1914 - 1918
Allen, Gordon V
Probably
ALLEN, GORDON VICTOR
Rank: Private
Service No: 20835
Date of Death: 12/10/1916
Regiment: Essex Regiment, 1st Bn.
Panel Reference Pier and Face 10 D.
Memorial THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/773230/ALLEN,%2...
No match on Norlink
The Soldiers who Died in the Great War database has this Essex Regiment man down as born Wood Dalling, Norfolk. and resident Lower Hellesdon,.
The 1911 census has a Gordon Victor, born circa 1898, at Wood Dalling near Reepham and who was recorded in the District of St Faiths that covers Hellesdon on the night of the census.
On the 1901 census, the three year Gordon, (or “Gorden” according to the Genes Re-united transcribers), who had been born at Wood Dalling, was recorded at Heydon Road, Wood Dalling, Norfolk. This is the household of his parents, Frederick, (aged 26 and a Railway Labourer from Salle, Norfolk) and Frances, (aged 33 and from Wood Dalling). They also have a guest staying with them - a 22 year old Traction Engine Driver called Albert Bowles from Heigham, Norfolk.
Gordon is not recorded on the Wood Dalling Village or Church Memorial.
October 1916
After having spent 10 weeks in the Ypres Salient the 88th Brigade, the brigade in which the Royal Newfoundland Regiment was serving, was temporarily attached to the British 12th Division, which was holding Gueudecourt. By nightfall on October 10, the regiment was manning a 450-metre section of the trench on the northern outskirts of the village.
The attack began at 2:05 pm on 12 October 1916. The regiment advanced in line with the 1st Essex Battalion on their left. The men kept so close to the supporting artillery barrage that several became casualties from the shrapnel of their own supporting guns. Likewise, the Germans were compelled by the shelling to remain under cover and as a result were quickly engaged in hand-to-hand fighting. By 2:30 p.m. both assaulting battalions of the 88th Brigade had secured their initial objective, Hilt Trench in the German front line.
As the Newfoundlanders advanced to their final objective, Grease Trench some 750 metres from their starting line, heavy machine-gun fire coming from the front and the right flank forced the regiment back to Hilt Trench. On their left flank, a German counter-attack drove the 1st Essex Battalion back to the outskirts of Gueudecourt, leaving the Newfoundlanders with an open flank.[2] Newfoundland bombing parties cleared and secured the vacated portion of Hilt Trench and as a result doubled the length of the regiment's front line. All ranks began digging in the hard chalk to construct a new firing step and parapet and reverse the former German position.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gueudecourt_(Newfoundland)_Memorial
A history of the battalion reported in some detail the heavy fighting near Gueudecourt:
“Essex, with other units, were transported in ‘buses at six o’clock on the night oft the 9th to relieve part of the 37th Brigade in the firing line. They marched up to the support line through Delville Wood... The battalion was moved into the firing line on the 11th in readiness for an attack in co-operation with the Newfoundland Regiment. Gueudecourt lay just below a German defensive system, the last but one to be penetrated before Bapaume could be reached from the south.....The advance took placed at 2.5 p.m. on October 12th; W and X Companies moving from the trenches in front of Gueudecourt, and Y and Z being in support in the Sunken Road. The barrage fire was well timed, and under cover of it W and X Companies took the first line trenches, There they were re-inforced by half of Z Company. The remainder of the battalion swung left-handed, as the objective had not been gained by the 7th Suffolks.....Meanwhile X and Y Companies had ‘mopped up’ the dug-outs of the first objective, killing 300 Germans and capturing 60 of the 64th Brandenburgers, known as the ‘Crown Prince’s Little Berlin Boys’. They then moved on to the second line, but about half-way across were stayed by very heavy fire from front and flanks, particularly from the left. ......The 18th Brigade on the right and the 35th Brigade on the left did not get forward, and the Essex companies gradually retired in waves to the first objective, where they remained for two hours bringing enfilade fire to bear, thence back to the front line, on relief, where they re-organised. At nightfall the battalion held the original front line, and the Newfoundlanders retained the first objective.”
www.chelmsfordwarmemorial.co.uk/Chelmsford_War_Memorial/B...
