A Deck Hand with H.M. Armed Fishing Smack Ivanhoe, George died on 9th of January 1919 at the age of 18. George is believed to have been born at Lowestoft on 12 January 1901, a son of Agnes Emily Brown. In 1901 George, and his mother, lodged at 36 Arnold Street. During 1904 George’s mother married Benjamin Norman. On 11 October 1904 he became a pupil at Cunningham School and his family lived at 9 Wellington Road. He left Cunningham School on 15 June 1910 as his family had moved into Lowestoft. In 1911 his family lived at 32 Haward Street. During the First World War George agreed to serve with government vessel under a T.124 agreement, technically this meant he was part of the Mercantile Marine Reserve. In this role he served as a Deck Hand on the Ivanhoe, and armed fishing smack. The following notice, that explains what happened to Benjamin, appeared in the Guardian, 24 January 1919, page 7:FEARED LOSS OF PADSTOW FISHING SMACKGreat anxiety was felt at Padstow when it became known that the armed motor fishing boat “Ivanhoe” had failed to return from the fishing grounds. The vessel left the port on Wednesday morning, the 8th, and was last seen in the heavy gale on Thursday, 9th, by the skipper of the “Hepetica”. It is feared that she was swamped by the heavy seas and all the hands lost. 

A Sapper, George died on the 28th of March 1915 at the age of 27.George was born at Oulton in 1888, a son of Samuel and Anna Brown of 7 Fir Lane, Lowestoft.George enlisted in the Norfolk Regiment, at Great Yarmouth, and had service number 6430. At some point he transferred to the Royal Engineers, with service number 19721.George arrived in France with the 15th Field Company Royal Engineers on 5 November 1914. In early 1915 George was wounded and his name appears in the official casualty list dated 15 March 1915. George was evacuated to England and treated at the 3rd General Hospital, Wandsworth, where he died, of his wounds, on 28 March 1915.   

A Private with 54th (1/1st East Anglian) Casualty Clearing Station, George died on 13th of August 1915 at the age of 19. George was born at Lowestoft on 21 January 1896, a son of George Edward and Alice Maud Brown. He was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 12 February 1896 and his family lived at 2 Raglan Cottages. By 1901 his family was living at 66 Seago Street, Lowestoft. From 15 February 1904 George attended Saint Margaret's Boys School. By 1911 his family were living at 131 Rotterdam Road, Lowestoft, and George worked as a coal merchant's clerk. George was living at 131 Rotterdam Road when he volunteered and he joined the Army on 8 February 1915 (a note on his service papers suggest that he had worked with Pembroke Dockyard Police prior to enlistment). He served with the local territorial unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps which became part of the 54th (1/1st East Anglian) Casualty Clearing Station. George embarked the Royal Edward at Devonport on 30 July 1915 and arrived at Alexandria on 11 August 1915. The Royal Edward sailed for Gallipoli on 12 August, but was torpedoed and sunk on 13 August. George was reported 'missing, believed drowned in the sinking of the Royal Edward.'George's family subsequently lived at 200a Thorpe Road, Norwich.  

A Fusilier with the 1st Battalion, Lewis died on 23rd of October 1943 aged 23. Lewis was born at Great Yarmouth on 26 March 1920, a son of Walter Douglas and Gladys Brown. He was baptised at Saint Nicholas’ Church, Great Yarmouth, on 15 June 1920 and his family lived at Kirkmans (sic) Passage, Row 34. In 1921 they were living at 38 Lincoln Street, Norwich. In 1939 they lived at 41 Fir Lane, Lowestoft. In 1939 Lewis married Constance Esther Edith Jenner. In September 1939 they lived at 33B Alexandra Road and Lewis was a bricklayer. On 22 October 1943 Lewis’ battalion were ordered to make an attack on the River Trigno road bridge, with the intention of created a bridgehead. In the early hours of 23 October half the battalion crossed the river and began consolidating the position. The battalion were subjected to enemy shelling and a party of Royal Engineers had to join the battalion for mine clearance work.No details are known of what happened to Lewis other than he died of wounds. He was one of eight men of the battalion that died on 23 October. 

A Private with the 8th Battalion, Reginald died on 26th of September 1916 at the age of 19. Reginald was born at Lowestoft on 9 July 1897, a son of George and Martha Ann Elizabeth Brown. He was baptised at Saint John’s Church on 7 November 1897, and his family lived at 3 Till Road. In 1901 his family lived at 5 Till Road. Reginald was a pupil at Roman Hill School before, from 8 January 1906, becoming a pupil at Saint Margaret’s School. By 1911 Reginald’s father had died and his mother had married James Russell and they lived at Gertrude Place, 28 Till Road, and Reginald worked as an errand boy for Lawrence’s Pop Manufacturer. Later his family lived at 23 Seago Street. Reginald volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft in 1914. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 13951. Reginald arrived in France with the 8th Battalion on 27 July 1915. From 24 September 1916 the 8th Battalion were involved in a Brigade attack intending to drive the enemy off of the Thiepval Spur. The first objective was the Schwaben Trench, the second objective the Zollern Trench, and, the ultimate goal was the Schwaben Redoubt and Midway Line. The battalion moved into position on the 24th and the attack commenced at 12.35 p.m. on the 26th and as soon as the bombardment of the enemy positions commenced the battalion moved off. Within six minutes Joseph Trench had been captured along with a large number of prisoners. Around ten minutes later the first objective had been taken and, within an hour and following the barrage closely, they had taken their second objective. At 2.14 p.m. the advance resumed and at this point they encountered heavy resistance and machine-gun fire from both flanks. By midnight consolidation of the Zollern trench was completed and string points created. The attack was resumed on 28 September. The battalion’s casualties from 24 to 29 September were:Officers: three killed, four woundedOther ranks: 25 killed, 161 wounded, 15 missingReginald was killed in action on 26 September. 

A Sapper with 70th Motor Air Line Section, Sidney died on 1st of October 1918 aged 22. Sidney was born at Lowestoft in 1896, a son of James and Emma Frances Brown. He was baptised at Saint John’s Church on 7 June 1896 and his family lived at 14 Selby Street. By 1911 his family were living at 101 Beresford Road, and Sidney was a telegraph messenger boy. In 1912 Sidney became as assistant postman at Lowestoft and, according to the Post Office memorial books for World War One, he was working for the Post Office’s Eastern Engineering Department when he joined the Army.   Sidney enlisted in the Army at King’s Lynn. He joined the Royal Engineers and was posted to France to serve with 70 Motor Air Line Section, a unit sent to France on 20 November 1917. Sidney’s unit was part of the Royal Engineers’ Signal Section and had the job of erecting telegraph poles to carry wires for telephone communication. The wires were known as ‘air-lines’. His unit was known as a ‘Motor’ section, because it was a mobile unit. Sidney died at 12 Stationary Hospital from self-inflicted injuries. 

A Private with the 2nd Battalion, Sidney died on 22nd of October 1916 at the age of 19. Sidney was born at Frostenden in 1898, a son of Harry and Anna Brown. In 1901 his family lived at 89 Cambridge Road, Lowestoft, and this was still their home in 1911 when Sidney worked as a junior clerk at Lowestoft Corporation Electrical Works. Later his parents lived at 13 Worthing Road and then 46 Sussex Road.Sidney enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Middlesex Regiment, service number 26977. In 1916 he was transferred to the Dorsetshire Regiment, service number 24315, and was posted to the 2nd Battalion in Mesopotamia. The 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment had arrived at Mesopotamia in November 1914. The battalion suffered heavy casualties and was besieged at Kut-el-Amara and amalgamated with the 2nd Norfolk Regiment as a composite unit called the ‘Norsets’. However, after the fall of Kut-el-Amara a new 2nd Battalion was formed with the men of the original 2nd Battalion who had not been captured and reinforcements sent from England.It is most likely that Sidney was one of the reinforcements sent from England. Sidney died at a hospital in Amara (note this I not Kut-el-Amara – they are two different towns). Some sources suggest that he died of wounds.  

A Private with the 8th Battalion, Silas died on 20th of September 1917 at the age of 36. Silas was born at Lowestoft in early 1881, a son of Silas and Elizabeth Brown. In 1881 his family lived at Mills Road, Lowestoft. In 1891 their address was 58 Mills Road. By 1911 his family were living at 64 High Street. In 1908 Silas married Gertrude Elizabeth Marshall: this was registered in the Wangford district. By 1911 they were living at Albert Road, Bracknell, Berkshire. Probate records show their address as Las Palomas, Albert Road, Bracknell.Silas enlisted in the Army at Wokingham. He joined the Royal Berkshire Regiment, service number 33569, and was posted to the 2nd Battalion in France. Subsequently he was transferred to the Gloucestershire Regiment, service number 37978, and was posted to the 8th Battalion. Silas was wounded in 1917 and his name appears in the War Office Daily List dated 10 August 1917. On 20 September 1917 the 8th Battalion were involved in at attack at Klein Zillebeke. The attack began at 5.40 a.m. and by 7 a.m. all of the main objectives had been reached. The enemy barrage was very heavy, both on the British front line and the support lines. During that day two officers were killed and two wounded, and 160 other ranks were killed, wounded, or missing. Silas was killed in action on 20 September. He received a battlefield burial and by 1920 he had been reburied at Oxford Road Cemetery. See house on LowestoftOldAndNow.org 

A Corporal with 2nd Bn., Thomas died on 9th of May 1915 at the age of 27. Thomas was born at Lowestoft in 1888, a son of Thomas William and Harriet Eliza Brown. By 1891 Thomas' father had died and Thomas, and his two brothers, were resident at Oulton Workhouse. Thomas' mother married Henry Sarll in 1894 and the family then lived at 1 Maltster's Score. In 1901 Thomas worked as a baker's lad. By 1911 his family were living at 31 Princes Road, Lowestoft, and later Thomas' mother lived at 15 Water Lane, Lowestoft.Thomas enlisted in Norfolk Royal Garrison Artillery (Militia) on 5 February 1906. At the time he was working as a chemist's errand boy for Mr. R. Bush of Regent's Road, Lowestoft. Thomas was working as a labourer when he enlisted in the regular army, joining the Northamptonshire Regiment, at Great Yarmouth, on 30 April 1906. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion on 10 August 1906. Thomas joined the 1st Battalion on 2 December 1908 and served in India until 7 March 1911 when he joined the 2nd Battalion in Malta. On 3 February 1913 Thomas was appointed paid Lance Corporal. From 18 January 1914 he served with the 2nd Battalion in Egypt. His Battalion returned to England in October 1914 and landed at Le Havre on 5 November 1914. Thomas was promoted to Corporal on 17 October 1914 and Acting Sergeant on 17 March 1915, reverting to Corporal on 17 April 1915. Thomas suffered from frost bite and was admitted to 4 Stationary Hospital on 29 December 1914. He was discharged to duty on 2 January 1915. On 9 May 1915 the 2nd Battalion were involved in the attack at Aubers Ridge. The Battalion lost 67 officers and men killed, 159 wounded, and 200 missing. Thomas was amongst those killed in the battle. 

A Lance Corporal with 1st Bn., William died on 8th of May 1915 at the age of 26. William was born at Ashby, Suffolk, on 18 April 1889, a son of Benjamin and Martha Brown. Note that birth registration indexes, the baptism records at Saint Mary's Church, Ashby, and the 1891 Census give his names as Robert William. He was baptised at Saint Mary's Church, Ashby, on 15 June 1889. In 1891 his family lived near The Hall, Ashby. In 1901 his family lived at Herringfleet Road, Herringfleet. By 1911 their home was at White House Cottage, Herringfleet, and later they lived at 4 Widows Cottages, The Street, Somerleyton.William enlisted in the Army in 1910. He joined the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. In 1911 he was serving with the 2nd Battalion at Cork. On 15 January 1915 William arrived in France with the 1st Battalion. He served with D Company. On 8 May 1915 the 1st Battalion were in trenches at Friezenberg. The Battalion War Diary for that day reads:Trenches heavily shelled with high explosive: this was followed by a German attack. C and D Companies were shelled out of their trenches. The Battalion lost 53 officers and men killed, 92 wounded, and 272 missing.William was reported missing on 8 May. By May 1916 it was concluded that he had been killed in action on that date.William's brother, Albert, died in 1918 whilst serving with the Royal Navy. 

A Private with the 7th Battalion, William died on 27th of October 1916 at the age of 36. William was born at Somerleyton in 1880, a son of Samuel and Ann Brown. In 1881 his family lived at 8 The Brickfields, Somerleyton, and this was still their home in 1891 and 1901, when William worked as a brickmaker. In 1903 William married Rose Suggate. In 1911 they lived with William's widower father at 8 Brickfields and William worked as a groom and gardener at a public house. Later Rose lived at Widows Cottages, Somerleyton.William volunteered and enlisted in the Army in January 1915. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 18336. He arrived in France on 11 August 1915 to join the 7th Battalion. On 26 October 1915 he was admitted to No 4 Stationary Hospital with a pick wound to his right buttock. He was discharged to duty on 15 November 1915. On 5 May 1916 he was admitted to No 4 Stationary Hospital with scabies. He was discharged to duty on 28 July 1916. William was wounded in August 1916 and his name appears in the War Office Daily List of casualties 12 September 1916. We know that William died of wounds at No 1 Canadian General Hospital on 27 October 1916. We do not know precisely when he received his fatal wound, nor the nature of the wound. It may be that he sustained this wound as early as August 1916 or as late as 12 October 1916. 

