TRENCH LINCS
Good Morning,
Welcome to another Trench Lincs as we approach the middle of January already. I believe you will find plenty of interest with some excellent topics covered and additional newsletters to browse.
I have been very busy with service research and it was a pleasure to put the army to one side and delve into the records of the Royal Navy this week for Andrew Sayers and Tim Willbond. So, if you have any research ongoing and you need a helping hand, please don’t hesitate to shout out.
NEWS & EVENTS
Please find details of the first speaker events for 2025.
Lincoln & North Lincolnshire Branch, Western Front Association.
The Branch will continue to meet during 2025 on Monday evenings at The Royal Naval Association Club, Coulson Road, Lincoln, LN6 7BG. However, please note that by popular request we have made a major change to our meeting times. As from January 2025, doors will open at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start. We hope this will allow more time for those of you who spend the day grafting hard to get home, have a bite to eat, and travel to the venue without rushing. Furthermore, the later time will mean there is less traffic to contend with.
Monday January 20th – John Chester presents “German Atrocities in 1914”.
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Spalding & South Lincolnshire Branch, Western Front Association.
The Branch will continue to meet during 2025 on Thursday evenings at Spalding Baptist Church, Swan Street, Spalding, PE11 1BT. Meetings are held in an ante-room of this pleasant, and modern venue. It’s warm in winter, cool in summer, and we continue to serve free refreshments at the end of the meeting. However, please note that due to the fact we cannot monitor the entrance doors from the ante-room, you will need to ring the doorbell to gain admission as the doors are kept locked in the evenings for security reasons. But, don’t let that put you off attending this small, but friendly branch. If you live within reasonable travelling distance, drag yourself away from the boring old gogglebox and enjoy the convivial atmosphere of our meetings, make new friends, and learn something new.
Thursday January 23rd – Jonathan D’Hooghe presents “The 6th Lincolns at Gallipoli, and the Post-War Controversy”.
A synopsis of the talk: – “When Great Britain entered the Great War in August 1914, only Lord Kitchener foresaw a long and attritional war. This led to the formation of Kitchener’s New Army of which the 6th Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment, was the first New Army battalion formed by the Lincolnshire Regiment. Within twelve months, the 1000 civilians who first enlisted in Lincoln and surrounding villages found themselves opposing the Ottoman Turks on the Gallipoli Peninsular, and fighting in hand to hand combat at Chocolate Hill in August 1915. Such was the prowess of this battalion in its first major action, that it was described as their finest moment in the whole war, which included over two years on the Western Front. Nevertheless, it led to a post war argument and much rancour when the Official History came to be written. This talk will tell their story and try to come to a conclusion over the post war debate.”
Percy Hansen VC, 6/Lincolns at Gallipoli.
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Having personally kicked off the New Year last Friday at Ruddington for the East Midlands (Nottingham) WFA branch, chairman, John Beech, would now be delighted to see any TL readers at St. Peter's church rooms, Church Street, Ruddington, NG11 6HA on a Friday night for a 7.30pm start at their February event.
FRIDAY 14th February – Scott Lindgren “Ocean Greyhounds: The Battle of Dogger Bank 1915.”
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The Leadenham Military History Group has now successfully completed its first year and will meet again in 2025 on a Tuesday night in Leadenham Village Hall at 7.30pm.
Tuesday 28th January – “Introduction to War Gaming in 2025.” – Ed Sisson; followed by;
“The My Lai Massacre in Vietnam.” – Sean McCabe.
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Peter Garland writes; ‘Here is something you may want to include in Trench Lincs. [Definitely Peter – Ed]
Gladys Hind, widow of former Sleaford & District Legionnaires Aviation Society Chairman, Reg Hind, has donated 3 framed and signed prints of the Avro Lancaster (x2) and also the Lancaster in formation with the Avro Vulcan (x1), to the SDLAS, who have decided to auction them to raise funds for the Society. The 3 prints can be viewed in the attached .pdf file, but actual description is as follows:
1) “Target Tirpitz” by Keith Aspinall. Signed by 4 former WW2 Lancaster crew. Actual print is 18” x 12” (frame larger).
2) “Gibson over the Mohne dam”, again by Keith Aspinall. Artist signed along with 3 ex-617 Squadron aircrew. Actual print is 18” x 12” (frame larger).
3) “Avro’s finest” – Lancaster & Vulcan in formation. No108 of 250 printed. Signed by Stu Reid (BBMF Lancaster pilot) and David Thomas (Vulcan display pilot). Actual print is 24” x 18” (frame larger).
