

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 21 year old Bernard, born Mickleham, Sussex and already a Lieutenant in the Norfolk Regiment, was recorded on the 1901 census at Number 6, Third Avenue, Hove. This was the household of his widower father, Thos, (Thomas?) D,G, (aged 48, Living on own means and originally from Chepstow, Monmouthshire). His siblings in the household are:-

Margaret H…………..aged 20.….born Mickleham, Surrey

Thos………………….aged 22.….born Mickleham, Surrey…B U Cantab Law Student

The Grissells also have 6 live in Domestic Servants.

 

The 1911 census does record a Bernard “Selwey” Grissell, born Dorking Surrey, circa 1880 but the Genes Re-united transcription has no current location recorded.

 

Bernard is also remembered on the Mickleham War Memorial

www.leatherheadlocalhistory.org.uk/Mickleham-War-Memorial...

 

The obituary for his daughter, Veronica Bamfield, Travel Writer and Broadcaster, notes that she was born in Norwich in 1908 and that her father was killed in Palestine while leading the 1st/5th Norfolk Battalion.

www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-5103795.html

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1341614/Veronica-Bamf...

 

(Veronica does appear on the 1911 census but strangely enough, her location isn’t recorded on the Genes Re-united transcription either)

 

An online site, The Peerage, has a passing reference to Bernard as the father of Rosemary Grissell, who married Vice-Admiral Sir John Michael Villiers. Rosemary, born Felixstowe circa 1911 is another family member for whom the Genes Re-united transcription has no location recorded).

thepeerage.com/p22503.htm#i225024

 

Bernard is on a family tree here

reocities.com/Heartland/Plains/1657/Tree_Index/1800-1930_...

 

The first stage of the attack came on the 17th April. The three infantry divisions moved forward at dawn, and by 7.30 am were at their chosen positions, where they entrenched. The Turks did little to interfere, though one of the British tanks exposed itself unnecessarily and was put out of action by accurate Turkish artillery fire. Clearly one of the tasks which had been successfully accomplished by the Turkish side in the three weeks since the first battle had been accurate artillery registry of all the visible places in the area where necessarily an attack would come.

 

(Page 45)The second stage of the attack, after a days work on trenches and dug-outs, went as might be expected, considering it was made by soldiers walking over open ground towards well entrenched and protected men armed with rifles and machine guns. An artillery bombardment of an hour or so, including the gas shells, and including fire from the ships at sea off Gaza, seems to have woken up the Turks rather than intimidated them - there was still insufficient British artillery to provide a really serious bombardment. The Turks did not actually notice the gas shells: higher air temperature seems to have encouraged rapid evaporation.

 

The 54th Division set-off behind this bombardment to attack the entrenchments of the Turkish 53rd Division along the Beersheba Road.

(Page 49) From Brigade HQ, Lieutenant Buxton was sent forward to find out what was happening.

 

(Page 50) (He subsequently reported on the attack on the redoubt) “held it for some time until the ammunition was spent. No support came and so those that did not get away, sixty in all, were captured in the Turkish counter-attack. My second tank, under Captain Carr, had done well in getting into the redoubt. The first tank had had a direct hit and was burning. It was obvious that our attack here had failed and most of our men had been killed. So I waited a bit longer, and when things were a shade quieter, I got out of my shell hole and ran back over the rise. There I came upon about 40 men of our brigade of all regiments, Major Marsh who was O C 8th Hants was there and Lieutenant Wharton of the 4th Norfolks. These men where just stragglers and all collected there. We decided it was no good going on then, so we started to dig ourselves in. This was all quite early in the morning - about 9. Marsh had a telephone line so I phoned back to Brigade HQ and gave them all the news.

(Page 51). There were a lot of dead men and wounded all round us. Some of the latter we got behind our lines, in case the Turks tried a counter -attack, We were about forty men and one Lewis Gun, and no-one on our left or right for several hundred yards. The place we were holding was the top of a rounded hillock. The Turks kept us under pretty good machine gun fire all day. Marsh and I lay in a rifle pit and ate dates and biscuits for a bit. We allowed no firing, as we wished to keep our ammunition in case of a counter attack.

