Panel 2
Merry A F
Only A F Merry on the CWGC database - however see notes below.
Name: MERRY Initials: A F
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment: East Yorkshire Regiment Unit Text: 7th Bn.
Date of Death: 19/10/1918
Service No: 7914
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. C. 23. Cemetery: BEAULENCOURT BRITISH CEMETERY, LIGNY-THILLOY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=564755
No match on Norlink
The Great War Roll of Honour confirms this is an Alfred F.
There is a 12 year old Alfred F, (born Norwich), recorded on the 1901 census at 72 Spencer Street West in the Parish of St James. This is the household of his parents, Alfred, (aged 35 and a Printers Machinist from Norwich), and Rosena A. (aged 35 and from Norwich). Their other children are:-
Henry……………….aged 2.……………….born Norwich
Leonard…………….aged 6.……………….born Norwich
Lily R………………aged 13.………………born Norwich
Percy Wm…………..aged 9.……………….born Norwich
William Stephen……aged u/1.…………….born Norwich
He does not appear to be on the 1911 census, although parents Alfred and Rosena are.
No match on Norlink
Thanks to the East Yorkshire Regiment web-site we can find out a bit more;
Service Number: 7914
Birthplace: Fackenham (Presumably Fakenham)
Enlisted: Great Yarmouth
Battalion: 7th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment Service
Notes:
Draft from 1st Battalion to 2nd Battalion 26 February 1907
Snapper April 1907
2nd Battalion 2nd class shot D Coy January 1908
2nd Battalion Granted 1st Good Conduct Badge April 1911
1st Battalion Transfer to Army Reserve April 1913
1st Battalion Posted wounded Snapper February 1915
Wounded during April/May 1915
1st Battalion Casualty List Hull Daily Mail 21 September 1915
Died: Died 17 October 1918
www.east-yorkshire-regiment.co.uk/db/troops/search.php
The 1911 census has an Alfred Merry born circa 1887 Fakenham, current whereabouts not shown, (common for Military establishment) - Indeed on the “Welcome to the 1911 Census site, location is classified as Overseas Military.
The same individual does not appear to be on the 1901 census.
There is no trace on the 1891 census, there are also no Merry’s in Fakenham, and the only Merry in Great Yarmouth is a late 40’s Widowed Laundress and her Elderly mother.
Therefore, not sure where Fackenham\Fakenham comes into the picture or the enlistment in Great Yarmouth.
Do we need to look at the other possible candidates
Name: MERRY, ALFRED
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment/Service: Bedfordshire Regiment Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Date of Death: 22/03/1918
Service No: 14524
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 28 and 29. Memorial: POZIERES MEMORIAL
Source: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1585439
However, the Gedling War Memorial web-site has this additional information
born Stoke Bardolph enlisted Nottm. (Stoke Bardolph), killed in action France and Flanders 22.3.18.
southwellchurches.nottingham.ac.uk/gedling/hwarmem.php
Which leaves us with:-
Name: MERRY Initials: A J
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Fusiliers Unit Text: 9th Bn.
Date of Death: 07/10/1916
Service No: 17721
Grave/Memorial Reference: III. A. 27. Cemetery: BEAULENCOURT BRITISH CEMETERY, LIGNY-THILLOY
Source: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=564756
(Great War Roll of Honour confirms as Alfred)
Or
Name: MERRY, ALFRED WILLIAM
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Fusiliers Unit Text: 1st Bn.
Date of Death: 21/08/1916
Service No: 9030
Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 8 C 9 A and 16 A. Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Source: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=806034
Or alternatively A F Merry died outside the date range of the Great War Roll of Honour, (1914-1918) and the CWGC database (1914 - 1921)
Minns W E
No match for a W E and no obvious W Minns choice
No match on Norlink
There is no W E Minns on the Great War Roll of Honour.
Checking the baptism records, there is a Walter Ernest, baptised at St Martin with Oak on the 27th September 1898. Unfortunately no date of birth is given. Walter’s place of residence is given as Blooms Yard, and his parents are Walter, (who works as a rivetter) and Elixa.
Potentials are:
Private Walter Minns : 20782: Suffolk Regiment - died 1918
Private Walter Minns : 302050 : Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders - died 1918.
Going to the CWGC records for the Argyll and Sutherland man, the additional information tends to connect him with London
Son of Walter and Ellen Minns, of Acton, London; husband of Emily Minns, of 17A, Rothschild Rd., Chiswick Park, London.
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=67734
Therefore the prime candidate looks like the Suffolk Regiment man.
Name: MINNS Initials: W
Rank: Private
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Date of Death: 19/03/1916
Service No: 6507
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. B. 10. Cemetery: RENINGHELST NEW MILITARY CEMETERY
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=152902
The village of Reninghelst (now Reningelst) was occupied by Commonwealth forces from the late autumn of 1914 to the end of the war and was sufficiently far from the front line to provide a suitable station for field ambulances. The earliest burials took place in the Churchyard, but in November 1915, the New Military Cemetery was opened. It remained in use until September 1918.
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=15200&...
