Trench Lincs 6th July 2025
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Good Morning,
As we remember, this week, the 109th anniversary of the opening of Haig’s Somme Offensive, I have a varied selection of snippets for you to read below. Memorials from the north and south of England, a visit to Orkney and Scapa Flow naval base, tales from Vienna, a request for help in identifying an object which is probably from WWII, and most importantly, your first Christmas invitation.
Therefore, please spend a moment to remember all of the men of the Lincolnshire Regiment who gave their all for the Great Cause, did their duty without flinching and fought bravely on the Somme on the opening day, 1st July 1916.
1st Battalion, 62nd Brigade, 21st Division – Attack at Birch Tree and Shelter Woods, Fricourt.
2nd Battalion, 25th Brigade, 8th Division – Attack at Ovillers.
1st/4th and 1st/5th Battalions T.F., 138th Brigade, 46th (North Midland) Division – Attack at Gommecourt.
7th (Service) Battalion, 51st Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division – Attack at Fricourt.
8th (Service) Battalion, 63rd Brigade, 21st Division – Attack at Fricourt.
10th (Service) Battalion – ‘Grimsby Chums’ – 101st Brigade, 34th Division – Attack south of La Boiselle at Lochnagar Crater.
The CWGC database records Lincolnshire Regiment deaths on 1st July 1916 as 339, 2nd July 39 and 3rd July 156.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS.
The East Midlands (Nottingham) WFA Branch meets again on Friday 11th July at 7.30pm at St. Peter’s Church Hall, Church Street, Ruddington, Nottingham, NG11 6HA. All welcome.
The speaker is Chris Johns whose talk is entitled; “Dear Billie” – Killed on Flying Duty. The Changing Role of Castle Bromwich (Birmingham) Airfield During the Great War.
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Next Meeting – Spalding & South Lincs Branch WFA – Thursday, July 24th – Spalding Baptist Church, Swan Street, Spalding, PE11 1BT - Doors open 7.00pm for 7.30pm. Jerry Porter presents “Good Night Darling – God Bless You – Heaps of Love, Mother”.
'Good night darling – God bless you – Heaps of love, Mother’ written and presented by Jerry Porter, with additional narration by Kay Porter. We often hear of the men who fought and died in WW1, but it’s less common to focus on their loved ones. This talk tells the story of a mother (Jerry’s great grandmother) who lost a son. Based on a wealth of primary source letters, photos and artefacts passed down in the family, it illustrates her life on the home front, two of her sons’ preparations for deployment overseas, the younger one’s brief service in the front line and his mother’s perhaps surprising reaction to the news that he has been killed in action. It also covers her own experience of coming under enemy attack, and her visits to France in the early 1920s to visit her son’s grave. An intensely personal account, it nevertheless gives universal insights into war, family and loss.
What audiences have said: “A very moving and captivating first-hand account by a mother and two of her sons, of their experiences during WW1. The mother was Jerry’s great grandmother and the sons were his grandfather’s brothers. The use of contemporary newspaper reports, artefacts from the son killed on his first day in the trenches and the juxtaposition of speakers, where Jerry’s wife read the mother’s letters, added depth and authenticity to the presentation. Everyone I spoke to afterwards both really enjoyed and was deeply moved by the talk. Jerry brought home the meaning of ‘killed in action’ and how those at home were involved. I would thoroughly recommend this talk to everyone with an interest in the Great War”. “Superbly researched and very professionally delivered account of a mother's experience in WW1. Told with great empathy which was reinforced by Mrs Porter reading the words of the mother's letters. Excellent evening, thank you Jerry and Mrs Porter”. “Great talk and evening out. … a really outstanding talk at our seminar. The whole talk - content, PowerPoint and delivery - was excellent”.
Jerry Porter’s interest in WW1 was sparked as a child by listening to his grandfather's experiences as a very young gunner in France, and later by frequent visits to the battlefields of France and Belgium with his father. After a career in UK intelligence and security, with emphasis on support to military operations, Jerry now has time to devote to research and analysis on the four members of his family who served in WW1, three who survived and one who was killed in action in 1918. Jerry is now based in Huntingdon, Cambs.
