Remembrance – Captain Allison Gould Smith

by | Apr 18, 2020 | Remembrance

Yesterday we remembered Horbling man, Allison Gould Smith, who died on the 18th April 1918 whilst serving with the 7th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire regiment.

Allison was born in the winter of 1890, on December 3rd, in Horbling to George Smith, a solicitor born in Horbling in 1859 and his wife Helen Phyllis Allison, born in Louth in 1861.

The couple were married in Louth in 1888 making their home in Horbling. Between 1889 and 1900 the couple had 4 children :-

* George Henry Gould Smith, 1889, Horbling
* Allison Gould Smith, 1890, Horbling
* Helen Phyllis Gould Smith, 1892, Horbling
* Francis Gould Smith, 1900, Horbling

On the night of the 1891 census we find a four month old Allison living with his parents in Horbling and his older brother George. His father is a solicitor and is listed as an employer.

Ten years later in 1901 we again find them in Horbling, this time the house is now identified as being 2 houses away from Sunnyside. George and Helen now have 2 sons and a daughter and also in the household we have a cook, parlour maid and a nurse. George is a solicitor and still an employer.

If we jump on another 10 years to 1911, living at 28 Dorset Road in Bexhill we can see that a retired school master by the name of John Neve Allison aged 34 a single man that has two nephew’s with him. George and Allison are in his household along with a housekeeper, Emma Lidgand from Binbrook Lincolnshire. The two Smith brothers are now 22 and 20 and have both given their occupation as students. Looking once again at the surname of Allison, we now confirm that this is the reason for Allison’s unusual christian name.

On later CWGC paperwork we find that Allison Smith was educated at both Winchester College and also Magdalene College, Cambridge.

We do not have access to the official military records for Allison but, as with 60% of all WW1 records, it is most likely that they were destroyed in a warehouse fire in he blitz. Therefore the only way to piece together his military history is from single entries in other related military documents.

Allison’s Medal card shows that Pte Smith attended Officer Training Corps. Possibly starting or ending on the 11th September 1914 and then upon passing out as 2/Lieut, Smith is listed as serving with the 7th Battalion Loyal North Lancs, eventually disembarking in France on the 17th July 1915.

It is most likely that he trained and then was posted immediately to the 7th Battalion.

On the 23rd June 1915 the 7th Battalion, as part of the 19th (Western) Division, was inspected by King George V at Tidworth. Advance parties then left for France on the 11th July.

The 7th Battalion were placed on trains to Folkestone on the 17th July at 3.55pm and after arriving embarked at 8.55pm. They arrived in Boulogne at 11pm and were marched 2 miles into the rest camp.

For the next week they spent most of their time training and daily route marching from the Calais area, spending time at Watten, Moulle, Walton Chapel on their way.
In Patit Courdois on the 26th, after a route march of 6 miles. General Sir Douglas Haig visited the Bn HQ at 3.15pm.
By the end of the month, as well as the daily route marches, they had also received instructions in the use of entrenching tools and the fitting of smoke hoods.
By the night of the 30th they were in Paradis and were due to be inspected by the Corps Commander on the 1st August. The final note in the Battalion Diary for July notes “Promotions for Officers”

We are lucky that Allison is an officer and therefore his name appears in the list of officers in the Appendix of the July diary while at Tidworth, he is listed as a 2/Lieut.

The whole of August was spent in trying camps at Paradis, Vielle Chapelle and Le Sart. During this time the officers attended lectures and the men were trained in all kinds of equipment, trench and hand motors, machine guns, bombing, trench warfare etc. At the end of August the Battalion became part of the army reserves.

September 1915 saw the battalion art in Les Lobes, behind the lines providing working parties for filing sandbags, laying telephone wires and digging communications trenches. The Battalion reported their first casualties on the 8th September when 4 men from D company, who had been part of the working parties attached to the Royal Engineers were report injured when returning from their work.
The first time the battalion had been called upon to provide troops for a defensive line was on the 13th September when 4 officers and 138 other ranks were sent forward.
The 22nd September saw the battalion in their first action when they were in support for a planned attack and our artillery had started a continual bombardment, ti lasted until the 24th the the Battalion marched back into reserve positions. By the 28th the Battalion saw their first time in the front line.

From the 25th September the Battalion were now firmly involved in the Battle for Loos, positioned between Bethune and Loos, at Les Lobes in the Orchard salient and had witnessed their first fighting and gas attacks.

In the fighting strength appendices to the diaries in September, Allison Smith is now listed as a Lieutenant.

During October we find that Lieut Allison Smith appears on the sick list on the second week and is sent to hospital at St Venant, he rejoins the Battalion around the 19th November. The Battalion at this point are still in a similar positions.

The Battalion saw the year out in and out of the same positions. The war was was now one of holding ground, defending positions and patrolling as no major offensives would be planned during the winters.

By March the Battalion had moved along he sector a little and were now around Neuve-Chapelle.

Eventually the Battalion was moved out of the sector and down to Amiens and started training for probably the next big push.
The only thing to note during all the training in May 1916 was that Captain Cammack, 2/Lieut Ford + 4 NCOs were wounded as a result of a bomb accident during training.

