by James | Apr 20, 2018 | Uncategorised
On 20th April we remember Morton man, John Thomas Ashton who was killed this day in 1917.
John Thomas Ashton was born in Morton, Lincolnshire in c 1894.
His birth was registered in Bourne in the December quarter of 1894 indicating a birth between October and December of that year.
John was the second child of William Ashton an agricultural labourer from Morton and his wife Lizzie Cox.
John’s father, William, was born in Morton c1866. He married Elizabeth Cox in 1890, she was born in Stainfield c1869. This marriage was registered in the Bourne District but it is likely that this could have taken place in Morton. Elizabeth had a daughter Gertrude Cox b c1888 in Stainfield who was living with them in 1891.
The children of William and Lizzie are:
William Edward c1893,
John Thomas 1894 (WW1; 8th Bn Lincolnshire Regiment)
Albert c1898
Doris Cathleen c1905
Arthur Ashton, the cousin of John Thomas is also mentioned on the Morton Memorial having been killed in action in November 1915.
On the 1911 census John Thomas was living on Hanthorpe Road, Morton aged 16 with his parents.
John is next mentioned in a clipping from the Grantham Journal from 3rd October 1914 listing all the men who volunteered in Morton and Haconby.
The Soldiers Died in the Great War records show John’s place of residence as Morton Lincolnshire.
Other comments on the CWGC records show that John was the Son of William and Lizzie Ashton, of Hanthorpe, Morton, Bourne, Lincolnshire.
Military History
Although his full name is John Thomas Ashton, all war office records show a name of Thomas Ashton. There is no doubt that this is the same person as reference is made to his parent’s names on the CWGC records.
The War office records allude to the fact that Thomas Ashton was formerly T/2/11246 of the Army Service Corps.
Thomas entered into France, his first theatre of action, on the 9th of May 1915.
Currently we are unable to track down the war office records for Thomas Ashton and so his movements within France between May 1915 and April 1917 are unknown.
It is known that Thomas Ashton Died on the 20th April 1917, age 21. This date falls between the 1st battle of The Scarpe (A river just to the north of Arras) 9th -14th April and the Second Battle of The Scarpe 23rd & 24th April 1917. Both of these battles saw heavy action for the 8th Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment and it has to be assumed that Thomas died as a result of action in the first battle.
The 8th Battalion diary entry for this period offers the following:-
9/4/17 Bn moved into ARRAS to assembly area 12 noon – Battery Valley see appendix marked .1.
10/4/17 Bn attacked commanded by Major Greatwood
Casualties, Officers wounded 9, other ranks killed 30, wounded 187, missing 8.
12/4/17 Bn withdrawn from line and moved into ARRAS.
13/4/17 Bn moved to DUISANS and billeted there one night.
14.4.17 Bn moved to billets in BEAUFORT.
It is reasonable to assume that John Thomas Ashton was one of the wounded or more likely missing on the 10th April. The fact that he has no know grave and is listed on the Arras Memorial would point to him being one of the missing.
Private Thomas Ashton 43328, 8th Battalion, The Lincolnshire Regiment, was eligible for the following medals:-
Victory Medal
The British Medal
The 1915 Star.
From the Commonwealth War Graves Commission we know that John was serving in the 8th Battalion, The Lincolnshire Regiment, when he was killed on 17th April 1917
Memorial
Private John Thomas (Thomas) Ashton 43328, 8th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, is remembered with honour on the Arras Memorial.
Panel Ref: Bay 3 and 4.
by James | Apr 20, 2018 | Uncategorised
Today sees us commemorate the 101st anniversary of another of our local soldiers. William James Barron of Morton and of the Royal Horse Artillery who died 101 years ago on this day, 20th April 1917.
William was born early in 1894 to Edward Barron Landlord of the Lord Nelson, Morton, and his second wife Eliza Wadsley of Morton.
His father Edward Barron was born in Barnack c1846 and worked as a Gamekeeper. Following the death of his first wife Elizabeth, Edward married his second wife Eliza Wadsley in 1889. Eliza was born c1867 in Morton and died in 1895. Edward was married in 1896 to his third wife Jane Alford.
In 1900 Edward and Jane had a son Edward John Barron who was born in Morton.
In 1911 Jane and her son Edward are still living in Morton, following the death of her husband in 1908.
William by now was working as a garden boy in Tadmor, Sunbury on Thames and living in the household of Annie Horatia Jones. Also in the household was the Gardener John Halford and his wife, who were originally also from Morton.