Keith Aspinall is a well-known and highly respected aviation artist; anyone wanting to make a bid for one or the other of these prints should e-mail their offer as soon as possible to Keith Deeley at kdeeley23@gmail.com Successful bidders will be notified with request for payment by internet banking (details will be provided) or cheque payable to Sleaford & District Legionnaires Aviation Society.
To view the prints, please click on this link.
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Please click on these links to read the Sleaford Aviation and Metheringham Airfield latest newsletters.
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Many of you who know me, know that I live at Welbourn, the birth village of Sir William Robertson, who unveiled the war memorial in the churchyard on May 2nd 1920.
There are the names of eleven men who gave their lives in the Great War on the village memorial. One of them, Cecil Ernest Lamb, lies in the only CWGC marked grave in Welbourn churchyard.
I pay a visit to Cecil probably two or three times a year but until the recent holiday period, I hadn’t actually researched his story. Cecil has eleven pages of his Service Record surviving but unfortunately, they are quite damaged and in parts unreadable.
Nevertheless, by using what information is available, I have managed to come up with following tale of Cecil’s life.
Cecil was born in Broughton, Lincs near to Brigg. He was a big strapping lad for the time, standing 6’ (1.8m) tall according to his Army Medical forms. His parents, Ernest and Annie moved to live in Welbourn, but I suspect that Cecil stayed in north Lincolnshire to carry on working as a labourer, as he enlisted at Selby on 28th January 1915.
On 8th June 1916, he was posted as Private 22579 to the Grenadier Guards, I should think that his height singled him out for a Guards regiment. Sadly, the records reveal that Cecil was taken ill with tuberculosis and was no longer able to serve with the Grenadier Guards.
Cecil was posted to the 2nd (Home Service) Garrison Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment which had been formed at North Coates near Grimsby in May 1916. In August 1917 the 2nd Garrison Battalion converted into the 4th Battalion, the Royal Defence Corps, but by this date, Cecil, now a Lance Corporal, had succumbed to his illness, dying on the 19th January 1917 aged 25.
His parents had Cecil brought back to Welbourn and as mentioned, he lies today in the churchyard.
Although Cecil did not serve overseas and see any fighting, he still did ‘his bit’ for the Great Cause and lies proudly under his CWGC headstone.
Every man and woman of the Great War deserve to have their story told. We Will Remember Them.
I have just realised that with a date of death on 19th January, Cecil will appear in next week's In Memoriam!
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David East was spurred into action by my article last week about researching family members, and by Bill Pinfold’s trip to Bridlington.
David writes; ‘Excellent TL articles as ever! [Thank you - Ed]
They drew my attention to another family connection.
As per the photo below, Henry Horton was married to my grandmother’s elder sister Jane Horton nee Haigh. He is buried in Knottingley cemetery.
The family story is that he actually died from Spanish Flu after his war service.
Incidentally his younger brother played for Great Britain’s Rugby League team and won the Challenge Cup in 1946. Again, please see the attached photo, and I believe he ended up running a pub in Bridlington.
It looks like his wife got married rather quickly after his death. Tough times after the war ended.’
David is very correct in his comments about war widows. I have come across many, many cases of widows having to get married very quickly due to their financial circumstances. There was no welfare state as we know it today, and War Gratuities paid on death were very meagre.
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Chas Parker has been in touch with news of a book for sale that is of local interest and a nice collection of photos from Carlton Le Moorland.
Chas notes; ‘Thanks for Trench Lincs - another good one; really interesting. I've just got a mailing from the Society for Lincs History & Archaeology and there is book relating to the Fane family at Fulbeck that may be of interest to some of our readers. See attached.
Also, on Christmas Eve we went to the carol service at Carlton le Moorland Church and this reminded me that I've got pics of their war memorial which is the Lych Gate at the churchyard entrance which has several interesting plaques.’
Carlton Le Moorland Lych Gate.
Thank you Chas. I don’t think we have ever featured Carlton Le Moorland and its neighbours, Bassingham, Norton Disney, Aubourn etc. I will take a ride out and see what other memorials lurk on our doorstep so to speak.
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Two of my daughters have been on maternity leave during 2024, so January 6th 2025 came as a shock when both started back at work. Two grandchildren are both now of school age, so other than the school was shut last Monday due to flooding! their daily care is not too much of a problem.
However, I am now on regular(ish!) Tuesday afternoon duty for my youngest granddaughter and this last Tuesday was week one. Wrapping her up warm and putting her in her pushchair we set off for the village centre of Bingham. What better way to spend an hour than taking her to view the war memorials in Bingham’s St. Mary’s Church followed by a drink and a cake in the café in the market place.