Spalding Branch meets in a pleasant ante-room of Spalding Baptist Church, which is located on Swan Street in the town centre. On-street parking can be found outside the church. Doors open 7.00pm for 7.30pm start, but, please note that, as the front door cannot be monitored from the meeting room, you may need to ring the doorbell to gain access. Free refreshments will be served at the end of the meeting. Please do come along and join us for this highly recommended talk; you will be made very welcome.
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The Leadenham Military History Group’s next meeting will be on Tuesday 22nd July, at Leadenham Village Hall with a start time of 7.30pm.
I am still awaiting news of the change in the programme.
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The next presentation in the Friends of Lincoln Tank 2025 season of talks will be held on Thursday July 31st when group Chairman, Richard Pullen, will talk about ‘The Armament of the MKIV Tank and its Crew.’
The venue as usual is the Royal Naval Club, Coulson Road, Lincoln, LN6 7BG. 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Everyone welcome.
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Another group who meet at the Royal Naval Club, Coulson Road, Lincoln, LN6 7BG are the Lincs Aviation Society.
I now have great pleasure in advertising their forthcoming events, which take place on the third Thursday of each month - entry is £2 for members and £3 for visitors.
The next speaker event will be held on Thursday 17th July when Colin Wylie will speak about ‘Flight Safety.’
Please arrive 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
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Next Meeting - Lincoln & North Lincs Branch, WFA - Monday, July 14th - Royal Naval Association Club, Coulson Road, Lincoln, LN6 7BG - 7.00pm for 7.30pm start - Annual General Meeting followed by "The History of the Lincolnshire Yeomanry" by Mike Credland.
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Lincoln & North Lincs Branch of the WFA shall take place on Monday, July 14th, commencing 7.30pm prompt. The meeting shall receive and approve the Minutes of the 2024 AGM, the Branch Accounts for the 2024/2025 financial year, and appoint Officer and Committee Members for the 2025/2026 year. A formal Agenda and copy of the 2024 Minutes shall be distributed nearer the time.
Any Branch supporter who wishes to a) serve on the Committee, or nominate a person willing to serve, b) submit a motion for debate, or c) have any ideas for future Branch activities and talks, is requested to submit same by e-mailing chairman2@lincolnbranchwfa.com no later than July 7th.
Supporters are reminded that only fully paid up members of the WFA are permitted to serve on the Committee (although non-members may serve in a non-executive position) or vote on any agenda items/motions.
The positions of Treasurer and Secretary are currently vacant and you can request further details by emailing the address listed above.
Following the AGM - which we promise will be despatched p.d.q. - we have pleasure in calling on Mike Credland to deliver the Chairman's Annual Lecture. Mike has delivered many excellent, well researched and illustrated talks in the past, and this year his subject will be "The History of the Lincolnshire Yeomanry".
This richly illustrated presentation gives the history of the Lincolnshire Yeomanry from its formation in 1794 until being disbanded in 1920. The unique talk puts together untold stories of the Regiment, especially during the Great War, and includes many unpublished photographs.
Mike Credland is currently Chairman of the Branch, and Vice-Chairman of the Friends of Lincoln Tank. He designed a new Memorial to the 46th (North Midlands) Division for placement on the site of the Hohenzollern Redoubt near Loos in memory of those of the Division who lost their lives in the badly planned attack here on 13th October, 1915, and two other memorials here in Lincoln; one to the Lincolnshire Regiment at Sobraon Barracks on Burton Road, Lincoln, and the Lincoln Tank Memorial located on the roundabout at the north end of Tritton Road. He also researched and wrote a book entitled "The First World War Memorials of Lincolnshire" which was published by the Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology (if you don't have a copy, it is highly recommended you obtain one) and was awarded the British Empire Medal in Queen Elizabeth II's 2018 New Year's Honours List for First World War Heritage and Remembrance.
Men of the Lincolnshire Yeomanry on parade at the barracks, which today, is the Museum of Lincolnshire Life.
