Trench Lincs 9th November 2025
- trenchlincs
- 15 hours ago
- 25 min read
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Good Morning,
Welcome to another Trench Lincs. At the start of last week, I spent a couple of very happy days away staying with my niece, Hannah, and her lovely family north of Newcastle.
On Monday, we had a day exploring the city centre and viewing the sights and the shops, and of course, the city’s war memorials. Being a wealthy city based on the commerce of shipping and mining, the memorials were erected for the Boer War and two world wars at great expense, and they truly are magnificent, especially the memorial erected at the expense of Sir George and Lady Renwick to the Territorial Battalions and the Service Battalions of the Northumberland Fusiliers raised by the city’s Chamber of Commerce. See full details below.
We have further news from Chris Sanderson’s summer sojourn in France, a tale from Melvyn Dobbs, more research from Jonty Wild and an interesting piece from Ian Prince with regard to HMS Pickle – yes there really was an HMS Pickle at the battle of Trafalgar.
Can I also take this opportunity to remind you that last Friday, the 7th, The Choral was released in cinemas across the country. It is currently on at the Kinema in Woodhall Spa and the Lincoln Odeon, and the story concerns a choral society based in the fictional northern mill town of Ramsden at the outbreak of World War I.
The story follows the young boys of the town who enlist and head off to the front, how this all effects the choral society, and the younger boys as they approach the age of 18 and head off to ‘do their bit’ having seen their older siblings and friends killed and maimed in the first years of the war.
Bing Videos click here to watch the trailer.
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FORTHCOMING EVENTS.
Next Lecture - Lincoln & North Lincolnshire Branch, WFA - Monday, November 24th - Doors open 7.00pm for 7.30pm start - Royal Naval Association Club, Coulson Road, Lincoln, LN6 7BG.
Jonathan D’Hooghe - “Sir Horace Smith Dorrien – His Defining Battles, Isandlwana 1879 and Le Cateau 1914. What if?”
I have the great pleasure in being your speaker on November 24th. This will be a debut for a new talk titled, “Sir Horace Smith Dorrien – His Defining Battles, Isandlwana 1879 and Le Cateau 1914. What if?”
Is it possible to have a hero from more than 100 years ago? This talk will explore the life of Smith Dorrien and will pose the question, what might have been the outcome of the Great War if Smith Dorrien had been killed at Isandlwana?
I hope it will provoke a lively debate!
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Next Meeting - Spalding & South Lincolnshire Branch, WFA - Thursday, November 27th - Doors open 7.00pm for 7.30 pm start - Spalding Baptist Church, Swan Street, Spalding, PE11 1BT –
November 27th - Tim Coltman presents "The Story of the Two Crosses: William Coltman, VC, DCM & Bar, MM & Bar".
Tim Coltman will present "The Story of the Two Crosses: William Coltman VC, DCM & Bar, MM & Bar". The presentation traces the life and times of this highly decorated soldier who was Tim's Great Grandad.
William went to war in World War 1 but, because of his strong Christian faith (he was a member of the Plymouth Brethren), refused to carry a weapon and fight, instead volunteering in January 1915 to serve as a stretcher bearer in the 1/6th Battalion, The North Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's). The presentation follows his life from where he was brought up, through his service in the British Army and the events that earned him his decorations, to his funeral in 1974, and the subsequent events that have taken place in recognition of his achievements. William was born on 17th November, 1891, and died on 29th June, 1974. He is now described as the highest decorated non-commissioned soldier of the British Army in World War 1.
We are not going to spoil Tim's presentation by going into the details of how William earned his decorations save to say that he did, indeed, go far beyond what was expected of him in order to save the lives of his comrades in arms. We are sure that, when you hear his story from Tim, you will be left beyond any doubt that he deserved the recognition he was given.
Tim Coltman hails from Burton on Trent where he has lived all of his life. Married with 2 grown up children, he worked in agriculture for 30 years before leaving employment in 2024 to concentrate full time on giving this presentation all over the UK, together with a number of other activities. He has been delivering it for 11 years now to World War 1 groups, U3A, Probus, Rotary, and many more history and social groups.