Bloomfield, Bertie
BLOOMFIELD, BERTIE
Rank: Sapper
Service No: 84576
Date of Death: 17/06/1918
Age: 38
Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers, 9th Coy.
Grave Reference I. J. 1.
Cemetery MONT-BERNANCHON BRITISH CEMETERY, GONNEHEM
Additional Information:
Husband of Mrs. H. E. Bloomfield, of Mill Cottages, Lower Hellesdon, Norwich.
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/247743/BLOOMFIE...
No match on Norlink
The Soldiers who Died in the Great War database has this Royal Engineer down as born Norwich..
The most likely match on the 1901 census is a 21 year old Bertie, born Burgh St Peter, Norfolk, who was recorded at 40 Paddock Street, Norwich. Bertie, an Agricultural Labourer, was the head of this household. Living with him was his 28 year old wife Honor E. who came from Norwich.
By the time of the 1911 census, the Bertie from Burgh St Peter was recording in the District of St Faiths which covers Hellesdon..
The marriage of Bertie Bloomfield to Honor Elizabeth Blake was recorded in the Norwich District in the the July to September quarter of 1900.
A picture of his headstone can be seen here
twgpp.org/information.php?id=2724024
A piece on the death of another engineer, Simon Corrigall, from 9th Company gives us a bit more detail.
On the 8th May (1918) Simon transferred to 9th Field Company R.E, a Regular Army unit in 4th Division.. On the 28th March it had been in the line on the right of the 56th Division, but moved north soon after to the Franco-Belgium border to hold the German Lys Offensive, along the La Bassee canel near Bethune. The strong German offensive had been stopped there by the end of April, but 4th Division remained in that area.
Normal trench warfare continued on 4th Divisions front, at times the Germans actively shelled both its support and reserve line trenches. On the morning of the 17th June, the 1st Kings Own made a successful daylight raid on the German trenches in the Vinage Sector of 4th Divisions front. That probably triggered heavy German artillery fire that day, when Sappers Simon Corrigall and Bertie Bloomfield of 9th Field Company R.E. were killed in action, while Sapper Thomas Clayburn died of his wounds the next day. The three sappers were probably working together in the front or support line, when they fell victim to German artillery fire.
Simon Corrigall, aged 22, and Bertie Bloomfield were buried in adjacent graves in the small Mont-Bernanchon cemetery, 8 kilometres NNW of Bethune.
docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:gq9cGmPRi-4J:www.r...
Copsey, Cecil
COPSEY, CECIL STEPHEN SAMUEL BLOOM
Rank: Private
Service No: 12573
Date of Death: 13/10/1915
Age: 18
Regiment: Norfolk Regiment, 7th Bn.
Panel Reference Panel 30 and 31.
Memorial LOOS MEMORIAL
Additional Information:
Son of William L. Copsey, of "Ivanhoe", Lower Hellesdon, Norwich, and the late Emma C. Copsey.
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/730360/COPSEY,%...
No match on Norlink
The Soldiers who Died in the Great War database has this Norfolk Regiment man down as born St Michael at Thorn, Norwich.
The 4 year old Cecil, born Norwich, was recorded on the 1901 census at 141 Sprowston Road. This was the household of his parents, William L.(aged 31 and a Master Baker from Norwich), and Emma, (aged 29 and from Norwich). Their other children are:-
Cyril………………….aged u/1.………..born Norwich
Dudley………………..aged 2.…………born Norwich
Gwendoline………….aged 3.………….born Norwich
The Copsey’s also had a live in servant.
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
Cecil is also commemorated on the St Georges Tombland Roll of Honor, Norwich.
www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/6521818031/
Copsey, Dudley..............................................
COPSEY, DUDLEY LEONARD BLOOM
Rank: Private
Service No: 42711
Date of Death: 24/04/1918
Age: 18
Regiment: Essex Regiment, 2nd Bn.
Panel Reference Panel 85 to 87.
Memorial LOOS MEMORIAL
Additional Information:
Son of William L. Copsey, of "Ivanhoe", Lower Hellesdon, Norwich, and the late Emma C. Copsey.