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The Lincoln and North Lincs WFA Christmas lunch is always a sell out and I am pleased to let you know that this year’s event will be held at the White Hart hotel in Lincoln on Saturday 13th December – 12.30 for 1pm.
The cost has been held, thanks to a branch subsidy, at £25pp excluding drinks, for a three course lunch and the opportunity to visit the world famous Tank Room at the hotel.
I am taking bookings, without obligation at this stage, and will call for payment in late October, at which point you will be committed to attend.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Christmas is coming and the goose is getting fat..........
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Please click on this link to read all of the latest news from Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre.
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Tidying up the loose ends from last week, Alwyn Killingsworth kindly provided us with details of Charles William Cross who was buried at Scunthorpe after contracting Tuberculosis. Alwyn noted that he did not have a headstone but that his name appeared on a stone tablet.
Quick off the mark last Sunday was Roger Frankish who writes; ‘Ref. the CWGC memorial plaque in Scunthorpe Cemetery. It's a fairly recent addition as there were headstones there, placed randomly and no flower 'plots', but they've all been removed and the area grassed over. Previously, I had included a photo of the CWGC sandstone headstone of Sapper E. A. Insley, R.E., (plot Y, grave 12) in my book, ‘The Barnetby Boys'.
Thank you Roger for the information, much appreciated.
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Also from last week, I was informed by Michael Doyle that the picture of Ruby Crane, the little girl who helped the blind soldiers at St. Dunstan’s, was a fake, and not a photo of Ruby.
For the sake of accuracy, here is in fact a photograph of Ruby Crane assisting a blind soldier.
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I received a cry for help this week from my good old mate in Stockport, Bill Roffey. Bill writes; ‘Please see accompanying photos. I wondered if the Trench Lincs readership could help tell me what it is.
About 18 inches in length. Made of incredibly heavy duty cardboard, with 3 reinforcing rings and metal caps on each end one of which detaches. It is heavy. If you smacked someone on the head with it, you’d do them damage! It came my way in the family archive a few years back. Think perhaps WWII but not really sure. There is a little bit of lettering but nothing that makes much sense. Seems a bit too good to put maps and things in. All info gratefully received.’
Does anyone recognise this object? Please let me know.
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Ray Sellers is an amazingly well travelled man and his last trip has taken in Austria, Korea and Japan. This week, I will feature news from Ray from Austria, and in the next two weeks, we will look at his photos from Korea and Japan.
Ray started in Vienna where he attended the HEERESGESCHICHTLICHES MUSEUM!, we will call it the Vienna Military Museum.
Star attraction is the car in which Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie were assassinated by Gavrilo Princip on 28th June 1914, an event that rocked the Austro-Hungarian Empire and led to the outbreak of World War I when the Austro-Hungarian Empire, solidly backed by Germany attacked Belgrade, Serbia on 29th July 1914.
Russia, allied to Serbia mobilised its army on 31st July, Germany declared war with Russia on 1st August and with Russia’s ally, France, on 3rd August. When German troops crossed the border into neutral Belgium on August 4th, Britain declared war with Germany and the scene was set for four years of bloodshed.
Photograph taken earlier on that fateful day.
One of the most coincidental features of the Archduke’s car is the registration plate – Alll 118. This has been taken to prophesise the date of the eventual Armistice, as in A(rmistice) ll l1 18 – (11.11.18) 11th November 1918. What do you think?
Another example of the items on display at the museum is this Skoda built 38cm Siege Howitzer. A real monster, with guns like this, used to bombard the Belgian forts at the start of the war.
Ray and his wife travelled on to Linz and ray writes; ‘I also spent a few days in the Linz area. Leonding, a suburb of Linz, is where Adolf Hitler lived between 1898-1905. Photos 14 and 15, are of the School he attended, and the house where he lived. For obvious reasons, there Is NOT a Blue Plaque on it! His parents are buried in the Michaelskirche Cemetery opposite, but their gravestones have been removed in recent years to deter pro-Nazis gathering.’
Hitler's school above, and home below.