 

About 4 in the afternoon the 5th Suffolks were sent up to support us and consolidate the position we held. This was really a great relief. About seven the Brigadier came out after dusk and saw the place. He ordered us to retire during the night right back to our starting point, for it would not have been possible to hold this advanced position as long as there was no-one on our flanks at all”

 

The strongpoint from now on was called Tank Redoubt.

 

This was an attack on a single strongpoint and a strectch of trenches little over a mile long, by four battalions. It had made no progress after being expelled from the strongpoint, and had only reached so far because of the bravery of the tank crew, (three men). The last reserve of the 163rd Brigade, the 5th Suffolks, which was at last sent forward, as Buxton noted with relief, late in the afternoon. With no more troops available, the brigadier had no option but to pull all the survivors back.

Extracts from “The Battle for Palestine 1917” by John D. Grainger

books.google.co.uk/books?id=3SVvryoR2A0C&pg=PA50&...

 

On 19th April the Norfolks took part in a disastrous attempt to take Gaza. The 1st/5ths suffered 643 casualties.

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

 

A Gunn

 

Military Genealogy lists an Albert Ernest Lane Gunn who was born St Giles, Norwich.

 

Name: GUNN Initials: A E L

Rank: Private

Regiment: Grenadier Guards

Unit Text: 2nd Bn.

Date of Death: 25/09/1916

Service No: 25006

Grave/Memorial Reference: Sp. Mem. 81. Cemetery: GUARDS' CEMETERY, LESBOEUFS

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=542956

 

No match on Norlink

 

The Great War Roll of Honour confirms Private 25006 was an Albert E L Gunn.

 

The 25 year old Albert Ernest Lane Gunn, born Norwich and working as a Wines & Spirits Merchants Clerk, was recorded on the 1901 census at St Catherines Cottage, Surrey Street, (next door on the census to Notre Dame Convent). This was the household of his parents, William, (aged 66 and an Heraldic Artist from Norwich), and Martha Lane, (aged 62 and from Norwich). Other children living with them are:-

Christopher John………aged 19.…..born Norwich…..Carpenters Apprentice

Florence Kate R……….aged 27.…..born Norwich……Drapers Assistant

Lucy Mary Rosetta…….aged 21.…..born Norwich……Board School Teacher

 

Monday 25th September 1916. Day 87

 

The Battle of Morval began today lasting until Sept 28th.

 

Lesboeufs

 

1st Bn, Irish Guards and 2nd Bn, Grenadier Guards advanced and entered Lesbouefs with little opposition.

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

 

War Diary, 2nd Grenadier Guards, WO95/1215:

 

24/9/16

Battalion moved from bivouacs in Bernafay Wood to front line - right being on Ginchy-Les Boeufs Road).

25/9/16

Trenches very narrow - men shoulder-to-shoulder, unable to sit down.

12.35pm - own barrage opened and battalion advanced in two waves of two companies each. It seemed that the Germans knew of the attack as they shelled heavily within a minute of the advance. The wire had not been cut by the artillery and ways had to be cut through in the face of heavy fire.

1.35pm - moved forward to edge of village of Les Boeufs.

2.35pm - marched through village and gained eastern end.

The new position was shelled by the Germans during the evening.

1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=138128

 

 

H W Harbord

 

Name: HARBORD Initials: H W

Rank: Private

Regiment: Norfolk Regiment

Unit Text: 1st Bn

Date of Death: 22/06/1915

Service No: 3/10018

Grave/Memorial Reference: Sp. Mem. B. 5. Cemetery: PERTH CEMETERY (CHINA WALL)

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=103470

 

Military Genealogy lists a Henry William Harbord who was born South Heigham, Norwich.

 

No match on Norlink

 

The Great War Roll of Honour confirms the entry on the CWGC database relates to a Henry Harbord.

 

The 16 year old Henry, born Norwich and employed as a Plumber, was recorded on the 1901 census at 164 Marlborough Road in the Parish of St. James. This was the household of his parents, Henry,(aged 43 and a Plumber from Norwich) and Hannah, (aged 44 and from Ludham).. Their other children are:-

Clifford…………aged 4.……….born Norwich

Mable……………aged 11.……..born Norwich

Marjorie…………aged 6.………born Norwich

Maud…………….aged 19.……..born Norwich……….Boot Fitter

May………………aged 21.…….born Norwich……….Dressmaker

Mildred………….aged 11.……..born Norwich

 

J Hibbert

 

Name: HIBBERT, JOHN

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: Australian Infantry, A.I.F.

