Sloley War Memorial Panel Neville, Prior, Thompson & Cox

L J N Neville…………………………..........................................

 

NEVILLE, LIONEL JOHN

Rank: Captain

Date of Death: 17/12/1914

Age: 36

Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers, 5th Field Coy.

Grave Reference

North-West part.

Cemetery

SLOLEY (ST. BARTHOLOMEW) CHURCHYARD

CWGC www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2803432/NEVILLE,%20LI...

 

SDGW has no place of birth or residence recorded for Lionel.

 

There is a headstone in the church yard.

 

Lionel John N. Neville

Major, Royal Engineers.

Born 5 March 1878

Died of Wounds in France

17 Dec. 1914

 

And his wife

Agnes Lillian

 

 

No match on Norlink

 

There is a picture of Lionel here, along with the following biography.

 

Lionel John Neville Neville was born at Calcutta on 5 March 1878; and educated at Charterhouse, before passing into the R.M.A., Woolwich in 1895, from where he received a commission in the Royal Engineers in September 1897. He was promoted Lieutenant in September 1900, and took part in the South African War 1900-02 (entitled to Q.S.A., 3 clasps & K.S.A., 2 clasps). He was promoted Captain in September 1906, and to his Majority in October 1914, but his promotion was not gazetted until January 1915, after his death.

 

In October 1914, he went to Boulogne with other Royal Engineers and Royal Army Medical Corps officers to organise base hospitals, and was largely responsible for the organisation, adaption, and equipment of the Maritime Hospital on the Quay, the Casino Hospital, and other hospitals in Boulogne and Wimereux. In November he was sent to the front to join the 5th Field Company, R.E., and on the last day of the month was transferred to the 56th Company. Within an hour of his arrival on duty in the firing zone at Kemmel, he was wounded by a chance bullet, which after passing through his chest lodged in the heart of his brother officer, Captain C. G. Moores, R.E. He himself chose to be nursed in the Casino Hospital, which hospital he had helped to establish, here he died on 17 December 1914. His body was returned to England, and he was buried at Sloley, Norfolk, with military honours on 22 December 1914.

www.dnw.co.uk/medals/auctionarchive/searchcataloguearchiv...

 

There is no obvious match for Lionel on the 1881 census.

 

On the 1891 census the 13 year old Lionel J. , born Bengal, was recorded as a Pupil at Cothill School, North Street, Abingdon, Berkshire.

 

As Lionel was serving in the Boer War, its not surprising that there is no trace of him on the 1901 census.

 

On the 1911 census, Lionel, born Calcutta, was recorded in the Reigate District of Surrey on the night of the census.

 

The marriage of a Lionel J N Neville to an Agnes L F Blewett was recorded in the Kensington District in the July to September 1910 quarter.

 

His fellow officer would appear to be Clive Guise Moores.

 

MOORES, CLIVE GUISE

Rank: Captain

Date of Death: 30/11/1914

Age: 27

Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers

Awards: Mentioned in Despatches

Grave Reference : D. 1. 2.

Cemetery

BAILLEUL COMMUNAL CEMETERY, NORD

Additional Information:

Son of Lt. Col. Samuel Moores (Devonshire Regt.), of 22, Woodstock Rd., Bedford Park, Chiswick, London. Awarded the Pollock Medal, R.M. Academy, Woolwich, 1906, also the Haynes Medal, R.E. 1909.

CWGC www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/197767/MOORES,%20CLIV...

 

Edit 23/01/2023.

 

Norfolk Chronicle January 8th, 1915.

 

THE LATE CAPTAIN NEVILLE, R.E.