Thank you Ray, it does sound like a fascinating trip, and there will be more next week.
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Steve Baldwin is in the midst of carrying out a number of guided tours on behalf of the CWGC and his ongoing research threw up another conundrum, which I was only too happy to help with.
Steve writes; ‘Some time ago I told you about an Old Contemptible Association grave marker at the foot of the grave of James Lawson, however during a recent visit, I noticed that Lawson died in 1893 which has started a mystery about the origins of the marker. The lower section of the marker was hidden by the surrounding soil, but by removing some of the soil it revealed the name H COMINS.
Thinking I may be able to find out something about this name, I didn’t unearth any more of the marker.
As I haven’t been able to find anything about H Comins, I may have to return for more details still hidden. Can you help?’
Why Comins’ OC grave marker is at the foot of James Lawson’s grave I will leave with Steve. However, I was quickly able to find a Medal Index Card for a Lincolnshire Regiment soldier who was an Old Contemptible, and his name was Herbert Comins. Herbert served in the 1st Battalion and arrived in France in October 1914 which made him an OC with a month to spare.
Pulling my copy of Simpson’s history of the Lincolnshire Regiment from my bookshelves, I found the following interesting fact; [Quote] “The 3rd (Reserve) Battalion sent to the 1st Battalion to replace casualties in 1914, in less than five months fighting, 1,336 men.”
Herbert Comins was one of those 1,336 men.
Steve continues; ‘Reading Mike Credland’s article about D-Day losses in last week's TL reminded me about a CWGC grave in Lincoln (Newport) cemetery.
Sergeant R. I. Hood was a member of the RAFVR, trained as a Flight Engineer serving in 9 Squadron based at RAF Bardney. His Headstone carries a date of death of 6 – 7th June 1944. This is fairly unusual for the CWGC. The IBCC Losses Database gives the date as 7th June 1944. Rubin Hood was part of a crew of Lancaster ME579 which took off on its last and final mission at 23:35 hours on 6th June heading for France. The Lancaster crashed on its return, about 3 hours later. All but one of the crew were killed in the crash. This indicates that Sergeant Hood actually died in the early hours of 7th June 1944.
For more details, join one of my War Graves Tours!’
Thank you Steve, and I hope that you do get a good attendance at your tours.
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Trench Lincs readers have been out and about once again this last week, and regularly reading TL seems to have struck a chord with many of you, as you now look out for and record our nation’s wonderful collection of memorials, take photographs and then share them with me.
For the record, I save all of the photos received in county folders on my computer, and maybe one day, I will get round to writing a book!
This week, Alan Hicks has been in the north-east and John Pritchard in the south-west. John and his wife Shirley, were away celebrating their Golden Wedding anniversary, and still John found time to visit the church in Cirencester – that is devotion to duty John.
I am sure all TL readers will join me in congratulating John and Shirley on their milestone anniversary.
Starting in the north, Alan Hicks notes; ‘I hope this email finds you well? Great edition of Trench Lincs again yesterday. I am continually amazed by the quantity and quality of your submissions. [Thank you Alan for your kind words, but much of what we read comes from you – the readers! – Ed]
We recently had a family trip to the North-East of England to where one of my cousins has recently relocated. The group consisted of myself together with three of my sisters and all our partners. Whilst most of the trip was spent socialising I did note a couple of items that may interest your readers.
We travelled to the small seaside town of Amble which is about 30 miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne. Here, I spotted a quaint little communal garden very close to the harbour wall which contained a substantial looking clock tower. Closer inspection revealed it to be a memorial to those lost in WWI and WWII.
I was taken by the numbers involved for such a small coastal town. About 120 names relate to the casualties of the Great War and approximately a further 60 for the second world war. Perhaps there was a concentration of young men in this port associated with the fishing industry? [I am sure that if you researched Amble’s war dead, many would have perished in the service of the Navy, Merchant Navy and fishing fleet – Ed]
I attach a number of photos of the clock tower and the panels displaying the names of those lost in both conflicts. An information board gives details of how a considerable community effort raised the funds required to build the clock tower and also gives details of ongoing restorations over the years again supported by the local community.