Murton B
Name: MURTON, BERTIE
Rank: Private
Regiment: Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 7th Bn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 13/10/1915
Service No: 19065
Additional information: Son of Paul William Murton, of 3, Turner's Court, St. Benedict's, Norwich. His brother Ernest also fell.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 30 and 31. Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1765515
For completeness - brother Ernest
Name: MURTON, ERNEST PAUL
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment: Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 7th Bn.
Age: 28
Date of Death: 13/10/1915
Service No: 15616
Additional information: Husband of Alice Manthorpe (formerly Murton), of 26, Lawson Rd., Norwich.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 30 and 31. Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1765517
No match on Norlink
The 6 year old Bertie, (born Norwich), is recorded on the 1901 census at 2, Webbs Court in the Parish of St Paul. This is the household of his parents, Paul, (aged 35 and a Boot Laster from Norwich), and Harriet, (aged 34 and a Hair Weaver from Norwich). Their other children are:-
Ernest P……………aged 12.…………..born Norwich
Leslie………………aged 5 months…….born Norwich
Lily…………………aged 3.……………born Norwich
Sidney H……………aged 10.…………born Norwich
7th (Service) Battalion was formed at Norwich in August 1914 as part of K1, the first of Kitcheners Armies. In August 1914 it was attached to 35th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. This was one of the first New Army divisions to be formed and was assembled around Colchester, the divisional artillery nearby at Shorncliffe, from late August 1914. Divisional training was completed near Aldershot from February 1915, and the Division moved to France between 29th May and 4th June 1915. Privates Beevor, Flaxman, and Wigg (the latter was from Toft Monks) were all in A Company and were all killed in the same action. A letter was sent to Reverend Lawson, then the incumbent at Haddiscoe, informing him of their deaths. Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Caroll, 30 Officers and 954 other ranks embarked aboard the Invicta at Folkestone bound for Boulogne on 30th May 1915. The first Kitchener Battalion raised by the Norfolk Regiment, 7 Battalion was formed at Shorncliffe. Uniforms, equipment and blankets were slow in arriving and they initially wore emergency blue uniforms and carried dummy weapons. 1,114 men from the battalion were killed during the First World War. After arrival in France they took over trenches 113-120 at Ploegsteert Wood on 4th July 1915. On 12th October 1915 the Battalion moved from billets to a line in front of the St Elie Quarries, taking over from the Coldstream Guards. The attack was planned to go ahead the following day under a smoke cloud with the Norfolks closing on the German trenches from both ends of their position thus straightening their line, their own trenches being in a semi-circle. The left side of the Battalion was also tasked with bombing a German communications trench. A bright sunny day with an ideal wind for moving the smoke towards the enemy positions, the artillery bombardment began at 12:00 and was intensive by 13:45. 54 heavy and 86 field howitzers and 286 field guns fired on enemy trenches in the area of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, Fosse 8, the Quarries, Gun Trench and the positions south to Chalk Pit Wood. It failed to cause sufficient damage to the enemy positions. The smoke barrage went wrong and ceased by 13:40, twenty minutes before the attack was launched at 14:00 and was thus very thin. German machine gun fire from in front and from the direction of Slag Alley, opposite the Norfolks right flank, enfiladed their attack. Whilst they gained a foothold in the Quarries and consolidated the position they were unable to advance further. In the battalions first serious engagement they lost 5 Officers killed or died of wounds and 6 wounded, and 66 other ranks killed, 196 wounded and 160 missing.
Source: 1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=42270
Orvice G A G
Name: ORVICE, GEORGE ARTHUR GENTRY
Rank: Private
Regiment: Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 1st/4th Bn.
Date of Death: 19/04/1917
Service No: 200700
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panels 12 to 15. Memorial: JERUSALEM MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1646560
No match on Norlink
The most likely match on the Genes Re-united Transcription of the 1901 Census for England and Wales is a 9 year old George, (born Colchester) who is recorded in some kind of institution in the St Matthews Parish of Thorpe, Norwich, on the night of Sunday 31st March 1901.
This is presumably something to do with the nearby Britannia Barracks, as the inmates are nearly all described as either wife of soldier, or children of soldier. (One family group has a male head whose occupation is given as Barrack Labourer). The relevant lines on the page start with George’s mother, Harriet, (aged 34, born Colchester), then George, (son of soldier), and then her other children, May, (aged 7, born Morley\Narley(??), Essex), Leslie, (aged 6, born Norwich), and Frederick (aged 2, born Norwich)
Going back to the 1891 census gives us a clearer picture. Harriet already married, is recorded at Ivy Place, Old Heath Colchester. This is the household of her parents, Gentry Culf, (aged 72 and an Agricultural Labourer) ,and Eliza, (aged 65). Making up the household is Harriet’s husband, George, who’s occupation is given as Lance Sergeant, 2nd Battalion, Norfolk Regiment.
Both George Senior and George Junior are recorded in the Norwich area on the 1911 census.
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
Pillow H M
Possibly same Henry Montgomery Scott Pillow, who also appears on the St Peter Mancroft memorial
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=87268
Norlink picture
norlink.norfolk.gov.uk/02_Catalogue/02_013_PictureTitleIn...