 

Captain Lionel John H. Neville, R.E., born in 1878, of whose career some short particulars have appeared in our columns, and whose funeral at Sloley took place recently, was the younger son of the late J.S. Neville, of the Inner Temple, formerly one of the Judges of the High Court of Calcutta, and was educated at Charterhouse, where he obtained both a junior and senior scholarship, and passed from the Army Class direct into Woolwich in 1895, obtaining his commission in the R.E. in 1897, On October 15th last he was ordered to Boulogne with other sapper and R.A.M.C. officers to organize the base hospitals. Here he did splendid work, being very largely responsible for the organization, adaptation, and equipment of the Maritime Hospital on the quay, the Casino Hospital, and other hospitals in Boulogne and Wimereux. He was sent up ro the front to join the 5th Field Company, R.E. on November 27th, and on the nigh of November 30th was transferred to the 56th Company and within an hour of his arrival on duty in the firing zone at Locre was sniped by a chance bullet, which after passing through his chest, lodged in the heart of his brother officer, Lieutenant Moores, R.E. He himself chose to be nursed in the Casino Hospital, for which he had been responsible, that he might himself, as he said, test whether his work were well done, and died there on December 17th. In 1910 he was married to Agnes Lilian Fife, youngest daughter of the late General Blewitt of the Rifle brigade, who survives him with two infant daughters.

 

 

C Prior………………………………....................................................

 

Probably

PRIOR, C

Rank:Lance Corporal

Service No: 235703

Date of Death: 13/04/1918

Regiment: York and Lancaster Regiment, 13th Bn.

Grave Reference

I. A. 13.

Cemetery

EBBLINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY

Additional Information:

Son of Mrs. A. A. Prior, of High St., Sholey, Norwich.

CWGC www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/4040503/PRIOR,%20C

 

SDGW lists this man as Christopher Prior, born Foulsham, Norfolk and resident Tunstead, Norfolk. He was soldier 235703, York and Lancaster Regiment.

 

The Medal Index Card listing at the National Archive for Private 235703 York and Lancaster Regiment is in the name of Christopher Prior.

 

No match on Norlink

 

The baptism of a Christopher James , born 22nd January 1898, took place at Holy Innocents, Foulsham on the 10th February 1898. His parents were listed as James Robert, a Labourer and Amy Alberta.

(But note the Roll of Honour in the church records him as C R Prior)

 

The 3 year old Christopher, born Foulsham, was recorded on the 1901 census at Bixley Cottages, Norwich Road, Arminghall, Norfolk. This was the household of his parents, James R, (aged 35 and a Horseman on Farm from Foulsham) and Amy A. (aged 33 and from Shipdham, Norfolk). Their other children are:-

Alfred G…………….aged 15.………born Shipdham

Annie A……………..aged 3.………..born Bixley

Dorothy M…………..aged 7.………..born Brockdish

Ethel D………………aged 8.………..born Cranworth

Mabel………………..aged 4.………..born Foulsham

 

Christopher was recorded at Anchor Street, Tunstead on the 1911 census. His parents James and Amy had been married for 20 years at this point, and had had 11 children, of which 9 were then still alive. As well as Christopher, other children living with them are:-

James………………..aged 9.…………..born “Bincley”, Norfolk

Frances………………aged 8.………….born Catton, Norfolk

Stanley……………….aged 6.………….born Dilham

Amy………………….aged 1.…………..born Tunstead

 

April 1918

 

Battle of the Lys. 13 Y&L delivered a counter-attack (11/04/18) to the left of 40 Div positions at La Becque Farm and La Rose Farm, which was successful. 40 Div units on the right fell back that night and the next day, leaving the battalion's right flank exposed to attack, and they were forced back to a line parallel to and NNW of the Rue du Leet. Heavy machine gun fire continued to force them back until 13 Y&L were reduced to some 20 men (they found fifty more later plus the details) 18 DLI who were with them reduced to 30 men. They set off for Merris to rejoin 93 Bde and were there formed into a composite battalion. Casualties 11-14th 2 Offs and 15 OR killed, 6 Offs and 164 OR wounded, 3 Offs and 218 ORs missing.

1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=106644

 

F W Thompson………………………………...................................

 

SDGW lists a Frederick William Thompson was born Skeyton Norfolk and who was resident Sloley. He was soldier G/21209 The Queens (Royal West Surrey Regiment).

 

THOMPSON, F W

Rank: Private

Service No: 21209

Date of Death: 26/10/1916

Regiment: The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment), 7th Bn.