Unit Text: 2nd Bn.

Date of Death: between 06/08/1915 and 09/08/1915

Service No: 1958

Grave/Memorial Reference: Sp. Mem. C. 117. Cemetery: LONE PINE CEMETERY, ANZAC

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=604093

 

Identified from picture on Norlink.

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

 

Norlink notes

Private Hibbert was born at Gibson's Buildings, Norwich in 1891, the son of W. & E. Hibbert, 6a Kett's Hill, Norwich. He enlisted in March 1915 and was killed in action at the Dardanelles

 

The 1901 census has an 8 year old John, (which would not tie in with the year of birth shown on Norlink), who was born Norwich and who was recorded at 2, Lollards Pit, in the Parish of St Matthews. This was the household of his parents, William, (aged 38 and a Waterman from Wells, Norfolk) and Emma, (aged 26 and from Norwich). Their other children are:-

Emma…………aged 6.…………..born Norwich

John…………..aged 8.……………born Norwich

Rose………….aged 2.……………born Norwich

William………aged 9.……………born Norwich

 

Lone Pine, an action fought on the southern flank of the Anzac (q.v.) position at Gallipoli on 6-9 August 1915, which has become famous as a glorious debacle. The operation was planned purely as a diversion aimed at drawing Turkish reserves away from a major attack to be launched from the northern end of the perimeter (see Hill 971). It involved the Australian 1st Brigade dashing across the lower half of a wide flat hump known as the 400 Plateau and seizing a network of trenches along its eastern edge. In preparation for the assault, the intended objective was pounded by slow artillery shoots at intervals over the preceding three days.

 

At 4.30 p.m. on 6 August the rate of fire of the guns was increased, and an hour later the troops scrambled out of the trenches in which they had assembled and rushed forward with the setting sun behind them. They were virtually upon the enemy positions before the Turks were able to bring effective fire to bear, but only now discovered that the trenches were roofed over with pine logs which prevented their entry. While some began tearing at the logs to create openings through which to get at their opponents, the majority continued on past the main parapet to the open communication trenches in the rear. Most men jumped down into these and began fighting back towards the covered firing line, using mainly their bayonets to deal with the enemy garrison as they went. A few went on further still, until they stumbled into a depression known as the cup which sheltered the enemy's battalion headquarters and support units. Here they were stopped by Turkish troops who quickly came up to hold this ground.

 

While the attack had achieved its primary goal within half an hour of its commencement, the Australians now in possession of the main Turkish trench-line found themselves in a desperate struggle to maintain their hold. Parties of the troops quickly threw up sandbag barricades to block any enemy approach along communication trenches or continuations of the trenches they were manning. As darkness fell the Turks made their first attempt to push the Australians out using hand grenades, and this effort continued without relent for the next three days. So fierce was the fighting which followed that the 1st Brigade and the 3rd which reinforced it suffered 2,277 casualties; Turkish losses were claimed as 5,000. Seven Victoria Crosses were awarded for this battle.

 

Even though the Australians still held the ground they had won when fighting here subsided on 10 August, in every other respect the battle was a disaster. Apart from being immensely costly as a feint, it had actually succeeded in drawing towards this sector of the line major Turkish reinforcements. But as soon as the enemy realised that these were not needed at Lone Pine they were readily at hand to deal with the main British attack as this developed-thereby helping to frustrate the overall plan behind the August offensive.

 

Extracted from the book produced by Chris Coulthard-Clark, Where Australians Fought - The Encyclopaedia of Australia's Battles, Allen and Unwin, Sydney, 1998, pp. 107-108.

desert-column.phpbb3now.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=204

 

The enlistment papers of John Hibbert into the 5th Reinforcements of the 2nd Battalion on the 23rd January 1915 and his subsequent Army career can be viewed at the Australian Archive here;_

recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=5457152

 

His place of birth is given as Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich and at the time of his enlistment he was 22 years and 1 month old. His next of kin is given as his father, at 54 Vincent Road, Thorpe Hamlet. He was working as a Labourer.