The community of Bingham decided to commission a highly decorative Rood Screen in the church as the village war memorial. The names of the Great War dead are remembered on wooden panels, and the 1939-45 war dead have been added too, with the addition of a large hanging cross above and just in front of the Rood Screen.
Decorative Rood Screen at Bingham.
The Hanging Cross
Also of interest was a photo and a memorial plaque to Harry Churchill Beet who won the Victoria Cross in the Boer War in South Africa.
His VC citation reads; ‘BEET, Harry Churchill Corporal, 1st Battalion, Derbyshire Regiment. 22nd April 1900 – During a retreat near Wakkerstroom, he dragged the wounded Corporal Burnett to cover, bound up his wounds and kept up such a hot fire that the enemy were prevented from approaching until darkness fell. He was himself subjected to fierce fire throughout the afternoon.’
Harry Beet later received a Commission, rose to the rank of Captain and eventually emigrated to Canada where he died in Vancouver in January 1946.
Harry Beet VC
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Continuing the theme of visiting memorials, regular TL contributor, Melvin Dobbs, has been in touch and comments; ‘Please find attached some pics taken whilst I was away for Christmas and New Year.
The first one is of a VC winner, set into the floor at the entrance to Edward VI School, Shakespeare's School and Guildhall, Stratford upon Avon.
No further information is available, the receptionist just surmised that he would have been an 'Old Boy' of the school.
[At this point I had to butt in and give Melvin a good rollocking! Rex Warneford is a VC winner that we have covered in TL last year. He was the first man to bring down a German airship in the Great War and was then killed in a flying accident a couple of weeks later. Please do click on the link below to read about this remarkable and at the same time, annoying man who led a brilliant but short life! – Ed]
Reginald Alexander John “Rex” Warneford VC – victoriacrossonline.co.uk
The other pics were taken at Stratford on Avon Rowing Club, the sundial was erected as a memorial in 1921 and also commemorates another VC award for the Second World War.’
Stratford On Avon Rowing Club sun dial memorial.
[I had to give you some detail for this award as it is quite remarkable – Ed.]
SCARF Arthur Stewart King, Squadron Leader, 62 Squadron, Royal Air Force. 9th December 1941. – All available aircraft from RAF Butterworth, Malaya, were ordered to make a daylight attack on the advanced operational base of the Japanese Air Force at Singora, Thailand. From this base, the enemy fighter squadrons were supporting the landing operations. The aircraft detailed for the sortie were on the point of taking off when the enemy made a combined dive-bombing and low level machine-gun attack on the airfield. All our aircraft were destroyed or damaged with the exception of the Blenheim piloted by Squadron Leader Scarf. This aircraft had become airborne a few seconds before the attack started. Squadron Leader Scarf circled the airfield and witnessed the disaster. It would have been reasonable had he abandoned the projected operation which was intended to be a formation sortie. He decided, however, to press on to Singora in his single aircraft. Although he knew that this individual action could not inflict much material damage on the enemy, he, nevertheless, appreciated the moral effect which it would have on the remainder of the squadron, who were helplessly watching their aircraft burning on the ground. Squadron Leader Scarf completed his attack successfully. The opposition over the target was severe and included attacks by a considerable number of enemy fighters. In the course of these encounters, Squadron Leader Scarf was mortally wounded. The enemy continued to engage him in a running fight, which lasted until he had regained the Malayan border. Squadron Leader Scarf fought a brilliant evasive action in a valiant attempt to return to his base. Although he displayed the utmost gallantry and determination, he was, owing to his wounds, unable to accomplish this. He made a successful forced-landing at Alor Star without causing any injury to his crew. He was received into hospital as soon as possible, but died shortly after admission. Squadron Leader Scarf displayed supreme heroism in the face of tremendous odds and his splendid example of self-sacrifice will long be remembered.
This action was just as the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbour the day before (Hawaii time) and as the general situation was confused, Scarf’s VC and further awards to his crew were not Gazetted until 1946.
Melvin continues; ‘Final picture is an unusual placement of two memorial cross headstones together on one plot at Stratford Cemetery.’
Again, I couldn’t let Melvin’s photo pass without me looking up who they were. Harold and James Berry were brothers and the sons of James and Elizabeth Berry of Swan’s Nest Cottage, Stratford upon Avon.
Trooper Harold Berry of the 2nd/1st Royal Warwickshire Yeomanry died in the UK on 1st May 1915 aged 19 and was buried in the cemetery in Stratford.
On 8th September 1918, their second son, Corporal James Berry of the 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers died aged 27. The inscription on James’ cross says he was interred in France at a cemetery that I can’t make out. However, the CWGC record says that he is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial, so his place of burial must have been lost in subsequent fighting.
The brother’s parents had the second cross erected adjacent to Harold so that they could mourn both boys at one site.
