Harry H Beck………………………………....................................................................
BECK, HARRY
Rank: Corporal
Service No: 14968
Date of Death: 20/11/1917
Age: 21
Regiment: Norfolk Regiment, 9th Bn.
Grave Reference
Sp. Mem. B. 17.
Cemetery: RIBECOURT BRITISH CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of John and Hannah Beck, of 4, Wroxham Rd., Tunstead, Norwich.
CWGC www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/595516/BECK,%20HARRY
SDGW has Harry down as born Aylsham, Norfolk, but with no place of residence recorded.
14968 Norfolk Regiment.
Norlink No match
The 4 year old Harry, born Aylsham, was recorded on the 1901 census at Coltishall Lane, Tunstead. This was the household of his parents, John, (aged 50 and a Railway Gate Keeper from Limpenhoe, Norfolk) and Elizabeth, (aged 46 and from Paramatter, New South Wales, Australia). Their other children are:-
Ada………………..aged 2.…………..born Aylsham
Albert……………..aged 10.………….born Aylsham
Elmyra……………aged 6.…………..born Ayslahm
Maud……………..aged 12.………….born Aylsham.
(On the previous census, John and Elizabeth were recorded at Greenwoods Lane, Aylsham, with John working as a Platelayer. Children living with them that were not recorded on the 1901 census are Millicent V, (aged 16, born Limpenhoe), Ethel M, (aged 11, born Limpenhoe), Edith, (aged 9, born Aylsham), Frederick, (aged 7, born Aylsham), Blanch, (aged 4, born Aylsham). The baby boy who would subsequently be called Albert was recorded as unnamed, aged 5 days).
I could find a reference to the baptism of an Ada Lily, daughter of John and Hannah, at Aylsham in 1899, (entry 1281), but not a reference to Harry.
The Divisional History for the 20th November 1917 reads
Battle of CambraI.
16th Infantry Brigade on right, 71st Infantry Brigade on left, 18th passed through -- broke both systems of Hindenburg Line,capturing Ribecourt and Premy Chapel Ridge -- first company into Marcoing, over 1,100 prisoners and 23 guns. All objectives gained with few casualties.
Two battalions of tanks, each of thirty-six tanks, were allotted to the Division. "B" Battalion (Lt.-Col. E. D. Bryce, D.S.O.) operated with the 16th Infantry Brigade, and "H" Battalion (Lt.-Col. Hon. C. Willoughby) with the 71st Infantry Brigade. The 18th Infantry Brigade advanced without tanks. The only points which caused anxiety, provided that the tanks functioned satisfactorily, were Couillet Wood on the right of the 16th Infantry Brigade front, in which tanks could not operate, and Ribécourt Village on the left of the 71st Infantry Brigade front.
The former was successfully cleared by the Buffs, and the latter gallantly captured by the 9th Norfolk Regiment; the 11th Essex clearing and securing it for the advance of the 18th Infantry Brigade, while the 71st Infantry Brigade attacked the second objective.
The (p. 039) 18th Infantry Brigade pushed through the 71st Infantry Brigade and secured Premy Chapel Ridge in good time, and rendered great assistance to the 51st Division on our left, who were held up at Flesquières by guns in the valley picking off the tanks one by one as they breasted the ridge. The West Yorks and the 2nd D.L.I. each charged over the Premy Ridge spur and captured a battery at the point of the bayonet.
At 3.15 p.m. the cavalry, who would have been of the greatest assistance in capturing the enemy guns holding up the 51st Division, reported that they could not advance owing to snipers in Ribécourt. The village had been in our possession since 10 a.m., and the 18th Infantry Brigade had passed through it at 11.30, and were now two miles beyond it. However, the cavalry pushed through patrols before nightfall to Nine Wood.
A company of the 9th Suffolk Regiment successfully carried out its mission of advancing without artillery or tank support, and capturing the bridge at Marcoing. The Division had a most successful day, with very light casualties (about 650), capturing 28 officers and 1,227 other ranks prisoners, 23 guns, and between 40 and 50 machine-guns and many trench-mortars, and receiving the congratulations of the Corps Commander. Everything had gone like clockwork: the artillery had pushed forward to advanced positions to cover the new front before darkness came on; the machine-guns, under Major Muller, D.M.G.O., were likewise established in their new forward positions, thanks to careful arrangements and the use of pack animals; and the 11th Leicesters, under Major Radford, were repairing and clearing the roads before the third objective had been secured. The tanks, which had made surprise possible, were most gallantly handled, and all arrangements most carefully thought out by Col. A. Courage, D.S.O.
www.gutenberg.org/files/20115/20115-h/20115-h.htm
Francis J Burton……………………………….............................................................