Amble clock tower memorial.
Panels on the Amble memorial.
I also noted on the information board brief details of two sons lost early in the conflict whose father donated the land upon which the Amble memorial was constructed. Back then the gifted land was valued at £600.00 which I reckon would be about £30,000 in today's money.
I had a quick look on the CWGC website and these two brothers were both Lieutenants (one in the West Yorkshire Regiment and the other in the 13th Hussars) and both were killed early in the campaign. I have assumed they were career soldiers and part of the initial BEF contingent sent to France. Both have no known grave and were killed just 12 days apart. One is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial and the other is listed on The Menin Gate. I have assumed that the younger brother (John Lawson-Smith - aged 22) was possibly killed in the La Basée battle, meeting his end on 20/10/1914 whist the older brother (Thomas Edward Lawson-Smith - aged 25) was possibly involved in First Ypres being killed on 01/11/1914. Their family came from Tadcaster which is over 100 miles from Amble so it would appear that their father inherited land in this area. As a result, the brothers are not specifically commemorated on this memorial but they have an endearing association with it.
[I did a quick look up on the Lawson Smith brothers and found, as Alan surmised, that both were pre-war regular soldiers. John arrived in France with 1/W Yorks on 10th September 1914 and Thomas was an officer in the 13th Hussars. At the outbreak of war, the 13th Hussars were in India, and as Thomas was in the UK, he was attached to 11th Hussars and arrived in France on 15th August 1914. Both men were therefore, Old Contemptibles. I attach their Medal Index Cards below. – Ed]
Also standing in the little community garden is a second memorial from the former village of Radcliffe.(below). According to the information board this village was demolished to make way for open cast mining at the beginning of the 1970s. It lists the names of approximately 30 souls from WW1 and 10 from WWII.
Thank goodness someone had the foresight to save this memorial.
Later in our trip we visited Blyth, and spent some time along the seafront. An interesting wall plaque close to the beach tells the tragic story of nine Royal Warwickshire Regiment servicemen who lost their lives trying to cool down on a hot August day in 1917. They misjudged the power of the sea and were lost to strong undercurrents. One brave man, Lieutenant Edmund Wallace-Brown, did try to save his colleagues by organising a human chain but he sadly lost his footing and was also drowned.
He was buried in the churchyard close to their training camp at Horton but I think the bodies of the remainder of these mostly very young soldiers were sent back to their hometowns for internment. Many look to have originated from Birmingham.’
[I did some quick research and found that the men were from the Reserve 5th and 6th Battalions of the Warwickshire’s, and in fact ten men lost their lives, nine rankers and the officer that Alan mentions. I found the short report below about Tom Fortey, it appears that many of these boys, all aged 17, 18, 19 etc. were from the heart of Birmingham and had never ever seen the sea let alone learnt to swim – Ed]
Private Tom Fortey 243009 1/6 Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire’s was drowned in a tragic accident at Blyth on August 24th 1917. The account of the inquest reported in the Newcastle Daily Journal of August 28th 1917 describes the incident in which 600 trainee soldiers were ordered to bathe on Blyth beach. Many of the cadets were poor swimmers or non-swimmers, several had not seen the sea before in their lives. There was a strong ebb-tide current and nine soldiers (8 privates and a sergeant) were drowned. Tom Fortey was one of the privates who lost their lives in this stupid accident in which despite their lack of swimming skills they obeyed orders and went into the sea.
Tom Fortey was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Lucy Fortey, of 223, St. Saviour's Rd., Saltley, Birmingham. He was 18 years old.
‘I hope these little snippets may be of interest?’ [They certainly are Alan – Ed]
Alan continues; ‘I did travel to France and Belgium in the past couple of weeks to seek out the Semper brothers' final resting places with my younger sister Ann. We had a great trip. Your research into the brothers helped enormously; thank you again. My sister thinks she would like to present her/their story at the "show and tell" evening later in the year if that is possible. It is a family story which I think the group may enjoy.’