William attested in Hounslow Middlesex and was listed as a resident of Houndslow at the same time. Although It is not known exactly when William joined the Army he was eligible for the 1915 star and clasp showing that he must have been posted abroad before the end of 1915 and possibly in 1914, a newspaper article also suggests he had been in France since 1914.
William James Barron married Helen Mulley of Ipswich in 1915 and the marriage was registered at Bourne.
An article from the 1st January 1916 in the Grantham Journal described the wedding.
Military Wedding – a very pretty wedding was solemnised At the parish church of St John the Baptist, The contracting parties being Gunner William J Barron, Son of Mrs Jane Barron The genial proprietress of the Nelson Hotel Morton, and Miss Helen Mulley of Ipswich. The bride who was given away by Mr John Halford, Uncle of the bridegroom, looked charming in a neat cream costume. The bridesmaids were missed Ruthie Clark (niece of the bride) and Miss Tompkins (friend of the bride), Who will wore pretty dresses and black velvet picture hats to match, and gold brooches, the gifts of the bridegroom. Mr Edward J Barron, brother, The best man.
The ceremony was performed by the vicar the Rev J H Boldero and the reception was held at the Nelson hotel which is to be the brides future home for the time, and where the wedding breakfast took place. Going W Baron after leaving school took up gardening for an occupation at first under Major Pearson Hanthorpe House, afterwards under his uncle Mr John Halford in Middlesex. Soon afterwards gardening was exchanged for a career of a soldier and the Royal Horse Artillery was his choice. Gunnar W Barron has been 13 months in France and his visit to Morton has long been expected. However on Tuesday week he suddenly arrived with a week’s leave and last Tuesday he rejoined the regiment. The newly married couple have been the recipients of many useful presents.
William and Helen had a son born in early 1917, William F Barron who was registered in Suffolk.
William Barron died of wounds on 20 April 1917. Due to the date and location of his memorial, it would be most likely that he died in one of the early phases in the Battle of Arras. It is possible that it may have been part of the Battle of the Scarpe where the 32nd Brigade fought as part of the 4th Division.
The 32nd Brigade Diary has the following to offer:
1-3/4/17
Normal trench warfare
4/4/17
V day preliminary bombardment started
9/4/17
Z day 9th division attacked on the front from St Laurent Blangy-Giza at 5:30 AM in conjunction with III corps, remainder of 17th corps and Canadian corps. By 1:30 PM Brown line (pont du jour t- Athies) I’ve been captured and that 2 PM p.m. 32nd second Brigade commenced to move forward by batteries two positions about age 13 meanwhile fourth division had passed through the 9th division by 5 PM had captured a line from Fampoux- Hyderabad worx. at 3:45 PM orders are received to 32nd Brigade to move further forward.
10/4/17
Consolidated Positions
11/4/17
4th Division endeavoured to advance at 12 noon but were unsuccessful, cavalry could not get through.
12/4/17
9th Division endeavoured to advance at 5pm but were unsuccessful owing to hostile macjine guns
13/4/17
Quiet day, enemy bombarded H15 and H16 from 11:30pm until 3am 14th/9/17 with Gas shells
1 officer killed, 2 suffering from gas poisoning and evacuated, 3 other ranks wounded.
14/4/17 – 21/4/17
Normal holding the line. Enemy kept up an intermittent bombardment of H15 during the night and day.
Grantham Journal 5th May 1917 – Morton
Bad News – On Monday morning Mrs Baron of the Nelson in had a letter from the Colonel’s wife whose husband has sent word that Gunner William Barron had been seriously wounded in both legs and chest by the bursting of a shell while packing sandbags in front of gun-pit. On the same morning Mrs James Handford learned that her eldest son Lance Corporal J F Handford had been wounded in action. On Wednesday Mrs Baron was the recipient of the sad news that William Barron had died his legs having been blown off. Mrs Handford heard that Fisher had arrived in England and was now in hospital the deepest sympathy on all sides is felt for Mrs Barron and family in their sudden terrible bereavement Gunner Barron had been in France since 1914.
Grantham Journal, 12th May 1917;
Gunnar Wm J Barron of Morton – Gunnar William J Barron stepson of Mrs Jane Barron of the Lord Nelson Hotel, Morton, Bourne, who received mortal wounds in action on April 20th, was the elder son of the late Mr Edward Barron of Morton (Formerly “Whitewater” Stamford), and grandson of the late Mr and Mrs James Barron, quarry owners, Barnack.