Tim gave this presentation to Lincoln Branch in September; those who were present will confirm that it was an excellent event telling the story of the life and times of a remarkable, and very modest, man. If you missed it at Lincoln, here is asecond chance to catch it. Attendees should note that as we cannot monitor the main entrance door from our meeting room, you may find on arrival that it is locked. If so, please ring the doorbell on the single door to the right of the main door.
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The Leadenham Military History Group’s next meeting will be on Tuesday 25th November at 7.30pm at Leadenham village hall.
The speaker on this occasion is Sean McCabe who will give a talk titled – ‘The Tet Offensive’ The events of January and February 1968, a military defeat but a political win for the North Vietnamese.
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The next event in the Friends of Lincoln Tank 2025 season, will be held on Thursday 4th December when the Annual Show and Tell evening will be held at the Royal Naval Club, Coulson Road, Lincoln, LN6 7BG.
This pre-Christmas social event will include a buffet and give anyone who wants to speak for ten minutes, the opportunity to bring along a Great War artefact and tell everyone about it.
It may be a generic item of uniform, weaponry, postcard, picture or it may have a special place in your family’s history. Whatever it is, please do come along and share your treasures with the group.
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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 20th November when Tim Willbond will present – ‘Douglas Bader and the Duxford Big Wing.’
Having just read Stephen Bungay’s excellent book ‘The Most Dangerous Enemy – A History of the Battle of Britain,’ whilst on holiday, I think that this will be an excellent talk.
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The East Midlands (Nottingham) WFA Branch meets again on Friday 14th November at 7.30pm at St. Peter’s Church Hall, Church Street, Ruddington, Nottingham, NG11 6HA. All welcome.
The speaker on this night will be Professor Jessica Meyer who will talk about “From No Man’s Land to Auxiliary Hospital – Evacuating the Great War Wounded.”
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On Tuesday November 11th at 11am, there will be the annual Service of Remembrance at the war memorial at Thorpe Le Fallows.
This lonely and out of the way memorial was adopted by the Lincoln WFA branch back in 2009 and over the years the branch has paid for two renovations of the cross.
Thorpe le Fallows or Thorpe in the Fallows, can be found off the A1500 near to Sturton by Stow. It is a small one street hamlet and there will be farmyard car parking available on the day. You can’t miss it.
Please arrive by 10.45am as it is then a five-minute walk to the memorial, and don’t forget to wear wellies or stout shoes as the grass field can be wet and boggy. All new faces will be made most welcome, and there will be the opportunity for a light lunch afterwards at the Dambusters pub in Scampton village.
I hope you will attend.
NOTICE: In the event that there are sheep in the field on Tuesday, will everyone entering or leaving the field please ensure that the roadside gate is securely closed. Thank you.
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As part of our Acts of Remembrance on and around Armistice Day, we often read and hear poetry and for this year, Tony Nutkins has found, what is to me, a completely new and original poem for us all.
Tony notes; 'I thought that this one, attached, might be suitable for the next edition this Remembrance time, especially with the Sherwood Foresters connection.
I think that it is a very different and excellent poem.' [I agree - Ed]
Sportsmen in Paradise
Captain Theodore Percival Cameron Wilson
10th Battalion Sherwood Foresters
Killed March 1918
Commemorated Arras Memorial France
They left the fury of the fight
And they were very tired.
The gates of Heaven were open, quite
Unguarded and unwired.
There was no sound of any gun
The land was still and green;
Wide hills lay silent in the sun,
Blue valleys slept between.
They saw far off a little wood
Stand up against the sky.
Knee deep in grass a great tree stood…
Some lazy cows went by…
There were some rooks sailed overhead –
And once a church bell pealed.
“God! But it’s England”, someone said.
“And there’s a cricket field!”
Cameron Wilson born 1889 was the son of a clergyman from Little Eaton in Derbyshire, and became a schoolmaster. He enlisted in the Grenadier Guards in August 1914, and later was commissioned in 10th Sherwood Foresters joining the battalion in February 1916 at Armentieres. He served as a Staff Captain with 51st Brigade from May 1917 and returned to his battalion in January 1918. He was killed in the area of Villers au Flos near Bertincourt on 23rd March during the German Spring offensive.
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I also have news this week of a walk being organised by Steve Williams on 19th November with a reserve day of 26th November in the event of bad weather on the 19th.
The walk will take place on Snake Pass in Derbyshire and is a circular 4-mile walk from the meeting/parking area up to the Bleaklow Bomber crash site.