BURTON, FRANCIS JAMES
Rank: Lance Corporal
Service No: G/27590
Date of Death: 26/09/1916
Regiment: Middlesex Regiment, 12th Bn.
Panel Reference
Pier and Face 12 D and 13 B.
Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/762185/BURTON,%20FRAN...
SDGW has Francis down as born and resident Tunstead, Norfolk, G/27590 Middlesex Regiment.
Norlink No match
The baptism of Francis James, no date of birth recorded, took place at St Mary, Tunstead, on the 7th April 1889. Parents were recorded as Benjamin George, a Labourer, and Mary Ann Elizabeth. The family lived at Tunstead.
The 12 year old Francis is recorded simply as “James” on the 1901 census. Born at Tunstead, he was recorded at Mill Lane, Tunstead, the household of his parents, Benjamin, (aged 34 and a Stockman on Farm from Tunstead), and Marion, (aged 36 and from Skeyton, Norfolk). Their other children are:-
Gilbert see below…………aged 6.………… born Tunstead
Ivy………………………………......aged 2.…………born Tunstead
Lavinia………………………………aged 8.…………born Tunstead
Mabel……………………………….aged 10.………..born Tunstead
Reginald see below………..aged 3.………….born Tunstead.
It may be co-incidence, but the marriage of a Francis J Burton to a Lilian M Medlar took place in the Smallburgh District that covers Tunstead in the July to September 1916 quarter.
The family history has also been researched by a family member.
www.eastanglianancestors.co.uk/ind3626.html
Tuesday 26th September 1916. Day 88
Today marks the start of the Battle of Thiepval Ridge.
Thiepval
18th Div attacked in the Thiepval area with 53 and 54 Bdes.
54 Bde attacked the village of Thiepval, with 12th Bn, The Middlesex Regt capturing the village. 11th Bn, Royal Fusiliers cleared the German front line trench. 6th Northamptonshire Regt and 7th Bedfordshire Regt were in support and reserve respectively. Two tanks were also in support. The Middlesex was held up by MG fire from Thiepval Chateau until a tank destroyed the MG posts. The infantry moved on into Thiepval where the supporting tank was destroyed. The Fusiliers had a job clearing the trenches and dugouts but the village was secured by 2.30pm except for the north east corner.
forum.irishmilitaryonline.com/showthread.php?9058-The-Som...
Maxwell was a veteran of the Boer War and a hero to his men with a reputation for leading from the front. Maxwell’s battalion, the 12th Middlesex, was to take on Thiepval on the 26th September and, with the 11th Royal Fusiliers, their task was to assault some of the most heavily defended German positions such as the ruins of the Thiepval Chateau. On 26th September 1916 at 12.35pm the attack began. Just as on the 1st July it began with an artillery bombardment but this time there was a difference. Maxwell’s men were relying on a new, sophisticated artillery tactic known as ‘the creeping barrage’. This was one of the many innovations that developed during the battle of the Somme and entailed an artillery barrage which started in no-man’s land and then crept gradually over the German trenches, according to a set timetable. The British infantry soldiers followed as closely as possible the curtain of shell fire that the barrage created. This way, they could advance with constant artillery cover making it far harder for the Germans to shoot at them. The creeping barrage tactic seemed to work.
The Middlesex successfully over-ran the first German trenches with relative ease. However, once Maxwell’s men had cleared the German forward trenches, they had to then move over open ground in order to reach the Thiepval Chateau. It was then that things began to go wrong. The men were unable to keep up with the artillery timetable and, as the barrage moved on the distance between them and the infantry soldiers became greater. As the barrage advanced the German defenders of the Thiepval Chateau had time to re-man their positions before the infantry arrived. The Germans had captured Thiepval and its chateau in 1914 and their commanding officer had pledged to fight to the last man in order to maintain it. For the British troops things were beginning to look very similar to the slaughter of 1st July. But then a revolutionary new weapon made its appearance on the battlefield. This was – the armoured tank. Tanks had arrived in France just a few weeks earlier and it was on the Somme that they were used for the first time in history. Although tanks would eventually become a key weapon in breaking the deadlock of trench warfare when first employed, in September 1916, the Army had yet to figure out how best to use them. Nobody seemed to realise that for the best results the tanks should go ahead of the troops and not follow them. Also they broke down. Yet even one tank could make a huge difference.