Accompanying notes
Second Lieutenant Pillow was born in Norwich on 31st March 1895. He was educated at Norwich Grammar School, and was a medical student at Guy's Hospital in London. He enlisted as a Private in September 1914, and was killed in action north west of Ypres on 8th August 1917
Name: SCOTT-PILLOW Initials: H M
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Service: Royal Flying Corps Unit Text: 7th Sqdn.
Secondary Regiment: Middlesex Regiment Secondary Unit Text: and Date of Death: 08/08/1917
Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: III. D. 3. Cemetery: MENDINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=87268
There are a set of papers for the Scott-Pillow family in the National Archive via the Norfolk Records Office.
Administrative history:
Margaret Scott was born in Norwich. Her interest was always in domestic education and at various times she was chairman of the Association of Teachers of Domestic Science, a member of Norwich School Board, and an examiner in cookery and domestic science. She married Edward Pillow in 1891. On his death in 1910 she took up the running of Princes Restaurant, Castle Street, Norwich. She died in 1929.
Edward Pillow was born in Cambridge in 1852. An engineer by profession he was chief engineer of the Mechanical Testing Department, Crewe, Engineering Works of the London and North West Railway Co.
In 1891 he moved to Norwich, married and became Organising Secretary for Technical Education, Norfolk County Council. He died in 1910.
Edward and Margaret had two sons. The elder son, also named Edward, married Sabine Barwell the daughter of J. E. H. Barwell and Mrs. Barwell, better known as the singer Madame Ruth Lamb. After his mother's death Edward took over the running of the restaurant. Their second son Henry Montgomery Scott Pillow was born on 31st March 1895 and died on active service in a flying accident on 8th August 1917.
Contents:
Business records; educational papers of Margaret Scott-Pillow and family papers of the Scott, Pillow and Barwell families.
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=153-br12...
Includes
Letters of sympathy on death of Margaret's son Henry in the war BR124/70 1917
'Dental Record' with obituary of Henry Scott Pillow BR124/71 1917
'Guy's Hospital Gazette' with note of death of Henry Scott Pillow BR124/72 1918
An obituary for Second Lieutenant Henry Montgomery Scott Pillow appeared in the August 23rd 1917 edition of “Flight”
Killed on August 8th. He was born in March, 1895, and was the second son of Mrs Pillow, Chief Examiner of the Government Colleges for training teachers in cookery and domestic science and vice-chairman of the Public Service Board, and of the late Edward Pillow, for many years Education Secretary to the Norfolk County Council. He was educated at Norwich Grammar School and was a student at Guy’s Hospital. Within a month of outbreak of war, he joined the Public Schools Brigade and shortly afterwards went on active service abroad as a Private in the Royal Fusiliers. After seven months of services in the trenches he was sent home to train for a commission, and in due course he was gazetted to the Middlesex Regiment, and later transferred to the R.F.C. After gaining the full qualifications, he went to the Front on July 28th, and met his death within 10 days. His elder brother, now the only surviving son of Mrs Pillow, is also an officer and is serving abroad.
www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1917/1917%20-%200872...
Flying Officer, (Temporary 2nd Lt) H M S Pillow is shown as being transferred from the Middlesex Regiment in the London Gazette for the 15th August 1917
www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30232/supplements/8312
During 1916, the Squadron standardised on BE2s and then received RE8s in 1917 still in its observation role.
www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/7squadron.cfm
The 6 year old Henry M S Pillow, (born Norwich), is recorded on the 1901 census at “The Grange”, Thorpe Road, Norwich. This is the household of his father, Edward Pillow, (aged 49 and a Organising Secretary, Technical Education who was born a British citizen in Greece). Making up the household is his older brother, Edward S, (aged 7 and born Norwich), plus a Governess and a Domestic Servant.
His mother, Margaret Pillow, aged 39 and born Norwich, is recorded as a visitor at 63 High Street, Marylebone, London. She was staying with Loombe Brooke, a widower aged 53, whos' occupation is listed as School Head Teacher.
The baptism of Henry Montgomery Scott Pillow took place at St Peter Mancroft on the 12th July 1895. His birth date is given as the 31st March 1895. His parents are Edward and Margaret Eleanor, who reside at Carlton Terrace, Mill Hill Road. Father’s occupation is given as Organising Secretary of Technical Instruction.
Pummell E
Name: PUMMELL, EPHRAIM
Rank: Private
Service: Royal Army Medical Corps
Unit Text: 88th Field Amb
Age: 27
Date of Death: 22/08/1917
Service No: 475295
Additional information: Son of Robert and Mary Ann Pummell; husband of Laura Alice Pummell, of 94, Muriel Rd., Christ Church Rd., Norwich.
Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. G. 9. Cemetery: DOZINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=153763
No match on Norlink
Ephraim doesn’t appear to be on the Genes Re-united transcription of the 1901 census for England and Wales, however he is on the 1911 one, born Norwich and still recorded in the District of Norwich.
Ephraim’s parents are on the 1901 census, recorded at 3, Lord Camden’s yard, in the Parish of St Gregorys. Robert, aged 40 and born Norwich, is a self-employed shoe maker. His wife, Mary-Ann, is aged 39 and from Bunwell. Their other children are:-
Robert S……………….aged 15.……….born Norwich…..Occupation is indecipherable
Ellen…………………..aged 14.………..born Norwich
Samuel…………………aged 8.………..born Norwich
Ethel…………………..aged 6.…………born Norwich
Alfred…………………aged 5.…………born Norwich
Maria………………….aged 3.…………born Norwich
Gertrude………………aged 1.………….born Norwich
Beatrice……………….aged u/1.……….born Norwich.