In November 1948, an American B-29 crashed on a routine domestic flight from RAF Scampton to the US base at Warrington on a moorland plateau of the Snake summit killing the crew of 11 and two military passengers.
Whilst the walk is relatively short and on well-marked tracks, the crash site is at 633 metres, and is the second highest point in Derbyshire. It is essential to wear walking boots and be properly equipped and dressed, as the weather can change in an instant out on the hills. Bill Roffey notes that the going can be very boggy and the car parking is limited, so putting walkers together and sharing cars is imperative.
After completion of the walk, there will be lunch at the Commercial Inn at Glossop.
So that Steve can plan ahead and book lunch numbers, it is essential that anyone fancying joining the walk drops me a line please. Everyone is welcome. I will send out joining instructions to all interested parties. Hope you fancy the trek!
How To Find The B29 'OVEREXPOSED' Bleaklow Plane Crash Site ✈︎ BEST Walk Route | The Walking Northerners
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Two weeks ago, I wrote about the Frankish memorial board at the Lochnagar mine crater site on the Somme, and my visit to Point du Jour CWGC cemetery where the 21 Grimsby Chums were re-buried after their discovery in 2001.
This, I knew would interest Roger Frankish and he now writes; 'The information board at Lochnagar Crater depicting my father came about through my being a 'Friend of Lochagnar' from 1996, a regular working party attendee (end of May) and at 1st July ceremonies; I was one of a few 'Friends' who had a close relative in 34th Division in the vicinity of the crater on 1st July 1916.
In 2002 I joined a tour by the Royal Lincolnshire/Royal Anglian Regimental Association and a few people who had relatives in 10th Lincolns killed on 9th,April, 1917, on a 'Commemorative Journey to the Somme and Arras , 7th - 9th April. On the itinerary were: Arras Memorial and the 'Grimsby Chums attack 9th April 1917, Gommecourt, Newfoundland Memorial Park, Thiepval Memorial, Becourt Cemetery, Fricourt, Gordon Dump Cemetery, La Boisselle and Lochnagar Crater, tank Deborah and Point du Jour Military Cemetery.
On day two, a lunch had been arranged at 'Tommy's Cafe, Pozières, only to find it shut. We ended up at MacDonalds, Albert, where Major General 'Dick' Gerrard-Wright helped serve his 'troops' with chips!
Regarding tank Deborah, my first 'sighting' was a few days after it had been unearthed (1999). I'd been told it was in a farmer's yard at Flesquières. I did a recce of the village and located a large object in a farmyard covered in tarpaulin and black plastic sheeting. I entered the yard and shouted for attention and a farmer eventually appeared. I introduced myself, asking if the large object was a tank and could I possibly see it? Reluctantly he lifted one corner of the sheeting to reveal a limited view of muddy rusted metal.
On the last day the group attended a memorial service in the Point du Jour Cemetery to the four unidentified soldiers of the Lincolnshire Regiment who died in the Battle of Arras, 1917, their remains having been buried the previous month. Of note was the noise from the dual carriageway that drowned out the sound system!
Conducting the service were the Revds Ray Jones, St. George's Church, Ieper, and David Yabbacome, St. Nicholas' Church, Lincoln. Of the one hymn, 'O Valiant Hearts', tour guide Michael Kelly sang the first verse. Afterwards the group attended a vin d'honneur in Athies.
One member of our group was Murdo MacInnes of Holton-le-Clay (and a Friend of Lochagnar). On occasions when joining the working party at the Crater, he would stop off at the 9th Scottish Division Memorial and give it a spruce up. Another person in the group was our old friend, the late, Terry Marker.'
Thank you very much Roger for the additional information and for sharing your newspaper cuttings.
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On 25th October, a good party of TL readers attended the Trafalgar Dinner at Leadenham. Each table was given the name of one of Nelson’s ships at Trafalgar and we were HMS Temeraire. Ian Prince and friends found themselves sitting at the HMS Pickle table, a name which tickled Ian’s fancy and led him to carry out some further research, and which quite surprisingly, threw up yet another amazing coincidence.
Ian writes; ‘On Saturday 25th October I attended the Leadenham Military History Group’s annual Trafalgar Dinner, it was a very well organised and enjoyable evening, in good company, with excellent food, the singing of sea shanties, and quotes from Vice Admiral Nelson.