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/730361/COPSEY,%...
Dudley L B can be seen on Norlink. He died while serving with the Essex Regiment
norlink.norfolk.gov.uk/02_Catalogue/02_013_PictureTitleIn...
See brother Cecil above for family details from the census.
I have seen transcripts of the Battalion War Diary for the previous few days, but they end on the 23d.
Thu., Apr 18, 1918 SUPPORT AREA, FRANCE
Hostile attack. Barrage commenced at 1-0 am. Actual attack materialised at 3-am. Not heavy losses. 1st. Bn. Kings Own Regt. Attacked the village of RIEZ -du -VINAGE at 9-0 pm, and the Battalion relieved them on EAST side of village. Casualties:- Capt. L.M. WINN Wounded.
--- signed by R.N. Thompson, Lieut. Colonel, Commanding 2nd Bn. The Essex Regt.
Fri., Apr 19, 1918 FRONT LINE, FRANCE
The Village of RIEZ-du-VINAGE discovered to be still full of enemy. Casualties:- 2/Lt. J. HAYHURST Killed. 2/Lt. E.W. STANDERWICK Killed. 2/Lt. S. STORER missing.
--- signed by R.N. Thompson, Lieut. Colonel, Commanding 2nd Bn. The Essex Regt.
Sat, Apr 20, 1918 FRONT LINE, FRANCE
Sharp village fighting all day. About 50 prisoners taken. Casualties:- Revd. R.M. GIBSON to England. Capt. J.G.H. KENNEFICK Killed. Lieut. L.C. GLADDEN Killed. 2/Lt. L.G. NORMAN ?.A. Capt. A.G. de la MARE M.C. to H.A.
--- signed by R.N. Thompson, Lieut. Colonel, Commanding 2nd Bn. The Essex Regt.
Sun, Apr 21, 1918 FRONT LINE, FRANCE
Village fighting still going on. Relieved by 2nd Bn. Lancs. Fusiliers on night 21st/22nd, and the Battalion occupied position N of RIEZ-du-VINAGE less “D” Coy who remained in position between RIEZ-du-VINAGE and CANAL. Casualties:- 2/Lt. W.S. MOSS Wounded.
--- signed by R.N. Thompson, Lieut. Colonel, Commanding 2nd Bn. The Essex Regt.
Mon., Apr 22, 1918 FRONT LINE, FRANCE
Attack by 2nd Bn. Lancs. Fusiliers in conjunction with 61st [crossed out: Infantry Brigade] [inserted: Division] “B” and “ C” Companies sent up to fill gap between 61st [crossed out: Brigade and] [ inserted: Division] 2nd Lancs. Fusiliers. Casualties:- 2/Lts. G.H.PRIDMORE and J. CAMPLIN joined for duty.
--- signed by R.N. Thompson, Lieut. Colonel, Commanding 2nd Bn. The Essex Regt.
Tue., Apr 23, 1918 FRONT LINE, FRANCE
Situation unchanged. Casualties:- 2/Lt. J.L. ELLISTON Wounded.2/Lt. J. CAMPLIN Wounded.. 2/Lt. G.H. PRIDMORE to H.A.
--- signed by R.N. Thompson, Lieut. Colonel, Commanding 2nd Bn. The Essex Regt.
Source 1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=52206
Durrant, Leonard.....................................................
Probably
DURRANT, LEONARD JAMES
Rank: Driver
Service No: T/35546
Date of Death: 09/02/1915
Age: 18
Regiment/Service: Army Service Corps, No.2 Depot Coy.
Grave Reference Screen Wall. 3 "C." A. 409.
Cemetery GREENWICH CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Durrant, of Manor Farm Cottage, Drayton Rd., Norwich.
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/386004/DURRANT,...
No match on Norlink
The 4 year old Leonard J, born Hellesdon, Norfolk, was recorded on the 1901 census at Drayton Road, Norwich.. This was the part of Drayton Road which was within the Parish of St Marys, Hellesdon.
The address was the household of his parents, James, (aged 41 and a Cowman on Farm from Reedham, Norfolk) and Ann, (aged 41 and from Long Sutton, Lancashire).