The training went on all through June and on the 1st July the battalion went into intermediate line waiting to be given orders to attack Ovillers fro the N.W. by 4.45pm this attack was called off and the Battalion went into Brigade reserve trenches until dawn on the 2nd. There were about 25 casualties on the day, but considering this was the first day of the Battle of the somme, the Battalion suffered less than most.

The Battalion then saw action between Albert and Poziers o the next day and on to La Boiselle for their first day of heaving fighting during the Somme offensive. By the 5th July the Battalion were in the thick of the fighting an on this day Lieutenant Wilkinson held up an enemy advance with a single machine gun in a trench and was recommended for a V.C. Unfortunately he was killed in action the 10th and the request went in posthumously from the GOC 19th Division.

For the first 12 days of the Somme offensive the Battalion had lost 7 officers and 164 other ranks.
Next the Battalion diary sees them in some infamous places on the Somme including Bazentin Le petit, Contalmaison, Martinpuch and Memetz Wood. To tell the full story would need a very long book and suffice to say that the Battalion Diary was full of heroic actions performed.

At the end of July the Battalion were withdrawn from the line and after 3 day regrouping, refitting etc, they eventually were moved and arrived in Bailleul and into shelters at Kemmel on the 7th August. The entrainment orders show he Battalion to only have 15 officers and 629 men at this point.
They spent the rest of the month providing working parties in the support trenches and reserve lines and when not active, retraining around the camps of Kemmel and then on to Ploegsteert for early September.

By the 6th October they were back in the sector of the Somme where they remained until being pulled out for retraining near St Omer in March 1917.

In April they moved into the sector S.W. of Ypres near Sent-Elooi, once again being trained, no doubt for another major offensive, whilst still providing working parties and then starting to take over the line again from the 18th April. This kept up through May and the Battalion were heading into the next major offensive which was the Battle of Messines Ridge that started on the 7th June.
The 19th Division and the 7th Battalion played their part and all objectives were met by 9.30am, the initial mines along the ridge blown at 3.10am.
By mid June the Battalion were back at the camps near Kemmel, once again providing working parties and training.

July was similar with the Battalion around Locre at first practicing for the next big push, but them moving back into line near Zillebeke, ready for what was going to be on the 31st July, the first day of 3rd Ypres, known as the Battle of Passchendaele.
During the Battle of Ypres, the Battalion fought at Menin Road Ridge, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde, where they were in the line at Hill 60, following this it was back into the Kemmel sector before on the 11th November being taken back from the front to La Belle Hotesse Camp between St Omer and Hazebrouck.

The Battalion were there for almost one month before on the 6th December entraining for Bailleul and marching to Etricourt. Here they went back into the front line against the Hindenburg support line.
Christmas Day was spent in support in Ribecourt before once again going into the trenches on Boxing Day.

The London gazette on the 28th December 1917 reported. The King has been graciously pleased to approve the reward of the military cross for distimguised service in the field to Temporary Captain Allison Gould Smith of the Lloyal North Lancashire Regiment.

And on the 1st January the London gazette reported that, Temporary Captain Allison Gould Smith listed in the New Years honours list. Normally if the award comes as part of he New Years honours lists then no separate citation for the medal award is listed in the London gazette.

At the end of January the Battalion Diary ends. It is known that Captain Smith’s medal card also mentions the 1st Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, although it does not give a date.

Between the 10th and the 18th of February the Battalion received a draft of 160 other Ranks from the 7th loyal North Lancashire Regiment and at this time were just to the south of Poelcappelle.

They remained in the sector until the 7th April when they were pulled back out of the line and ack to Elverdinge between Ypres and Poperinge and then marched to Lapugnoy.
By the 15th April they had arrived by buses into Houchin, Marched to Beuvry and ended up billeted in cellars there for three days of occupation. 10 casualties were sustained – chiefly of a light nature.

On the 15th April, the Battalion relieved the 1st Glosters in the defences of Le Preol, the relief completed by 10:30pm.
The Battalion Diary for the 16th+17th says; The next day the Battalion moved forward into the sector La Bassee Canal northwards to A.14.a.95.75. Taking over from the 2/5 Lancashire Fusiliers – Disposition of Companies from right to left. C-B-A – D Company in support – Bn HQ at A.14.a.90.80. The day was dull and relief was carried out in daylight – Only on e casualty being sustained. Relief Completed at 3.55pm. Day generally quiet.

18th April – In the Line
At 4.15am the enemy commenced to bombard the whole of the Divisional front. The garage became intense and at 8.10 the enemy attacked from the North. Filtering into our trenches under causes of the high ground at Givenchy. He succeeded in reaching and occupying the main line of resistance before counter measures could be taken. Vigerous counter attacks by C&D Companies Eventually succeeded in ejecting the enemy from the main line and by 11am he was only holding a few isolated parts of our out post line.

19th April – Beyond a certain amount of sniping the day was fairly quiet.