It was my pleasure Alan, to help you and your sister trace your great uncles. We would love to hear their story at the Lincoln WFA Show and Tell evening on Monday 8th December.
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John Pritchard has been in the Cotswolds for his Golden Wedding anniversary and comments; ’We visited Cirencester, and the parish church of St. John the Baptist. On the outside of the tower (built 1400) there was a memorial to the soldiers who gave their lives in the Great War and in the Second World War. The cross had some fine inscriptions too. Inside the church was a tablet for the fallen in the Great War, with flags.
There was so much more to see in this church which is known by the locals as "The cathedral of the Cotswolds".
St. John the Baptist church at Cirencester, Gloucs.
John continues; ‘I must mention that I so enjoyed your illustrated presentation on the Robin Hoods at Gommecourt at Leadenham last week.’ [Thank you John – Ed]
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Jon Sandison occasionally leaves the Shetland Isles for pastures in the south, and this last week, it was a short southerly visit to the Orkney Isles that Jon and his family made.
Much like John Pritchard above, Jon was able to indulge a bit of ‘me’ time during the family holiday to visit Scapa Flow. Jon writes; ‘I made a visit to Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery earlier today on Scapa Flow. The cemetery began in 1915 when Scapa Flow was the base of the Grand Fleet.
It remained as Royal Naval base until 1946. The cemetery contains the remains for those who’ve served in both wars, including those lost on H.M.S. “Hampshire”, “Vanguard” and “Royal Oak”.
One of those who rests here is Seaman Joseph Kay from Whalsay, Shetland. As a Shetlander, I was honoured to pay my respects to Joseph.
He was killed in action on H.M.S. “Malaya”, during the Battle of Jutland, 31st May, 1916, and today, Joseph lies in Lyness cemetery, but not too far from his Shetland home.’
Joseph Kay from Whalsay, Shetland - lost at Jutland May 31st 1916.
The HMS Malaya memorial at Lyness cemetery.
HMS Malaya.
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Last week I featured an Australian, who won the Military Medal four times, and this week’s contribution from Colour by CJS is another Empire soldier, but this time, a South African, who fought on the Somme in the summer of 1916 at Delville Wood - the home today, of the South African National Memorial.
Captain Garnet George Green MC & Bar
Garnet was born in Dundee, Scotland in 1889, but later, his family emigrated to South Africa.
He served in the Natal Carbineers and fought to suppress the 1906 Bambata Rebellion in Natal.
When the Great War broke out he served in the 1st Mounted Rifles (Natal Carbineers) and fought in the German South West Africa campaign. He subsequently saw action in Egypt.
Serving with 2nd South African Infantry Regiment in France he was granted a commission in May 1916. He fought in the Battle of the Somme and distinguished himself during the savage fighting in Delville Wood. On 18th July he took command of C Company after all other officers were killed or wounded.
Despite being wounded himself, he continued to lead with exceptional bravery, staying with his men under intense fire and organizing counterattacks. Garnet Green was one of only three South African officers who survived the full six-day battle. For his actions at Delville Wood, he received the Military Cross.
Captain Green was awarded a Bar to his Military Cross for undertaking a dangerous reconnaissance mission near Fampoux in April 1917, before he was promoted to Captain in January 1918.
Captain Garnet Green was killed on 22nd March 1918 during the German Spring Offensive while commanding B Company in a desperate rear guard action at Gauche Wood, Villers-Guislain.
He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.
Garnet Green was 30 years old.
Footnote.
In the photograph Garnet is wearing the campaign riband for the 1906 Bambata Rebellion in Natal.
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Colour by CJS also produced on his site this week, this excellent montage of 1st July 1916 Somme casualties. No.14 is an interesting and well known photograph, as it is a still from the Geoffrey Mallins 1916 Somme film that was widely watched in UK cinemas and at the time, was a world-wide sensation as a first ever depiction of the fighting on the Somme on the opening day, interlaced with a number of staged scenes.
On that day British and Commonwealth casualties totalled 57,470. Of that number 19,240 were killed and 2,152 missing or captured.