Each table was named after a ship that was involved in the battle of Trafalgar, our table was HMS Pickle. Whilst talking to Jonathan, he suggested it would be an interesting challenge to research if any other ships of the Royal Navy had been named HMS Pickle, here are the results of this conversation.
The Royal Navy has had several ships named HMS Pickle; here is a chronological list of these ships:
HMS Pickle (1800): A 10-gun topsail schooner originally named Sting, involved in the Battle of Trafalgar and wrecked in 1808 off Cádiz.
HMS Pickle (1809): A 12-gun schooner originally French, captured in 1801 and renamed Pickle.
HMS Pickle (1827): A 5-gun schooner involved in the suppression of the slave trade and captured the armed slave ship Voladora off the coast of Cuba.
HMS Pickle (1852): Originally a slave-trading brig Eolo, captured by HMS Orestes.
HMS Pickle (1855): A mortar vessel launched in 1855 and broken up in 1865.
HMS Pickle (J293): An Algerine Class Minesweeper launched in 1943, transferred to the navy of Ceylon in 1959 and renamed Parakarama.
HMS Pickle 1800-1808
HMS Pickle was originally built in 1799 in Bermuda as a merchant vessel named Sting. It was a small, agile schooner designed for speed and maneuverability, making it ideal for naval operations. In 1800 Vice-Admiral Lord Hugh Seymour purchased the vessel for the Royal Navy, renaming it Pickle.
During the Battle of Trafalgar on October 21, 1805, HMS Pickle was too small to engage directly in the battle but played a crucial role in communication. After the battle, it was tasked with carrying the news of the British victory and the death of Admiral Lord Nelson back to England. The ship's commander, Lieutenant John Richards Lapenotiere, made a remarkable journey through stormy seas to deliver the dispatches, which were vital for informing the British government and public about the outcome of the battle.
On 26 July 1808, Pickle was carrying dispatches from England for Admiral Lord Collingwood at Cadiz when its Commander, Lt Cannadey, sighted Cape Santa Maria in the evening. He then set his course on that basis. At midnight the lookouts sighted broken water. The helmsman immediately tried to turn her, but it was too late and she grounded. Pickle started filling rapidly with water, which caused her to heel to port.
The crew took to the boats and landed on the Spanish shore. In the morning, Cannadey returned to the wreck where he found her unsalvageable as her bottom was completely caved in, he determined that she had wrecked on the Chipiona shoal near Cadiz. A Maltese diver worked for three days to recover the dispatches.
Through this research I discovered an obscure and remote link to one of the guests on the table HMS Pickle. My partner Val’s father Arthur Wright served in the Royal Navy from 1940-1945, a crew member on several ships, his final ship was the Algerine-class minesweeper (110 built) HMS Coquette (J350) a sister ship of HMS Pickle (J293).
HMS Coquette 1944-1958
1944
In September HMS Coquette commenced minesweeping work-up in the Forth area based at Port Edgar. On completion she took passage to Gibraltar for duty in the western Mediterranean. Nominated for minesweeping duties at Taranto. Took passage from Malta with ships of its Flotilla she commenced sweeping operations and had significant successes. (This area had been heavily mined to protect the Italian naval base and clearance was essential for access of allied mercantile and warships).
1 9 4 5
In January on release from duty at Taranto she took passage to Malta for maintenance and repair. Then deployed to Corfu with her Flotilla. On completion of operations off Corfu she transferred for temporary duty with 12th Minesweeping Flotilla at Bari, deployed at Bari for minesweeping operations in the Adriatic. Rejoined 8th Flotilla at Taranto for Flotilla minesweeping operations based at Taranto. On completion took passage to Malta. Deployed with Flotilla based at Malta for local minesweeping operations. Nominated for minesweeping off west Coast of Italy with the 8th Flotilla. Took passage with Flotilla from Malta. Arrived at Leghorn after call at Naples.
In August she was nominated for service in Far East with Flotilla for mine clearance based at Hong Kong.
25th took passage to Hong Kong with Flotilla.