A native of Morton, after leaving school, he took up gardening for an occupation, under Major Pearson, Hanthorpe House, afterwards under his uncle, Mr John Halford, in Middlesex. Soon , However, gardening was exchanged for the career of a soldier, and the royal Horse Artillery was his choice. Tall and of robust physique, he was a fine type of the British soldier, and he has served abroad with the R.H.A. He married, immediately before Christmas, 1915, Miss Helen Mulley, of Ipswich, who is left with an infant son, four months old. Deceased was much respected, and deep sympathy is felt with all members of the bereaved family.
Grantham Journal, 19th May 1917
Gunner William James Barron Of Morton. On Sunday evening last a service was held in the Morton parish church in memory of gun that William James BarronWho was killed in action on April 20th. The Rev JH Boldero (Vicar) conducted the service making reference to the dead soldier during his address. Suitable hymns were sung and a portion of the burial service was read. Connor Barron was one of the first choirboys in Morton church When the surpliced choir was introduced by the late vicar the Rev N C Marris. A muffled Peel was wrong on the bells during the week.
Other comments on the CWGC records show that William was the husband of Helen Dibbin (Formerly Barron) of The Police Station, Mistley, Essex. This shows that the widowed Helen remarried before the Commonwealth War Grave Commission records were compiled.
Gunner William James Barron 68821, Royal Horse Artillery attached to 32nd Brigade HQ Royal Field Artillery, was eligible for the following medals:-
Victory Medal
The British Medal
The 1915 Star with clasp.
Gunner William James Barron 68821, Royal Horse Artillery attached to 32nd Brigade HQ Royal Field Artillery, is remembered with honour at the Haute-Avesnes British Cemetery. Grave Ref: C. 22.
by James | Apr 20, 2018 | Uncategorised
On this day we remember Pte John Thomas Ashton of the 8th Battalion Lincolnshire regiment.
Commemorated on the Morton war memorial and also the Arras Memorial, France.
Died 20th April 1917.
by James | Apr 20, 2018 | Uncategorised
Today we are also paying our respects to Walter Needham of Bourne who was killed this very day 101 years ago and buried in Ervillers Military Cemetery. We are honoured to be able to pay our respects to this local family man in person last year at Ervillers on the 100th Anniversary of his death.
Walter was born in 1889 in Thurlby to John William Needham a timber feller of Thurlby and his wife Eliza (Eva) kemp from Luxfield, Suffolk. They had 6 children in total before Eliza passed away in 1904.
John William remarried to Florence Mary Brown in 1906 and they had a further two children.
I’m 1911 Walter was living with the Reeve family in Moulton Marsh and working as a Waggoner on a farm.
Walter married Elizabeth Ellen Rowlett in 1913 in Bourne. They had two children, Ernest 1914 and Ethel in 1916.
Walter enlisted in Bourne and was posted to the 1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment.
The Battalion started April in Courcelles-Le-Compte undertaking preparations for a 2nd attack on Groisilles. Moved up at 8.20pm
2nd April- attack on enemy lines 5-15am. Attack a complete success. Casualties 1 officer and 26 other ranks wounded. 22 prisoners taken by Battalion. Relieved by 2nd Royal Warwicks at 11pm. Returned to former Billets at Courcelles.
3rd April – cleaning up. Moved to Puisieux at 2pm
4th April – Resting and cleaning up generally
5th 6th 7th April – whole Battalion employed on Railway construction.
8th April – Sunday, Devine services held
9th April – Battalion employed in repairing roads
10th April – General training. Weather very bad, falls of snow
11th April – training during forenoon, moved to Logeast Wood in afternoon. Heavy falls of rain and snow.
12th April – Battalion returned to former Billets at Puisieux.
13th April – Weather improved, General Training.
14th April – Half Battalion employed on working parties, remainder training
15th April – Enemy attacked and temporarily occupied Lagnicourt. Battalion stood to to assist in retaking it if necessary but retaken by Anzacs. Stood down at 10:30am and 380 men on fatigue duties.
16th April – portion of Battalion working parties, remainder training.
17th April- heavy fall of snow. Battalion moved to Gomiecourt coming under orders of 187th infantry brigade.
18th April – Battalion relieved 21st Manchesters in trenches south east of Croiselles. Relief complete at 12:40am 19th
19th April – trench duty, A company heavily shelled at railway embankment (Sheet 51B.U.25)
Casualties 1 officer wounded, 2 other ranks killed, 8 other ranks wounded.
20th April – as above casualties 1 officer wounded, 3 other ranks killed and 20 other ranks wounded. Heavy shelling.