This photo collage shows some of the faces behind those awful statistics.
1. Private Thomas Chambers, 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, 17 years old.
2. Private William McFadzean VC, 14th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, 20 Years old.
3. Serjeant Frederick Ashton, 10th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment.
4. Lieutenant William Hodgson MC, 9th Battalion Devonshire Regiment, 23 Years old.
5. Second Lieutenant Eric Heaton, 16th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, 20 Years old.
6. Private Horace Iles, 15th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment, 16 Years old.
7. Second Lieutenant Gilbert Waterhouse, 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment, 33 Years old.
8. Private Frank Skinner, 11th Battalion Suffolk Regiment, 21 Years old.
9. Captain John Green VC, R.A.M.C, 26 Years old.
10. Second Lieutenant Henry Cowin, 21st Battalion Manchester Regiment, 31 Years old.
11. Lieutenant Wilfred Nield, 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, 25 Years old.
12. Captain William Green, 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment, (Mortally wounded on 1st July and died on 6th July). 21 Years old.
13. Second Lieutenant Ronald Grundy, 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment, 19 Years old.
14. Unknown soldier from 29th Division being carried along a trench. This man had just been recovered from No Man’s Land but died shortly after the image was captured.
15. Captain Raymond Smith, 11th Battalion Border Regiment, 27 Years old.
16. Captain Charles May, 22nd Battalion Manchester Regiment, 27 Years old.
Above photo courtesy of Arthur Wood.
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Finally from CJS this week, is this portrait of William Jolley. Why is he of interest?
Well, born in Peterborough, Trench Lincs now has links with the Peterborough Military History Group, and I am attending their meeting this coming Wednesday and also, William was killed during a battle dear to my heart, William Jolley was killed at Gommecourt on 1st July 1916.
Private William Harold Jolley - Killed in Action 1st July 1916 - battle of the Somme.
William was born in October 1889 in Peterborough, Northamptonshire. His father was a master tailor, and William was one of 9 siblings.
Before the war he worked as a hairdresser and lived in Islington, London. On the outbreak of war, he enlisted in August 1914 and served in Egypt, Malta and Gallipoli where he was wounded.
William was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916, whilst serving with 1st/3rd (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), 56th Division, he had been taking part in the disastrous diversionary attack at Gommecourt along with the North Midland Territorials of 46th Division, including the Robin Hoods.
William Jolley was 26 years old when he died, and has no known grave and is therefore, commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
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IN MEMORIAM - The Lincolnshire Regiment 6th July.
1916
7670 Private Thomas Lee, 2nd Battalion, aged 31. Buried in Heilly Station Cemetery, France.
13695 Private William Ford, 2nd Battalion, aged 24. Buried in Etaples Military Cemetery.
449 Lance Sergeant Frederic Douglas Birley, 10th Battalion, aged 29. Buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery, France.
11202 Private Harry Marshall, 7th Battalion, aged 21. Buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France.
186 Private Walter Driffill, 10th Battalion, aged 20. – Ditto. –
16371 Private Ernest Chaplin, 8th Battalion, aged 18. Buried in St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen.
[I believe Ford, Birley, Marshall, Driffill and Chaplin all died in coastal hospitals from wounds received on 1st July, the opening day of the Somme offensive – Ed]
1917
Second Lieutenant Ernest Stanley Stephens, 1st Battalion, aged 27. Boyelles Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
1918
202655 Private George William Churchill, 1st Battalion. Buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, France
19236 Private J P Mahoney, 1st Garrison Battalion. Buried in Cawnpore Cantonment New Cemetery, India.
61656 Private George Edward Walton, 3rd Battalion. Buried in Cork Military Cemetery Park, Ireland.
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
I hope you all have a busy but happy week, and I will just remind you that I shall be at the Peterborough Military History group this coming Wednesday night, 9th July, courtesy of an invitation from Matt Colley.
Lots to look forward to.
9th July - The Pharmacist of Krakow.
Until next week
All best wishes
Jonathan
© Jonathan D’Hooghe
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