Remembrance – John Thomas Ashton

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.

Remembrance – Walter Needham

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.

Remembrance – Ernest Robinson

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

Remembrance – Arthur Stennett

by James | Apr 12, 2018 | Uncategorised

Today we commemorate the 101st anniversary of the death of another local man.

Private Arthur Stennett (51964), 1st Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) who was killed on 12th April 1917.

Arthur was born in Billingborough in 1897, the 4th of 7 children born to Thomas Stennett, a farm labourer from Billingborough and his wife Alice Taylor.

in 1911, Arthur is living with his parents in Whiteleather Square, Billingborough, Lincolnshire. The census gives him an age of 14 and he is listed as a farm labourer.

Arthur joined the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) unfortunately due to the loss of records in a fire in WW2, it is knot known exactly when he enlisted in Sleaford.

Arthur’s brother Thomas fought in WW1 and was serving in Egypt with the Machine Gun Corps, formerly the Lincs Yeomanry. Another Brother Walter was serving with the Lincolnshire Regiment.

We can only really look at Arthur’s military movements in the last month before his death, which saw his battalion in France, on the Somme to the North East of Peronne at the start of April.

1st April
The Battalion moved into brigade reserve at Nurlu, Company officers reconnoitred the main line of resistance.

2nd April
The Battalion improving the billets at Nurlu. The commanding officer reconnoitred the main divisional defensive line, accompanied by the company commanders.

3rd April
Conference of commanding officers with the Brigadier at Guyencourt on the general outpost scheme. Company commanders reconnoitring the outpost line held by the second Northamptonshire Regiment, the battalion relieved second Northamptonshire Regiment in the outpost line at 6 PM. Battalion headquarters at W .26.a.1.6 “C” company relieved “C” company of the second Northamptonshire Regiment in the outpost line.
The battle patrol platoon was ordered to advance at 10 PM to drive back any enemy patrols met with, and to occupy a line of Observation running from Chapel Crossing (X.7.C.3 ½) to W.5.D.20.95. The right patrol advanced on Chapel Crossing, which is captured after some opposition during these operations one German was killed and one of our men wounded slightly. This patrol pursued a party of 4 or 5 of the enemy who ran away from Chapel Crossing for some 500 yards in the direction of Villers-Guislain, and eventually losing them in the snow and sleet which is falling at the time, returned to Chapel Crossing and dug in. Various newly dug trenches and snipers holes were encountered and in one of them fire was burning. These trenches average about 6 ft deep and to 2ft wide and have a rough overhead cover. The entire patrol advanced to two points about W.12.a.1.7 and W.12.a.9.2. Little opposition was encountered the enemy usually in pairs, clearing out in every case after a few shots were fired. The left patrol worked in two groups; one about 100 yards south of the Revelon-Gouzeaucourt Road advancing through W.5.d central and the other about 500 yards north of the road. This patrol encountered considerable opposition from enemy riflemen and one of our men was wounded, but by assisting each other with flanking movements they were eventually able to reach their objectives near W.5.d.2.9, w.6.c.1.7 and w.5.d.5.4. The C company Battle Patrol Platoon (Lt A.C. Wilson) reports that he personally saw from 10 to 12 of the enemy during his advance and that Very lights were fired from Vaucellette Farm. (X.13.c.8.4 ½.) At frequent intervals during the day the enemy shelled the neighbourhood of Revlon and Copse No 1 (W.17.a.)

4th April
“C” company holding the outpost line and Chapel Crossing at 2.0 pm the 25th Brigade on our left attacked Gouzeaucourt and advanced their line to meet our line. At 2.30pm “D” and “B” companies were employed filling up craters under the supervision of the 15th Field Company Royal Engineers. About 2.50 pm a party of the enemy crept up under cover of the road to within 15 to 20 yards of the left Lewis gun post in the main resistance line and a hand to hand melee ensued but the enemy were repulsed after a sharp encounter. Some on the enemy was severely wounded and one of our men slightly in the hand.
At 3.0 pm the infantry on our left entered Metz, enemy shelled the cross-roads at D.5.c.8.6 during the afternoon. “C” company actively engaged with the enemy who were driven off, but we lost a few men reported “missing”. Enemy again occupied Chapel Crossing. At 8.0pm “A” company relieved “C” company in the outpost line. “B” and “D” companies digging the main line of resistance from 8.30pm on the 4th to 4.0am on the 5th.