P o s t W a r
HMS Coquette served with the 8th Flotilla in the Far East as part of the Pacific Fleet from October 1945 and took part in minesweeping in Hong Kong and Singapore areas until early in 1946. She was transferred to the Mediterranean with the Flotilla and from March onwards carried out clearance operations off North Africa at Bizerta and near Malta until returning to the UK in August when the Flotilla disbanded. She was paid off and reduced to Reserve. Laid–up at Harwich, this ship was brought forward in April 1951 for service in the Fishery Protection Squadron. In November 1956 when relieved by HM Frigate PALLISER she was Paid-off and placed in Reserve until 1958 when put on the Disposal List. Sold to Metal Industries that year the ship arrived at the Breaker’s Yard at Rosyth in tow on 26th May 1958 for demolition.’
Thank you Ian for your sterling efforts. It’s funny how a chance conversation at the dinner has led to our new understanding of the role of HMS Pickle in 1805 and her successors in name.
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Last Sunday we read about French Resistance memorial plaques in Dijon courtesy of Chris Sanderson, and this week, I continue with part II of Chris’s summer travels.
Chris comments on the number of families from such a small commune who bravely resisted in both world wars, he notes; ‘The Abbaye de Boscodon is situated in a heavily wooded area in the Alps above the Lac de Serre-Ponçon. It has a memorial to Resistance fighters from the area in WWII. Just down the valley from the abbey is the nearest village to the abbey, of Crets. It has the usual and fairly unremarkable, in itself, WW1 memorial to the men of the village who died in that war.
the Abbaye de Boscodon and the memorial plaque above.
The Crets village memorial above.
The reason I have included them together - and this is completely un-researched, but probably too much to be coincidence - is the high correlation of surnames between those who died in WWI and other wars and those, who, given the small, sparse and isolated population in the area the time, were almost certainly their close family members, who were killed as members of the Resistance in WWII. The surnames - Faure (who lost four members in WWI), Imbert (WWII), Lagier (Algeria), Liotard (WWII, and possibly the same individual), and Nicholas appear on both memorials.’
The Faure family feature prominently on both memorials.
Well spotted Chris. Just like in the UK, towns and villages in every corner of France gave their men (and women) to the cause, and to stand up to German militarism and dictatorship. As ever, some families seemed to do more than others, and often paid the price for their heroism and duty.
There will be a part III next week.
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Long term readers of Trench Lincs will be aware of my great friend in Shetland, Jon Sandison. Jon is probably the man who flies the flag more than any other individual, for the part played by the Shetland Isles and the Shetlanders in two world wars. He is a prolific writer and researcher as well as being a senior master at the Anderson High School in Lerwick.
Therefore, when an email from Jon arrives in my inbox, I am always delighted to hear from him, and this last week was no exception.
Jon, in his usual manner covered a lot of ground and topics and I thank him for his kind words and ongoing support. Jon writes for us; ‘Fantastic, fascinating Trench Lincs as ever, Jonathan.
Thanks so much for sending it out; outstanding detail and as ever, so much comprehensive coverage as ever. They are always great to read. [I am blushing! – Ed]
I am back to school this week following the October Break! Glad it is Friday. Had some time with in-laws in Perth, then down to London for ABBA [Don't ask] but thankfully a day in the IWM also!
You have so much happening! Excellent to see the notification of your forthcoming new talk on Sir Horace Smith Dorrien on the 24th of November. Looks absolutely fascinating.
Interesting also to hear of the Tim Coltman talk coming up - he was up here a few months ago, and spoke in the local Gospel Hall. It was a very good night. Other talks look so engrossing, also.
Intriguing as well to read of all of the Lincoln-related stories, and of course the Loos narrative, and connection to the Scottish Regiments of the 9th Division.
Cracking photo of your grandsons - a great day out with the boys. Special times! [Definitely – Ed]
It is also really special to read about your annual commemoration at Thorpe Le Fallows. It would be tremendous to be there. Pub lunch sounds great after! Would love to be there with you. [We’ll make it happen one year Jon – Ed]
I have got a busy week coming up with a talk for the Rededication of the Island of Bressay WWI and WWII War Memorials, 9th November during the afternoon. Bressay is just across from Lerwick.
Then, more pressing... a talk coming up this Monday on the impact of Army Personnel in Shetland during World War Two! It doesn't rain but it pours!