A Fifth Engineer Officer with S.S. Fort Bellingham (London), William died on 26th of January 1944 aged 22. William was born at Lowestoft on 15 November 1921, a son of Oliver and Martha Hannah Brown of Lowestoft Suffolk. He was baptised at Saint John’s Church on 2 December 1921 and his family lived at 54 Raglan Street. By 1939 they were living at 7 Summer Road and William was an engineer’s apprentice.Just after midnight on 26 January 1944 German submarine U-360 fired three torpedoes at convoy JW-56A in the Barents Sea, north of North Cape. One torpedo hit the S. S. Fort Bellingham which fell behind the convoy. German submarine U-957 then torpedoed the ship which sank with the loss of 37 men including William. 

A Seaman Steward with H.M.S. Runswick Bay. Frank died on 3rd of November 1939 at the age of 23. Frank was born at Lowestoft on 26 May 1916, a son of Alfred Arthur and Elizabeth Ann Browne.In 1937 Frank married Florence Alice Maltby at Lowestoft. By 1939 they were living at 9 Sparham's Buildings, Saint Peter's Street. Frank was at Dover, Kent, when he died, suddenly, from heart failure. 

A Trooper with the 48th Regiment, Henry died on 6th September 1944 aged 35. Henry was born at Corton on 7 January 1908, a son of Charles and Nellie Jane Browne. In 1911 his family lived at Bullock Fare Yard, Harleston. Henry’s father died in 1914 and in 1921 Henry. And his mother and siblings, were living with his grandparents, Henry and Jane Smith, at 63 Oxford Road, Lowestoft.  On 23 September 1931 Henry married Isabella Burwood Allerton at Saint Margaret’s Church. Henry was a milk roundsman living at 63 Oxford Road and Isabella was a beatster living at 57 Sussex Road. By 1939 they were living at 3 Sterry’s Cottages, London Road, Pakefield, and Henry was a milk roundsman for the Co-operative Society. On 31 August 1944 Henry’s regiment, as part of 21 Tank Brigade, began supporting the Canadian attack on the Gothic Line. Henry was wounded and died of his wounds. It is probable that he was at a Casualty Clearing Station at Ancona when he died. 

A Private with the 5th Battalion, Thomas died on 22nd of January 1945 aged 19. Thomas was born at Crayford, Kent, on 10 February 1925, a son of Frank Charles and Winifred Bruin. He was baptised at Saint Paulinus Chapel, Crayford, on 1 March 1925. In 1939 his family lived at 48 Mill Place, Crayford. Thomas married Pamela Dorothy Rose Houghton at Lowestoft in 1944. She lived at 5 Turner's Cottages, Saint John's Road, Lowestoft. Pamela remarried in 1946.Thomas served with the 5th Battalion Highland Light Infantry and his battalion landed at Belgium in October 1944. Between 13 and 26 January 1945 the battalion were involved in Operation Blackcock, an attempt to push the German 15th Army across the rivers Roer and Wurm in order to move the Allied front line further into Germany. Thomas was killed in action during Operation Blackcock, one of three men of his battalion to be killed in action on 22 January.  

A Private with the 2nd Battalion, Victor died on 27th of March 1918 at the age of 21. Victor was born at Lowestoft in 1898, a son of Charles and Sarah Elizabeth Brundle. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church on 29 August 1897 and his family lived at 28 Cambridge Road, and this was still their home in 1911 when Victor was an assistant at a bookstall. Victor was working as a steel machinist, with J.W. Brookes, when he attested for the Army, at Lowestoft, on 8 December 1915. He then joined the Army Reserve and was called up on 22 February 1917. He joined the Essex Regiment, service number 35667, and was posted to the 3rd Battalion. Victor arrived at Boulogne on 21 May 1917 and joined 15th Infantry Base Depot. On 11 June 1917 he was transferred to the Northamptonshire Regiment, service number 40380, and was posted to the 2nd Battalion, joining them in the field on 13 June. Victor was granted home leave from 15 February to 1 March 1918.On 23 March 1918 the 2nd Battalion marched to Licourt and then moved to positions on the west bank of the river, with D Company at Cizancourt, and A Company at Epenancourt. On 24 March 23 Brigade, on the battalion’s right, were attacked and driven back, leaving the battalion’s right flank in danger. The infantry action continued throughout the day, until about 5 p.m., and later the battalion were reinforced by the 5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment.  The battalion created a defensive flank toward the Sherwood Foresters and the line to the north, but there was an unavoidable gap in the battalion’s line. During the night of 24/25 March the enemy attacked on the right causing the battalion to withdraw. A Company held their position until nearly surrounded and had to fight their way back. This rearguard action allowed the rest of the battalion to make an orderly withdrawal on the railway embankment, near Marchelepot. Later a further withdrawal was made to Ablaincourt. On 25 March Victor received gunshot wounds to his head and left arm. Victor was being evacuated to Rouen but died on 35 Ambulance Train. His mother was notified on 6 April 1918. 

A Private with the 7th Battalion, Archibald died on 1st of March 1916 at the age of 20. Archibald was born at Poplar, London, on 7 August 1895, a son of William James and Annie Bruton. No details of what happened to Archbald’s father are known, but by 1900 his mother was using the surname Osborne. We know that his family lived at Poplar in 1900. His family has not been traced in the 1901 Census, but Archibald Osborne attended Saint Matthias’ School, and, from 26 February 1901 was a pupil at Woolmore Street School, Tower Hamlets, and left on 24 May 1901. By 1903 his family were living at Lowestoft and his half-siblings all had the surname Osborne. In 1907 his family lived at 5 Trafalgar Street, Lowestoft. By 1911 they were living at 3 Gladstone Cottages, Tonning Street. Later his family lived at 5 Richmond Place, Lowestoft.Archibald volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 9347. He was posted to the 7th Battalion and arrived in France with the Battalion on 30 May 1915.  It appears that Archibald was wounded when the Battalion were in trenches near Noyelles on 26 February when the Battalion was attacked with grenades (rife grenades?) and ‘silenced a sniper’. The Battalion’s casualties for the day were one killed and three wounded. We do not know exactly where he was when he died of wounds, but, given that he is buried at Bethune, he may have been at 33rd Casualty Clearing Station.     

A Mate with H.M. Drifter True Reward, George died on 30th of August 1917 at the age of 51. George was born at Barnby in 1865, a son of John and Eliza Bryant. In 1871 his family lived at Beccles Road, Barnby. In 1881 he was the cook on the trawler ‘James William’ of Lowestoft.  In the later 1880s George worked as a trimmer for the P and O Line and he worked on the liner Ocean Queen before, in 1889, joining the liner Servia.In 1894 George married Alice Cole: this was registered in the Wangford district. In 1901 they lived at North Cove and George was a fisherman. By 1911 they were living at Beccles Road, Mutford, and George was a fisherman.George was a member of the Mercantile Marine Reserve. Before January 1915 he served on the trawler Britin, LT 1017, and in early 1915 he became the Mate on the trawler True Reward which was used as a boom defence vessel. George died suddenly whilst on home leave. Note: some sources give George’s age as 49, but his birth was registered in late 1865, making his age 51.  

A Private with the 7th Battalion, George died on 28th of April 1917 at the age of 27. George was born at Saint Thomas’, Norwich, in 1890, a son of George Robert and Emma Amelia Bryant. In 1891 his family lived at 14 Swansea Road, Norwich. By 1901 George’s mother had died and his family lived at 33 Calvert Street, Norwich. In 1911 George lived with his grandmother, Amelia Bryant, at 33 Calvert Street, and his father lived at 9A Beresford Road, Lowestoft. In 1916 George married Grace Mildred Betts at Norwich. She also lived at 9A Beresford Road. George enlisted in the Army at Norwich. He joined the Norfolk Regiment, service number 23789, and was posted to the 7th Battalion in France. He was a member of 16 Platoon, D Company. On 27 April 1917 the 7th Battalion were at Monchy, near Arras, and received orders to attack and capture both Rife Trench and Bayonet Trench, and consolidate other positions, the following day. About midnight on the 28th the front companies report an enemy attack and sent up the S.O.S. signal for artillery support which saw off the enemy attack. At 4.25 a.m. the battalion advanced and after around 50 minutes had reached Rifle and Bayonet trenches, however A and B Companies had not been able to join up with C and D Companies. In fact A and B Companies had been held up by machine-gun fire and had to take cover in shell-holes. Some men from A and B Company tried to crawl back to their start line and were sniped. Any further advance for C and D Companies was made impossible because of machine-gun and rifle fire and they found that a German trench that had not been touched by the artillery and some of the wire had not been cut. For the rest of the day the men of C and D Companies lay in shell-holes and when it was dark they set about returning to their lines and bringing in the wounded, but this was severely hampered by enemy machine-gun and rifle fire and the enemy’s use of Very lights. This meant that many men could not be rescued.  Three officers and 70 men of the battalion were killed, with an unknown number wounded and missing. George was reported missing on 28 April and later he was presumed to have been killed in action on that date.  

An Engineman with HMS Wallington, George died on 10th of December 1918 at the age of 32.George was born at Lowestoft on 8 September 1886, a son of Robert and Susannah (Polly) Bryant. He was baptised at Christchurch, Lowestoft, on 29 September 1886, and his family lived at Anguish Street. By 1891 his family were living at 93 Saint Margaret's Road. In 1901 their home was at 'Whiteside', Ipswich Road. On 27 December 1909 George married Ethel May Moore at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft. George was working as a fisherman and they both lived at Trafalgar Street. By 1911 they were living at 91 Worthing Road. (Note Ethel is referred to as Lily in some records).   George joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 28 April 1915 and he served on H.M. Trawler Boy Hector. George died from pneumonia at the Royal Navy Sick Quarters, Immingham (H.M.S. Wallington). George's brother-in-law Walter Bunn died in 1914 whilst serving with the Norfolk Regiment. 

A Leading Seaman with H.M. Trawler Lord Stamp. John died on 14th of October 1940 at the age of 22. John was born at London on 4 February 1918, a son of Herbert John and Lily Blanche Bryant. He was baptised at Christ Church, Rotherhithe, on 24 February 1918 and his family lived at 12 Gomm (sic) Road, Rotherhithe. By 1921 his family was living at 66 Crown Street, Lowestoft, and by 1939 they were living at 185 Saint Peter's Street, Lowestoft.John served on the mine-sweeping trawler Lord Stamp. On 14 October 1940 the Lord Stamp struck a mine and sank in the English Channel with the loss of 25 crew including John.

A Corporal with the 1st Battalion, Joseph died on 14th of June 1944 aged 21. The Army Roll of Honour for World War Two states that Joseph was born at Lanarkshire, Scotland, and that he was living at Portsmouth when he enlisted. Commonwealth War Graves records state that his parents were William and Margaret Bryant. However, no civil records of his birth, or his parents, have been found.In 1941 Joseph married Doris May Godfrey, this was registered in the Lothingland district. Doris’ family lived at 4 Winnipeg Road. Doris remarried in 1952. Joseph served with the Royal Scots Fusiliers before he was transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers and being posted to the 1st Battalion, a Chindit unit. The 1st Battalion served in Burma as part of 77 Brigade. In March – April 1944 77 Brigade were involved in the Chindit ‘Operation Thursday’ and formed columns 20 and 50. Joseph was wounded, how and when this happened is not known, but he died form his wounds as was buried at Sahmaw War Cemetery. In 1954 he was reburied at Taukkyan War Cemetery.  