A check of the original page shows that those naughty transcribers at Genes Re-united have been up to their usual tricks. At 1, Lord Camdens Yard is a Samuel Pummell, a 69 year old widowed shoe maker from Norwich. Recorded as living with him is the 11 year old Ephraim.
The 88th, (1st East Anglian) Field Ambulance were assigned to the 29th Division.
The 29th had been involved in the opening days of the battle of Langemarck, (Part of Third Ypres or Passchendaele), including the 88th Brigade, to which the 88th Field Ambulance would have been assigned. Private Plummer could well have been serving as a stretcher bearer, bringing in the wounded.
While researching the period, I came across another possible cause of death relating to an incident which took place on the 21st.
A unique casualty of the day's fighting was Nurse Nellie Spindler from Wakefield who died when her Casualty Clearing Station was shelled and she was mortally wounded. Interred in Lijssenthoek Cemetery, she is the only British woman buried in the Ypres Salient.
forum.irishmilitaryonline.com/showthread.php?t=11535&...
Pye F
Possibly
Name: PYE, FRED JAMES
Rank: Private
Regiment: Norfolk Regiment
Unit Text: 8th Bn.
Age: 20
Date of Death: 11/08/1917
Service No: 29333
Additional information: Son of Fred Walter and Amelia Pye, of 116, Magdalen Rd., Norwich.
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. P. 15. Cemetery: DIVISIONAL COLLECTING POST CEMETERY AND EXTENSION
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=480887
There is a picture of a Frederick James Pye of the 8th Norfolks on Norlink. There are no additional notes.
norlink.norfolk.gov.uk/02_Catalogue/02_013_PictureTitleIn...
The Welcome to the 1911 census web-site has a 14 year old Frederick James recorded in the District of Norwich
(and no Fredrick or Fred).
On the 1901 Census there is a 4 year old Fredk J Pye, born Norwich, recorded at 62 Sussex Street in the parish of St Augustines. This is the household of his parents, Fredk W, (age 39 and a Carpenter&Builder from Norwich), and Amelia, (aged 44 and from Norwich). The Pye’s also have a daughter, Olve F, aged 5.
11th August 1917
Saturday 11th August 1917 - Day 12 Third Ypres
Westhoek
18th Div
During the relief of 7th Bedfords by 8th Norfolks at 4.30am the Germans attacked and captured a pillbox. The Norfolks recaptured it at 6am.
forum.irishmilitaryonline.com/showthread.php?t=11535
Using a search engine, I’ve found the names of 56 men of the 8th Battalion who died on this day.
.Private R Abbs 32053
Private Stanley Barrett, 3/10813 age 31 from Maldon, Essex
Private Frederick Sylvester Beckett, 3/10454
Lance Corporal William Bennett 14807
Lance Corporal W J N Best 17020 age 28 from Gorleston
Private Robert Body, 19685
Captain William Bunting MC, age 22, from Terrington St John, Wisbech
Lance Serjeant George William Carr, 13380
Private Sidney George Claxton, 12024
Private Dennis Douglas, 16107, age 23 of Cawston
Lance Serjeant Arthur William Fairman, 16443
Private Joseph Fall, 9684
Lance Corporal James Frederick Hammond, 20371, age 29, from Bracon Ash
Private W Hampston, 20355
Lance Corporal Herbert Thomas Harrison, 30114
Private Richard John Hatton, 203674, age 22, from Luton.
Corporal Albert George Howard, 16448, age 32, from Honingham
Private Robert Henry Jellis, 3/10713, age 33, of Leighton, Huntingdonshire
Lance Corporal James Henry Kenyon, 20400, of Clacton on Sea
Corporal Ernest Larter, 43479
Private Albert Lee, 22771, age 21, of Morley Street, Norwich.
Private Percy Lewis, 30325
Private Bertie Harold Lown, 22779, age 19, from Colby, Norfolk
Private Harry Edwin Minns, 14866, age 23, from Bungay
Corporal Clement Barber Mitchell, 14000
Private Bertie Muteham, 24211, age 22
Private W J Ottaway, 24153
Sergeant R Page, 43538
Private John Pawley, 43701, age 27, from Fakenham
Lance Corporal George Pope, 3/7928, age 21, from Thelverton, Diss
Private Fred James Pye, 29333, age 20, of Magdalen Road, Norwich
Private Sampson Samuel Ransome, 20606, age 33, from Brampton, Huntingdonshire
Lance Serjeant Harry Percy Revell, 13329, age 25, from Lincoln
Lance Corporal Charles Riches, 12052
Private Samuel Riches, 43491
Private Robert Rigg, 18638
Private Reuben Dolan Rix, 13410
Lance Corporal A B Seaman, 29978
Lance Corporal William Smith, 3/8216, age 35, of St Martins Road, Norwich
Lance Corporal Harry Snelling, 16160
Private Arthur John Snowley, 19833, age 25, from Great Yarmouth
Lance Corporal Walter Reginald Oliver Speller, 14615, age 26, from Colchester
Private John Able Thompson, 16189, age 23, from Tittleshall, Kings Lynn
Private Reginald Vernon Tweedy, 27100, age 19, from Kings Lynn
Private Clement Sidney Wall, 14334, age 29, from Bergh Apton
Private Charles Arnold Waskett, 20676,
Private John Wells, 25674, age 29, from Brandon
Private Harry Percy Wheeler, 204161, age 37, from South Chard, Somerset
Private James Williamson, 22325
Private Henry John Witham, 30320
Private Richard Andrew Woffenden, 204165, age 27, from Barnoldswick, Yorks
Lance Corporal Dennis Wright, 14793, age 33, from Wroxham
Private Alan Robert Yarham, 43518
Private Horace Yaxley, 29372
Private Edgar Youngman, 14591, age 26, from Weybourne.