Grave Reference

I. Q. 60.

Cemetery

ALBERT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION

CWGC www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/552334/THOMPSON,%20F%20W

 

The Medal Index Card listing at the National Archive for Private 21209 of The Queens Regiment is in the name of Frederick Thompson.

 

No match on Norlink

 

The most likely match on the 1901 census is a 19 year old Agricultural Labourer from Skeyton, Norfolk. He was still in the village on the night the census was taken. This was the household of his 55 year old John Lines, a Vermin Destroyer from Tuttington, Norfolk.

 

Johns other children are:-

Hellen Thompson……………….aged 15.………………..born Skeyton

Mabel Thompson……………….aged 17.…………………born Skeyton

Percy Thompson………………..aged 12.…………………born Skeyton

Sidney Thompson………………aged 13.…………………born Skeyton

(I’ve no idea why his father has a different surname)

 

25th October 1916 - Battalion War Diary

 

The enemy’s shell fire increased considerably in volume. The barrage opened in the early morning by our artillery seemed to cause the enemy anxiety & to increase his firing. This activity became more normal in the afternoon. The battn. was relieved (after dark) by the 7th Battn.. The Buffs and moved back into FABICK TRENCH, the relief being complete & Coys in their new positions at 4.30 a.m. 26th inst.

 

26th October 1916

 

Trenches south of Miraumont.

(FABICK TR.)

 

Battalion in FABICK TRENCH (EAST OF MOUQUET FARM). A quiet day. Battalion was relieved in the afternoon by 8th Battn. E. Surrey Regt. and proceeded to ALBERT where it went into billets.. The relief in trenches was complete by 7.15 p.m the battn. Occupying billets some 2 ½ hours later. Casualties 22nd Oct. Oct to 26th Oct:- Officers, wounded 2/Lt W J Short - Other Ranks - KILLED 15. Wounded 98. Missing 1.

qrrarchive.websds.net/PDF/QW00719161004.pdf

 

1939 - 1945

 

W E Cox…………………....................................................................

 

COX, WALTER EDWARD

Rank: Private

Service No: 14659787

Date of Death: 11/08/1944

Age: 19

Regiment: Essex Regiment, 2nd Bn.

Grave Reference

XXIII. C. 7.

Cemetery

BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY

Additional Information:

Son of Walter George and Daisy Theresa Cox, of Sloley, Norfolk.

CWGC www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2955971/COX,%20WALTER...

 

From “56th Infantry Brigade and D-Day - An Independent Infantry Brigade and the Campaign in North West Europe 1944 -1945” by Andrew Holborn (Continuum Studies in Military Studies - ISBN-10: 1441119086 | ISBN-13: 978-1441119087 )

 

See page 137 onwards

books.google.co.uk/books?id=1Hd53MKDBRoC&pg=PA159&amp...

 

From 5th August 1944, 56th Brigade had come under the command of 59th Division, which was engaged in attacking Thury Harcourt on the east bank of the River Orne, 12 miles south of Caen. There was now a complete change in the type of countryside for the 56th Brigade, from the bocage south of Bayeux to the Suisse Normande south of Caen, an area of often forested, steep sided and sometimes rocky hills, cut by rivers and streams. The countryside would present a different series of problems for an attacker to overcome, although by now the German Army was slowly being surrounded and engulfed by Allied forces. The attack on Thury Harcourt would further narrow the Falaise Gap.

 

While 177th Brigade pushed south on the west bank of the River Orne, 56th Brigade was to cross to the east bank of the river, and advance south and take Thury Harcourt.