5th April
“A” company holding the outpost line. Enemy artillery active on the trenches dug for the main line of resistance and in the valley between copses 1 and 2 from 11am to 2.30 pm. Black smoke wqas observed issuing from direction of Gonnelieu from 11am to 11.25am. Good observation can be obtained from new trenches of the Revelon-Gouzeaucourt Road and south end of Gouzenaucourt. Small parties of the enemy seen on Gouzeaucourt Road. About 10pm “C” Company sent out patrols and regained Chapel Crossing without serious opposition from the enemy and “A” company advanced on hill 135 in conjunction with the Rifle Brigade meeting with little opposition. The battalion was relieved by the 2nd Northamptonshire regiment at 9.30pm.

6th April
The Battalion rest at Heudincourt. Battalion headquarters at W.20.d.9.8. All companies spent the day imposing billets and digging shelter trenches.

7th April
Company commanders reconnoitred the outpost line for taking over from the 2nd Northamptonshire Regiment on the evening of the 8th. Enemy artillery active on the night of the 6th / 7th on the quarries at W.16.c.0.7 and during the day enemy artillery shelled all cross-roads and entrances to Heudicourt, Nurlu and Sorel-Le-Grand. Enemy aeroplanes patrolled over Heudicourt at 9.0 pm.

8th April
The commanding officer reconnoitered the line during the morning. Enemy aeroplanes patrolled over Heudicourt about 1.0pm but were driven off by the fire of our Lewis guns. The battalion relieved the 2nd Northamptonshire Regiment at 9.30pm. Battalion headquarters at W.3.d.8.2 “B company holding the outpost line on the left and “D” company on the right. The Battle Patrol Platoon sent out 4 patrols in front of the outpost line from the left to W.12.a.central. The patrol on the left met a party of the enemy at W.6.a.2.3 behind Hill 135, who ran away on being fired at. The patrol in the centre under the command of Lt A G Wilson, were held up by barbed wire about W.5.b.5.5. and in attempting to negotiate the obstacle met with a fusillade of fire and a machine gun opened on them and continued firing after they has passed our outpost lines. Many deserted emeny trenches were discovered.
No 50602 Lt A Jarratt and No 10345, Sgt G Ferguson awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in action.

9th April
Situation normal our Artillery demonstrated from 1:30 PM to to 3 PM and three patrols of the battle patrol platoon were pushed out in the direction of Gouzeaucourt during this demonstration and engage various parties of the enemy. They quickly reach their objectives killing one German and return safely to our lines. In the neighbourhood of Arras the offensive commenced and all objectives will gay and about 10,000 prisoners captured. During the evening our artillery shelled several points and at 8:30 PM two patrols from “B” company were sent out to reconnoitre the neighbourhood around goes a court to ascertain if the enemy at gone back, but returned having observed one-party of three of the enemy only, walking in the direction of Gonlieu about 10 PM.

10th April
B and D company occupied in the outpost line. The commanding officer visited the outpost line, accompanied by the adjutant. Weather very changeable and slow falling at frequent intervals. Patrols were sent out from B company about 8:30 PM to ascertain the strength of the enemy around Gouzeaucourt and to return if fired on. They discovered a strong host of the enemy on a ridge beyond hill 135 and were fired at. Numerous red white and blue very lights were sent up by the enemy was these patrols were out but they regained our lines without any casualties. The battalion was relieved by the second Northamptonshire Regiment at 10 PM and talk over billets at Heudicourt W.15.d.1.9. Captain T H Watson (1st Worcs Rgt) attached to the battalion and appointed second in command.

11th April
The battalion spent the day improving billets during the morning and filling up craters and repairing the Sorel-Houdicourt Road. During the afternoon the commanding officer attended the Brigade conference at Sorrel to discuss the plan of attack against Gouzeaucourt and on his return how the conference of all officers giving minute instructions as to the operations for the night of the 12th.

12th April
During the day the battalion made all preparations for the attack. The commanding officer and all company officers reconnoitred the line. At 6:30 Battalion headquarters move to Queens Crossing (Q.34.b.3.9.) and the companies lined up behind the line of resistance held by the second Northamptonshire Regiment. “B” company on the right and “D” company on the left. “A” company in support of B Company and “C” company in support of “D” company. After the barrage lifted at 8:30 PM the companies Advanced and the battle platoon attacked the village. Advancing with great dash the company is swept aside all resistance and gained their objectives and consolidated their final objective, the sunken road from Metz to Gouzeaucourt. Sending out patrols to drive back any enemy patrols encountered. The casualties amongst our companies being very few but the enemy suffered heavily. The battle platoon met with considerable resistance, being held up by the thick wire in front of the village and encountering a strong post of the enemy behind the wire, but they broke through and disperse the enemy (driving down into the battle platoon of the second East Lancs who captured 12 of them) and occupied the village. The battle platoon suffered a number of casualties during the night from enemy shell fire, which continued until the morning of the 13th. The weather during these operations was intensely adverse. Snow fall in the all afternoon and evening and first coming in the early morning.