Private Herbert Mullett Youngs, 12283, age 21, from Mundham, Norfolk
Rix R W
Possible
Name: RIX, ROBERT WILLIAM
Rank: Private
Regiment: Guards Machine Gun Regiment
Unit Text: 4th Bn.
Age: 20
Date of Death: 12/10/1918
Service No: 2399
Additional information: Son of Robert and Betsy Rix, of 56, Pottergate, Norwich. Grave/Memorial Reference: I. A. 4. Cemetery: CARNIERES COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=537005
No match on Norlink
The 2 year old Robert, (born “Pottergate, S Norwich”), is recorded on the 1901 census at 79 Pottergate, in the Parish of St Margarets. This is the household of his parents, Robert, (aged 43 and a Hand Boot Maker from Horsford, Norfolk), and Betsy, (aged 35 and from Old Lakenham, Norwich). Their other children are:-
Anne……………aged 7.………..born Pottergate, S Norwich
Daisy M………..aged 12.……….born Pottergate, S Norwich
Ruby……………aged 4.………..born Pottergate, S Norwich
The four Machine Gun Companies in the Guards Division were formed into a unit named the 4th Battalion Machine Gun Guards on 1st March 1918.
By a Royal Warrant of 10 May 1918, the Guards Machine Gun Regiment was formed. It comprised four Machine Gun Battalions: the three Household Cavalry Regiments (the 1st and 2nd Life Guards and the Royal Horse Guards) formed the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions, and the 4th Battalion Machine Gun Guards joined and was renamed the 4th (Foot Guards) Battalion.
www.1914-1918.net/guardsmgr.htm
Carnieres was captured on 10 October 1918, and the Communal Cemetery Extension was made by the Guards Division a week later.
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=59905&...
Ranson R
Probably
Name: RANSON, RICHARD EDWARD CROFT
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: East Yorkshire Regiment Unit Text: 13th Bn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 21/07/1916
Additional information: Only son of Eleanor Ranson, of "Maisonette," 8, Harbour Rd., Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich, and the late Edward Ranson.
Grave/Memorial Reference: VII. A. 23. Cemetery: MERVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=539356
No match on Norlink
The 9 year old Richard E C Ranson, (born Kirkley, Suffolk), is recorded on the 1901 census at “Ambleside”, Thorpe Road, Norwich, in the Parish of St Matthews. This is the household of his parents, Edward, (aged 40 and a Timber Merchant from Ipswich, Suffolk), and Elenor, (aged 31 and from Saddington, Leicestershire). Their other children are:
Dorothia…………..aged 1.…………..born Dover, Kent
Kathlean…………..aged 3.…………..born Dover, Kent
Phyllis M………….aged 5.…………..born Dover, Kent
The Ranson’s have three live in servants, including a Governess, a Cook and a Housemaid.
I’m sure its just a coincidence, but one of John Cotman’s paintings is of Foundry bridge and Ransom’s Timber Yard, Riverside Road.. There is also a Ranson Road in Thorpe.
Claims were invited on the estate of Captain Richard Edward Croft Ranson, late 13th East Yorks, who died on active service in France, in this edition of the London Gazette.
www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29958/pages/1909/page.pdf
Its gives his addresses as late of St Augustines, Florida, USA and temporarily of 14 Fountain Street, Hull. His executrix is an Annie Ranson, (possibly a wife?). The firm of solicitors concerned, Watson and Everitt, are from Norwich.
Merville was the scene of fighting between the Germans and French and British cavalry early in October 1914 but from the 9th of that month to 11 April 1918, it remained in Allied hands. In October 1914, and in the autumn of 1915, the town was the headquarters of the Indian Corps. It was a railhead until May 1915, and a billeting and hospital centre from 1915-1918. The 6th and Lahore Casualty Clearing Stations were there from the autumn of 1914 to the autumn of 1915; the 7th from December 1914, to April 1917; the 54th (1st/2nd London) from August 1915 to March 1918, and the 51st (Highland) from May 1917 to April 1918. On the evening of 11 April 1918, in the Battles of the Lys, the Germans forced their way into Merville and the town was not retaken until 19 August. The cemeteries were not used again until the concentration of battlefield burials into the Extension began, after the Armistice.