We Will Remember Them.
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The final word for this week goes to our very special correspondent in Belgium, Nadine Dezaeytijd. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, Nadine has kindly agreed to look again at the two WWI diaries that the town of Ronse have in their historical archive and regale us once again with some of the true stories of life in Ronse during the German occupation between 1914 and 1918. Most of these tales, long time TL subscribers will remember from the dark Covid days.
Nadine writes; ‘First of all my best wishes for a good and healthy 2025 to you all!
I promised a very good friend to tell you a tale of patriotism which happened in Ronse during the harsh German occupation in WW1. Something the Trench Lincs reader from the very beginning of the Ronse snippet series will remember and a first for the new readers.
And because it is the start of the new year, I have not one but two tales of patriotism and bravery with a twist, with two main characters, albeit very different in appearance but, as the saying goes, were ‘birds of a feather’. So to speak that is.
And here it goes.
The first one is the tale of the patriotic barber as Emmanuel De Gand noted down in his wartime diary in 1918, the last year of occupation.
Emmanuel wrote; ‘On Wednesday 17 June at about 10 a.m., a German Captain entered the barber shop of Mr. Joseph Van Liefde, situated in Station Street. Mr. Van Liefde was giving the elderly Mr. Hollevoet a haircut and Doctor Devos was waiting his turn.
The German Captain demanded to be served immediately. Mr. Van Liefde answered ‘First come, first served sir, as is the custom in Belgium’.
‘Ah,’ said the German, ‘We are the victors and thus your lord and master, you have to do as we say.’
‘Well’, said Mr. Van Liefde, ‘You may be lord and master for the time being, but I am lord and master in my barber shop and you do as I say.’
The German, furious by now, went to the elderly Mr. Holvoet and tried to pull him out of the barber’s chair. The elderly gentleman defended himself as good as he could, but it was in vain.
The German demanded a shave and a haircut. ‘Very well then’ said Mr. Van Liefde.
Shaving soap was applied and Mr. Van Liefde sharpened his razor.
To show his anger, Mr. Van Liefde put the razor for a second too long on the German’s throat before starting the shave. The German got a huge scare and as soon as he could, he jumped out of the chair and ran off, out of the barber shop, into the street and straight to the Kommandatur.
One day later, Mr. Van Liefde was fined 300 Mark (*) and his barber shop closed until further notice. Mr. Hollevoet was fined 500 Mark (*)
A heavy fine for both, but especially for Mr. Van Liefde who does not only provide for his own family but also for the three motherless children of his brother, who is fighting on the front for our country.’
(*) During WW1 and WW2, the Belgian Franc was replaced by the German Mark.
It must have been quite a strange if not rather comical sight, depending on which side one was, to notice a scared German officer running off with shaving soap still on his face!
I found the second tale of patriotism in the anonymous Nursing Nun’s diary and this one is certainly a tale with a twist because the main character is none other than Coco, the hospital parrot and performing artist in his own right.
And here goes the tale of Coco, the patriotic parrot.
In 1915, the Nursing Nun wrote:
’21 May
Coco, our dear parrot, has been bringing us all gaiety and cheerfulness in these sad times!
He talks, whistles, even sings ‘Mother Dearest’ and ‘Ave Maria’.
However, someone has taught Coco something new, which he has now added to his repertoire…’Fritz, you dirty old rat...’ !
Afraid of poor Coco’s indiscretions during the daily visits of the German doctor, we have moved Coco to safer quarters, where he can talk, whistle and sing to his little parrot’s heart’s content! ‘
No fine or worse for Coco, thanks to the alertness of the nuns and I am certain the Trench Lincs reader has observed that the Nursing Nun did not complain of Coco’s new albeit cheeky addition to his repertoire, quite the contrary!
Until the next time,
Nadine.
Fantastic Nadine, thank you very much for these two tales, which shows that humour could be found even in the darkest days.
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IN MEMORIAM – The Lincolnshire Regiment 12th January.
1917
22784 Private Edwin Robinson, 7th Battalion, aged 20. Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
1918
46365 Sergeant Joseph Alfred Johnson 10th Labour Company, aged 36. Buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery, France.
1919
51099 Private Charles Henry Goodfellow, 7th Battalion, aged 22. Buried in Cleethorpes Cemetery, UK.
43165 Private J Stow, 10th Battalion, aged 31. Buried in Fourmies Communal Cemetery, France.
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
I hope you all have a good week and I look forward to hearing from you with any queries, questions or topics of interest.
Until next week,
Kind regards
Jonathan
Email me on: trenchlincs@gmail.com
© Jonathan D’Hooghe.
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