13th April
Situation quiet. The enemy shelled battalion headquarters intermittently during the day. Whether fine that intensely cold. At 8:30 PM the battalion was relieved by the 12th Suffolk Regiment and we then moved to the right to relieve the Scottish rifles.

Arthur Stennett died of wounds during the 12th April as a result of the operations described.

Grantham Journal Saturday 16th June 1917
BILLINGBOROUGH
MORE SAD NEWS has reached here. Mr Tom Stennett of the Square has been officially notified that his son, Pte A Stennet (Sherwood Foresters) has died of wounds received on April 12th. Nothing has been heard of him since that date, and the parents experienced many weeks of suspense and anxiety. Another son is with the forces in Egypt.
Pte Geo Nicholson (Notts and Derby’s transferred from the K.I.R) has also been reported as missing. Another son, Walter is with the Lincolns. The friends of those heroes have every sympathy.

Boston Guardian Saturday 23rd June 1917
Died of wounds on April 12th, Pte A Stennett, Sherwood Foresters, of Billingborough.

In memory of Private Arthur Stennet, 51964, 1st Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) who died on 12 April 1917 Age 29. Son of Thomas and Alice Stennett, of The Square, Billingborough, Lincs. Remembered with honour, Thiepval Memorial.

Arthur is also remembered on the Billingborough Memorial.

Rest in Peace.

Remembrance – William Thompson

by James | Apr 11, 2018 | Uncategorised

Today we commemorate the 101st anniversary of the death of local Bourne man, Private William Thompson (36295)
2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers Regiment, Formerly 140864, R.F.A.
Died 11th April 1917 age 29.

Willie Thompson was born in 1893 in Scottlethorpe, Edenham, Bourne, Lincolnshire. He was the 8th of 9 children born to Joseph Glassup Thompson, a farmer born in Woolthorpe and his wife Susannah Booth of Haconby.

In 1901 Willie is living with his parents at Wong Farm, Ruskington, Lincolnshire. In 1911 he is living with the Sindall family at Harlaxton Road, Grantham and is working as an apprentice butcher.

In 1915 Willie was married to Margaret Annie Sandall of Stainby. The marriage was registered in Grantham and they were blessed with a son, Norman W G Thompson who was born in 1916.

It is not known when William Thompson signed up, when he saw acton with the Royal Field Artillery or the circumstances of his posting to the Lancashire Fusiliers.

As we are not sure when Willie was posted to the 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers we have to assume that he joined prior to the 1st April 1917, which is the last mention of reinforcements being posted to the battalion prior to the Battle of Arras.

The following transcription has been taken from the Battalion Diary of the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers and describes the Battalions actions in the lead up to and in the Battle of Arras.

1st April – Ostreville
Company training preparatory to offensive action.
Lieut Hartley and 62 other ranks reinforcements arrived.

2nd April – Ostreville
Company Training

3rd April – Ostreville
Batallion training attack practice

4th April – Ostreville
Company training

5th April – Ostreville
Brigade practice attack

6th April – Ostreville
Brigade practice attack

7th April – Ostreville
Battalion moved to Y hutments (1000 yards west of Etrun on main Arras road)

8th April – “Y” Hutments
Last preparation before attack. Grenades bombs etc issued

9th April – ‘Y’ Hutments

3.30am
Reville

4.30am
Battalion moved to assembly area in G.15.a

7.25am
Battalion arrived at assembly area

9.30am
Men had a hot meal.
The assembly area was near a prisoners cage and the sight of so many prisoners made the men cheerful and made them forget the rain and coming attack.

10.20am
Battalion moved off from assembly area, by platoon at 100 yards distance, behind the Essex.
Route:- Track from G.15.b.9.1 to Road junction G.16.a.1.1 – Cross Roads G.16.c.6.9 – Road junction G.16.c.5.7 – G.16.d.3.7 track North of Oil factory to G.18.a.0.0

From this point battalion moved by a beaten track on the Northern outskirts of St Laurent Blangy making from Railway Bridge across Blangy-Athies Road at H.14.b.0.3

12.50pm to 1.30pm
As companies arrived under cover of Railway Embankment they formed up into artillery formation. “C” is on right with rigt on main road, “B” is on left (C W Directing). “D” is on right in support to CW, “A” is on left in support to “B” company.
Battalion Headquarters have go into touch with Headquarters Kings Own Royal Lancashire Regiment south of the Road.
Casualties up to 12.30pm estimated at 1 officer wounded, 18 other ranks killed and wounded, caused by shell fire in vicinity of Cemetery about G.18.b.5.5