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=60101&...
The 31st Division were engaged in the battle of the Somme from the 1st to the 13th July 1916, but then appear to have been withdrawn from the battle until November. Given the history of the cemetery where he was buried, I suspect Captain Ranson died from wounds sustained earlier in the month.
Robinson G
Name: ROBINSON, GEORGE
Rank: Private
Regiment/: Middlesex Regiment
Unit Text: 13th Bn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 15/04/1917
Service No: 26352
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Robinson, of 48, Pottergate, Norwich. Grave/Memorial Reference: V. D. 4. Cemetery: LILLERS COMMUNAL CEMETERY
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2947819
No match on Norlink
There are two possible on the 1911 census.
One born circa 1895, Norwich, and still recorded in Norwich. However, on the 1901 census, the father is listed as Richard, and the family then had moved to Pearcefield,, Sprowston.
The other was born Barford, Norfolk circa 1894 and doesn’t even come up on the 1901 census.
The Middlesex would fight alongside the Canadians in the Battle for Vimy Ridge at this time.
The Canadian Corps of 1917 contained four Canadian Divisions and one British Division. Of the 170,000 men detailed for the attack on Vimy Ridge, 97,000 were from Canada. The British contingent included the tunnellers who played an important part in the attack and the heavy gunners donated by the First Army. The Corps was commanded by Lieutenant-General the Honourable Sir Julian Byng, an unusually approachable British General for the period, with a great eye for detail and an understanding of the importance of planning
Byng’s preparations for the attack on Vimy Ridge were amongst the most impressive of the entire war. His answer to the problem of how to get his troops into the forward trenches without exposing them to German artillery fire was to dig twelve tunnel systems that reached up to, and sometimes beyond, the British front line. The attacking troops would enter the tunnels on the day before the attack, and emerge close to the German front lines. The subways also contained forward head quarters, field hospitals and supplies.
The attack was to be supported by a massive artillery bombardment. Byng was given all of the First Armies heavy artillery, giving the Canadian Corps close to 1,000 guns. The bombardment began on 20 March and lasted for 20 days. The pace of the bombardment varied during those twenty days, to prevent the Germans working out when the main attack was due. On 3 April the intensity of the bombardment was increased. The last week before the attack was known to the Germans as the “week of suffering”.
Finally, Byng made sure his men were well trained for the assault to come. A scale model of the battlefield was built, and as many men as possible visited it. Many more men than normal were given maps of the battlefield. Many earlier attacks had collapsed into chaos when the few men who know the plans or had maps were killed. Byng also staged rehearsals of the attack.
On 4.00 a.m. on Monday 9 April the subway entrances were opened. The first wave of the assault went in at 5.30. At the same time the heavy artillery hit 67 of the 69 German artillery positions in the Vimy sector.
Along most of the ridge most of the Germans were trapped in their bunkers. Too many men were in the forward trenches, with the result that half of the Germans on the ridge were killed or captured on the first day. Not every unit did so well – the 87th Battalion (Canadian Grenadier Guards) suffered 50% casualties early in the day in a sector where the German front lines had not been so badly damaged.
By the end of the first day, much of Vimy Ridge was in Canadian hands, but the chance, if there was any, for a breakthrough onto the plains to the east was slipping away. So was any chance that the Germans might recapture the ridge. At the end of the day Crown Prince Rupprecht decided to pull back to the III Stellung (the Oppy-Mericourt Line), four miles further east. Von Falkenhausen had wanted to make a stand on the II Stellung, but that was too close to the eastern foot of the ridge, and thus vulnerable to artillery fire directed from the ridge. On 10 April as the distant reserve finally reached the battlefield, it was put into the third line.
One battle still remained. At the end of 9 April the Germans still held a hill known as “the Pimple” at the northern end of the ridge. An assault was planned for 12 April. German resistance on the Pimple was more determined than it had been on the ridge, but by the end of the day the hill was in Canadian hands. On 13 April the Germans completed their withdrawal to their third line.
www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_vimy_ridge.html
www.cefresearch.com/matrix/Nicholson/Transcription/Chapte...
Roots J
No match on Norlink
The 3 year old James, born Norwich, is recorded on the 1901 census at 57 Queen Anne Yard, in the Parish of St Michael Coslany. Presumably his mother has re-married as he is living with his “parents”, Benjamin Hunton, (aged 40, from Norwich, and working as what is described as a “Rough Stuff Cutter (Shoe)”), and Christiana B, (aged 27 and a Charwoman from Norwich). Their other children are:-
Samuel Hunton……………..aged 1.……………born Norwich
Alice Roots…………………aged 8.……………born Norwich
Benjamin……………………aged 6.……………born Norwich
However, if we go back to the 1891 census, a search for “Roots” and “Norwich”, brings up a 17 year old Christiana living at Magdalen House, The Methodist Chapel, Chapelfield Road, Norwich, where she is described as a servant - one of 7 young ladies in their late teens, early 20’s.