21st April – 23rd April 1918
Remainder of the period was fairly quiet and work was concentrated on improving the defensive system. The Battalion relieved on the night of the 23/24th by the 1/4 King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment and moved back by bus from. Annequin to Houchin. Relief completed without incident at 1.30am,

Casualties during the period were 2/Lieut King and Petit killed, Captain Base MC, Captain Jefferys, 2/Lieut Bell 2/Lieut Mallett Lieut Allen wounded, Captain Smith MC Lt Gladding 2/Lieuts Smith, Claridge and Whitehead missing. 46 other ranks killed, 105 other ranks wounded and 189 other ranks missing.

As we can see from the diary captain Allison Smith went missing during this period in the front line. A later report of the 29th January 1919 has the daily casualty lists as the following – Reported Missing, since ascertained mortally wounded after being taken prisoner, died on the same day. Report date 18th April 1918.

Reported in the Lincolnshire Echo Wednesday 1st May 1918
* LOCAL OFFICER MISSING – We regret to learn that Captain A. G. Smith (Lancashire Fusiliers), second son of Mr. George Smith, solicitor, Horbling is reported “missing.” It is known that he was engaged in recent severe fighting and that he and a small detachment of men were cut off from the main body, two only remaining. Further news of this valiant young officer is anxiously awaited.

The next official document we can find is on the 7th July 1919, The Soldier’s effects register reports that Lt A G Smith had effects totalling £201 3/-

Two months later Probate records report – Smith, Allison Gould of Horbling, Folkingham, Lincolnshire died 18th April 1918 at or near Givenchy France. The administration of the estate was carried out in London on 6th September 1919 to George Smith, Solicitor. Effects £1120 14/-

CWGC – In memory of Captain Allison Gould Smith, MC, 7th Bn., The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment who died on 18 April 1918 Age 27. Son of George and Helen Phyllis Smith, of Horbling, Billingborough, Lincs. Educated at Winchester College and Magdalene College, Cambridge. Remembered with honour, Loos Memorial

© Warden and Scholars of Winchester College

Remembrance – Harold Leonard Joyce

Remembrance – Harold Leonard Joyce

by | Apr 17, 2020 | Remembrance

Today we remember Bourne man Harold Leonard Joyce who was killed on this day (17th April) 1918, whilst serving as a Private with the 2/5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment.

Harold was born in the autumn of 1896 in the Bourne district and was the son of Frederick George Joyce, born in Boston in 1855 and his wife Selina Bemrose, born in Sloothby (near Alford) in 1879.

The couple were married on the 3rd July 1879 in Willoughby, near Alford, Lincolnshire, where they lived for a further year and where their first child was born.

 

Following this they moved to Boston, living there for about 7 years before moving to Bourne.

* Annie May Joyce, 1880, Alford
* William Henry Joyce, 1881, Boston
* Louisa Emily Joyce, 1884, Boston
* Frederick Arthur Joyce, 1887, Boston (Died 1887)
* Alfred George Joyce, 1888, Bourne
* John Bertie Joyce, 1889, Bourne
* Flora Belle Joyce
* Harold Leonard Joyce, 1896, Bourne
* Arthur Charles Storey Joyce, 1898, Bourne
* Selina Florence (Lilly Joyce) 1901, Bourne
* The 1911 census gives 10 children, 1 having died. A search through birth registers of Bourne does not give any clues.

A five year old Harold can be found living with his parents in Bedehouse Bank in Bourne on the 1901 census, but ten years later at the age of 15 he is living with the Myers family in Tongue End and working as a labourer.

As with 60% of the official military records from the war it os most likely that Harold’s records were destroyed in a warehouse fire in the blitz. We can piece together some of his movements from other official documents such as pension records and medial rolls but these do not give exact dates.

Harold enlisted in Bourne and possibly after basic training was originally posted to the 2/4th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment.
He ended up serving with the 2/5th battalion although it is not known if hew was transferred immediately when laded in France as in some cases or as is sometimes that case this can be because he was wounded and after convalescence was then posted to a Battalion that was more in need of replacements.

The only thing we do know for certain is that Harold was with the 2/5th Battalion for his final days. We can take up the story from the Battalion Diary of the battle they were involved in to stem the flow of the enemy spring offensive during April 1918.

The 2/5th Battalion had spent March in the area south east of Arras, at Bullecourt, before being moved to Watou west of Poperinge, Belgium, an area used for Battalions moving up to the Ypres salient.
After 4 day of refit the Battalion preceded on the 4th April into the line on the Zonnebeke sector of the salient.
After 5 days in the line near Zonnebeke the Battalion was moved into reserve at St Jean for 2 further days before being entrained for Mont des Cats and then Marched to Locre on the 14th April.

14th April 1918 – Mont des Cats
2am -Mont Des Cats
Battalion marched to Locre (M.23C sheet 28) where it was temporarily accommodated in huts at 4:50 am.
11am – Locre
Battalion moved out along the Locre – Dranoutre road to about M.29 see where it cleared the road and awaited orders. The CEO and company commanders went forward to reconnoitre the reserve line south of Dranoutre.
Orders were received to relieve the 88th infantry Brigade in the line on Ravelsburg Ridge in S.16 and 17, 22 and 23 Company commanders went off at once to recognise the line and battalion moved off about 10:30 pm. The 88th infantry Brigade had only occupied their positions for 14 hours and as this Battalion was relieving three regiments relief was not completed until 5:30 am.