I have a possible CWGC tour next Saturday, depending if anyone has actually signed up for it! It is funny how people seem to ‘seek you out’ this time of year!
Alongside this, the usual school activities going on it is busy time!
The organisation, Promote Shetland, recently asked me to do a write up for them, so the link below might be of interest? [It certainly is Jon. I read your article and it brought back memories of my trip to Shetland and your excellent guiding - Ed]’
Click on the link above to read about Shetland and the Great War and I can certainly recommend a visit.
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Jonty Wild and his immense project, Herts at War, will, I suspect, keep him and his dedicated band of volunteers, busy for many more years to come. Click here for the web site.
Herts at War - a community led project to commemorate the diverse experiences of Hertfordshire during the First World War.
Jonty’s latest extrapolation of information from his vast database concerns men who are memorialised on more than one memorial, and surprisingly, some 20% of men who served in the Great War with connections to Hertfordshire, and who do not appear on any memorial.
Jonty writes; ‘Memorial Names (Hertfordshire)
I have just finished a bit of an analysis on Hertfordshire memorials and how the names appear (or don’t) in locations across Hertfordshire. Okay, I know that at first sight it is not immediately of obvious interest in Lincolnshire, but bear with me as I would expect that what I found is probably pretty similar for Lincolnshire and across the country. I found it fascinating, but maybe that’s just me.
First, as an aside, of the 12,688 men in the Herts At War database, 139 are known to have served in a Lincolnshire Regiment at some point and I believe some 81 have a direct connection to the County.
In Hertfordshire we know of about 1,020 memorials - there are probably more - and we have looked at about 862 of them - the rest probably lack a photograph. The following figures are rough but probably won’t change too much even after I have the opportunity to improve them.
Of the 12,668 men mentioned, about 2,614 or 29% do not seem to be memorialised in Hertfordshire at all. Over the years I have got used to this percentage, but when I do think about it I remain surprised at how high this figure is. I remain concerned that these men could be forgotten, at least in Hertfordshire.
The other 10,054 are recorded on memorials in 5,911 locations – this is quite complicated and needs more explanation, so here goes:
Fairly obviously, it is common for individuals to appear on several memorials within a location, e.g. the village memorial and maybe the church and school memorials, etc., however the above numbers are not about this, they are about the distribution of individuals across different locations, which I think is generally less known.
So, the 10,054 men are all on at least one memorial in a Hertfordshire location, i.e. towns, village, hamlets etc., not individual memorials. The following table breaks this down, which even if rough at this stage, I still find it fascinating – remember these are different locations.
On one memorial in one Herts location 4,143 32.7%
On a memorial in 2 locations 3,951 31.2%
On a memorial in 3 locations 1,422 11.2%
On a memorial in 4 locations 424 3.3%
On a memorial in 5 locations 104 0.8%
On a memorial in 6 locations 7 >1% (0.06%)
On a memorial in 7 locations 3 >0.5% (0.02%)
On no memorial in any Herts location 2614 21%
When in multiple locations I would expect them to usually be fairly nearby, but I do know that is not always true, so I must look into that, but I suppose the explanation will mean that a man was born in one location and eventually moved around the county for work?
We also believe that we have identified 1,539 men who are memorialised in Herts, but who also have a direct connection to another Herts location where they are not remembered.’
You are certainly delving deeply Jonty with this unique angle of research. Do any TL readers have any thoughts or questions for Jonty? Please let me know.
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Melvin Dobbs has been out and about for us once again and comments; ‘Another packed read in Trench Lincs on Sunday, and I can confirm that a trip to Malta is well worth the effort, as you know I recently went there.
My daughter also bought me the book Fortress Malta for my birthday but that was on my return home and not before!
A recent trip to an end of season classic car meeting took me to Morton near Bourne. I took the opportunity to visit the church of St. John the Baptist.
There is a nice Calvary style cross in the churchyard commemorating the Great War but the engraving and other details are eroded.
There are a couple of headstones with inscriptions relating to WWI casualties - one of which is a CWGC headstone, and the second remembers Sergeant Arthur Bates who was one of the first Lincolnshire Regiment casualties of the Great War, being killed on 24th August 1914.
[5865 Arthur Bates is buried at Frameries Communal Cemetery, Belgium. – Ed]
Inside the church is a memorial tablet to the men of Morton and Hanthorpe Parish who gave their lives in the Great War.