1.30pm
Battalion moved on to Brown Line or trenches in G.4.b

2pm
Arrived Brown Line.
C & B companies assembled in trenches from approximately H.14.b.9.3 to H.15.c.1.6
D & A companies assembled in trenches from approximately H.14.b.6.3 to H.14.b.7.6

3.15pm
Battalion moved off in rear of barrage to attack German 4th system and to push on and dig in on green line.
Parts of objectives allotted to battalion:-
4th system from H.16.d.10.05 to H.16.d.70.95
Green Line from H.18.a.9.2 to H.12.c.7.0

Except for a few shells and wild rifle fire the battalion reached the 4th German system without any difficulty.
Casualties, 1 officer wounded, 1 other rank killer, 3 other ranks wounded
The greater part of the Germans came out and surrendered but a few started to run away, many of which were accounted for Lewis Gun fire.
At this point the Germans dropped many shells amongst the trenches composing the 4th System. This added to the discomfort of German prisoners but did no damage to us.

The number of prisoners taken is doubtful estimated at 2 officers and 50 other ranks.

Nine small guns were captured in 4th German system. (Whizz Bangs). five at G.16.d.4.5, four at G.16.a.8.6
C & B companies pushed out patrols to their front.

3.50pm
At about 3.50pm posts were pushed out on to Sunken Road in G.17.B. The left posts took four guns (approximately 4.2’s) on Sunken Road

4.12pm
D & A companies passed through C & B companies and pushed on to green line. On reaching line of Fampoux-Gaurelle Road the companies came under heavy machine gun fire.
They pushed on but finally had to dig in just east of the road.
Touch was maintained with the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment and Essex Regiment on right and left respectively and a continuous trench dug.
As a counter attack was imminent a defensive position was soon built.

Enemy were seen to be massing and advancing in artillery formation. No Attack however took place.
Casualties
Officers wounded 2nd Lieut C st M Williams, 2nd Lieut Parkes
Other ranks killed 6, Died of wounds 2, wounded 53, missing 1

The weather throughout the day was very changeable at the assembly area it rained hard. During the day it rained occasionally. At night it snowed hard.

10th April

During the morning the enemy were active. Sniping and shelling.
In the afternoon the cavalry came up to attack. We were going to attackin support of them. Objective the Plouvain-Gaurelle Road and Greenland Hill. No action took place.
casualties – Officers Wounded – Capt W R Fanner, Lieut E L Hartley

Other Ranks killed 5, died of wounds 2, wounded 64.

11th April
Morning, artillery and aircraft active

12-noon
Battalion attacked – B and C companies were in support to the Kings Own Royal Lamcashire Regiment on the right.
A & D companies remained on green line in divisional reserve.

2pm
As attack was held up on the right by machine gun fire, D co was sent up to report to OC KOR Lanc R to come under his orders.

1:20pm
Cavalry attempted to break through, but owing to machine gun firs did not succeed.

At night B, C & D companies were first in front of original line Kings Own Royal Lancashire Regiment on the right, Dukes on the left “A” company was still on the green line on the left of some Irish Fusiliers who were next to the Dukes with Essex on the left.
Reorganisation was then taken in hand after warning the necessary people on right and left of A company. The company was moved to get in touch with B, C & D companies. This was accomplished without much difficulty.

Casualties
Officers wounded 2nd Lieut G L Wilkins.
Other ranks killed 6, wounded 12, missing 4

Battalion stayed in the line until the 14th April.

In memory of Private William Thompson, 362959, 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers Regiment who died on 11 April 1917 Age 29
Son of J Glassup Thompson of Gunby, Grantham: husband of Margaret Thompson of Stainby, Grantham, Lincs
Remembered with honour, Arras Memorial.

We will remember them.

Remembrance – Cecil Cox

by James | Apr 10, 2018 | Uncategorised

On 10th April we remembered Morton man, Cecil Cox who was killed 100 years ago this day in 1918.

Cecil Cox was born in Stainfield, Lincolnshire in c 1898.
His birth was registered in Bourne in the March quarter of 1898 indicating a birth between January and March of that year.

Remembrance – John Thomas Taylor

by James | Apr 9, 2018 | Uncategorised

Today we commemorate the 101st Anniversary of the death of one of our local men.

Lance Corporal John Thomas Taylor, 8th battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, was born in Rippingale in 1896.
Son of Rippingale farm worker John Edward Taylor and his wife Sarah Ann Barber also of Rippingale.