15th April 1918 – Bailleul
5.30am – Bailleul
Battalion took over as follows having all their companies holding line, 4 advance posts – 1 from each company. These posts were dug in on the forward slopes along the line S.2 1D.I want to S.23B.0.0 distributed at intervals of about 400 feet. They were age garrisoned by one platoon.
Each company held a part of the support line with three platoons this line was dug on the reverse flow of the Ravelsburg ridge along the line S.21.D.0.5 to S.23.A.7.5.
Battalion HQ in a trench at S.16.C.0.7
6.0 am – Bailleul
To hostile patrols about 20 strong advanced against our posts in S.22.D they were driven off leaving three prisoners in our hands and 17 dead and wounded in front of our post.
7.0 am
A hostile patrol advanced against the machine-gun post in S.20 to say they were counter-attacked and driven off leaving 12 prisoners in our hands. During the morning I deserters came over to our lines.
12.0 noon
For an account of the operation during the remainder of the day see special appendix attached.
Appendix – An account of the part taken by the 2/5th Bn Lincolnshire Rgt in operations East of Bailleul on 15th April 1918.

15th April 1918
12.0 Noon
At this hour the battalion was disposed as previously described in the war diary to which this account form is in appendix. This position has been taken up during the night 14th and 15th of April 1918.
A heavy bombardment of our position commenced at 12 noon and continued until 2:30 pm when it changed to a barrage falling along the line of that of the units on our right and left.
2.45pm
The enemy delivered an attack against the fourth Lincoln regiment on our left but their line remained remained intact.
3.40pm
Enemy attack developed against our right company in S.21.D this attack was repulsed by our lewis gun and rifle fire.
4.30pm
Left the company commander reported the enemy on the ridge on his immediate left and that the forthcoming concert fallen back from the ridge. They formed a defences flank facing east still keeping in touch with our left company (D company).
5.25pm
At 5:25 pm the line of the 4th Lincoln Regiment in S.16.B and 17.A withdrew to the railway cutting in S.17.A, 11c, 16b and 16a.
5.45pm
The enemy forced his way over the back of the hill at S.16 D breaking the line of the 4th Lincoln and getting behind the left flank of our Battalion including one for platoon of the 4th Lincolns which had continuously maintained touch with our left.
At the same time a frontal attack developed along our front. The left company was last seen in its original position fighting at very close quarters with the enemy. The Lewis gun of this company fired to the last, the enemy advancing in close formations at very short range the remaining three companies on the ridge came under very heavy machine gun fire from the left where the enemy had gained a footing on the ridge.
These companies have heavy casualties and swung round to form a flank facing east. They were gradually driven back on to a line taken up by the 176 infantry Brigade north-east of Bailleul.
6.15pm
Patrols were sent out from Battalion HQ to get in touch with the companies in Front but found only the enemy. To conform with the movements of the 4th Lincoln Regiment battalion headquarters withdrew to S.10.C.7.2 where two companies of the 9th Northumberland Fusiliers were found to be holding a line.
The Battalion HQ personnel were organised into five units and extended the line of the Fusiliers to the right from S.10.C.3.2 to S.10.C.7.2. The enemy attack was checked here.
7pm
During the night the enemy by means of patrols push forward on finding that out right flank was open. Several patrols were sent out to try and establish touch with our troops on the right but without success. In order to prevent the enemy penetrating this gap to platoons of the ninth Northumberland Fusiliers were brought up and the line extended some 500 feet to the north-west to S.9.D.90.75.
11pm
This was the position when orders were received from Brigade to withdraw to Locre.
The following casualties were sustained:
Officers –
Killed. Lieut Colnel H B Roffey D.S.O
Wounded, 2/Lieut Dickinson
Missing, 2/Lieut W G Fenton, 2/Lieut J C Myers.
Other ranks –
Killed, Wounded and Missing, 352
Report signed by Major Commanding 2/5 Lincoln Rgt.

16th April 1918 – Bailleul
2.0 am
Battalion HQ withdrew from positions at S.10.C and D and moved to Locre where they were joined by details from companies who withdrew to Bailleul. Battalion was accommodated in huts at M.17.C.2.2and rested all day.

17th April 1918 – Locre
Italian was amalgamated with fourth Lincoln regiment and the composite battalion then formed was known as major homes as battalion after commander of fourth Lincolns. The 77th Brigade with details attached was known as General Jameses force.
8.30am
Battalion moved up to position of readiness for counter-attack or support to front line in area M.29.a and c. According to orders companies were dug in, in and about the wood in M.29.c but heavy enemy shelling forced the evacuation of the wood. Companies then dug in in narrow slots in M.29.a. 2/Lieut J. Fisher was killed and 2/Lieut V du Plergny seriously wounded subsequently dying at the casualty clearing station. 15 other ranks were killed and wounded Battalion remained in position all day.

Harold was wounded with a gun shot wound in the left thigh, in part of the actions some time over the report in the diary, most likely on the 15th April. He then would have been moved via a casualty clearing station to hospitals away from the front. It is in an hospital close to Calais where unfortunately he died of wounds on the 17th April 1918.

