The church of St Martin, Overstrand is home to three separate forms of memorial to the fallen of WW1 and WW2. Outside in the churchyard is the War Memorial, while inside the names are carved on a wooden panel. Beneath the panel there are two bound books, one for each conflict. Each name remembered receives a small potted biography which I take no shame in reproducing here.
Sidney Isaac Cook
Son of Harry and Annie Cook. Born at Gayton, Norfolk, November 6th 1895. Educated at Cromer School. Joined the 19th Bn. Kings Liverpool Regt, August 1914. Went to France August 1915. Killed in action on the Somme, July 30th 1916.
Remembered on the War Memorial in the churchyard as:- Sidney I (L?) Cook Grenadier Guards
(Look like the units of Sidney and his brother Arthur, .(see above), have got mixed up on the War Memorial.)
On the memorial board as S I Cook
COOK, SYDNEY ISAAC
Rank:……………………………....Private
Service No:……………………….17289
Date of Death:…………………….30/07/1916
Age:…………………………….....20
Regiment:…………………………The King's (Liverpool Regiment), 19th Bn
Panel Reference……………………Pier and Face 1 D 8 B and 8 C.
Memorial
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Additional Information:
Son of Harry and Annie Cook, of 51, Station Rd., Cromer, Norfolk.
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/759034/COOK,%20SYDNEY...
No match on Norlink
The Soldiers Who Died in the Great War database records “Sydney” as born Cromer, Norfolk, and resident “Gromer”. He was soldier 17289 King’s (Liverpool Regiment).
There are two Medal index cards for soldier 17289 of the Liverpool Regiment.
One is soldier Sydney J Cook, held under reference WO 372/4/242893
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D1...
The other is Sydney G Cook held under reference : WO 372/4/242869
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D1...
Sidney\Sydney is also remembered on the Cromer War Memorial and was the brother of Arthur Harry.
www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/8704341887/
Census
There is a 49 year old widow Annie, from Newbold Vernon, Leicestershire, on the 1911 census and who was recorded as the head of the household at Roughton House, Station Road, Cromer.Living with her are her sons Percy E, (aged 16 and born Gayton, Norfolk), Sidney, (aged 15 and born Gayton, Norfolk) and Leslie, (aged 13 and born Gayton).
On the day
The next day saw the start of the battle of Passchedaele - I wonder if the date is incorrect or if Sydney died as his unit moved into the line.
31st July 1917
Sanctuary Wood
89 Bde
89 Bde advanced in support of the other two brigades with 20th Bn King’s Liverpool Regt on the right followed by 19th Bn King’s Liverpool Regt and 17th Bn King’s Liverpool Regt on the left supported by 2nd Bn, Bedfordshire Regt. The 19th was tasked with filling the gap across the Menin Road between 30th and 8th Divisions.
Much to their surprise, 17th, Liverpool Regt reached Stirling Castle at 8.45am to find that they were now lead troops in the division. They dug in south of Clapham Junction facing Dumbarton Wood and linked with 8th Div on their left. 19th Liverpool and 2nd Bedfords remained at Maple Copse until 10pm when they relieved 53 Bde.
forum.irishmilitaryonline.com/showthread.php?11535-The-Ba...
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Basil William George Roberts
Son of Ernest Albert and Charlotte Roberts. Born Feb. 15th 1895. Educated at Overstrand School. Joined the 1st Bn. Norfolk Regt. September 1st 1914. Admitted to No.8 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux, May 7th 1915, suffering from Gas poisoning. Killed in action at Longueval, France, July 31st 1916.
Remembered on the War Memorial in the churchyard as:- Basil W G Roberts Norfolk Rgt
On the memorial board as B W G Roberts
ROBERTS, BASIL WILLIAM GEORGE
Rank:……………………………............Private
Service No:……………………………..14041
Date of Death:…………………………..31/07/1916
Age:……………………………..............21
Regiment:…………………………….....Norfolk Regiment, 1st Bn.
Panel Reference…………………………Pier and Face 1 C and 1 D.
Memorial………………………………..THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Additional Information:
Son of Ernest Albert and Charlotte Roberts, of Dundonald House, Cliff Rd., Overstrand, Cromer.
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1551729/ROBERTS,%20BA...
No match on Norlink
There is no obvious match on the Soldiers Who died in the Great War database.
The Medal Index Card for Private 14041 Basil W G Roberts, Norfolk Regiment is held at the National Archive under reference WO 372/17/19537
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D4...
Baptism
The baptism of Basil William George Roberts, born 15th February 1895, took place at St Martin, Overstrand on the 14th April 1895. Parents were Ernest Albert, a Plumber, and Chrlotte. The family residence is given as Gunton Terrace, Overstrand.
Other children of the same parents baptised in St Martin.
Reginald Richard, no date of birth recorded but baptised 19th February 1893. Father’s occupation listed as Glazier. They were residing then at Gunton Terrace.
Leonard Henry Jacob, born 23rd December 1898.…Baptised 26th March 1899.
Census
The 6 year old Basil, born Overstrand, was recorded on the 1901 census at Dundonald House, The Lons, Overstand. This was the household of his parents, Ernest A, (aged 36 and a Painter from Haynford, Norfolk) and Charlotte, (aged 38 and from Cromer, Norfolk). As well as Basil, their other children are:-
Reginald……………aged 8.…….born Overstrand
Leonard…………….aged 3.…….born Overstrand
Alice………………..aged 1.……..born Overstrand.