A Lance Corporal with the 9th Battalion, Lovewell died on 3rd of May 1917 at the age of 27. Lovewell was born at Lowestoft in 1890, a son of George Henry and Harriet Emily Bryant. He was baptised at Saint John’s Church, Lowestoft, on 25 March 1890, and his family lived at 44 North Raglan Street. By 1901 they were living at 48 Milton Road, and later at 12 Cathcart Street.Lovewell was working as a labourer when he volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft on 16 March 1908. He joined to serve for seven years with the Colours and five with the Reserve. He joined the Rifle Brigade, service number 2731. He was posted to the 3rd Battalion on 18 July 1908 and the 4th Battalion, in India, on 22 January 1913. In 1911 he was awarded certificates in mounted infantry and transportation. His battalion returned to England on 18 November 1914, and they arrived in France on 20 December 1914. In November 1915 they moved to Salonika. Lovewell was serving in Salonika where he was admitted to hospital suffering from malaria. He was then sent to Malta when he had another attack and he was sent to England but had another attack on board ship. He was admitted to the 4th Southern General Hospital, Plymouth, on 12 October 1916 and discharged on 1 November 1916. On 21 November 1916 he was admitted to hospital at Sheerness with bronchial catarrh and was discharged to duty on 2 December. He returned to France on 18 December 1916 and was posted to 47 Infantry Base Depot. He was then posted to the 9th Battalion.      By midnight on 2-3 May the 9th Battalion had formed up in assembly trenches in readiness for an attack on Triangle Wood to Hill Side Work, as part of a general offensive near Arras. The first wave left the assembly trenches at zero minus 10 and the second wave at zero plus 42. Communication before daylight was impossible. The first wave veered too far right and encountered a new German trench where the wire had not been cut and the men were able to pass in advance of this trench. There were, however, casualties from enfilade machine-gun fire. All of the officers of the first wave were wounded. The second wave, advancing in the light, soon came under machine-gun fire that had either been recently established or missed by the first wave and they also took enfilade fire. The second wave were held up in front of Spotted Dog Trench, and, other than a few individuals, no-one got into that trench. The men tried to connect shell-holes but were bombed, and machine-guns prevented any movement. Orders to recall the battalion went out, but due to disarray it was difficult to pass on these orders.Officers: seven wounded, five wounded and missingOther ranks: 257 killed, wounded and missingLovewell was killed in action on 3 May. Lovewell’s service papers survive, in WO 363, but many entries are illegible. 

A Sergeant with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Robert died on 28 February 1943 aged 21.Robert was born at Lowestoft on 10 July 1921, a son of Frederick William and Louisa Annie Bryant. He was baptised at Christ Church, Lowestoft, on 27 July 1921, and his family lived at 26 Whapload Road. Robert’s father died and his mother remarried. In 1939 Robert and his family were living at 26 Whapload Road and Robert was a tugboat deck hand. Robert joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve after November 1940. By February 1943 he was a Sergeant serving with 90 Squadron, part of Bomber Command. Robert’s role was navigator/bomb aimer.On 28 February 1943 Robert was a member of the crew of a Stirling 1 bomber, R9349 WP-U, that flew from Ridgwell, Essex, in a raid on St. Nazaire. About twelve miles south of Avranches the aircraft was him by flak and crashed into a field. Five of the crew, including Robert, were killed and two survived. 

A First Engineer with Steam Trawler Derwent (Boston), Albert died on 26th of January 1920 at the age of 24. Albert, who often used his middle name, John, as his first name, was born at Great Ryburgh, Norfolk, on 17 November 1895, a son of John James and Sarah Ann Buck. Note, other sources give his date of birth as 22 December. He was baptised at Great Ryburgh on 2 February 1896. In 1901 his family lived near the school at Great Ryburgh. Albert’s family moved to Lowestoft where he attended Lovewell Road School before, on 24 October 1904, becoming a pupil at Saint John’s School and, at that time, his family lived at 39 Stevens Street. By 1911 the family were living at 5 Avondale Road and Albert was an engineer’s boy working for a boat builder. By 1914 his family were living at 67 Stevens Street.  Albert joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 27 October 1914, service number 6569A. On 23 November 1914 he joined H.M.S. Otway, a Defensively Armed Merchant Ship. He was admitted to Chatham Hospital on 18 March 1916: the reason is not given on his service record. On 4 September 1915 Albert had applied to transfer to the trawler section as Engineman, but this request was not granted. On 7 August 1916 he joined H.M.S. Actaeon and, on 24 August 1917, H.M.S. Pembroke. Albert joined H.M.S. Orama, an Armed Merchant Cruiser, on 6 September 1917 and would have been on board when the Orama was sunk, torpedoed by submarine U-62, on 19 October 1917. He joined H.M.S. Pembroke I on 11 November 1917. On 2 July 1918 he joined the Burnholme (sic). On 20 January 1919 Albert was demobilized. In 1920 Albert worked on the Grimsby registered trawler Derwent, GY 525. The trawler was reported missing on 26 January 1920 and is thought to have struck a mine. The vessel was lost with all ten crew. 

A Sergeant with the 7th Battalion, Albert died on 8th of February 1917 at the age of 29. Albert was born at Lowestoft on 1 March 1890, a son of James and Alice Buck. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church on 16 August 1891, and his family lived at Oulton Corner. In 1901 his family lived at Hall Lane, Oulton. By 1911 his family were living at 3 Hall Lane, Oulton. By 1911 Albert was lodging with William Hunton, and family, at the Farm, Thornton Hill, Easingwold, Yorkshire.For reasons unknown, when Albert volunteered and enlisted in the Army, at Northallerton, he gave his first name as Alfred, hence all military records give that as his first name. He joined the Yorkshire Regiment, service number 12615. Albert was already a Corporal when he arrived in France on 12 August 1915. It I unclear which battalion he served with initially: medal rolls state the 11th Battalion, but this battalion did not serve in France. At some point he was posted to the 7th Battalion. Albert was wounded at the Somme in July 1916 and his name appears in the War Office Daily List of 20 August 1916.On 8 February 1917 the 7th Battalion were at Sailly-Saillisel. At 7.30 a.m. they began an attack on the German position opposite them. The attack was a complete success. The supporting artillery barrage was very effective, but some shells fell short and caused losses in C Company. The enemy were taken completely by surprise and 70-80 prisoners were taken including two officers. The battalion war diary records that the officers and men behaved with great gallantry and the whole of the objective was occupied and consolidated within a few hours. The enemy delivered two counter attacks on the left, and three on the right, and all were repulsed, causing heavy losses. A hostile enemy barrage on the communication trenches continued throughout the day and intensified at night and a 4.2” shell fell on, and wrecked, the Regimental Aid Post that contained many of the wounded. The battalion’s casualties were:Officers: one killed, three died of wounds, two woundedOther ranks: 68 killed, 118 wounded, 4 missingAlbert was reported wounded and missing on 8 February and later it was concluded that he had died on that date. Albert's brother Henry served in the Royal Naval Reserve and died in 1918.

A Deck Hand with H.M.S. Vivid, Henry died on 31st of July 1918 at the age of 31.Henry was born at Lowestoft on 17 June 1887, a son of James and Alice Buck. He was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church on 16 August 1891, and his family lived at Oulton Corner. In 1901 his family lived at Hall Lane, Oulton, and Henry was an errand boy. By 1911 his family were living at 3 Hall Lane. On 5 January 1911 Henry married Esther Sutherland at Saint Nicholas’ Church, Great Yarmouth. Henry was a fisherman and they both lived at Great Yarmouth. In 1911 they lived at 2 Thurso Road, Wick; by 1912 at McPhail Court, Wick, and in 1913 at Pooting Cottage, McFittock Road, Torry, Aberdeen. Later they lived at 78 Walker Road, Torry, Aberdeen. For a time during the war Esther, who was also known as Marjorie, lived at 8 Pym Street, Stoke Devonport. Esther died on 21 June 1916 from pulmonary tuberculosis. Henry joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 1 December 1914. He served on the trawler Rathven and, on 29 November 1917 joined the trawler Leyland. It seems that, at some point, he also served on the Ocean Princess. He was admitted to the Royal Naval Hospital Haslar on 27 December 1917 suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis, attributable to his service. On 18 January 1918 he was discharged and awarded a disability pension. He died at Plymouth on 31 July 1918.Henry’s brother Albert served with the Yorkshire Regiment and died in 1917. 

A Private with 10th Bn. Herbert died on 1st of March 1917 at the age of 20. Herbert was born at Lowestoft in 1897, a son of Robert and Florence Buck. He was baptised at Saint John's Church, Lowestoft, on 5 March 1897 and his family lived at 38 Clemence Street. By 1901 they were living at 24 Stevens Street and by 1911 they had moved to 7 Essex Road and Herbert worked as a paper boy for a newsagent.Herbert enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft in March 1916. He joined The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) and was posted to the 10th battalion, in France, in September 1916 and he served with C Company.On 24 February 1917 men of the 10th Battalion took part in a raid on enemy lines at Hollanscheschuur Salient. One German officer, 54 men and one machine gun were captured. However, the 10th Battalion lost two officers killed and two wounded; 26 men killed, 91 wounded and 11 men missing. Herbert was amongst those wounded and he was admitted to 139 Field Ambulance with multiple shrapnel wounds to his right arm with a compound fractur of his right the humerus. On 25 April 1917 he was transferred to No 3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station. He died from his wounds, at the Clearing Station, on 1 March 1917. 

A Private with the 4th Battalion, Robert died on 12th of February 1942 at the age of 23. Robert was born at Lowestoft on 20 October 1918, a son of William Henry (Harry) and May Lucy Buckenham. In 1921 his family lived at 17 Wellington Cottages, Clapham Road, and by 1939 their address was given as 17 Clapham Road, Lowestoft. In 1939 Robert worked as a fish curer.Robert served with the 4th Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment. In autumn 1940 the Battalion was on coastal defence in the Great Yarmouth area and then moved to Brooke, and then Cambridge. In early 1941 the Battalion was sent to Scotland, then Blackburn, and Ross-on-Wye. On 29 October 1941 the Battalion sailed from Liverpool and landed at Bombay on 29 December 1941 as part of the 18th (East Anglian) Division. On 19 January 1942 the Battalion re-embarked for Singapore and landed there on 29 January 1942. On 11 February the Battalion went into action at the racecourse, before falling back to defend the perimeter. On 15 February the British forces at Singapore were forced to surrender and the remaining men of the 4th Battalion went into captivity. Robert was reported missing on 15 February 1942. Official Casualty List 1980, of 7 January 1946, shows that Robert was officially recorded as having been killed in action on 12 February 1942. Robert's brother William also served with the 4th Battalion was captured at Singapore. William died whilst a prisoner in Japanese hands. Robert's parents later lived at 67 Park Road Lowestoft. 

A Private with the 4th Battalion, William died on 18th June 1943 at the age of 28. William was born at Lowestoft on 13 May 1915, a son of William Henry (Harry) and May Lucy Buckenham. In 1921 his family lived at 17 Wellington Cottages, Clapham Road, and by 1939 their address was given as 17 Clapham Road, Lowestoft. In 1939 William worked as a fish buyer for a shop.William served with the 4th Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment. In autumn 1940 the Battalion was on coastal defence in the Great Yarmouth area and then moved to Brooke, and then Cambridge. In early 1941 the Battalion was sent to Scotland, then Blackburn, and Ross-on-Wye. On 29 October 1941 the Battalion sailed form Liverpool and landed at Bombay on 29 December 1941 as part of the 18th (East Anglian) Division. On 19 January 1942 the Battalion re-embarked for Singapore and landed there on 29 January 1942. On 11 February the Battalion went into action at the racecourse, before falling back to defend the perimeter. On 15 February the British forces at Singapore were forced to surrender and the remaining men of the 4th Battalion went into captivity. William died as a prisoner of war in Japanese hands. He was being held at Kinsyoke (Kinsaiyor) Camp which was on the 'Burma Railway' when he died from dysentery. His brother Robert also served with the 4th Battalion and was killed during the capture of Singapore, which is also where William was captured. His parents later lived at 67 Park Road Lowestoft.  

A Private with the 1/8th Battalion, Horace died on 23rd of June 1917 at the age of 19. Horace was born at Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, on 10 August 1897, a son of Henry Charles and Mary Guest Buckler. He was baptised at Saint Peter’s Church, Kirkley, on 27 February 1901, and his family lived at 305 London Road South, and this was still their address in 1911. Later his parents lived at 40 Marine Parade, Lowestoft.Horace enlisted in the Army at Newark, Nottinghamshire. He joined the Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment), service number 4124, and was posted to the 1/8th Battalion in France. In 1917 he was renumbered 306315.On 18 June 1917 the 1/8th Battalion moved to Calonne and then took up positions near Lievin. On 23 June the battalion was relived by the 1/5th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment. During the relief several casualties occurred due to enemy shelling and the use of gas mortars. The battalion’s casualties in June 1917 were:Officers: one woundedOther ranks: 15 killed, 18 died of wounds, 49 woundedHorace died of wounds on 23 June. It is possible that he was wounded that same day. 

A Seaman with H.M.S. Cressy. Walter died on 22nd of September 1914 at the age of 21. Walter was born at Lowestoft on 4 March 1893, a son of Frank and Harriet Bucknole. In 1891 his family lived at 78 Norwich Road. By 1914 they were living at 43 Stanford Street and later lived at 44 Windsor Road, Lowestoft.Walter joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 14 March 1912. In 1912 he worked on the trawler Nimrod, LT 589; Glory, LT 1027; and in 1913 the Twelve YH 562; and the Coronella LT 36. Walter was called out for service at the start of the First World War and in early August 1914 joined H.M.S. Cressy. On 28 August 1914 H.M.S. Cressy was part of the British naval force at the Battle of Heligoland Bight, but took no active part in the battle. On 22 September H.M.S. Cressy, sailing with sister ships Aboukir and Hogue, were in the Broad Fourteens area of the North Sea when each ship was sunk by torpedoes from German submarine U-9. A total of 560 men, including Walter, were killed in the loss of the Cressy. 