* Grantham Journal Staurday 27th April 1918
* NEWS OF BOURNE BOYS – Mr and Mrs Joyce of Bedehouse Bank, have received information that their son, Pte. H. L Joyce, Lincoln Regt., died in hospital in France, from gunshot wounds in the left thigh. Mr and Mrs J. Copper of Manning road, have had all the letters of thieir son Leslie, returned marked “no address known.” They have not yet had official notice that he is missing, although one of the letters was marked to that effect. Private Martin E. Barnes, a native of Bourne, attached to the Notts. and Derby Regiment, has been missing since March 21st. The notification came to Pte Barnes’ sister, Mrs F Hinson of Willoughby Road. Pte Wm Jackson son of Mr and Mrs Wm Jackson of Eastgate, has been taken prisoner. He is unwounded. This is the second son of Mr and Mrs Jackson who is now a prisoner of war, whilst a third and younger son was killed in action some months ago. Mrs Smallman of Elm-terrace has received official notification that her husband, Pte. E. Smallson is missing. Prior to his joining the Forces, Pte. Smallson was in the employ of Messrs. W.H. Smith and Son at their Bourne bookstall.

A field account of June 1918 tells us that Harold died of wounds on the 17th April 1918 in France whilst serving with the 2/5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. His effects being left to his father who received an authorised amount of £10/17/5 owed to his son.

The grave report from. August 1918 lists Harold’s grave as Plot 11, Row A Grave 5, buried with Pte Woodward of the King’s Liverpool Regiment who died on the 18th April. The family had an extra inscription added to the standard grave marker “Gone from us but not forgotten. Never shall your memory fade”. This was requested by Mrs Selina Joyce, Bede House Bank, Bourne.

Wimereaux cemetery is near the coast outside of calais and is in light soil hence the grave are set laid down, two per plot.

Wimereaux is quite a well visited cemetery as it also contains the Grave of Lieut-Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian Physcian and the author of the poem, In Flanders Fields.

CWGC – In memory of Private Harold Leonard Joyce, 203706, 2nd/5th Bn., Lincolnshire Regiment who died on 17 April 1918 Age 21. Son of Fred and Selina Joyce, of Bourne, Lincolnshire. Remembered with honour, Wimereux Communal Cemetery

Haconby Memorial – WW2

by | Nov 6, 2019 | Remembrance

After a question raised on an email, tonight we have been looking at WW2. On the Haconby memorial we find E Sharman, son of Richard and Mary Sharman of Haakon Nurseries in Haconby. Haakon Nurseries (Haakon House) are the rose gardens on Haconby crossroads.

Investigating E Sharman we find out that he was Pilot Officer Edward Sharman, a navigator on a Vickers Wellington MK2, W5355, that was lost without trace with all crew on a night raid to Le Havre on 11th February 1942.

The aircraft of 12 Squadron took off from RAF Binbrook on the night of Wednesday 11th February, for a mission that was planned for the 12th. The crew of W5355, code PH, on that night were:-

Pilot Officer Norman Nelson Powell, aged 24, J/5226. RCAF, Pilot.
Pilot Officer Edward Sharman, aged 20, 108145. RAF Volunteer Reserve, Navigator
Sergeant John Walter Ashton, 1379656. RAF Volunteer Reserve, Pilot.
Sergeant George Henry Bonner, age 32, 959560. RAF Volunteer Reserve, Air Gunner.
Sergeant David Thomas Smith, age 22, 944264. RAF Volunteer Reserve, Wireless Operator.
Sergeant Robert Charles Wentworth-Hyde, 930250. RAF Volunteer Reserve, Air Gunner.

Pilot Officer Edward Sharman is remembered on the Haconby St Andrew war memorial. He is also remembered on Wickenby Register Roll of Honour, Great Gonnerby St Sebastian war memorial, Great Gonnerby Memorial Hall, The Runnymede Memorial (Panel 71) and at the International Bomber Command Centre Panel 95.

Remembrance – Harry Pearce

by | Oct 7, 2019 | Remembrance

On the 7th October we remember Bourne man Harry Pearce who died on this day 1916 serving with the 9th Battalion Royal Fusiliers,  originally with the 24th (2nd Sportsman) Battalion, SPTE/2547.

 

Harry was born in Bourne on the 27th June 1884 to John Thomas Pearce, Postmaster Stationer and printer, and his wife Harriet nee March.

 

John Thomas Pearce was born in Bourne in 1852 and Married Harriet March, born in Swinstead in 1876. They were married in Swinstead on the 26th February 1876.

They settled in Bourne where each of their seven children were born.

  • William Pearce, 1877, Bourne
  • Evelyn Mary Pearce, 1879, Bourne
  • Elizabeth Pearce, 1881, Bourne
  • Thomas (Tom) Pearce, 1882, Bourne
  • Harry Pearce, 1884, Bourne
  • Edward March Pearce, 1887, Bourne
  • Eliza Pearce, 1889, Bourne

 

In 1891 the family were living at the Post Office in the market place where John Thomas was the postmaster and also a printer and stationer. At this point in time the children Evelyn, Elizabeth, John, Harry and Edward are all at school and also in the house with the couple was 25 year old assistant housekeeper Charlotte Burrows who was Harriet’s Niece.