Whilst the German Infantry Regiment 180 were battling to hold on to Thiepval Chateau, General Von Soden was dealing with a distraction that he could have done without. The Adjutant General to his Imperial Majesty the Kaiser - General Hans Von Plessen who was the German ruler’s official representative had arrived for an update on the battle. It was during this visit that Soden and Von Plessen learnt that the British forces had penetrated the Thiepval defences. Furthermore, all underground telephone cables had been destroyed and without accurate information Soden was helpless. In contrast, this time British generals were fully informed about the course of the fighting with reports that were coming through from artillery observers and also aeroplanes. Air observation had greatly improved since 1st July and this enabled headquarters to order a re-bombardment of the positions which were still in German hands. But more than anything else, the senior British command left most decisions to the men on the ground. A tactic that had been completely
ignored a short time ago on 1st July.
Lieutenant Colonel Maxwell had followed his troops onto the battlefield and set up a command post at the Thiepval Chateau. The Kaiser’s representative, General Von Plessen had stayed at Soden’s headquarters hoping for news of the battle and it wasn’t until six hours later, when reconnaissance parties finally got through to Thiepval, that the situation became clear for them. It was then that the German commanders realised that a counter-attack would be impossible to succeed.
www.hotelara.com/england/2009/11/battle-of-the-somme/
Two VC’s were won by the 12th Middlesex for their actions on this day.
Private Robert Edward Ryder
On 26 September 1916 at Thiepval, France, Private Ryder's company was held up by heavy rifle fire and all his officers had become casualties. For want of leadership the attack was flagging when Private Ryder, realising the situation and without a moment's thought for his own safety dashed, absolutely alone, at the enemy trench and by skilful handling of his Lewis gun succeeded in clearing the trench. This very gallant act inspired his comrades, made the subsequent advance possible and turned what could have been failure into success
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Edward_Ryder
www.flickr.com/photos/belowred/3304506098/
www.britishpathe.com/video/vc-hero-private-rider-returns-...
Private Frederick Jeremiah Edwards
part of the line was held up by machine-gun fire and all the officers had become casualties. There was confusion and indication of retirement. Private Edwards, grasping the situation and on his own initiative, dashed out towards the gun, which he knocked out with his bombs. This very gallant act, coupled with great presence of mind and disregard of personal danger, made further advance possible and cleared up a dangerous situation.
www.thiepvalmemoriallol1916.co.uk/Pvt_F_Edwards.htm
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Jeremiah_Edwards
Frederick W Burton……………………………….............................................................
BURTON, FREDERICK
Rank: Private
Service No: 22535
Date of Death: 15/09/1916
Regiment: Norfolk Regiment, 9th Bn.
Panel Reference
Pier and Face 1 C and 1 D.
Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/762190/BURTON,%20FRED...
SDGW has Frederick down as born Tunstead but with no place of residence recorded, 22535 Norfolk Regiment.
Norlink No match
The baptism of Frederick William, born 23rd July 1896, took place at St Mary, Tunstead on the 2nd April 1897. Parents were William, a Labourer, and Rebecca. The family lived in Tunstead.
The 5 year old Frederick W, born Tunstead, was record on the 1901 census at 3 Mill Lane, Tunstead. This was the household of his parents, William, (aged 47 and a General Labourer on Farm from Tunstead) and Rebecca, (aged 40 and from Tunstead). Their other children are:-
Joseph E………………aged 1.…………born Tunstead
Stanley H………………aged 5 months…..born Tunstead
Frederick was a cousin of the Francis, Gilbert and Reginald listed here - see the family history link under Francis. Fredericks father William and their father, Benjamin, were brothers.
15th September 1916
On September 15th the 1st Leicesters and the 9th Norfolks attacked a German strongpoint called the Quadrilateral in the region of Flers. The attack was originally planned to include 3 tanks in support but two broke down before zero hour and the third was disabled at the start of the advance.
At zero hour the leading companies ("D" & "B") moved off at a steady pace, advancing in four lines at 30 paces interval, the supporting companies ("C" & "A") following in the same formation 300 yards in the rear, and the enemy at once opened a heavy machine gun fire.
The Battalion suffered heavily from the machine gun fire and was held up by the undamaged wire in the front of a German trench, leading from the North West corner of the Quadrilateral, the existence of which was not known. Despite having dug in overnight the Battalion was forced to withdraw the next day having lost 14 officers and 410 other ranks killed, wounded or missing.
www.whitwick.org.uk/history/regulars.htm
Gilbert Burton………………………………................................................................................
BURTON, GILBERT JOHN
Rank: Private
Service No: G/14663
Date of Death: 13/11/1917
Age: 22
Regiment: Royal Sussex Regiment, 2nd Bn.
Panel Reference
Panel 86 to 88.
Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Additional Information:
Son of Benjamin George Burton, of Mill Lane, Tunstead, Norwich; husband of Gertrude Louisa Jane Woodhouse (formerly Burton), of Gunn's Corner Smallburgh, Norwich.
CWGC www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/843839/BURTON,%20GILB...
SDGW has Gilbert John down as born Tunstead but with no place of residence recorded, G/14663 Royal Sussex Regiment.
Norlink No match
The baptism of Gilbert John, born 13th February 1895, took place at St Mary, Tunstead on the 27th October 1895. Parents are Benjamin, a Labourer, and Marian. The family live in Tunstead.
See Francis above for the family details on the 1901 census.
Another one where it may be co-incidence, but the marriage of a Gilbert J Burton to Gertrude L J Foreman took place in the Smallburgh District that covers Tunstead in the January to March 1916 quarter.
Gilbert had previously served with the Essex Regiment, serial number 4487, according to his Medal Index Card listing.
The Battle of Passchendaele was subsequently deemed to have ended on the 10th November and the battle of CambraI would not start until later in November. However, the steady attrition of trench war - artillery barrage, bombing, sniping and trench raids still took a steady toll.
Reginald Burton………………………………................................................................
BURTON, R G
Rank: Private
Service No: 19201
Date of Death: 07/11/1916
Regiment: Norfolk Regiment, 2nd Bn.
Grave Reference
IV. P. 22.
Cemetery: BASRA WAR CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/509478/BURTON,%20R%20G
SDGW has Reginald George down as born Tunstead but with no place of residence recorded, 19201 Norfolk Regiment
Norlink No match
See Francis above for the family details on the 1901 census.
Most of the 2nd Battalion marched into captivity following the fall of the besieged city of Kut in April 1916. A few who’d been outside the the city had initially formed a composite unit with a similar group from the Dorset Regiment, generally referred to as the “Norsets”. As the summer went on both units were rebuilt with fresh drafts from England and men who’d recovered from wounds encurred earlier in the campaign.
For all European troops disease was as much a killer as combat in this theatre.
Stephen Canham………………………………........................................................
Probably
CANHAM, STEPHEN
Rank: Rifleman
Service No: 52050
Date of Death: 10/08/1918
Age: 21
Regiment: Rifle Brigade
posted to London Regiment (Post Office Rifles)
Panel Reference
Panel 10.
Memorial: VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL
Additional Information:
Son of William Francis Canham and Anna Maria Canham, of Heath Rd., Framlingham, Norwich, Norfolk.
CWGC www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1740770/CANHAM,%20STE...
SDGW has Stephen as born Banningham, Norfolk and resident North Walsham, 52050 The Rifle Brigade.
Norlink No match
The baptism of a Stephen Canham, no date of birth recorded, took place at St Botolph, Banningham on the 15th March 1896. Parents were listed as William Francis, a Labourer and Sexton, and Anna Maria. The family actually reside in Colby.
The 5 year old Stephen, born Colby, was recorded on the 1901 census at a dwelling “Near Church Road, Colby”. This was the household of his parents, William F, (aged 40 and an Ordinary Agricultural Labourer from Banningham) and Annie M. (aged 39 and from Colby). Their other children are:-
Alice M…………..aged 11.……….born Colby
Fred………………aged 2.…………born Colby
Harriet E………….aged 16.……….born Banningham
James A…………..aged 9.…………born Colby
John H…………….aged 6.…………born Colby
William F…………aged 18.………..born Banningham…..Ordinary Agricultural Labourer.
Baptisms at St Botolph Banningham
William Francis…28th January 1883
Harriet Ethel…23rd November 1884
Alice Mary….9th June 1889
Janes Richard….14th June 1891
John Horace……18th February 1894
Fred…………….16th April 1899
(None of the entries records a date of birth)
By the time of the 1911 census, Stephen was recorded in the Smallburgh District which covers a number of villages, including Tunstead.
According to his medal index card, Stephen had previously served with the Norfolk Regiment, as Private 14946
I’ve come across a reference before now of a large draft of the 8th Norfolk being moved to the Post office Rifles when that Battalion was disbanded as part of the major re-organisation that took place in the British Army in February 1918.