Initially there was no obvious match on the CWGC database out of 6 potential matches, however, with the likelihood that the first names is James, this narrows the choices to two, (a third is an Australian Navy man who can be eliminated via his on-line records which notes his mothers name as Alice Roots, and that he was born Hartley, England)
Name: ROOTS Initials: J
Rank: Private
Regiment: 9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers
Date of Death: 08/02/1916
Service No: 6803
Grave/Memorial Reference: II. B. 10. Cemetery: VERMELLES BRITISH CEMETERY
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=252419
Name: ROOTS, JAMES
Rank: Private
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment
Unit Text: 12th Bn.
Date of Death: 06/01/1918
Service No: 21904
Grave/Memorial Reference: Bay 4. Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1637653
Smith F W
Norlink has Smith, Private Frederick William, 4th Norfolk Regiment, transferred Army Service Corps
norlink.norfolk.gov.uk/02_Catalogue/02_013_PictureTitleIn...
Additional notes are:-
Private Smith was born in Norwich on 1st November 1897, and educated at the City of Norwich School. He worked as a clerk at the Norwich Union Fire Office. He enlisted on 3rd February 1915, and died of malaria fever at the 19th General Hosptial, Alexandria, on 21st October 1918
Name: SMITH, FREDRICK WILLIAM
Rank: Private
Regiment: Army Service Corps
Unit Text: Desert Mounted Corps
Age: 21
Date of Death: 21/10/1918
Service No: S/232834
Additional information: Only son of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, of 45, Pottergate St., Norwich. Grave/Memorial Reference: E. 41. Cemetery: ALEXANDRIA (HADRA) WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=477152
There is also a Norlink picture of another Private F Smith, but there is absolutely no additional information - not even a unit
norlink.norfolk.gov.uk/02_Catalogue/02_013_PictureTitleIn...
Note Norlink has Frederick, CWGC has Fredrick. The 1901 Census taker has Frederick, who is aged 3, born Norwich and recorded at 43 Pottergate Street, in the Parish of St Gregorys. This is the household of his parents, Robert, (aged 31, and a Boot Laster who was born in India), and Margaret, (aged 31 and a Boot Sewer who was born in Norwich). The Smiths also have a daughter, Margaret, aged 9.
Straight M S
The only M S Straight on the CWGC database is, (and no-one else with that surname)
Name: STRAIGHT Initials: M S
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Regiment: Essex Regiment
Unit Text: 12th Bn., attd. 1st Bn.
Date of Death: 24/12/1915
Grave/Memorial Reference: L. 18. Cemetery: LANCASHIRE LANDING CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=600437
No match on Norlink
The Great War Roll of Honour lists this officer as Marshall S. Straight.
There is only one Marshall Straight recorded on the Genes Re-united transcription of the 1901 Census for England and Wales, and this is an 11 year old, (born Springfield, Essex), who is recorded at Maltese Lodge, Chelmsford. This is the household of his parents, Arthur E, (aged 52 and a Hop Merchants Traveller from Chelmsford), and Sarah E, (aged 45 and from Chelmsford). Their other children are:-
Arthur………………aged 9.…………Born Springfield, Essex
Brenda………………aged 3.…………Born Chelmsford
Marion………………aged 7.…………Born Chelmsford
Robt (Robert?)………aged 5.…………Born Chelmsford
The Straights also have 4 Live-in servants.
On the 1911 census, Marshall Stuart Straight is recorded in Chelmsford.
The name Straight doesn’t come up in connection with either Norwich or Norfolk on either the 1901 census or the 1911 one.
At Helles, the 29th Division landed troops at 'S,' 'V,' 'W,' 'X' and 'Y' Beaches, five small coves at or near the southern end of the peninsula.
Under very severe fire, the 1st Lancashire Fusiliers landed on 'W' Beach and cut their way through wire entanglements and trenches to the edge of the cliff. They and the other battalions of the 88th Brigade established themselves on the hills of Tekke Burnu and Helles Burnu.
The beach became known as Lancashire Landing. The greater part of the cemetery (Rows A to J and part of Row L) was made between the landing in April 1915 and the evacuation of the peninsula in January 1916. Row I contains the graves of over 80 men of the 1st Lancashire Fusiliers who died in the first two days following the landing. The 97 graves in Row K and graves 31 to 83 in Row L were brought from islands of the Aegean after the Armistice.
www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=200010...
Given the history of the cemetery, it looks like Lt Straight died elsewhere and was subsequently re-interred in this place.
M S Straight was gazetted from the reserve to a regular battalion of the Essex Regiment and given a seniority date of 24th February 1915
www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29441/supplements/721
There is also reference to an R. M Straight, (possibly Marshall’s brother Robert?) being gazetted into the Essex Regiment as a Temporary 2nd Lt, with seniority from 15th August 1915.
www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29812/supplements/10640
The same R M Straight became a temporary Lieutenant wef 1st November 1916
www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29833/supplements/11392
However, the connection with Norwich remains elusive.
Walters T
19 potential matches but no glaringly obvious candidates on the CWGC database
No match on Norlink
No obvious match on the 1901 or 1911 census with a Norwich connection.
Copeman W
Name: COPEMAN, WILLIAM ROBERT WYATT PYE WOODS
Rank: Private
Regiment: Northumberland Fusiliers
Unit Text: 23rd (Tyneside Scottish) Bn.