 

Ten years later in 1901 and the couple had moved to North Road (possibly no 45) on the south corner of Gladstone Street. John Thomas still working as the postmaster and also running a printers business employing people. Son William is a self employed Pianoforte Tuner and also in the household are Evelyn, Edward and Eliza. By this time Harry has moved way from home.

 

In 1905 John Thomas Pearce passed away at the age of 52.

 

In 1911 the family home is still at 45 North Street that we believe is also known as Marchmont, which would be a play on Harriet’s maiden name of March. Now we only find Harriet and daughter Eliza In the eight room house. Eliza is now working from home as a self employed Milliner.

 

We suspect that Harry has joined the Merchant Navy as he cannot be found in a quick search of the 1901 and 1911 census’ and also we have managed to track down an Admiralty document that indicates that he was in the Navy before the war.

 

There is one other document we can find where a Harry Pearce is arriving in San Francisco California on the 28th June 1908, as a second officer on a cargo ship called the Inveric. This Harry Pearce is English and of the correct age but other than that we cannot prove that this is the correct Harry Pearce.

 

The naval form found ADM-340-108-15 shows that Harry Pearce obtained his Board of Trade Certification as O.C. on the 11th December 1913, no 321 Bengal.

He is then employed on board the Ariadne Irene on her River Prove voyage between May and October 1914. This was classed as training on the Admiralty form.

Harry is then commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant for the period of the war only on the 16th November 1914 in Portsmouth and placed on active service on the ship “Calyx”.
SS Calypso was taken up by the Admiralty in November 1914, she was renamed HMS Calyx and armed with 8 x 4.7inch and 2 x 3pounder guns. She served with the 10th Cruiser Squadron until 26.6.1915.

Harry was commissioned as Sub-Lieutenant on Calyx but some notes in the Admiralty form would indicate that something went wrong. Unfortunately the writing is very poor and the scan of the document not great but on the 15th December 1914 his commission was cancelled.

 

Harry then enlisted in the Army. As with 60% of all WW1 Army Service Records, Harry’s records cannot be found and are most likely part of the records that were destroyed in a warehouse fire in the London Blitz. As is the case with lots of our researched soldiers we have to rely on other records such as pension record and battalion Diaries to try and tell Harry’s war story.

 

The enlistment took place in London and Harry was destined to join the Royal Fusiliers (London Regiment) and his posting to the 24th (2nd Sportsman) Battalion receiving the Regimental number of SPTE/2547. The exact date is not known but using the information from the War Gratuity payment we can establish that Harry must have enlisted in the month following the 10th January 1915.

 

The 24th Battalion had been formed in London by Mrs Emma Cunliffe-Owen, a former sportswoman.

“Mrs. Cunliffe-Owen, on rallying some men-friends for not being in khaki, was challenged to raise a battalion of middle and upper class men up to the age of forty-five. She promptly went with them to a post-office and telegraphed to Lord Kitchener, ” Will you accept complete battalion of upper and middle class men, physically fit, able to shoot and ride, up to the age of forty-five ? ” The reply was, ” Lord Kitchener gratefully accepts complete battalion.””

It was not long before two Battalions had been raised.

 

The 24th Battalion formed in London on 11th September 1914 then moved to Horsham and then on to Clipstone Camp, Nottinghamshire to joined the 99th Brigade of the 33rd Division.

 

On the 1st September 1915 they were taken over by the War Office and moved to Tidworth, Wiltshire. It would not be until Nov 1915 they were mobilised for war.

 

The Battalion Diary tells the story of Harry’s and the Battalion’s first days in France:-

On the 8th November 1915 the Battalion took part in the review of the 33rd Division by H M The Queen, review in line of masses and march past by half Companies.

 

15th November 1915 – Tidworth

Departure of battalion for service overseas. Weather fine.

 

16th November 1915 – Harvre

Arrived at rest camp no 5

 

18th November 1915 – Havre

Proceeded by Rail to billets at Steenbecque, 17 hours journey, 39 men in a truck impossible for them all to lie down as they had packs with them

 

19th November 1915 – Steenbecque

Arrived Steenbecque

 

23rd November 1915 – Busnes

Proceeded to Busnes by road

 

26th November 1915 –  Fourquereuil

Arrived by road from Busnes

 

28th November 1915 – Annequin

Proceeded by road from Fourquereuil to billets at Annequin  for instrcution in trench warfare under 5th Infantry Brigade. G of 99th Infantry Brigade informed CO personally that the Battalion would leave 99th Infantry Brigade and become part of the 5th Infantry Brigade.

 

On new years day the Battalion observed the day as a holiday while billeted at Fontes and undertook company football matches. The 2nd January was a Sunday and again observed as a holiday. The diary reports that the billets here were comfortable.

 

The battalion spent up until the 18th in these billets and their time was mixed between training, route marches, concerts and almost daily football and rugby matches. On the 18th January the Battalion was moved by road to Lillers and thence by rail to Bethune where they were billeted in the tobacco factory.

 

Their training continued whilst at these billets. The Battalion Diary gives a good account of what life was like for the Battalion under training but that as soon to end.