 

2nd Glosters and 2nd Essex were to be the first of 56th Brigade to cross, at La Poine de Brie near Brieux, and 3 miles north of Thury Harcourt. Brigade HQ and 2nd South Wales Borderers were initially to stay on the west bank and cross when the other two battalions were well established. A narrow bridge, still under shell and sniper fire, was to be traversed by both battalions, 2nd Glosters by day, to take Brieux, followed by 2nd Essex at nightfall. The plan was then to advance “to contact” south down a minor road, and take the villages of La Forge a Cambro and Croisilles. This all had to be organized quickly by the staff of the two Battalion HQ on 9 August, with only a brief reconnaissance from the high ground west of the River Orne, and orders were issued that afternoon by Brigadier Ekins. 2nd Glosters crossed at 1500hrs, and after a brief battle had cleared Brieux by 1730hrs. It is worth quoting Lieutenant-Colonel Elliott of 2nd Essex at length, to get an idea of the tasks and feelings of the two COs as they pushed forward with their men on the night of 9 August:

 

“Lieutenant-Colonel Biddle (2nd Glosters) and myself were a little anxious about a right of way over the one narrow bridge. We were told however that would be allotted to us for two hours, (I think) 22.00 to midnight. In the event we met a tank brigade and other vehicles returning from the bridgehead: there was complete chaos and apparently no proper traffic control. However we filtered the infantry across in single file, and started off into the night and into enemy territory, without a single vehicle or anti-tank gun between us. We were delayed some hours by this poor example of staff work. It was an extraordinary operation of war: two battalions of infantry marching side by side down a narrow lane late at night, with some moonlight luckily, but with no idea of the enemy’s whereabouts and no supporting arms. Our plan was simple. We had a “joint” advance guard, etc, and we two CO’s walked together. If we met trouble the Essex would deploy to the right if possible and the Gloucesters to the left”

 

This operation, for the time of year and the fighting conditions prevailing in Normandy, seems an incredibly audacious one if one bears in mind the earlier experience of the 56th Brigade in bocage country. This operation was carried out successfully thanks to the nerve and leadership of the two commanding officers, Lieutenant Barrett-Lennard, 2nd Essex Intelligence Officer, gives this striking image of their progress:

 

“We passed through a blazing and sulphurous village and this weird operation took us on marching through the night down a dark silent narrow Normandy lane wondering whether it was mined and very, very quietly we continued, the two CO’s walking side by side”.

 

For the advance of several hundred men in hob-nailed boots to have been mainly quiet seems something of a miracle, but in Coumeron, a village passed in the early hours, and temporarily 2nd Essex Battalion HQ, several sleeping Germans were captured the next morning. Despite this, one 2nd Glosters report says “the noise from the closed up marching columns seemed hideous”. Great leadership was displayed here, in the certainty that disaster would strike if the battalions bumped into a strong German defence. This included the knowledge that at Essex Wood in June, Lieutenant-Colonel Higson had seemingly been sacked as commanding officer over just such an operation as advancing the battalion without the anti-tank platoon.

 

By first light they had cut deeply into enemy territory and were only 300 metres from La Forge a Cambro, although Lieutenant-Colonel Elliott was still disappointed that the time lost in crossing the bridge had slackened their speed of advance. However, the good news was that some of their supporting arms were crossing the River Orne and were starting to catch up. As the battalions approached La Forge a Cambro they deployed, so as not to be caught out at first light. Some short engagements had taken place already and numbers of abandoned slit trenches searched. Lieutenant-Colonel Elliott went forward to the advance party and heard sounds of digging over the next crest. The 2nd Essex Rifle Companies were brought up and deployed ready to attack the village. It appeared the Germans had no idea they had two battalions of infantry on their doorstep.

 

Now tanks came up in support, and with an artillery barrage covering them, C Company put in an attack, going over the crest: apart from the sound of battle, no reporting back occurred to Tactical HQ. After 45 minutes, Lieutenant Colonel Elliott reported he was getting somewhat anxious. Going forward to find out what was happening, he first met 120 German prisoners escorted by two men of C Company. Major Barass had lost his wireless operator in dashing about urging his men on, which explains the lack of useful wireless reports. Never the less, C Company had cleared the village. Over the next few days, between 12 and 15 August, the battalion moved south of Thury Harcourt to near Esson, patrolling into and holding the difficult wooded area of the Bas Breuil. This thick wood overlooked the village of Esson: the tree cover was so dense that visibility was often down to a few yards. There were a number of small but vicious actions fought within its confines. At one stage German forces armed with a preponderance of automatic weapons overran a platoon of 2nd Essex, and the situation could only be restored by the use of heavy artillery.

 

 

Done