A Private with the 2nd Battalion, Arthur died on 23rd of September 1918 aged 20. Arthur was born at Lowestoft on 28 January 1898, a son of Walter Alexander and Matilda Ann Budds. He was baptised at Saint John’s Church on 6 March 1898 and his family lived at 5 Norwich Road. In 1901 his family lived at 57 Stanley Street, and this was Arthur’s home for the rest of his life. Arthur was a pupil at Hervey Street School and then joined Saint John’s School on 1 February 1905. In 1911 Arthur was a shoemaker’s errand boy.   Arthur volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Suffolk Regiment. He was posted to France on 19 January to join the 2nd Battalion, later he served with the 9th Battalion, then the 12th Battalion. He was wounded on two occasions and his name appears in the official casualty list, the War Office Daily List, on 28 October 1915 and 8 March 1918. By September 1918 Arthur had returned to the 2nd Battalion.On 23 September 1918 the 2nd Battalion were involved in company training at Morchies-Beaumetz. The battalion war diary records that platoon commanders reconnoitred assembly positions and each platoon spent 15 minutes inspecting a model of the area of attack. During the day there were 14 casualties, but the diary offers no explanation of what happened to any of them. Arthur was killed on 23 September. He was buried at Beaumetz-le-Cambrai with two other men of his unit, 12635 Private Walter Hall, who also came from Lowestoft, and 17128 Private Hawes, who were both also killed on that day.  Arthur's sister, Edith Walker, died in 1942 during an air raid. 

A Gunner with 4th Divisional Ammunition Column, John died on 15th of June 1916 at the age of 26. John was born at Suffield, Norfolk, in 1889, a son of John Henry and Sophia Bugden. In 1891 his family lived at Elm Farm, Suffield, and this was still their home in 1911 when John work on the farm with his father. Later his parents lived at The Laurels, Rushmere. In May 1911 John sailed for Australia. John was working as a labourer when he enlisted in the Australian Army, at Perth, on 15 November 1915, service number 2007. He was posted to the 36th Depot and, on 14 December 1915, he joined the 4th Depot Squad. John was transferred to the 14/10th Light Horse on 4 January 1916. He was taken on strength of the 3rd Training Regiment, at Heliopolis, on 15 March 1916 and the next day he was admitted to 4th Auxiliary Hospital, Helipolis, with an injured arm. He was discharged to duty on 1 April 1916.John was transferred to the Australia Field Artillery and, on 7 April 1916, taken on strength of the 4th Divisional Ammunition Column. On 6 June 1916 he proceeded to Alexandria to embark for France. He disembarked at Marseilles on 12 June and was immediately admitted to No 2 Australian General Hospital, Marseilles, with pneumonia. John died at No 2 Australian General Hospital, Marseilles, on 15 June 1916. His cause of death is recorded as broncho-pneumonia and carbuncle on face.  John’s personal effects, two identity discs, a wallet, a letter, and a photo, were sent to his father. John was buried at St. Pierre Cemetery, Marseilles, and later reburied at Mazargues War Cemetery. 

A Trooper with 10th (Nelson) Squadron, Arthur died on 6th of August 1915. Arthur was born at Bungay on 6 March 1885, a son of Lewis and Frances Mary Bull. In 1891 his family lived at Flixton Road, Bungay. By 1901 his father had died and his mother lived at Florence House, Florence Terrace, Pakefield. By 1911 his mother, and sisters, lived at Providence Lodge, London Road, Lowestoft. Arthur was educated at Bungay Grammar School; King Edward VI School, Norwich; and Wyggeston Boys' School, Leicester. He worked as an estate agent at Cromer before moving to New Zealand in 1908. In 1914 he lived at Runbet Street, Blenheim.Arthur volunteered to join the Army. New Zealand Army records state that he was born in 1891, rather than 1885.Arthur was an original member of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, a regiment raised in August 1914 and composed of men from the Canterbury military district of South Island, New Zealand. The Regiment numbered 549 men of all ranks. The Canterbury Mounted Rifles sailed for Egypt on 14 October 1914, arriving at Cairo on 5 December 1914. On 7 May 1915 26 officers and 482 men of the Regiment departed for Gallipoli, arriving at ANZAC Cove on 12 May. Although raised as a cavalry unit, they were to fight at Gallipoli on foot as infantry. They sustained many casualties in their first few weeks at Gallipoli and by 5 August the unit numbered 296 men of all ranks.At 8 p.m. on 5 August 1915 the Regiment moved to No 2 Post in readiness to take part in an attack at Chunuk Bair the next night. The attack began on time with 1st and 10th Squadrons in the first line of attack and, initially, things went well, but when they were around 200 yards from the Turkish lines a searchlight from a warship illuminated their position and Turkish machine gunners began firing on them. Arthur's 10th Squadron charged straight into the Turkish trenches, while the 1st Squadron outflanked the Turkish machine gunners. All objectives were taken, but the Regiment sustained 40% casualties: 24 men dead, including Arthur, and 60 wounded. The Regiment was not able to move out of its positions until the next day and because of this official records state that Arthur was killed in action on 6 or 7 August, though we can infer it was during the attack on 6 August. Also some sources suggest that he was killed in 27 August: this error has arisen because the date of him being reported as casualty has been mistakenly taken as his date of death. His name appears in the official New Zealand casualty list number 162, dated 27 August 1915, which lists casualties prior to that date.  

A Civilian, Agnes died on 13th of January 1942 aged 40.Agnes was born at Lowestoft on 6 October 1901, a daughter of William Thomas and Agnes Amelia Carsey. She was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church on 5 January 1902 and her family lived at 133 Wollaston Road. Agnes was a pupil at Saint Andrews School before, on 22 February 1909, joining Saint Margaret’s School. She left Saint Margarets School on 3 March 1911 and the school register gives her reason for leaving as ‘Oulton Infirmary’ and the 1911 Census shows Agnes, her mother, and siblings as inmates at Oulton Union Workhouse.  Later Agnes’ family lived at 3 Cumberland Place, Whapload Road. Agnes attended Whapload Road School and from 5 October 1914 she attended Cunningham’s School which she left on 15 October 1915 having reached fourteen years of age. By 1921 Agnes’ family were living at 16 Erskine Place and Agnes was a news deliverer working for A. and J. Crisp, stationers and newsagents, at the High Street. By 1939 her mother was living at 12 Erskine Place and subsequently her mother lived at 20 Ipswich Road. On 15 April 1926 Agnes married William John Bullard at Saint Margaret’s Church. Both Agnes and William gave their address as 16 Erskine Place and William was a fisherman. By 1939 their home was at 1 Factory Court, Factory Street, and subsequently William lived at 20 Ipswich Road. Agnes died at London Road North during the Waller Raid.

A Deck Hand with H.M. Drifter Coleus, Percy died on 4th of October 1918 at the age of 24.Percy, also shown in some sources as Percival, was born at Kirkley on 5 January 1898, a son of William Charles and Eliza Bullard. From 7 January 1901 Percy attended Kirkley School and his family lived at 12 Lovewell Road. By 1911 Percy’s mother had died and his family lived at 8 Flora Terrace, Carlton Road. In 1915 Percy lived at 5 Saint John’s Road. In 1916 Percy married Ruth Emmerson: this was registered in the South Shields district. In 1918 Ruth lived at 6 Lady’s Walk, South Shields. In 1919 Ruth married Peter Boyack and subsequently lived at 21 Wellington Street, South Shields.Percy joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 1 April 1915 and served on the trawler Early Morn until 23 March 1916 when he joined the Golden Spur. He was drafted to H.M.S. Ganges on 27 November 1917 and came under H.M.S. Attentive II, at Dover, from 18 January 1918. Sidney joined the drifter Coleus on 2 September 1918.  On 4 October 1918 the Coleus was patrolling off Dover and was sunk by a mine. Four of the crew, including Percy, were killed, and another wounded. 

A Private with 258 Company, Bertie died on 17th of June 1944 aged 39. Bertie was born at Kirkley on 1 June 1905, a son of William and Charlotte Bullen. In 1911 his family lived at 11 Coronation Terrace, Kirkley, and this was still their home in 1921 when Bertie worked as a general labourer for J. Mummery at Lowestoft fish market. On 26 December 1931 Bertie married Clara Bessie Fuller at Saint Margaret’s Church. Bertie was a labourer and they both gave their address as 13 Fir Lane. In 1939 they lived at 11 Coronation Terrace and Bertie was a registered docker. Bertie joined the Army and served with the Pioneer Corps. By June 1944 he was serving with 258 Company and was based at Nutfield, Surrey.At 5.30 a.m. on 17 June a V-1 rocket hit Nutfield and Bertie was injured and died the same day.  

A Private with the 4th Battalion, Frank died on 6th of February 1944 aged 30. Frank was born at Corton on 31 August 1914, a son of Frank James Bullen and Gertrude Jane Bullen. In 1921 his family lived at Well Cottages, Corton, and this was Frank’s home for the rest of his life. In 1939 Frank worked as a builder’s labourer. Frank served with the 4th Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment. In autumn 1940 the Battalion was on coastal defence in the Great Yarmouth area and then moved to Brooke, and then Cambridge. In early 1941 the Battalion was sent to Scotland, then Blackburn, and Ross-on-Wye. On 29 October 1941 the Battalion sailed from Liverpool and landed at Bombay on 29 December 1941 as part of the 18th (East Anglian) Division. On 19 January 1942 the Battalion re-embarked for Singapore and landed there on 29 January 1942. On 11 February the Battalion went into action at the racecourse, before falling back to defend the perimeter. On 15 February the British forces at Singapore were forced to surrender and the remaining men of the 4th Battalion went into captivity. Frank was taken prisoner at Singapore and on 4 November 1942 he was in a party of men sent overland to work on the Burma Railway. In February 1944 Frank died from beriberi at Wat Koke Mor, Nong Pladok, and he was buried in the nearby cemetery. In 1946 Frank was re-buried at Chungkai Military Cemetery.Frank's brother-in-law, Walter Read, served with the Royal Army Medical Corps and died in 1942.  

A Corporal with the 11th Trench Mortar Battery, Fred died on 1st of September 1918 at the age of 36. Fred was born at Shipmeadow, Suffolk, in 1882. His mother, Elizabeth Bullen, married Walter Fletcher at Lowestoft in 1888. In 1891 his family lived at 31 Reeve Street and later at 13 Ipswich Road, Lowestoft. Fred married Mary around 1901. She was from Bedford. In 1901 Fred and Mary were living at 2 Saint Cuthbert's Street, Bedford, and Fred worked as a crane driver at an electric engineering works. Fred served for six years with the Bedfordshire Royal Engineers. The 1911 Census shows Fred and Mary living at 20 Dunville Road, Bedford, and Fred working as a crane driver. Fred and Mary emigrated to Australia on 11 November 1911. Fred and Mary were living at 123 Hope Street, Freemantle, when Fred joined the Australian Army on 2 June 1916. He had been working as a storekeeper. Fred arrived in England on 28 December 1916. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 26 January 1917 and arrived in France on 12 June 1917 and joined the 43rd Infantry Battalion on 10 July 1917. He was posted to the 11th Trench Mortar Battery on 15 July 1917. Fred was promoted to Corporal on 9 August 1917. fred was granted leave to England from 4 March to 22 March 1918.  Fred had a charge of a trench mortar and had to expose himself to enemy fire in order to make sure the weapon was used most effectively. In this course of action he was killed by German machine-gun fire. Fred was given a battlefield burial by members of 11th Light Trench Mortar Battaery and a position 1700 yards south of Bouchavesnes, about 1650 yards north of Feuillaucourt and 2800 yards east-north-east of Clery-Sus-Somme. Subsequently the War Graves Commission could not locate his grave, hence he is commemorated on the Villers-Bretennoneux Memorial.His service papers have the note: 'His death was much regretted as he was a conspicuously brave man and a conscientious N.C.O.'Mary wrote to the Australian Army stating that she had heard from one of Fred's officers that he had been recommended for a gallantry award for his actions at Hamel when he was responsible for capturing 45 German prisoners. The war memorial at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, shows him having been awarded the Military Medal, however there is no record that the award was actually made, even though it seems he was recommended for such an award. Mary subsequently remarried. 

A Civilian, William died on 12th of May 1943 aged 65. William, whose first name was actually George, was born at Oulton on 7 November 1877, a son of Samuel and Harriet Bullen. In 1881 his family lived at Marsh Road, Oulton. By 1891 they were living at High Street, Corton, and William was an agricultural labourer. In 1901 William’s family lived at The Cliff, Corton, and William was a farm carter. On 14 January 1904 William married Anna Maria Freeman at Saint Bartholomew’s Church, Corton. In 1911 they lived at 19 Queen’s Road, Lowestoft, and William was a journeyman carter. By 1921 they were living at 1 Osborne Street and this would be William’s home for the rest of his life. In 1921 William worked as a general carter for Boardley Brothers at Whapload Road and in 1939 he was an unemployed general carter.William died at the High Street during the Focke-Wulf Raid. 