Plus, there is a floor tablet with an interesting inscription (a Commission at the age of 10yrs!) with names of Hussey and the Marquis of Granby. Now the latter has connections to the Dukes of Rutland and Belvoir Castle, Hussey is a name that crops up in Lincolnshire history and there is a Hussey Tower at Boston.’
[The marquis of Granby is the eldest son of the Duke of Rutland – Ed]
Does any TL reader know any more about Thomas Hussey, a boy of 10 who received a commission in the Royal Artillery in 1763? If you do, please let me know.
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As mentioned earlier, Newcastle did not disappoint. The city’s main memorials are all magnificent and my first stop was at the St. Thomas the Martyr church, Barras Bridge.
In the grounds of the church, stand two memorials dedicated to the Northumberland Fusiliers and a simple memorial to the men of the north-east who served in the Burma campaign from 1941-45.
The largest memorial is known as The Response and was paid for by Sir George Renwick Bt. It was designed by Sir W Goscombe John and was unveiled in 1923.
The front of the memorial features a remarkable sculpture depicting the men of the Territorial Force battalions of the Northumberland Fusiliers marching off to war with civilians joining the throng and captures the patriotic spirit of 1914 when young men flocked to the colours in large numbers.
To the rear of the memorial is an inscription in memory of the men of B Company 9th (Service) Battalion and to all of the men of the 16th,18th and 19th (Service) Battalions. These Kitchener New Army ‘Pals’ battalions were raised by the Newcastle and Gateshead Chamber of Commerce in the autumn of 1914.
The 16th Battalion served in 32nd Division and landed in France in November 1915 and served in all major battles until disbanded in February 1918, when Infantry Brigades were reduced from four battalions to three.
The 18th Battalion were styled the 1st Tyneside Pioneers and served for most of the war as the Pioneer battalion for 34th Division and arrived in France in January 1916. Such was the manpower shortage in 1918, that in June, they became an infantry fighting battalion and transferred to 39th Division.
The 19th Battalion became the 2nd Tyneside Pioneers and served as the Pioneer battalion for the duration of the war with 35th Division, again from January 1916.
I am sure you will agree from the photos below, that it really is a superb memorial to the men of the Territorial Force and the Chamber of Commerce Service Battalions.
A short walk away is the memorial to the Northumberland Fusiliers as a regiment, and the memorial has had inscriptions added for the 1939-45 war, and for all of the post-second world war Fusilier regiments.
The simple memorial depicts St. George standing on a plinth over the slain dragon flanked by a low wall containing the inscriptions.
To the rear of the church stands the Burma campaign memorial featuring a soldier of that campaign adorned in his jungle hat with the Burma Star motif to the fore.
I then walked into the church, which contains a coffee shop and toilets, and spotted a number of memorials of interest.
Firstly, a glass screen dedicated to the men of the 6th Battalion (TF) Northumberland Fusiliers which contains all of their Great War Battle Honours listed by year.
There is a stained glass window to all men and women of Newcastle who served in the services on Malta, the George Cross island of WWII.
In a side chapel, I spied a double window commemorating local men of the 43rd and 49th Battalions of the Royal Tank Corps in WWII. The badge, of course, depicting two WWI tanks.
And finally, a memorial tablet to the local men who gave their lives on June 20th 1967 in the Aden campaign.
The fighting on this date stemmed from a mutiny by local forces against British rule. The militant Arabs within Aden’s army and police force were aggrieved at the defeat of Nasser’s Egyptian Army by the Israelis, and blamed the British and the Americans for supporting Israel.
In a completely unprovoked attack, men of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers and the Royal Corps of Transport came under heavy fire, and sadly, many of the dead are the men who appear on this memorial.
You can read all about the day’s events here The Arab Police Mutiny | Aden | Britain's Small Wars
Leaving the church grounds, you only have to cross one road to arrive at the city’s Boer War memorial. A winged angel with victor’s wreath stands atop of a very high column whilst a war widow gazes towards the angel and the sky.
Shields are placed on each face of the hexagonal plinth, and the names of the local men and their old empire regiments are meticulously recorded as a record of their sacrifice between 1899 and 1902.