Their other children are:-
Elsie M…………………………aged 11.……………born Reedham, Norfolk
Hilda R…………………………aged 9.……………..born Somerlayton, Norfolk
Susan…………………………..aged 7.……………..born Somerlayton, Norfolk
William…………………………aged 2.…………….born Hellesdon
The death of an 18 year old Leonard was recorded in the Woolwich district of London in the the January to March 1915 quarter.
Eastoll, Cecil G...............................................................
EASTOLL, CECIL GEORGE
Rank: Private
Service No: 56747
Date of Death: 17/07/1918
Age: 19
Regiment: Lancashire Fusiliers, 17th Bn.
Panel Reference Panel 54 to 60 and 163A.
Memorial TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Additional Information:
Son of James and Emma Eastoll, of Drayton Rd., Lower Hellesdon, Norwich.
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/1630770/EASTOLL...
The Soldiers who Died in the Great War database has this Lancashire Fusilier down as born Barnham Broom, Norfolk. and resident Norwich.
The 1 year old Cecil, born Barnham Broom, was recorded on the 1901 census at Rush Green, Barnham Broom.. This was the household of his parents James, (aged 40 and an Ordinary Agricultural Labourer from Besthorpe, Norfolk) and Emma, (aged 40 and from Besthorpe, Norfolk). Their other children are:-
Edith…………………..aged 9.…………….born Flordon, Norfolk
Emma…………………aged 10.……………born Flordon, Norfolk
Fredrick……………….aged 15.……………born Flordon, Norfolk………Ordinary Agricultural Labourer
Jessie………………….aged 13.……………born Flordon, Norfolk
Lily……………………aged 3.……………..born Besthorpe, Norfolk
Cecil is not commemorated on the Barnham Broom village memorial
Fox, Walter.................................................................
FOX, WALTER
Rank: Private
Service No: 39378
Date of Death: 09/11/1917
Age: 24
Regiment: The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment), 7th Bn.
Grave Reference XXX. K. 19A.
Cemetery ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of William H. and Emma Fox, of Lower Heilesden, Norfolk.
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/501211/FOX,%20W...
No match on Norlink
The Soldiers who Died in the Great War database has this West Surrey’s man down as born and resident Norwich..
The most likely match on the 1901 census is an 8 year old Walter who was born St Faiths, Norfolk and who was recorded at Swan Street, St Faiths. This was the household of his parents, William H., (aged 36 and a Warehouseman from St Faiths), and Emma, (aged 32 and a Horse Hair Weaver from St Faiths). Their other children are:-
Albert J………………………….aged 5.……………………..born St Faiths
Anna M…………………………aged 12.…………………….born St Faiths
Ethel……………………………aged 10.…………………….born St Faiths
From the Battalion War Diary
10th November 1917
One man “A” Coy killed whilst at work on RAILWAY ST.
qrrarchive.websds.net/PDF/QW00719171106.pdf
Frost, Lamoni..........................................................
FROST, LAMONIA
Rank: Lance Corporal
Service No: 20606
Date of Death: 13/08/1915
Age: 17
Regiment: Essex Regiment, "C" Coy. 1st Bn.
Panel Reference Panel 144 to 150 or 229 to 233.
Memorial HELLES MEMORIAL
Additional Information:
Son of William and Sarah Ann Frost, of Mile Cross, Aylsham Rd., Norwich.
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/682725/FROST,%2...
No match on Norlink
There is a headstone in the St Marys churchyard which reads:-
In loving memory of
WILLIAM JONATHAN FROST
Died 24th August 1928
Aged 70 years
Also LAMONIA FROST
Drowned at Sea 13th August 1915
Aged 17 years
Also of ROBERT FROST
Killed in Action 15th SEPT.1916
Aged 27 years
Plus two more Frost’s
The first name shown on the right hand column of the Great War panel is Lamonia’s brother Robert, who died on the Somme.