An Able Seaman with H.M.S. Phaeton., James died on 27th of September 1919 at the age of 23. James was born at Carlton Colville on 23 May 1897, a son of Edwin and Sarah Bullock. He was baptised at Saint Peter's Church, Carlton Colville, on 12 September 1897, and his family lived at Carlton Colville. By 1901 his father had died and his family lived at 2 White Horse Street, Lowestoft. By 1911 they were living at 5 Compass Street, Lowestoft, and James was a baker's errand boy. James' mother married John Moore in 1917. James was working as a labourer when he joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 7 January 1913. From 17 June to 27 October 1913 he served on H.M.S. Hawke. From 12 November 1913 to 18 April 1916 he served on H.M.S. Implacable and took part in the Dardanelles Campaign. He served on the destroyer H.M.S. Christopher from 19 September 1916 to 5 February 1919 and he then joined H.M.S. Phaeton and took part in the North Russia campaign of 1919. On 27 September the whaler from the Phaeton capsized at Bjorko (a.k.a Koivisto) and James drowned. He was buried at Koivisto General Cemetery, Finland. Note that although Koivisto was in Finland in 1919, from the late 1930s it became part of the Soviet Union, thence Russia. It is believed that all of the graves have been destroyed. 

A Civilian, Ernest died on 21st of August 1940 aged 68. Ernest was born at Lowestoft on 26 November 1871, a son of William and Martha Bultitude. In 1881 his family lived at 51 Tonning Street, and this was still their home in 1891. As a young man Ernest began working as a fisherman and in 1897 he was awarded his certificate of competency as a skipper.  On 26 December 1898 Ernest married Florence Louisa Outlaw at Saint Margaret’s Church. Ernest was a smacksman living at 78 Wollaston Road and Florence lived at 38 Mariners Street. In 1901 they lived at 77 Wollaston Road, and Ernest was a fisherman, and by 1911 they were living at The Wounded Heart, Saint Peter’s Street, and Ernest was the licensee. By 1915 their home was at 15 Winnipeg Road. On 7 April 1915 Ernest joined the Royal Naval Reserve as a Temporary Skipper, number WSA 1372. From 28 April 1915 he served with the trawler Viking II, and in late 1917 he joined the Golden Spur. Ernest was demobilised on 22 August 1919.By 1920 Ernest, Florence, and family, were living at 73 London Road South. In 1921 Ernest was the Skipper of the trawler Bona Fide, LT 778. In 1939 Ernest was still a fisherman.  On 21 August 1940 German aircraft dropped twelve high explosive bombs in the vicinity of Harvey, Wilson and Osborne Shipwrights and Jewson’s Timber Yard at Horn Hill. Ernest was killed at the Harvey, Wilson and Osborne air raid shelter. In that raid six people, including Ernest, were killed and seven injured. South Quay shipyard. Two bombs from a Dornier 17Z one either end of a shelter killed 7 people and seriously injured several others. 21 Aug 1940 CREDIT: Bob Collis

A Corporal with the 9th Battalion, Clifford died on 21st of March 1918 at the age of 21. Clifford was born at Barnby in 1897, a son of Thomas George and Ellen Bunn. In 1901 his family lived at Beccles Road, Barnby, and this was still their address in 1911 when Clifford worked as a butcher’s boy. By 1919 his family were living at Syringa Cottage, Carlton Colville, and later his parents lived at Elm Tree Road, Carlton Colville.Clifford was working as a fisherman when he volunteered and attested for the Army, at Lowestoft, on 12 September 1914. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 15426. On 25 September he was posted to the 3rd Battalion at Felixstowe. He as posted to France, arriving there on 26 January 1915, to join the 2nd Battalion. On 18 April 1915 the 2nd Battalion were in the line near Reninghelst. The battalion war diary records that two men were wounded. One of these men was Clifford who had gunshot wounds to his jaw/cheeks. He was, that day, admitted to 8 Field Ambulance then No 8 Casualty Clearing Station. On the next day he was admitted to the Australian Voluntary Hospital, at Wimereaux, and on 25 April he was evacuated to England via Hospital Ship St. Patrick. His service papers do not indicate where he underwent treatment, but do show him being on the strength of the Depot from 25 April. On 19 June 1915 Clifford was posted to the 3rd Battalion and he was then posted to the 9th Battalion, in France, arriving there on 4 October 1915. On 24 November 1915 Clifford lost a clasp knife, which he admitted, and had to pay for this ‘government equipment’ through stoppage of his pay. From 27 April 1916 he was attached to the 71st Trench Mortar Battery. Clifford received medical treatment for eczema on 15 November 1916. He was admitted to 1 Casualty Clearing Station with pyrexia (fever) ‘not yet diagnosed’ on 1 December 1916 and admitted to 13th General Hospital, Boulogne, on 2 December. He was discharged to the Convalescence Depot, Boulogne, on 22 December 1916 and, on 26 December, posted to 15 Infantry Base Depot (at Beauvarais [sic] Calais?). He rejoined his battalion on 23 January 1917. Clifford was appointed Acting Corporal on 6 May 1917, and he was absorbed in the strength on 71st Trench Mortar Battery on 21 July 1917. Clifford was awarded the Military Medal (London Gazette 18 July 1917, page 7276) and his unit is given as 9th Battalion Suffolk Regiment attached 71 Trench Mortar Battery. Clifford, and six other men, were presented with their medal ribbons by the Corps Commander, at Frevillers, on 8 August 1917. No citation for Clifford’s award has been traced, but, based on the activities of the 9th battalion in the preceding weeks, it is likely that it was for trench mortar work in support of trench raids. Clifford was transferred to the Norfolk Regiment ‘for the benefit of the service’, with service number 43768, and posted to the 9th Battalion 16 February 1918.On 17 March 1918 the 9th Battalion relieved the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment in the front line of the right sub-sector at Lagnicourt. At 5 a.m. on 21 March the enemy bombarded their positions with gas and heavy calibre shells. The bombardment obliterated the front line, support lines and string points. Owing to the ‘heroic resistance of our own men’ by noon the enemy had only managed to penetrate the front line and close support lines. A counter attack was launched and this, along with the resistance of men at Skipton Reserve, meant that enemy attacks were constrained to Lagnicourt and the flanks. Clifford’s name is included in the battalion’s roll of casualties in their war diary. On 21 March 1918, the 9th Battalion’s casualties were:Officers: four killed; eight wounded; seven missingOther ranks: 30 killed; 131 wounded; 170 missingOn 17 April 1918 Clifford’s father was notified that he was missing. During the next few months enquiries were made with the Red Cross, but it was concluded that Clifford had died on or since 21 March 1918 and his father was notified of this conclusion on 16 May 1919. Clifford’s brother, Roger, won the Military Medal in World War Two and was killed in 1944 whilst a Lieutenant in the Queen's Bays.

A Civilian, Eileen died on 17th of May 1941 at the age of 19. Eileen was born on the 4th May 1922, a daughter of Frank Sidney and Violet Bunn of 1 Vigilant Cottages Whapload Road Lowestoft. She died at 151 Queens Road, Nuneaton.The 1939 Register shows that Eileen worked as a factory hand at a wire and cable factory in Lowestoft and subsequently she went to work at Nuneaton, Warwickshire. During the night of 16-17 May 1941 Nuneaton was very heavily bombed with both incendiary and high explosive bombs and 131 people were killed. The single most devastating incident in that raid was when a bomb destroyed Merrick's Shop, on Queens Road (opposite Marlborough Road). The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records that Eileen died at 151 Queens Road it is thought that as only one bomb is recorded as having fallen on Queens Road, then Eileen must have been killed by the blast that destroyed Merrick's Shop. (See the Nuneaton and North Warwickshire Family History Society Journal July 2011 at 2011_07_Jul.pdf (nanwfhs.org.uk)Also see details of Iris Spurgeon, from Lowestoft, who also died at 151 Queens Road, Nuneaton, on that fateful night. Memories

An Engineman with H.M. Drifter George V, George died on 3rd of June 1917 at the age of 39. George was born at Kessingland on 4 July 1878, a son of George and Ellen Bunn. He was baptised at Saint Edmund’s Church, Kessingland, on 28 July 1878. In 1891 his family lived at Market Place, Kessingland, and George was a general labourer. In 1901 their address was Old Market, Kessingland, and George was a fisherman. In 1911 their address was Market Place, Kessingland, and George was a drift fishing engine driver.George joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 4 September 1915 and served on the trawler Osprey until 19 November 1915 when he joined the trawler King George V. On 3 June 1917 the trawler was ‘hauling’ mines in the Dover Strait when one blew up and sank the trawler. Eight men, including George, were killed and one man was wounded but survived. 

A Fourth Hand with Sailing Trawler Loch Fyne (Lowestoft), George died on 6th of September 1915. George was born at Pakefield in early 1901, a son of Arthur and Sarah Bunn. In 1901 his family lived at 11 Carlton Road, Pakefield, and this was still their home in 1911. In September 1915 George was the Fourth Hand on the sailing trawler Loch Fyne, LT 1105. The trawler left Lowestoft on 6 September 1915 intending to fish the Leman and Owen Shoals and to return on 15 September. The trawler was not heard of again and there was no sign of the crew. There is no certain answer as to what happened to the Loch Fyne. The trawler's owner thought it had been sunk by a mine, but the Admiralty determined that the Loch Fyne was possibly sunk by a submarine because between 7 and 10 September 1915 six other Lowestoft fishing vessels had been sunk in the Leman and Owen Shoals.All four crew, including George, were lost.Note: Although Commonwealth War Grave records give George's date of death as 6 September 1915, the Loch Fyne was presumed to have been lost between 7 and 10 September 1915. See: 1914 – 1918 Lowestoft Fisherman: killed by enemy action – History of Lowestoft's Fishing Industry (wordpress.com)

A Lieutenant, Roger died on 20th September 1944 at the age of 32. Son of Thomas George and Ellen Bunn of 2 Elm Tree Rd. Carlton Colville Lowestoft Suffolk. Husband of Winifred Bunn of 4 Mill Hill Haverhill.Roger was awarded the Military Medal (London Gazette 13 August 1943) for the Middle East. He was a Sergeant, number 406593, at the time. He was also mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 13 January 1944). A full appreciation of Roger and his life can be found at: undyingmemory.net/HAVERHILL/bunn-roger.htmlRoger's brother Clifford was awarded the Military Medal in 1917 and was killed in 1918.

A Private, Sidney died on 15th of June 1915 at the age of 24. Sidney was born at Carlton Colville in 1890, a son Albert and Harriet Mary Bunn. He was baptised at Saint Peter's Church, Carlton Colville, on 25 January 1891. In 1891 his family lived at Eades Farm Cottages, Marsh Lane, Carlton Colville. By 1901 they were living at Burnt Hill, Carlton Colville, and in 1911 at Marsh Lane, Carlton Colville, and Albert was a farm labourer. Later his parents lived at 57 Kimberley Road, Lowestoft.Albert volunteered and joined the Army at Lowestoft. He enlisted in the Suffolk Regiment. He arrived in France on 12 May 1915 to join the 1st Battalion. On 12 June 1915 the Battalion moved into trenches in the St. Eloi area. The Battalion War Diary for 15 June 1915 simply records that one man was killed and one man wounded. Albert was the soldier that was killed. A marginal note in Albert's baptism register entry at Saint Peter's Church, Carlton Colville, reads: "Died for England June 15 1915".

A Private with 1st Bn. Walter died on 24th of August 1914 at the age of 32. Walter was born at Pakefield on 12 June 1882, a son of Charles and Anna Bunn. He was baptised at All Saints Church, Pakefield, on 8 June 1884, From 19 October 1885 he attended Cunningham School, Pakefield. In 1891 his family lived at 2 Mickleburgh Cottages, Mill Road, Pakefield. From 7 September 1891 Walter attended Saint Margaret's School. In 1901 his family lived at 10 Wellington Cottages, Clapham Road,  and Walter worked as a labourer and later as a blacksmith. Walter served with the Norfolk Regiment Volunteer Battalion. He then volunteered to served with the 3rd Volunteer Company Norfolk Regiment in South Africa, service number 6865. This was a one year special enlistment and Walter served from 21 January 1902. He saw active service in the latter stages of the Boer War and was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal. Walter stated that he was a farrier when enlisted in the Norfolk Regiment, at Norwich, on 26 May 1904. He specially asked to join the Norfolk Regiment because of his previously service and because he had many friends in the regiment. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion on 15 October 1904 and to the 1st Battalion on 5 March 1907. A trustworthy soldier he was, for two years, the 'Silverman' for the Officer's Mess. He joined Section B of the Army Reserve on 25 May 1907.On 25 April 1905 Walter married Florence Ethel Moore at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft. The marriage register states that Walter was a farrier and that their address was 24 Selby Street which was Florence's family home. By 1911 they were living at 11 Cuba Street, Millwall, London, and Walter worked as a bricklayer's labourer for a provision manufacturer. Later Florence lived at 25 Till Road, Lowestoft.  Walter was mobilized from the Reserve on 5 August 1914 and posted to the 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment. He arrived in France, with the Battalion, on 16 August 1914. On 24 August 1914 the 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment and the 1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment were at Audregnies, near Mons. The British had little time to dig in when they were attacked by a large German force that outnumbered them by three to one. The Norfolk Regiment was given the order to retire and the Cheshire men covered their retreat, losing approximately 800 men in the holding action.  Walter was reported to be missing in action on 24 August 1914 and, by January 1916, it was concluded that he had been killed in action on that date.Initially Walter's body was buried near Soissons: map reference Soissons 33 20,000 188.3 x 296.5. Later, with battlefield clearance, his body was discovered and identified, from his identity disc. He was then reburied at Missy sur Aisne Communal cemetery. Further reorganisation meant that he was again exhumed and reburied at Buzancy Military Cemetery. Walter's brother-in-law George Bryant served in the Royal Naval Reserve and died in 1918.