 

His physical description is that he was 5 ft 6 and 3/4inches tall, his complexion was dark, his eyes blue and hair brown. Religion is CoE and his only distinguishing mark is a vaccination scar.

He embarked at Sydney on the 10/04/1915 on HMAT Honoria bound for Gallipoli.

He joined his battalion in the field and was initially posted missing during the 7th to 14th August

 

There is a report from the Graves Unit that he is believed to be buried in Lone Pine Cemetery along with several other Anzacs whose identification could not be verified. At a subsequent visit, the graves could no longer be found.

 

W Holdstock

 

Military Genealogy has a William Holdstock born Hathfield, Kent and resident Norwich.

 

No obvious match on the CWGC database.

 

No match on Norlink

 

There are 17 William Holdstock’s shown on the 1911 census as originating in Kent, but none of them come from Hathfield or have moved to Norwich.

 

S J Hollidge

 

Name: HOLLIDGE, SIDNEY JAMES

Rank: Air Mechanic 1st Class

Service: Royal Naval Air Service

Unit Text: R.N. Air Station (Felixtowe).

Age: 19

Date of Death: 15/02/1918

Service No: F/27033

Additional information: Son of Joseph and Clara Hollidge, of 65, Rosary Rd., Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: 30. Memorial: CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=3047511

 

Sidney can be seen here

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

 

Norlink notes

Air Mechanic Hollidge was born in Norwich, 4th January 1899. He was educated at Wells and Norwich schools. He was killed in action in the North Sea off the Belgian coast in a seaplane, 15th February 1918

 

The 2 year old Sidney, born Norwich, is recorded on the 1901 census at 6 Alan Road, King Street, in the Parish of St Peter Southgate. This is the household of his parents, Joseph, (aged 32 and a Railway Engine Stoker from Norwich) and Clara, (aged 31 and from Norwich). Their other children are :-

Ada………..aged 10.………..born Lowestoft

Elsie………aged 8.…………born Lowestoft

Gladys……aged 4.………….born Lowestoft

Joseph…….aged 12.………..born Lowestoft

 

HOLLIDGE, Sidney J, Air Mechanic 1c, F 27033, RNAS Felixstowe, 15 February 1918, flying in Curtis H12B Large America flying boat, crashed off Belgian Coast, killed

www.naval-history.net/xDKCasAlpha1914-18H2.htm

 

The loss of this particular plane had one of those claims to fame that means it has a bit more detail about it on the net - one of the co-pilots was the first American Aviator officially lost in combat in WW1.

 

Albert Dillon Sturtevant was the first aviator in either the army or the navy to be brought down in action in the service of the United States.

 

On the morning of February 15, 1918, the large British seaplane of which he was one of the pilots was ordered, together with another seaplane, to convoy a fleet of merchant vessels and destroyers from England to Holland. While waiting for their convoys, they were attacked by ten German machines. The other British plane escaped, but Sturtevant, as pilot, was obliged to carry on a running fight, in the course of which he brought down at least two of his opponents. Eventually, however, he was forced over towards the Belgian shore, from which German land planes came out to join in the battle. With sixteen Hun machines attacking him, Sturtevant had no hope; he, with his crew of another pilot and three men, was brought down, and no trace of either plane or bodies has ever been found. Ralph D. Paine, who describes the contest in his book, The Fighting Fleet says -

 

"This was the finish of a whole year's training and preparation, at home in France, in England, to be shot down with never a chance in his first contact with the enemy. So blind and illogical and pitiless is war, and yet the life of this Yale athlete and gallant gentleman was not thrown away. He dared and paid the price, flashing out of life like a meteor, in all the glory of audacious youth."

 

When America entered the war, Sturtevant was at Harvard Law School; but he at once volunteered, and, after being trained in the School of Aviation at Huntington, Long Island, received his Ensign's commission and was ordered overseas, sailing in September, 1917. After about two months in France in intensive training on seaplanes, he was detailed by Admiral Sims to the British Naval Flying Station at Felixstowe, England.

 

Additionally from the same forum source

 

 

Done