21st April – as above casualties 5 other ranks wounded. Relieved by 2nd Gordons at 11:50pm to camp at A.30.c.7.7 near Gomiecourt.
Walter died of wounds on 20th April 1917 likely from the shelling of the 19th or 20th April in the trenches at the railway embankment.
The Grantham Journal, Saturday 19th May in an article headlined Local Casualties. The following is part of the article:
“A memorial service for Private Sherwin and Private W Needham was held on Sunday at the Abbey Church”.
In the same paper under the Headline. Thurlby Roll of Honour
“Another well known village lad has made the great sacrifice in the person of Private Walter Needham whose father has recently heard the sad news. The second son of Mr William Needham of Northorpe, Private Needham had been in the army for two years. He was a quite industrious lad and much respected in the village”
After the war, in 1922, Walter’s widow Elizabeth remarried to Walter’s brother Joseph.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
In memory of Private Walter Needham 24852, 1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment, who died on 20th April 1917, aged 28. Son of John William and Eliza Needham, Husband of Elizabeth Ellen Needham of 8 Waterside, Willoughby Road, Bourne, Lincs.
Remembered with honour, Ervillers Military Cemetery.
We Will Remember Them.
by James | Apr 19, 2018 | Uncategorised
Today we commemorate the 101st anniversary of the death of local Bourne man, Ernest Robinson of the 6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment.
Ernest was born in the summer of 1889 in Bourne to John Robinson of Bourne, a bricklayer, and his wife Susannah Barnes, born in Billingborough.
Ernest was one of four children;
Sarah Elizabeth Barnes, 1876, Sleaford (Half sister)
Charles William Robinson, 1879, Bourne
Herbert Robinson, 1885, Bourne
Ernest Robinson, 1889, Bourne
The family lived at 31 Woodview Bourne and in 1911 Ernest is listed at home on census night and working as a Coal Porter at the gas works.
Ernest along with both his brothers joined the army during WW1 although Charles and Herbert both survived the war.
On Monday 31st August 1914, less that 4 weeks after war was declared, Ernest along with 14 other local men left Bourne station to join the Lincolnshire Regiment. The men were escorted to the station by the Bourne Brass band as well as lots of local residents.
Ernest joined the Lincolnshire Regiment, although his records are not available and it is assumed were destroyed in the warehouse fire in the Blitz during World War Two, we are not sure if he served with the 6th Lincolnshire regiment for his entire service life.
Ernest was awarded the 1915 star meaning that he saw action abroad in 1915. Other than this and the fact that he was listed in the 2nd Battalion on his effects register, not much is known about his exact movements.
The 6th Battalion had been sent straight from training in 1915 to Galipoli and then to Egypt before moving to France on the 1st July 1916. The battalion entered the Battle of the Somme on the 15th July near Fleurs.
The rest of 1916 and the early part of 1917 saw the 6th Battalion in the somme area. Early 1917 and the 6th battalion was first providing working parties in the St-Leger-Authie valley railway and then went into specialised training.
At some point whilst in France, Ernest was promoted to acting corporal and was posted to the 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire regiment.
The 2nd Battalion started April 1917 at Fins on the Dessart Wood outpost line. The Battalion was then relieved and went into divisional support in Equancourt Wood and then at Fins ready for an attack on Gouzencourt Wood on the 4th April.
Once the objectives were met the Battalion moved back to Fins, to be relieved on the 6th April and moving to Lieramont in divisional reserve.
From the 8th April the 2nd Battalion were in training, before moving to Nurlu on the 11th to provide working parties for road mending.
On the 16th April the Battalion moved into divisional support in trenches north east of Heudecourt. On the 17th they were in support trenches and working on them to create a defensive line.
The battalion relieved the Berkshire Regiment in the outpost line in front of Gonnelieu on the 18th. At 12 midnight 6 patrols attempted to enter Gonnelieu but were held up in the wire in front of the village and constantly fired upon by rifles & machine guns and were unable to press forward. This was carried out by A & C Companies. 1 officer killed, 2 officers wounded, 11 other ranks killed, 26 wounded, 7 missing.
The next day, 19th April, the battalion were in the outpost line, artillery and patrols were active on both sides.
Acting Corporal Ernest Robinson was killed in action on the 19th April 1917.
On Saturday 19th May 1917, the Grantham Journal reported that Corporal Ernest Robinson, attached to the Lincolns had been killed in action.
In memory of Acting Corporal Ernest Robinson, 8570, 6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment who died on 19 April 1917
Remembered with honour, Arras Memorial and on the Bourne war memorial.
Rest in Peace
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