8th – 9th August 1918
The 8th Londons part at the Battle of Amiens on 8 August 1918, (and what Ludendorff called the Black Day for the German Army); saw them attached to the 58th Division, that attacked in the north of the sector, astride the Somme Canal. The Battalion had a good day, capturing all its objectives and ending up on the western edge of Malard Wood. They took 500 prisoners, including two battalion commanders. Unfortunately, fog held up the rest of the brigade and the key objective of the Chipilly Spur remained in German hands. On 9 August the 8th Londons helped in its capture and were withdrawn into rest two days later. By then they had suffered 300 casualties, including all their HQ officers.
www.hellfire-corner.demon.co.uk/poulton.htm
9th August 1918
175th Brigade attacked at 5.30pm, the 12th and 8th London in front the 5th / R Berkshire in support and the 9th London in reserve. By 8pm the 12th London was on its objective, the 9th London behind its right flank and in touch with the 131 regt. The 8th London was stopped 100 yds short of its objective. At 11.15pm orders were sent for strong patrols to be sent out to establish if it was possible to reach the Outer Amiens defense line, this was done and some more progress made.
sites.google.com/site/landships/home/narratives/1918/100d...
Stephen Childerhouse………………………………...........................................
CHILDERHOUSE, STEPHEN EDWARD
Rank: Private
Service No: 18238
Date of Death: 01/05/1917
Age: 37
Regiment: Norfolk Regiment, 9th Bn.
Panel Reference
Panel 30 and 31.
Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL
Additional Information:
Son of John and Martha Childerhouse, of Anchor St., Tunstead; husband of Harriet Ethel Woodrow, (formerly Childerhouse), of I, Aylsham Rd., North Walsham, Norfolk.
CWGC www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/729725/CHILDERHOUSE,%...
SDGW has Stephen as born Hingham, Norfolk but with no place of residence recorded, 18238 Norfolk Regiment.
Norlink No match
The 21 year old Stephen, born Hingham, was recorded on the 1901 census working as a Labourer on Farm and living at 6 Upper Street, Tunstead. This was the household of his parents, John, (aged 45 and a Roadman Labourer from Wymondham) and Martha, (aged 47 and from Stanfield, Norfolk). Their other children living with them are:-
Faith…………….aged 4.………born Tunstead
George………….aged 25.……..born Ketteringham, Norfolk….Labourer on Farm
Sidney………….aged 16.………born Tilfield, Norfolk (? - poss Silfield)..Labourer on Farm
The baptism of Faith Mary, born 3rd January 1897, took place at St Mary, Tunstead on the 4th April 1897. Parents were listed as John, a Labourer and Martha, the family lived in Tunstead.
The marriage of a Stephen Edward Childerhouse to a Harriet Ethel Canham took place in Smallbugh District in the October to December 1909 quarter. This is probably the Harriet Ethel Canham that is recorded above as the sister of Stephen Canham.
There is a private family history web-site here that includes details of Stephen, but you need to join to view.
www.childerhouse.org/login.php
The 9th Norfolks had taken part in a large trench raid on the 28th April, but I can find any reference to the 9th Norfolks being in action on this day.
Arthur Dack………………………………..................................................................................
DACK, A
Rank: Private
Service No: 72845
Date of Death: 17/10/1918
Regiment: Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
Grave Reference
C. 12.
Cemetery: VAUX-ANDIGNY BRITISH CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/321103/DACK,%20A
SDGW has Arthur Dack as born and resident Tunstead, 72845 Machine Gun Corps.
Norlink No match
The baptism of an Arthur Dack, no date of birth recorded, took place at St Mary, Tunstead on the 29th October 1893. Parents were Michael, a Labourer, and Alice. The family lived in Tunstead.
The 7 year old Arthur, born Tunstead, was recorded on the 1901 census at Market Street, Tunstead. This was the household of his parents, Michael, (aged 38 and a Stockman on Farm, from Hevingham, Norfolk) and Alice, (aged 36 and from Hevingham). Their other children are:-
George…………….aged 10.……..born Hevingham
Herbert…………….aged 4.………born Tunstead
John William,………aged 16.…….boen Hevingham…..Agricultural Labourer
Sidney……………..aged 1.………born Tunstead
Walter……………..aged 13.……..born Felthorpe……Agricultural Labourer
According to his Medal Index Card listing, Arthur has previously been Private 14958, Norfolk Regiment.
VAUX-ANDIGNY BRITISH CEMETERY
Location Information
Vaux-Andigny is a village in the Department of the Aisne between St Quentin and Le Cateau. The British Cemetery is a little south-east of the village on the road to Mannevret.
Historical Information
Vaux-Andigny was captured by American and British troops in October 1918.
The British Cemetery originally contained British and (in a separate plot) German graves, but after the Armistice, the German graves were removed and the 35 British graves from the Communal Cemetery Extension were brought in.
There are now over 60, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, a small number are unidentified.
CWGC www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/33105/VAUX-ANDIGNY%...