 

19th January 1916 – Bethune

General clearing of billets, inspection of gas helmets, rifles and equipment. Men billeted in tobacco factory, good billets, weather fine.

 

20th January 1916 – Bethune

Large party of men proceeded to Givenchy for work under Royal Engineers. Weather fair.

 

21st January 1916 – Bethune

Company training. Royal Artillery band gave a concert at theatre many of the men attended. Weather fair and mild.

 

22nd January 1916 – Bethune

Company training. Final divisional Boxing Competition in afternoon. Pte Patsey Coxeley ‘A’ Company won heavy weights. Weather fair some rain.

 

23rd January 1916 – Bethune

Sunday church parade. Weather fine and mild.

 

24th January 1916 – Bethune

Company training. The CO and company commanders went up to Festubert to make recognisance of trenches prior to the Battalion taking them over. Weather fine and mild, wind NE.

 

25th January 1916 – Bethune

Company training. Weather fine.

 

26th January 1916 – C2 Sub Sec Trenches

Battalion proceeded to take over n.2.c section trenches from 23rd Royal Fusiliers. Front approximately Rue de Bois to Quinque Rue. Relief commenced at 7.30pm, B & D Companies in front line, A Company in support C Company in reserve. Weather fine.

 

  27th January 1916 – C2 Sub Sec Trenches

 A large amount of work was done in repairing the breast work of these trenches. The enemy was very quiet and showed no activity except for dome sniping and firing of rifle grenades. A patrol under Lt Chandler reconnoitred the enemy’s wire and found it good and intact. Patrols sent out to right and left flanks. Reported 2nd Ox and Bucks Light Infantry on our right and a battalion of Royal Welsh Fusiliers on our left who formed part of the 38th Division. At about 5pm the enemy fired a rifle grenade into left front line trenches killing 3 men and wounding 2. A patrol from D Company reconnoitring enemy wire were fired on and the corporal in charge was missing on their return. The weather was fine and mild wind SW.

 

Casualties 27.1.16

Killed,

2582 Lance Corporal Soulsby – B Company

2749 Pte Coles – B Company

2426 Pte Marshall – B Company

Wounded

2547 Pte Pearce – B Company

3390 Pte Field – B Company

Missing

2693 Corporal Robertson – D Company

 

The Battalion remained in the trenches until the 30th January when they were marched to Le Touret and were billeted as Brigade Reserve.

 

Private Harry Pearce was wounded on his first day in the trenches.

 

Harry was reported as wounded on the British Army Daily List of 6th February 1916 serving with 24th Bn Royal Fusiliers. These list were compiled in the field and sometime a man could appear on a wounded list up to 6 weeks after receiving the wound, especially after a big action such as the Somme battles.

 

The normal route for wounded men would be to attend to be attended by a first aid post. Then a field Ambulance (usually stretcher bearers) would take those that required more than first aid, back to a Advance Dressing Station. From here the most serious cases were then taken back to a Casualty Clearing Station which was like a filed hospital. Those requiring further treatment would be loaded on an Ambulance train and taken back to a base hospital. At any stage during this is the man was fixed up he would be sent back up the line to return to his own Battalion.

 

Once reaching a base hospital the man would receive any mid term treatment and those deemed not to recover quickly were then sent back home on hospital ships to be treated in General Hospitals back in Britain.

 

As there are no records for Harry describing what happened to him and we know that he remained on the strength of the Battalion until 3rd March, we have to assume that his wound was that bad that he ended up firstly in a hospital in Britain.

 

We do not have any records for Harry to say how long he was in hospital but normal procedure was that after convalescing a soldier was released from hospital and if that soldier was not fully fit for return to action they were sent to an Infantry Command Depot. These were convalescent camps where they would receive rehabilitative training in order to become fit to be sent back to the front.

 

Harry arrived back in France on the 8th July 1916. He would have arrived at a base camp somewhere near Calais usually and then would be assigned to a Battalion that was most in need of men. It was quite usual for men to join another Regiment in total at this point but for Harry he was posted to the 9th Battalion Royal Fusiliers who on the 8th were busy and having a tough time in the trenches at Ovillers, this was after all the first week of the Battle of the Somme.

By the time Harry arrived with his new Battalion in the filed, they had moved to Bus les Artois.

 

15th July 1916 – Bus Les Artois

A draft of 292 men arrived at Belle Eglise and at 4am.

8.30am – Drums played draft into billets. The men had breakfasts.

11.15am – Draft paraded and were inspected by the Brigadier general Boyd who gave them a very inspiring speech. The men were allotted to their various companies and marched to their billets.

6.0pm – A concert given by the Divisional Concert Party was held at the YMCA Hut, in Bus Les Artois.

 

After divine service on the 16th (Sunday), the next day the Battalion continued their training with bombing practice, bayonet fighting, drill etc on the training grounds and in the afternoon they attended lectures. Another draft of 167 men arrived  on this day the 17th July 1916.

Training continued and eventually the Battalion would take over trenches on the 20th July at White City and Elles Square. For Harry, who had initially arrived in France in November 1915, this was only to be his second day in trenches. This tour would last for 4 days and would only cost the Battalion 1 casualty.