A Rifleman with the 1st Battalion, Clifford died on 1st of December 1917 at the age of 30. Clifford was born at Lowestoft on 20 December 1886, a son of Herbert and Annie Bunting. He was baptised at Saint John’s Church on 10 April 1887 and his family lived at 47 Saint John’s Road. By 1891 his family were living at The Street, Corpusty, Aylsham, Norfolk. In 1911 Clifford lived at 88 Brixton Hill, London, and was a newsagent and tobacconist manager at that address. On 7 September 1911 Clifford married Emily Rebecca Dixon at All Saints’ Church, Camden Town. Clifford stated that he was a stationer and they both gave their address as 11 College Place. In 1912 they lived at 97 Junction Road, Islington, and Clifford was a stationer. Later Emily lived at 88 Brixton Hill, London.Clifford enlisted in the Army at Lambeth. He joined the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, service number R/35743. He was posted to France to serve with the 21st Battalion and later he was posted to the 1st Battalion. There is no record of when, where, or how, Clifford was wounded, but it may have been during the 1st Battalion’s activities in the Battle of Cambrai. He was evacuated to 21 Casualty Clearing Station where he died from his wounds on 1 December. 

A Deck Hand with H.M. Trawler New Comet. Robert died on 20th of January 1917 at the age of 30.Robert was born at Lowestoft on 14 February 1886, a son of Robert Edward and Charlotte Patience Burch. He was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 6 June 1886. His family lived at 37 Alma Road, Lowestoft. Robert worked as a fisherman. Robert joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 19 June 1916. He was killed when the trawler New Comet was blown up by a mine off Orfordness.Robert's father, also named Robert, served with the Royal Naval Reserve, and died in 1914. 

A Deck Hand with H.M. Drifter Eyrie. Robert died on 2nd of September 1914 at the age of 50. Robert was born at Ipswich in 1863, a son of Samuel. In 1871 he lived with his grandmother at 97 Tower Terrace, Ipswich.  On 10 September 1885 Ernest married Charlotte Patience Mills at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft. Both Ernest and Charlotte were living at Lowestoft and Ernest worked as a fisherman. By 1901 they were living at 37 Alma Road, Lowestoft.Robert joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 10 August 1914. He died when H. M. Drifter Eyrie struck a mine in the North Sea. The Irish Times of Thursday 3 September 1914, page 6, has:BLOWN UP BY MINESNews reached Lowestoft yesterday that the steam drifter Eyrie has been blown up by a sunken mine in the North Sea. Of the crew of eleven six were drowned. The disaster happened early yesterday, the vessel sinking in three minutes. The drowned included Thomas Scarll, William Slater, and Robert Burch, all belonging to Lowestoft. The Eyrie recently saved the crew of a Danish steamer sunk by a mine in the vicinity. Robert's son, Robert Nathanial, served in the Royal Naval Reserve and died in 1917.

A Sailor with S.S. Wallsend (Newcastle-on-Tyne), William died on 3rd of December 1942 aged 19. William was born at Lowestoft on 2 June 1923, a son of William Henry and Margaret Caroline Burch. Throughout his life William’s family lived at 37 Alma Road.In December 1942 William was serving on the S. S. Wallsend. In the early hours of 3 December, the ship dispersed from Convoy ON-146 and was hit by a torpedo fired by German submarine U-552 and the submarine then fired another two torpedoes which hit the ship. The ship sank north of the Cape Verde islands. Four of the crew, including William, were killed, but 37 were rescued. 

A Deck Hand with H.M. Drifter Hastings Castle, Clifford died on 4th of March 1916 at the age of 17. Clifford was born at Lowestoft on 20 July 1898, a son of William Arthur and Jane Elizabeth Burgess. In 1901 his family lived at 85 Bevan Street, Lowestoft. By 1911 they were living at New Road, Tolcarne, Newlyn, Cornwall. In 1915 they were living at 46 Sussex Road.Clifford joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 20 July 1915 and joined the trawler Dreel Castle. On 1 September 1915 he joined the trawler Hastings Castle.Clifford died at hospital in Brindisi, Italy, from meningitis scettia.  

A Private with the 9th Battalion, Frederick died on 30th of November 1917 at the age of 28. Frederick was born at Lowestoft on 5 December 1888, a son of Frederick Thomas and Mary Clara Burgess. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church, on 3 February 1889. In 1891 his family lived at 26 Crown Street. By 1901 they were living at 10 Beckham Road, and this was still their home in 1911 when Frederick worked as a house painter. Frederick volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 12658, and was posted to the 9th Battalion and arrived in France with the battalion on 30 August 1915. On 20 November 1917 the 9th Battalion were involved in an attack on the Hindenburg Line near Marcoing. On 22 November they moved to the Hindenburg Support System and on 27 November returned to front line trenches. The battalion war diary records that on 30 November the enemy attacked a post held by C Company and the company were forced to withdraw but later retook the post. During that day one officer was killed and two others wounded, and four other ranks, including Frederick, were killed and twelve others wounded. Frederick, and the three other men killed, are buried in adjacent graves. Frederick’s legatees were his mother and Freda Rebecca Cheek who lived at 423 London Road.  

A Private with 1st Battalion, Sidney died on 22nd of July 1916 at the age of 24. Sidney was born at Lowestoft on 21 September 1894, a son of John and Susannah Burgess. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft, on 23 October 1891 and his family lived at Gordon House, Princess Road. Sidney was a pupil at Clapham Road School and, on 1 February 1898, became a pupil at Saint Margaret’s School. In 1911 their address was 11 Princes Road, and Sidney worked as a bottle washer at a ‘licensed premises’. Sidney enlisted in the Army at Bury St. Edmunds. He joined the Bedfordshire Regiment, service number 26399, and, in 1916, went to France to join the 1st Battalion. On 19 July 1916 the 1st Battalion moved into positions east of Mametz and remained there until 23 July. The battalion war diary gives no indication as to the circumstances of Sidney’s death, but official records state that he was killed in action.  

A Private with the 1st Battalion, William died on 3rd of July 1916 at the age of 35. William was born at Lowestoft in 1880, a son of Robert and Ellen Burgess. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church on 27 February 1881. In 1881 his family lived at 11 Wollaston Road. By 1891 they were living at 62 Seago Street. By 1901 they were living at 70 Seago Street and William was a general labourer.In the early years of the Twentieth Century William had a number of encounters with the law and, in 1911, when he had been working as a fisherman, he was sent to prison at Bodmin. William volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lincoln. He joined the Lincolnshire Regiment, service number 16221. In May 1915 he was serving with the 3rd Battalion and was insubordinate to a Corporal. He attended a Court Martial on 7 May and was sentenced to 56 days imprisonment. This sentence was commuted to allow William to be posted to the 1st Battalion in France and he arrived there on 30 June 1915. On the morning of 14 March 1916, the 1st Battalion paraded for inspection before departing for front line trenches. William deserted the battalion on that day. Subsequently he was arrested and faced a Court Martial at Le Neuville on 8 May 1916. He was one of six men from the 1st Battalion to face Courts Martial in May 1916, all of whom received very severe sentences. William was found guilty of desertion and sentenced to death. However, his sentenced was commuted to ten years’ penal servitude. His sentence was suspended which allowed him to rejoin the battalion. On 3 July 1916 the 1st Battalion were to attack Birch Tree and Shelter Woods, as part of the opening stages of the Battle of the Somme. Their objective was a trench running along the north edge of Birch Tree and Shelter Woods as far as a railway line on their right and they were to be supported by the 12th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. The attack was preceded by a bombardment and, at 9 a.m., the battalion rushed the enemy positions.On reaching a ridge in front of the wood they came under heavy machine-gun fire from both flanks. About this time their commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Grant, was seriously wounded. They now came under bomb attack from the flanks and the battalion’s bombers had to repel a string party of the enemy attacking from the flank. The battalion faced continued stubborn resistance on the left, but made better progress on the right and were able to take a large number of prisoners. By 5 p.m. the battalion held the whole of Birch Tree and Shelter Woods and were then subject to heavy enemy bombardment. During the day the battalion had captured 700 prisoners. The battalion’s casualties were:Officers: three killed, six woundedOther ranks: 34 killed, 191 wounded, 9 missingWilliam was one of the men killed in action on 3 July. Note: William earned the 1914/15 Star. Medal rolls show that this was forfeited because of William’s desertion. However, in the early 1920s there was a general amnesty for deserters, and any men who had had medals forfeited, but who had then lost their lives, were restored to the roll and all the medals they were originally entitled to would have been sent to their families. William was ‘restored to the roll.’

A Second Hand with Trawler Mistletoe (Lowestoft), Robert died on 7th of May 1919 at the age of 70. Robert was born at Brixham, Devon, on 13 March 1849, a son of Samuel and Mary Burgoyne. He was baptised at All Saints’ Church, Brixham, on 25 March 1849. In 1851 his family lived at Ranscombe, Brixham, and this was still their address in 1861 when Robert worked in a ropery. In 1862 Robert began an apprenticeship to work with Mr. George Hart, of Brixham, on the Phoebe of Brixham. In 1871 Robert married Sarah Grant at Ramsgate. At this time he was the Mate on the trawler Excelsior at Ramsgate. In 1881 Robert and Sarah lived at 33 Princes Street, Ramsgate. By 1891 they had moved to Lowestoft and lived at 247 Raglan Street. In 1901 they lived at 39 Beckham Road and by 1911 at 34 Waveney Cottages, Saint Leonards Road. Lowestoft. In 1919 Robert served with the Lowestoft trawler Mistletoe. On 7 May 1919 the trawler Misteltoe was fishing about half a mile off Lowestoft when it was blown up by a mine. The Skipper of the smack Colinda saw the wreckage and sailed to the spot. The crew of the Colinda were able to recover the body of Thomas Woolner. All of the Mistletoe's five crew were killed.  Robert’s son, Samuel, served in the Royal Naval Reserve and died in 1917. 

An Engineman with H.M. Drifter Forward III, Samuel Albert died on 31st of March 1917 at the age of 37. Samuel was born at Ramsgate on 4 April 1880, a son of Robert and Sarah Burgoyne. He was baptised at Saint George’s Church, Ramsgate, on 5 October 1880. In 1881 his family lived at 33 Princes Street, Ramsgate. By 1891 they had moved to Lowestoft and lived at 247 Raglan Street. On 2 December 1900 Samuel married Annie Whiley at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft. Samuel was a fisherman and they both lived at Rotterdam Road. In 1901 they lived at Rotterdam Road and Samuel was a ‘fireman on a steamboat’. In 1911 they lived at 16 Rotterdam Road and Samuel was an engine ‘driver’ on a herring fishing steam drifter. Later Annie lived at 33 Saint Leonards Road, Kirkley. Samuel joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 11 February 1915 and served on the trawler Grace Lilian. At some point he joined the trawler Forward III.On 31 March 1917 the Forward III was sailing in the North Seas, south of the Shipwash Light Vessel, and struck a mine and sank. All ten crew were lost.  Samuel’s name appears on the War Memorial at Saint Margaret’s Church. Samuel's father, Robert, died in 1919 in the loss of the trawler Mistletoe. 