The family were still at the same address on the 1911 census. Basil, now 16, was working as a Plumber.
His parents, Ernest and Charlotte, have been married 19 years and have had 4 children, of which 3 were then still alive. These were Basil, Reginald, (18 and a Plumber) and Leonard, (13 and at school).
Military career
From History of the 15th Infantry Brigade
In the interval between that early fighting and the final victory, the Brigade distinguished itself in various battles. One of the most notable was the attack on Hill 60 near Ypres in 1915. Hill 60 was the highest point on what was known as the “Caterpillar Ridge” and as such was an excellent post for observation of the ground area around Zillebeke and Ypres.
5th Division, composed of 13th, 14th and 15th Brigades, had the task of securing Hill 60 and the ridge line. The Hill was taken between 17 and 19 April 1915 with heavy losses and the subsequent German counter-attack in early May was particularly ferocious.
The Germans, unable to obtain victory, eventually resorted to the use of Chlorine gas and Brigade casualties during the first week in May 1915 were 33 Officers and 1,553 men. However, the line was held until reliefs were brought forward and the Brigade withdrawn.
Source www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/15Bde_History.pdf
On the day
From the War Diary of the 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment.
OPERATION ORDERS NO.7 1/BEDFORDSHIRE RGT. Ref. Sheet LONGUEVAL 31st July 1916
1. The Battn. will be relieved at dark by 1/NORFOLK Rgt.
2. On Relief Battn. will withdraw to area East of Church, where they will get into SLIT Trenches they dug on arrival in LONGUEVAL last night.
3. O.C. Coys. will report their arrival in this area to Battn. H.Q.
4. O.C. Coys. will send one guide each to Bn.H.Q. at once to guide NORFOLK coys up.
5. Later (about 11 p.m.) the 1/CHESHIRE RGT. will arrive in the area.
6. On arrival of 1/CHESHIRE Rgt, coys will withdraw independently to POMMIERS Redoubt, without being relieved.
7. O.C. Coys. will report the final departure of their coys to Bn.H.Q.
Report on Operations 30 July - 1st August 1916. REF. Sheet LONGUEVAL 1/BEDFORDSHIRE RGT 30.7.'16 6.45 P.M.
Orders received to reinforce in LONGUEVAL 2/K.O.S.B. holding Line. 1/R.W.Kents in support. Leading platoon moved off at 6.53 p.m. and reached LONGUEVAL at 7.45 p.m. relieving 1/R.W.KENTS 10.12 p.m. O.C. 2/K.O.S.B. reported that his men were retiring from Line S.11.d.9/5 to S.11.c.5/8. A & C Coys were directed to proceed with guides of K.O.S.B. to hold & consolidate this line. B & D Coys were directed to hold line S.11.d.9/5 to S.17.b.0/9. It was proposed to withdraw K.O.S.B. into reserve at dawn. 11.45 p.m. Message received by O.C. K.O.S.B. that GORDONS 51st DIVISION were in Sunken Road & that K.O.S.B. were to bomb towards them.
31.7.'16 12.10 A.M. Enemy started intense bombardment
12.45 A.M. Orderly returned from A & C Coys & reported K.O.S.B. Guides could not show them the way up to front line. O.C. A & C Coys were instructed to establish themselves on the Line B.C.D.E. (S.11.d.4/8 to S.11.c.5.5) & to send out patrols to ascertain if any K.O.S.B. were holding forward line.
2.30 A.M. All Coys reported heavy casualties [2 officers Killed & several wounded]. B & D Coys reported themselves to be in position as ordered from S.11.d.5/5 to S.11.b.0/9. Two wounded prisoners were taken by 'A' Coy. Reinforcements had been asked for at 10.54 A.M. O.C. D Coy reported that he had been able to get in touch with Division on right. O.C. C Coy reported that owing to mist darkness & shell fire it was impossible to recognise the line B.C.D.E, that he was in touch with K.O.S.B. & would establish himself in the forward position at dawn.
Telephone communication established between Bn. H.Q. & front line
6.25 A.M. Order received from Bde to relieve K.O.S.B. who were to move into reserve. O.C. C.Coy. reported by Telephone that his patrols were unable to get forward. Two Machine Guns enfilading NORTH STREET & heavy sniping from his front. Companies were now as follows: - D.Coy from PICCADILLY to NORTH ST. on DUKE ST. B.Coy. continuing this line into DELVILLE WOOD. A.Coy. crossroads NORTH ST./FLERS RD. to ORCHARD. C.Coy. in support of A.Coy. with refused flank about S.11.d.8/3 & two platoons North of FLERS Rd. about S.11.d.4/4. C.Coy. were still endeavouring to gain touch with 2nd Divn. The position taken up could be seen from the opposite ridge & any movement attracted heavy shell fire. There was also considerable sniping from the direction of FLERS Rd.
6.0. P.M. 1/NORFOLK RGT. arrived and relieved 2/K.O.S.B. and the forward BEDF. coys, who were moved back to reserve position E. of Church.
10.30 P.M. 1/CHESHIRE RGT. arrived & relief of 1/BEDF. R. was completed by Midnight. 1/BEDF. R. returned to POMMIERS REDOUBT.
11 P.M. A patrol from C.Coy. trying to get into touch with 2nd Division approached the German line in NORTH of DELVILLE WOOD & attracted a big burst of fire.
www.bedfordregiment.org.uk/1stbn/1stbtn1916appendices.html