By 1911 John Thomas Taylor was living with the Levesley family in Scottlethorpe Road, Edenham and was working as a waggoner on a farm.

When the war broke out John was one of the many villagers to join up and he was posted to the 8th Battalion Lincolnshire regiment.

The Battalion trained at Grimsby during August 1914, and then at Halton Park in November. The Battalion moved into billets at Leighton Buzzard for the winter of 1914

In the spring of 1915 the Battalion moved to Halton Park Camp, Wendover and miniature rifle practice commenced. After completing the musketry course and a Review by Lord Kitchener, the Battalion moved to Witley Camp North, marching past His Majesty the King and Lord Kitchener, 12 August 1915.

All the Battalion commanders had been in retirement at the outbreak of war. Of the 21st Division in which the 8th Lincolnshire were attached only 14 officers had any previous experience in the Regular army.

The Battalion entrained for overseas service at Milford Station on 9 September 1915 leaving England the next day, sailing via Folkestone to Boulogne. For a week the Battalion stayed in the Watten area before receiving orders to move to the front.

A long and really arduous march took place which led the Battalion to the front and their first engagement of the war, The Battle of Loos.
During this battle an immediate gain was overturned and the highly inexperienced Battalion suffered tremendous losses.

In their first battle the 8th Battalion lost 22 of their 24 officers. 471 other ranks were killed, wounded or missing that being nearly half of all men in the Battalion.

The next major offensive for the Battalion was during the battle of the Somme in July 1916. The Battalion saw action in Albert, Bazentin Ridge, Fleurs-Courcelette, Morval, Gaudecourt, Transloy Ridge and eventually in November the Battle of The Ancre.

During the spring of 1917 the German Army retreated to the heavily fortified defensive Hindenburg Line.
When the retreat started the 21st Division were at Halloy spending a period out of the line in training exercises.

On the first of April the Battalion attended a voluntary Church Parade at Neuville Au Cornet before the following day being route marched to Denier for an attack on a trench system. Over the next days the Battalion moved to Avesnes-le-Conte, Givenchy-le-Noble, Lattre St Quentin before arriving at Duisans to withdraw equipment ready for their move onto the assembly area at Arras.

The Battalion entered the Battle of Arras at Battery Valley on the 9th April 1917 at 4pm digging in until 8pm.
The Battalion moved east and halted around midnight. At daybreak considerable enemy activity was observed round Monchy-le-Preux, also enemy troops and transport moving north east from Roeux. Artillery was asked for in both cases but there was no response.

At 9am the Battalion prepared to advance to its original objective as soon as the 111th brigade advanced on Monchy.

At 10:30 am Major Greatwood was informed that the 8th Somerset Light Infantry were in Monchy and that he must support them. They advanced to teh valley but in this advance they suffered heavy casualties as they had no artillery support.

At 4pm Major Greatwood issued orders to attack Monchy with the 8th Somerset on the right, Lincolns on the left. Again with no artillery support they had to dig in on high ground receiving orders to attack at dusk.
When they had already opened out for the attack, orders arrived from Brigade cancelling the attack and consolidate the position and patrols were posted in front.

By the end of the 10th April the Battalion had 9 officers wounded, 30 other ranks killed, 187 other ranks wounded and 8 missing.
John Taylor was a casualty of this action.

Grantham Journal Saturday 2 March 1918
Lance-Corpl J T TAYLOR, Scottlethorpe
The parents of Lance-Corpl John Thomas Taylor of the Lincolnshire Regiment, who live in the hamlet of Scottlethorpe, belonging to the village of Edenham, a few days ago received the official notice that he has been missing since April 1917 and is now believed to be dead, as nothing further has been heard of him since then. He was their only child. On the outbreak of the war in 1914, he with others from this village joined the Lincolnshire Regiment as privates at once. They all went to the front in September 1915 and fought at Loos. Since then Taylor had been made Lance-Corporal and joined the Machine Gun Section. All in the parish sympathise with the parents.

In memory of Lance Corporal John Thomas Taylor, 11889, 8th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment who died on 9 April 1917 Age 21
Son of John Taylor of Scottlethorpe, Bourne, Lincs
Remembered with honour, Arras Memorial.

Lest we forget

Remembrance – Cyer Parker

by James | Apr 7, 2018 | Uncategorised

Today we commemorate 101 years since the death of Bourne man, Private Cyer Parker of the 2nd/4th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment.

Cyer John Parker was born in Bourne in the spring of 1893. One of 10 children born to John Thomas Parker, a Farm Labourer of Bourne and his wife Mary Ann Copper from Toft.

By 1911, Cyer is still living in Bourne with his parents and was working as an assistant General Dealer.