A Lieutenant with 1/1st Bn., Geoffrey died on 23rd of October 1916 at the age of 22. Geoffrey was born at Beverley, Yorkshire, on 4 July 1894, a son of John Charles Wellesley and Louisa Frances Georgina Burnaby. He was baptised at Saint Mary's Church, Beverley, on 31 July 1894. At that time Geoffrey's father was the Vicar of Saint Mary's, and the family lived at The Vicarage. In 1898 Geoffrey's family moved to Asfordby, near Melton Mowbray, when his father became the Rector. In 1901 they lived at The Rectory, Church Lane, Asfordby. Geoffrey's father died in 1908 and by 1911 his mother was living at The Rectory, Ashby. Geoffrey attended Haileybury College between 1908 and 1913. In 1913 he became a student at Trinity College, Cambridge.Geoffrey was commissioned, as a Second Lieutenant, in the 1st London Regiment on 28 September 1914 (London Gazette page 8011) and Lieutenant on 11 April 1915 (London Gazette page 5202).Geoffrey arrived in France on 11 July 1916 and joined the 1/1st Battalion London Regiment. On 6 October 1916 the Battalion moved into the line north-east of Lesboeufs. On 7 October they took part in a divisional attack to capture Spectrum Trench and the ridge at Le Transloy. A similar attack was made on the following day and the Battalion. During the two days the Battalion lost three officers and 29 men killed; seven officers, including Geoffrey, and 114 men wounded; and 47 men missing. Geoffrey died from his wounds, at a military hospital at Etaples, on 23 October 1916.    Geoffrey is commemorated on the war memorials at:Haileybury CollegeTrinity College, CambridgeSaint Mary's Church, Somerleyton

A Civilian, Edith died on 3rd of July 1940 aged 62. Edith was born at Beccles on 17 April 1878, a daughter of Alexander and Sophia Burnham. In 1881 her family lived at Blyburgate Street, Beccles, and in 1891 their address was 42 Blyburgate Street. By 1901 Edith’s father had died and Edith worked as an assistant to her mother, a dressmaker, and her family lived at 121 Ingate Street, Beccles. Edith moved to Somerleyton, and in 1911 she was a house parlour maid at The Rectory. In 1939 Edith lived at 50 Roman Road, Lowestoft, and the 1939 Register shows her occupation as ‘unpaid domestic duties’. By July 1940 she was living at 34 Beaconsfield Road. On 3 July 1940 Edith was outside the Co-operative Store on Clapham Road when the store was destroyed during an air raid and Edith was killed.

A Private with H.M.S. Hawke. Frederick died on 15th of October 1914 at the age of 29. Frederick was born at Wandsworth, London, on 30 September 1885, a son of Frederick and Hannah Burridge. In 1891 his family lived at Gardeners Cottage, Wandsworth. In 1904 they lived at 6 Saint Ann's Hill, Wandsworth, and, by 1911, at 58 Saint Ann's Hill. In 1908 Frederick married Alice Miller in the Lowestoft area. In 1909 they lived at 7 Lower Grove, Wandsworth. After Frederick's death Alice moved to Lowestoft and married Thomas Lawrence: they lived at 11 Love Road, Lowestoft. Frederick was working as a gasfitter's mate when he joined the Royal Marine Light Infantry, at London, on 21 June 1904. In 1908 Frederick served on H.M.S. Halcyon and he was awarded the Naval Good Shooting Medal as his gun team won the 6 pounder Quick-Firing gun category at the Fleet Review that year. Frederick joined H.M.S. Hawke on 4 February 1913. From August 1914 the Hawke was involved in blockade duties between the Shetland Isles and Norway. In October 1914 the Hawke's squadron was deployed further south to protect a troop convoy coming from Canada. On 15 October 1914 the Hawke was sunk by a single torpedo fired by the German submarine U-9. Frederick was one of 524 men who died. 

An Engineman with H.M. Drifter City of Liverpool, Frederick died on 31st of July 1918 at the age of 23. Frederick was born at Lowestoft on 15 November 1894, a son of Sidney Robert and Laura Emma (Ann) Burroughs. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church on 23 December 1894 and his family lived at 276 Raglan Street. In 1901 they lived at 207 Raglan Street, and by 1911 their home was at Aldeby House, Whapload Road, and Frederick was a fisherman. Later his parents lived at 19 Grove Road. Frederick joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 14 December 1914. He served on the trawler Try Again and then the trawler Ocean Hope, until 24 July 1917, when he joined the trawler City of Liverpool. On 31 July 1918 the City of Liverpool was sailing in an area known as the Downs, off South Foreland, when the trawler struck a mine. All ten of the crew, including Frederick, were lost. 

A Lance Corporal with the 1st Battalion, George died on 12th of August 1943 aged 28. George was born in the Birmingham area in 1915, a son of Joseph and Florence Burrows. His father died in 1926 and in 1939 his mother lived at 33 Tiverton Road, Birmingham.  George married Norma Roads in 1940, this was registered in the Medway district. Later Norma lived at Lowestoft, Suffolk.On 12 August 1943 George’s battalion were involved in patrol work at position Milo, near Catania. At various points during the day the battalion were subjected to machine-gun, artillery and mortar fire. They made no progress but held their positions. George was killed in action. He was buried at map reference GR11/CB/26 and later was re-buried at Catania War Cemetery. ** No_address help please **

A Stoker 2nd Class with H.M.S. Naiad, John died on 11th of March 1942 aged 25.John was born at Brownsover, Rugby, Warwickshire, on 11 March 1917, a son of John Butters and Annie Burton. In 1921 his family lived at 38 Boughton Road, Brownsover, and in 1939 they lived at 78 Boughton Road. Around 1948 John’s parents moved to Lowestoft and lived at 70 Gorleston Road.By March 1942 John was serving with the light cruiser H.M.S. Naiad. In March 1942 the Naiad sailed from Alexandria to intercept an Italian cruiser that had been reported to be damaged. This was a false report and while sailing back the Naiad was torpedoed by German submarine U-565. The ship sank with the loss of 77 crew including John.  

A Lance Sergeant with the 9th Battalion, Bertie died on 16th of September 1916 at the age of 30. Bertie was born at Lowestoft in 1886, a son of George Vempley and Martha Burwood. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church on 7 October 1886. In 1891 his family lived at Lindfield Cottage, Mariners Score, and this was still their home in 1901, when Bertie worked as an errand boy. In 1911 his family were living at Lindfield Cottage and Bertie worked as an export marker for C. and E. Morton at Lowestoft. Later his parents lived at The Grange, Rant Score.Bertie enlisted in the Army, at Lowestoft, during the early stages of World War One. The Lowestoft Journal of 2 January 1915 lists him among those who have volunteered for Kitchener's Army. Bertie arrived in France, as part of the 9th Battalion Suffolk Regiment, on 31 August 1915 and by that time he was already a Lance Corporal.  On 13 September 1916 the 9th Battalion were in trenches near Guinchy on the Somme. At 6.20 a.m. they attacked the German lines and were able to capture two lines of German trenches, however, the enemy artillery and machine-gun fire inflicted heavy casualties. The situation could not be cleared up and so, at 7.30 a.m. A Company made an attack on the German strongpoint known as The Quadrilateral, but they failed to reach their objective due to enemy machine-gun fire. By the end of the day two officers and 15 men had been killed and 10 officers and 185 men wounded. On 15 September the Battalion made an attack on the enemy trenches with a final objective between Lesbouchs and Morval. The Battalion were to advance at 7.50 a.m. There was heavy enemy artillery and machine-gun fire and half of C Company could not even leave the trench. The rest of the Battalion were held up by heavy machine-gun fire from The Quadrilateral. There were many casualties, including Lieutenant-Colonel Mack. During the day the Battalion lost four officers and 35 men killed, seven officers and 99 men wounded, and two officers and 93 men missing. The Army Register of Soldiers' Effects shows that Bertie was killed in action between 13 and 16 September 1916. But the 9th Battalion war diary states that there were no casualties on 16 September. Bertie's body was discovered at map reference 57c.T.14.d.9.4. Bertie was exhumed and reburied at Guillemont Road Military Cemetery in 1921. Bertie is shown as B Burwood on Commonwealth War Graves and Bert Burwood in Soldiers Died in the Great War.

A Sergeant with the 9th Battalion, Frank died on 16th of September 1916 at the age of 19. Frank was born at Oulton Broad on 29 January 1897, a son of Robert and Ellen Burwood. In 1901 his family lived at 95 Clemence Street, Lowestoft, and Frank attended Roman Hill School. In 1904 his family moved to 30 Kimberley Road, Lowestoft, Between 18 April 1904 and 15 December 1904 Frank attended Saint John's School, Lowestoft. By 1911 Frank and his family were living at 12 Pakefield Street and Frank worked as a coal carter. Later his parents' address was 12 Coronation Terrace, Pakefield, South Lowestoft.Frank enlisted in the Army, at Lowestoft, during the early stages of World War One. The Lowestoft Journal of 2 January 1915 lists him among those who have volunteered for Kitchener's Army. Frank arrived in France, as part of the 9th Battalion Suffolk Regiment, on 31 August 1915 and by that time he was already a Lance Corporal.  On 13 September 1916 the 9th Battalion were in trenches near Guinchy on the Somme. At 6.20 a.m. they attacked the German lines and were able to capture two lines of German trenches, however, the enemy artillery and machine-gun fire inflicted heavy casualties. The situation could not be cleared up and so, at 7.30 a.m. A Company made an attack on the German strongpoint known as The Quadrilateral, but they failed to reach their objective due to enemy machine-gun fire. By the end of the day two officers and 15 men had been killed and 10 officers and 185 men wounded. On 15 September the Battalion made an attack on the enemy trenches with a final objective between Lesbouchs and Morval. The Battalion were to advance at 7.50 a.m. There was heavy enemy artillery and machine-gun fire and half of C Company could not even leave the trench. The rest of the Battalion were held up by heavy machine-gun fire from The Quadrilateral. There were many casualties, including Lieutenant-Colonel Mack. During the day the Battalion lost four officers and 35 men killed, seven officers and 99 men wounded, and two officers and 93 men missing. The Army Register of Soldiers' Effects shows that Frank was killed in action on 16 September 1916. But the 9th Battalion war diary states that there were no casualties on 16 September, and it can be inferred that he died between 13 and 15 September.In 1928 Frank's body was discovered at map reference 57c.T.14.d.1.4. He was identified by his uniform, boots, and an identity disc. Frank was exhumed and reburied at Serre Road Cemetery No.2. 

A Skipper with H.M. Drifter Dewey, Frederick died on 12th of August 1917 at the age of 29.Frederick was born at Lowestoft on 10 August 1888, a son of William Henry and Alice Mary Burwood. Frederick was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft, on 13 October 1889. In 1891 his family lived at Bishops Buildings, Whapload Road, and by 1901 they were living at 1 Saint Margaret’s Court. Later his family lived at 9 Saint Margaret’s Plain. On 19 March 1909 Frederick married Ivy Harriet Richmond at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft. Frederick was a fisherman living at 2 Clarence Road, and Ivy, lived at 65 Saint Margaret’s Road. By 1911 they were living at 13 Melbourne Road and Frederick was a herring fisherman. In early 1914 Frederick was awarded his certificate of competency as a skipper. Frederick joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 1 February 1915 as a Second Hand and served on the trawler Eager. He was promoted to Skipper on 22 February 1915. From 16 March 1915 he was the Skipper of the trawler Feasible. Subsequently he took command of the drifter Dewey (this may have been as early as January 1916).On 12 August 1917 the Dewey was sailing in the English Channel. The drifter collided with S.S. Glenifer, near the Royal Sovereign Light Vessel (some sources state that the Dewey was ‘run down’) and sank with the loss of ten crew. 

A Deck Hand with H.M. Trawler Anworth, Samuel died on 10th of December 1916 at the age of 18. Samuel was born at Lowestoft on 9 January 1898, a son of Samuel Robert and Maria Burwood. He was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 6 February 1898 and his family lived at 281 Raglan Street. Later his family would live at 299 Raglan Street, Lowestoft. Samuel joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 8 March 1915 and served on the trawler Anworth. He added a year to his age when he joined. On 10 December 1916 Samuel was on a small boat and assisting with salvage operations on S. V. 'Katherine'. The small boat capsized and Samuel was drowned.His father, also named Samuel Robert, was the Skipper of the trawler Kent County and also died in December 1916. 

A Skipper with H.M. Drifter Kent County., Samuel died on 8th of December 1916 at the age of 39.Samuel was born at Lowestoft on 31 August 1873, a son of William and Matilda Burwood. He was baptised at Christchurch, Lowestoft, on 7 October 1877. Samuel married Maria Garner at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 30 October 1895. At that time he was living at 25 Seago Street, and Maria at 57 Reeve Street, and Samuel was a trawlerman. By 1901 they were living at 281 Raglan Street, and later at 299 Raglan Street.Samuel served with the Royal Naval Reserve from 26 July 1915. Samuel was the Skipper of the trawler Kent County. The Kent County was a Special Service Vessel, also known as Q-Ships. The drifter was sunk by a mine about one mile off Cross Sand, near Lowestoft, with the loss of all ten members of crew. His son, also called Samuel Robert, also in December 1916 while serving with the Royal Naval Reserve.