Unveiled in 1908 by General Sir Laurence Oliphant, the city Boer War memorial is a prime example of breath taking memorialisation made possible by the wealth of its citizens, as public subscriptions paid the near £5,000 required to erect the memorial, which was designed by T Eyre Macklin.
It was then only a ten-minute walk to Old Eldon Square, the home of the city’s main war memorial, once again, a large scale depiction of St. George slaying the dragon stands on a granite and Portland stone plinth. The plinth being designed by the firm, Cackett and Burns Dick.
The memorial does not contain any individual names, but commemorates all of the men and women of Newcastle and surrounds who gave their lives in the service of the nation in both world wars. It also states clearly that it is a memorial to Peace and Justice too.
Designed by Charles Hartwell, the statue of St. George in Eldon Square is the second casting, the first and identical casting stands near to Lords cricket ground and commemorates those men of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) who gave their lives in the Great War.
Councillor Sir Arthur Sutherland started a ‘Shilling Fund’ and 30,000 citizens each gave a shilling to finance the erection of the memorial, which was unveiled by Field Marshal Earl Haig in 1923.
If you have any reason to visit Newcastle in the near future, please do go and take a look at these magnificent structures.
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I will finish as usual with this week’s colourised photograph from Chris at Colour by CJS. It just so happens to feature a member of the Chaworth Musters family. An old and well established Nottinghamshire family who lived at Annesley since the Norman Conquest, and over the centuries built a large empire of property in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and abroad, most noticeably in Norway.
Captain Philip Mundy Chaworth-Musters MC.
Philip was born in Annesley, Nottinghamshire in 1895 where he lived with his ten siblings.
He was educated at Bengeo School, Hertford and then at the prestigious Rugby School, and entered the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich and was commissioned into the Royal Field Artillery in September 1914.
Philip was deployed to France in November 1914 and promoted to Lieutenant in June 1915 where he served as part of the 25th Divisional artillery brigade.
His conduct earned him a Military Cross and the citation was published in the London Gazette on 15th March 1916.
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. In face of a very heavy shell fire he bound up a Corporal who was badly wounded, took him into safety, and then returned and personally worked a gun under circumstances of great difficulty”.
Further promotion to temporary Captain and command of a Trench Mortar Battery followed in May 1916.
He fought bravely in the Battle of the Somme and in the Battle of Messines in June 1917. Afterwards, his unit moved north in preparation for the 3rd Battle of Ypres but he was killed by shellfire on 18th July 1917 before it commenced.
Today, Philip Chaworth Musters is buried in Poperinghe New Military Cemetery. He was 22 years old.
Postscript
Two of Philip's brothers, George Patricius and Robert, also died in the war, as did another member of the family in WWII.
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In Memoriam the Lincolnshire Regiment 9th November.
1914
8346 Private F C Baker, 1st Battalion. Buried in Aldershot Military Cemetery, UK.
9459 Lance Corporal Frank George Reed, 1st Battalion, aged 19. Buried in Woolwich Cemetery, UK.
9487 Lance Corporal Edward Henry Dobson, 1st Battalion, aged 20. Remembered on the Menin Gate, Belgium
1915
7970 Private Timothy Kirby, 2nd Battalion, aged 35. Buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery, France.
1916
26233 Private Arthur Shoesmith, 9th Battalion. Buried in Kensall Green Cemetery, UK.
1917
9746 Lance Corporal Herbert Graves, 1st Battalion, aged 21. Buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.
13107 Corporal Percy John Chew, 1st Battalion, aged 26. Buried in Buttes New British Cemetery, Belgium.
42385 Private Wilfred Needham, 1st Battalion, aged 19. Remembered at Tyne Cot, Belgium.
1918
34341 Private A Haigh, 13th Battalion. Buried in Lincoln Newport Cemetery, UK.
203786 Private F Turley, 1st Battalion. Buried in Caudry British Cemetery, France.
24884 Private G R Lingard, 2nd Battalion, aged 28. Buried in Liege Cemetery, Belgium.
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
Are you attending an Armistice Sunday service today? If you are, please write a short report and take a couple of photos and let me have it so that I can share the news next week.
Looking forward to seeing many of you at Thorpe in the Fallows on Armistice Day next Tuesday, 10.45am. Welly boots to the fore!
Until next week
All best wishes
Jonathan
© Jonathan D’Hooghe
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