 

The Battalion then moved back into the thick of the Somme for their next tour at La Boiselle. In August they would be involved in the capture and defence of Ration Trench before being praised for their work  in the successful operations north of Pozieres.

 

After the Somme the battalion was moved up to Arras in August.

 

The next report we have for Harry was that on the daily lists for 13th September 1916, remember that lists could be behind real time, he was once again wounded.

The Battalion had been quite busy in the trenches in late August and early September with various reports of casualties in the Battalion Diary. It is difficult without official records to say exactly what happened to Harry and when .

If this report is correct, we can only assume that this time the wound was not that great and that he would return to the Battalion at some time between then and 7th October.

 

On the 1st October the Battalion were back in the Somme and in trenches west of Goudecourt. They were still in the same trenches on the 5th October when they received word that the planned offensive that should have taken place this day would be postponed by 48 hours.

They remained I the trenches right up to the new zero hour for the offensive, at that point being in the trenches for 7 continuous days.

At 7.15pm our artillery started the bombardment that was planned to last all the way up to Zero hour.

 

7th October 1916 – Trenches West of Guedecourt.

Zero at 1.45pm 8th Royal Fusiliers and 9th Royal Fusiliers attacking, 7th Sussex in support, 11th Middlesex in reserve. 37th Brigade attacking on our right, – 35th Brigade in Divisional support.

A, B & D Companies took up their positions in the advanced trench in front of Gird Support overnight, with C Company in Gird Support Trench as the supporting company. D= Right company, B = Centre Company and A left company.
Companies went over in two lines – also the supporting company – which rushed over from Gird Support to the advanced trench immediately the attacking companies went forward. Contrary to expectations, very heavy machine gun fire was encountered immediately the first line reached the top of the ridge, also very heavy shelling. The three front companies and 2 platoons of the supporting company were practically decimated by the fire. B Company apparently swung out to the right to get in touch with A Company and were enfiladed by two machine guns. The first objective was not reached by any company. Enemy were observed to take in some of our wounded of B & D Companies. A body of Germans also commenced to advance on our left, but were driven back by our machine gun fire which was immediately opened up on them. Some stragglers crawled back at dusk, and we continued to hold our original front line, with these men and the two remaining platoons of C Company.

The artillery barrage had been a creeping one, and apparently had missed the first German trench, which was nearer than it had appeared. Our barrage, remained for some time behind our second objective, until it was known that the attack had failed. A similar result occurred from the attack on our left and right.

 

Up to the time of going over the top, our casualties had been officers 8, other ranks 109 and 20 sick, so the Battalion was rather weak on going over. In the attack were

Killed, 4 officers and 21 other ranks

Wounded, 1 officer and 131 other ranks

Missing, 4 officers and 161 other ranks.

This was a total casualties of 9 officers and 313 other ranks.

 

In a personal note to the commanding officer  the GOC 36th Infantry Brigade said:- “will you please thank all ranks of your Battalion for the magnificent gallantry they displayed yesterday. They advanced steadily under very heavy fire which only the very best troops could have faced. Although unfortunately unsuccessful your gallant conduct has added to the fine reputation which you have already won for yourselves”

The Battalion was relieved  by the 11th Middlesex regiment (2 companies), the other 2 companies of the 11th Mx relieving the 8th Royal Fusiliers on our left. The 7th Sussex moved up in support.

 

Private Harry Pearce was reported as one of the missing during this action of the 7th October 1916.

 

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The International Red Cross received a request for information;
Harry Pearce Private No 2547, Royal Fusiliers, “A” Company, 2nd Platoon. Disparu depuis 7 Oct 1916 en France.
REP: Mrs Lizzie Burrows, 14 Colosseum Terrace, Regents Park, London.

Response: Rien – Negatif envoye, 27.11.16

 

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Thus Mrs Lizzie Burrows requested of them details as to if Harry Pearce was found as a prisoner of war. The answer was negative thus Harry is now certainly presumed dead. Lizzie is the Aunt of Harry Pearce.

 

Harry was later reported as dead,’ previously reported missing’ on the British army daily lists of 3rd December 1916. It would not be until the 11th July 1917, that the war office casualty lists for newspapers would report that Pte Harry Pearce of the 9th Royal Fusiliers, previously missing, was now reported dead.

 

On the 28th October 1917, Harry’s estate was settled by Probate in favour of William Pearce, Printer. This gives Harry’s address as Marchmont, North Road, Bourne, the Pearce Family home.

 

 

Commonwealth War Graves Commission:

In memory of Private Harry Pearce, SP/2547, 9th Bn., Royal Fusiliers Regiment who died on 7 October 1916 Age 32. Son of John Thomas and Harriet Pearce, of 45, North Rd., Bourne, Lincs. Remembered with honour, Thiepval Memorial

 

Harry Pearce is also commemorated on the Bourne War memorial, Memorial Gardens, South Street Bourne, the Roll of Honour in Bourne Abbey Church and Bourne Baptist Chapel Roll of Honour now held by the Royal British Legion.

 

Private Harry Pearce was awarded the British Medal, The Victory Medal and also the 1915 Star for his services to his Country.