Age: 25
Date of Death: 09/04/1918
Service No: 241784
Additional information: Son of Mrs. George Copeman, of 10a, Upper Goat Lane, St. Giles, Norwich, and the late George Copeman. One of 3 brothers who fell.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 2. Memorial: PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1641993
No match on Norlink
The 7 Year old William, (born Norwich), is recorded on the 1901 census at Warners Yard, in the Parish of St Gregorys. This is the household of his parents, although only his mother Frances, (aged 46 and from North Walsham) is listed on the night of the census. Her other children are:-
Alice…………….aged 20.………born Norwich……………Boot Machinist
Kate……………..aged 18.………born Norwich……………Confectioner
Fredk……………aged 15.……….born Norwich……………Apprentice Electrical Wireman
Samuel…………..aged 12.………born Norwich
Lilian……………aged 9.…………born Norwich
Looking at the Census page, Warners Yard appears to be off Upper Goat Lane.
Going back to the 1891 census, the Copemans are living at a place just described as Yard, Upper Goat Lane. At that time, father George W.P, (aged 39 and a Shoemaker from Norwich), is present. His wife “Francis” is shown as being from Little Ormesby rather than North Walsham., and they have two older daughters living with them, Edith M, (then aged 18, Tailoress and from Norwich), and Florence A (then aged 15, Boot Fitter and from Norwich).
Going back to the 1881 census, the family are at Freemans Court, St Giles Street, in the Parish of St Giles. Additional children listed are Edith M, (then aged 8 and from Norwich), and George J, (aged 7 and from Norwich). This time Frances is from Great Ormesby !
Returning to the 1901 census, there is a George who is of the right age and working as a shoemaker, recorded as a lodger at High Street, Knaresborough, Yorkshire. Gong forward to the 1911 census, father George is now recorded in Hartlepool. While you shouldn’t read too much into census returns, this would look like either George is working as an itinerant \traveller or he and his wife are estranged.
I can find no record for a Frederick\Fredrick\Fred on CWGC, other than an individual from Dereham who has parents with different first names. There is a George from Rosebery Road, but again his parents first names are completely different.
There is only one S. Copeman
Name: COPEMAN Initials: S W P W
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: South Nottinghamshire Hussars
Date of Death: 30/10/1918
Service No: 2041
Grave/Memorial Reference: D1. 704. Cemetery: LEEDS (HAREHILLS) CEMETERY
Source: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=410538
During the First World War, the major hospitals in Leeds were the 2nd Northern General with 1,800 beds and the East Leeds War Hospital with 1,900. Leeds was also one of the principal hospital centres in Yorkshire during the Second World War. Leeds (Harehills) Cemetery contains burials of both wars, many of them in a war graves plot in Section G, the rest scattered.
www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=46218&...
There is a Samuel Sidney Copeman of the South Nottinghamshire Hussars listed on the Long Eaton Roll of Honour.
www.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/long-eaton/remembrance/...
A check of the census for 1901 and 1911, (Genes Re-united transcription), shows no obvious Copeman from Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire.
However, the 1911 census has a Samuel Sidney Wyatt Pye Woods Copeman, born Norwich circa 1889, (ie probably the Samuel recorded as living with Francis on the 1901 census), and now recorded in the District of Auckland. A high-level google search gives that as the area of Chester-Le-Street, County Durham.
Looking at father George’s record of being in the Yorkshire \ Hartlepool area, the probability is that Samuel followed his father to the north-east.
For now I’m at a loss as to who the third brother is.
Battle of Estaires. 9-11 Apr 1918, including the first defence of Givenchy.
The area they were situated in was known as the Bois Grenier Line and on 5th April the whole Tyneside Scottish Brigade (102 Bde), was in the front line.
On 10th April, due to the division on the left being attacked, the brigade decided to withdraw and 22 Bn withdrew by companies under fire.
The 22nd and 23rd Bn were placed in defensive positions in the Estaires - Lys line.
1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=58222
Lanham J W.
Name: LANHAM, JOHN WILLIAM
Rank: Signalman
Service: Royal Navy
Unit Text: H.M.S. "Havelock"
Age: 22
Date of Death: 05/06/1918
Service No: J/24670 (Ch.).
Additional information: Son of John Lanham, of I, Baker's Yard, Cottergate St., Norwich. Grave/Memorial Reference: 33. 351. Cemetery: NORWICH CEMETERY, Norfolk
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2803199
No match on Norlink
The 4 year old John, (born Norwich), is recorded on the 1901 Census at 25 Furness Square, in the parish of St Peter Parmantergate. This is the household of his parents, John, (aged 35 and what looks like some kind of Iron Worker, (original entry has been heavily over-written by the analyser), from Norwich), and Mary, (aged 31 and from Warley, Essex). The Lanham’s have another son, Leonard, aged 1 and born Norwich.
The baptism of a John William Lanham took place at St James, Pockthorpe, on the 25th November 1896, his date of birth being given as the 1st November 1896. His parents are John, a Labourer, and Mary Ann. The family reside at Light Horseman Yard in the parish.
Pembroke, RN Barracks/Base, Chatham
LANHAM, John W, Signalman, J 24670, illness
www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1918-06Jun.htm