The Frost family were recorded on the 1901 census at Aylsham Road, Hellesdon,
Head of the family was William, (aged 44 and an Agricultural Labourer from Newton St Faiths, Norfolk). His wife is Sarah, (aged 43 and from St Faiths Norfolk). There children are:-
Eliza……………….aged 13.………….born Horsford
George…………….aged 15.…………..born Newton St Faiths……Stockman on Farm
Henry………………aged 21.………….born Horsford…………….Agricultural Labourer
Lamoni (a daughter)..aged 2.…………..born Hellesdon
May B………………aged 5.…………..born Hellesdon
Robert………………aged 11.…………born Hellesdon
Sarah A……………..aged 19.…………born Newton St Faiths………..Laundress
William……………..aged 17.…………born Newton St Faiths………Horseman on Farm
The Frosts have another son, John Willimott, aged 23 and an Agricultural Labourer from Horsford. I suspect he may be Sarah’s son from an earlier relationship.
On the 1911 census, Lamoni, aged 12, is recorded as Male. The family is still recorded at Hellesdon.
The sinking of the Royal Edward 1915
A passage from the History of Norfolk Regiment tells the rest of (the)….story: Colonel Tonge refers to the loss of 300 men, the best draft that ever left Felixstowe. These men volunteered to join the Essex Regiment and appear to have constituted the drafts of June 23 and July 24 1915. They were part of the reinforcements carried by the transport "Royal Edward" which was torpedoed and sunk in the Aegean Sea on August 14th 1915. She sank two and a half minutes after the torpedo struck her. Of the 1,400 men she carried only 600 were saved, and the drowned included all but 18 of the 300 Norfolk men. The men who had had a route march just before leaving Alexandria, were waiting on deck for foot inspection at about 9.20 am. Their lifebelts were down below, and when the ship was unexpectedly struck most of them ran below to fetch the belts. Owing to the ship's sudden heeling over and sinking, these never got up again. Those who escaped were picked up by a hospital ship which responded to the s.o.s. signal. To partly replace this sad loss, another draft of 150 men to the Essex Regiment was dispatched on September 29, 1915. Addenda 1994 From: "Men of Gallipoli"(David & Charles,1988) by kind permission of the publishers. One of the features of the Cape Helles monument is the rows of names of men drowned in the torpedoing of the Royal Edward,which sank in the Eastern Mediterranean on 13th August with a loss of over 850 lives.A.T.Fraser in the Border Regiment,was in a deckchair on the afterdeck starboard side when suddenly dozens of men ran past him from port to starboard. The explosion came before he had time to ask what was the matter."The ship had no escort and we had not been ordered to have our life-belts with us.The hundreds on deck ran below to get their life-belts and hundreds below would have met them on their way up.I shared a cabin accessible from the deck I was on and I raced there to get my life-belt and ran to my life-boat station which was on the star- board side.As the men arrived they fell in two ranks. Already the ship was listing and this prevented our boats from being lowered,so we were ordered to jump for it.I saw no panic,but of course one could imagine what was happening on the inside stairs. I swam away from the ship and turned to see the funnels leaning towards me.When they reached the sea,all the soot was belched out,there was a loud whoosh and the ship sank. No explosion,no surge.So I was alone.The little waves were such that in the trough you saw nothing,on the crest you saw a few yards.The water was warm.I wondered if there were sharks". Fraser found some wood to rest on and he was joined by a seaman,an older man who had twice previously been torpedoed.This brought the young Scot confidence.An up turned Royal Edward lifeboat was to provide 17 of the survivors with a little more security though in what Fraser calls half-hourly recurring turbulence,the boat turned over,offering them conventional but completely waterlogged accommodation every alternate half hour but at least providing them with something to do.There was no singing and little conversation. The first ship that passed hailed the scattered men and promised to signal for help.It could not stop as it had high explosives for Lemnos.Some of the men became depressed and showed unwillingness to clamber back in the life boat when it overturned,but on each occasion all were persuaded.Finally the hospital ship SOUDAIN arrived to pick them up in her life-boats,and at 2 o'clock Fraser was safely aboard her after just under five hours in the sea. He remembers that"a large number of men lost their false teeth as we were constantly sick in the sea- and these men were sent back to England.
www.geocities.com/heartland/acres/5564/royaledward.html