A Private with the 7th Battalion, William died on 27th of March 1918 at the age of 21. William was born at Lowestoft on 21 February 1897, a son of William and Charlotte Burwood. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church on 12 March 1897 and his family lived at Walton Road. In 1901 the family’s address was 16 Walton Road and this was William’s family home for the rest of his life. William attended Hervey Street Infant School and, on 8 January 1906 joined Saint John’s School, but left three days later to go to a ‘nearer school.’ In 1911 William was a baker’s errand boy. William enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the 6th (Cyclist) Battalion Suffolk Regiment, service number 2053. William was posted to eth 11th Battalion, in France, and joined B Company.On 7 April 1917 William received a gunshot wound to his right thigh. He was evacuated via 31 Ambulance Train, at Aubigny, to Le Treport, arriving on 8 April. Once recovered William was posted to the 7th Battalion.  On 26 March 1918 the 7th Battalion were given the task of protecting the approaches to the town of Albert against the German advance. A Company were to defend the railway cutting area with positions covering the Albert-Millencourt Road and the Albert-Amiens Road. In the next two days the Battalion held the defences but suffered 244 casualties. William was reported missing and later presumed to have been killed in action on 26 to 27 March 1918.

A Civilian, Agnes died on 15th of January 1942 aged of 15. Agnes was born at Lowestoft on 28 September 1926, a daughter of William John Ivory and Ethel S. Butcher. In 1939 her family lived at of 183 Saint Peters Street. Agnes was injured at London Road North, on 13 January 1942, during the Waller Raid. She died at Lowestoft and North Suffolk Hospital. 

A Private with 9th Bn., Albert died on 25th of September 1915 at the age of 27. Albert was born at Ilketshall Saint Andrew, Suffolk, in 1889, a son of James and Mary Ann Butcher. Albert was baptised at Saint Andrew’s Church, Ilketshall, on 23 March 1889, and his family lived at Ilketshall. In 1891 his family lived at Ilketshall Saint Andrew. By 1911 Albert was lodging with Elizabeth Frost, at The Street, Lound, and working as a cowman on a farm.  Albert volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Suffolk Regiment and was posted to the 9th Battalion. Henry arrived in France with the 9th Battalion on 31 August 1915. Colonel Murphy’s ‘The History of the Suffolk Regiment 1914-1927’ has the following account of the 9th Battalion’s involvement in the Battle of Loos from 25 to 27 September 1915, pages 121-122:At 8 p.m. on 25 September the 9th Battalion moved off and began to wend its way, in a double line of platoons, across the battlefield of Loos. A steady advance – not towards the 9th Division as originally intended, but in the direction of Vendin-le-Vieil – was maintained, the battalion passing in turn over its own support line, its own front line, the German front line, and the German support line. About midnight the advance was held up, the battalion digging themselves in between that hour and dawn, with the German support line still behind them. At 5 a.m. they were ordered back to that line.During the forenoon of the 26th an order was received for an attack at 11 a.m. with the 9th Battalion to support the 72nd Brigade, following some 600 yards behind. Unfortunately, however, this order was not received until 11.25 a.m., whereupon Lieutenant-Colonel, passing a message down the line, ordered the battalion to advance immediately. Without hesitation each section mounted the parapet and began pushing forward under heavy artillery fire towards the objective of the previous evening. The advance continued until the leading line reached a point about two hundred yards or so beyond the Hulluch-Lens Road where it was definitely checked. At 5 p.m. the right flank began to give way. For three hours the centre held on to the road, and during that time the flanks advanced and retired twice. Then the left flank, coming under a heavy machine-gun fire from the direction of Hulluch, was forced back. Here most of the 9th Battalion’s casualties occurred.About 2 a.m. on the 27th the battalion was relieved.The Battalion’s casualties were: Officers, one killed, six woundedOther ranks, nine killed, two died of wounds, 81 wounded, 45 missingAlthough some records suggest that Albert died ‘on or since 2 October 1915 - death presumed’ in fact this was a blanket term used for all of the men of the 9th Battalion who were reported missing at Loos on 25-26 September 1915. 

A Private with the 9th Battalion, Ernest died on 8th of August 1941 aged 28. Ernest was born at Lowestoft on 27 April 1913, a son of Samuel and Rosetta Butcher. In 1921 his family lived at 24 Union Road, and this was still their home in 1939 when Ernest worked as a wooden box and case maker. In 1940 Ernest married Lillie Ellen Elizabeth Cowles, this was registered in the Lothingland district. Lillie remarried in 1946. Ernest served with the 9th Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment. This was a training battalion that was used to send drafts of trained men to join front line battalions. Official casualty list 596, dated 21 August 1941, shows that Ernest died as the result of an accident.  

A Private with the 2nd Battalion, Henry died on 30th of November 1917 at the age of 19. Henry was born at Kessingland in 1898, a son of Charles and Henrietta Butcher. He was baptised at Saint Edmund’s Church, Kessingland, on 17 April 1898. In 1901 his family lived at High Street, Kessingland. In 1911 their address was ‘near the Blacksmith’s Shop, Kessingland.’ Later his mother lived at London Road, Kessingland.Henry was living at Kessingland and working as a warehouseman when he attested for the Army at Lowestoft on 23 May 1916. He joined the Coldstream Guards, service number 19885. He was posted to France on 26 May 1917 to join the 2nd Battalion. On 29 November 1917 the 2nd Battalion marched to billets at Metz en Couture. On 30 November, in conjunction with the 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards and the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, they counter-attacked the enemy and retook Gouzeancourt and were able to consolidated a line near the village. In the initial stages of the attack there was considerable shelling, both shrapnel and high explosive, and on reached the crest of a ridge the battalion were subjected to heavy machine-gun fire. By 1.30 p.m. the whole village had been taken and units of the 2nd Battalion pressed on to Quentin Ridge. The battalion’s casualties for 30 November were:Officers: two killed, four woundedOther ranks: 235 killed, wounded and missingHenry was killed in action at Gouzeancourt. 

A Private with the 2nd Battalion, James died on 26th of October 1917 at the age of 30. James was born at Lowestoft in 1887, a son of George and Elizabeth Butcher. In 1891 his family lived at 9 Wellington Cottages, and, by 1901, at 8 Mariners Street. In 1911 James was a fish worker, lodging with Lewis Warrington and family at 115 Walker Street, Hull. By June 1915 James had returned to Lowestoft and lived at Corke’s Buildings, Raglan Street, and was a fishworker. He married Margaret Paterson at Stornoway, possibly at Saint Columb’s Church, on 26 June 1915. Margaret’s home was at Church Street, Harbour Road, Eyemouth, Scotland. In 1916 James and Margaret lived at 104 Havelock Street, Newington, near Hull, and James was a fish curer. Later Margaret lived at 11 Wellington Terrace, Hessle Road, Hull. Margaret died in 1918 and Jane Cole, of 12 Seaton Terrace, Walcott Street, Hessle Road, Hull, became guardian to their children. James enlisted in the Army at Manchester. He joined the Border Regiment, service number 203115, and was posted to the 4th (Reserve) Battalion before being posted to the 2nd Battalion in France. On 26 October 1917 the 2nd Battalion was ordered to attack and hold a line at Gheluvelt, as part of operations carried out by 20th Brigade. The attack was carried out under a creeping barrage that started at 5.40 a.m. and was timed to reach the objective at 6.36 a.m. At 5.40 a.m. the battalion began their advance, in normal formation, over marshy ground, through which the men were only just able to move. Immediately they encountered machine-gun fire from Lewis House, on the right, and ‘pepper boxes’ on the left. C Company on the right advanced into the valley and found themselves up to their wastes in mud: C Company was almost entirely wiped out. D Company could not advance to their front and moved over toward the Menin Road: D Company was almost entirely wiped out by machine-gun fire. B Company moved against the pepper boxes and suffered many casualties. A Company now came up and was able to capture one of the pepper boxes and a machine-gun. Captain Little reorganised some of the men and made an attack which came within about 150 yards of Gheluvelt. By 10 a.m. it was realised that the objectives could not be taken with the number of men that were left. The remnant of the battalion were now regrouped and instructed to hold posts along their original front line. The battalion’s casualties for 26 October were:Officers: five killed, two wounded, one missingOthe ranks: 6 killed, 174 wounded, 126 missingJames was reported missing on 26 October and later presumed to have been killed in action on that date.   

A Sapper with 705 General Construction Company, Lloyd died on 28th of May 1940, aged 27.Lloyd was born at Lowestoft on 3 February 1913, a son of Robert George and Gertrude Butcher. In 1921 his family lived at 90 Seago Street and this was still their home in 1939. In 1935 Lloyd married Edith Rosa Juler: this was registered in the Lothingland district. By 1940 their home was at 25 Kirkley Gardens. Lloyd enlisted in the Army at Ipswich on 5 March 1940. He joined the Royal Engineers and was posted to 705 General Construction Company in France. Lloyd was initially reported missing on 28 May 1940 and later it was concluded that he had been killed in action, at sea, during the Dunkirk evacuation. His body was recovered, and he was buried at Wangerooge, one of the Frisian Islands. In 1947 he was reburied at Sage War Cemetery.    

A Private with the 5th Battalion, Frederick died on 9th of April 1917 at the age of 24. Frederick was born at Ely in 1893, a son of Harry and Hannah (Annie) Mary Lord Butler. His father, a G.E.R. railway inspector, died in 1894 and by 1901 Frederick and his mother were living at 101 Stanley Street and his mother worked as a railway waiting room attendant at Lowestoft. Frederick married Grace Mildred Barnard at Lowestoft in 1913. They lived at 22 Tonning Street, Lowestoft.Frederick attested for the Army at Lowestoft on 6 June 1916. He was called up around 5 July 1916 and joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 34775. On 14 November 1917 he was transferred to the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, service number 20822, and joined the 3rd Battalion. He arrived in France on 27 November 1916 and joined the 5th Battalion. On 7 April 1917 the 5th Battalion moved into positions in the Ronssoy Sector in readiness for the Battle of Arras. Their attack began at 7.43 a.m. and they followed the British barrage. They were meant to be accompanied by four tanks, but these seem to have been bogged down and contributed little to the battalion’s advance. The battalion’s advance meant that they were confronted by a German stronghold at Harp Redoubt, and the aim was to go around Harp Redoubt and over Telegraph Hill. As they advanced their faced the enemy counter-barrage and when they approached Telegraph Hill they came under heavy machine-gun fire. Slight resistance at Telegraph Hill Trench and Head Lane was overcome and over 50 prisoners captured. There was no resistance from Pole Trench, but the battalion had to send a patrol forward to deal with a machine-gun at Nouvion Lane and the patrol captured that machine-gun. By 9.10 a.m. work to consolidate the positions had begun and at 1.15 p.m. the Rifle Brigade were able to pass through the battalion to press on with the attack.The battalion’s casualties were twelve officers and 189 other ranks. Frederick was killed in action during the attack. Frederick was buried at Harp Redoubt, map reference N.1.a.b.1, and his grave was marked with a cross stating that he had died on 9 April 1917. Several other men from the 5th Battalion were buried at Harp Redoubt, including William Aldred from Blundeston, as were several men from other regiments. In 1919 Frederick, and the other men, were reburied at Tilloy British Cemetery. Frederick’s brother Rupert served with Essex Regiment and died in 1916. His brother-in-law, Albert Barnard, served in the Army Service Corps, and died in 1917.  

A Private with the 9th Battalion, Rupert died on 3rd of July 1916 at the age of 22. Rupert was born at Ely in 1893, a son of Harry and Hannah (Annie) Mary Lord Butler. His father, a G.E.R. railway inspector, died in 1894. By 1901 Rupert’s mother, and older brother, Frederick, were living at 101 Stanley Street, and Rupert was living at the Alexandra Orphanage, Hornsey Rise, Islington, London. In 1911 Rupert lived with his uncle Horace Wright at 53 Rutland Road, Ilford, and Rupert worked as a clerk at a warehouse.Rupert volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Warley, Essex. He joined the Essex Regiment, service number 12033. He was posted to the 9th Battalion and arrived in France, with the battalion, on 30 May 1915. He served with A Company.Rupert received a gunshot wound to his scalp and was admitted to 2 General Hospital on 19 October 1915. The next he day we discharged to a Convalescence Camp. On 3 July 1916 the 9th Battalion moved into forward positions in readiness for an attack on Ovillers. A heavy bombardment preceded the attack, and zero hour was 3.07 a.m. Heavy machine-gun fire form Ovillers held up the attack and the battalion’s advance was held up by a strong-point on a terrace overlooking the German front line. The attack came to a stand still about 4.30 p.m.The battalion’s casualties were 12 officers and 386 other ranks. Rupert was killed in action during the attack. He was buried at map reference 57.d.x.7.d. and, in 1920, his body was recovered and reburied at Ovillers Military Cemetery.Rupert’s brother Frederick served with the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry and died in 1917.   

A Corporal with 128th Field Coy., died on 20th of October 1915 at the age of 26. Robert was born at Corton in 1889, a son of Frederick C and Emma Buttifant. He was baptised at Saint Bartholomew’s Church, Corton, on 6 January 1889. In 1891 his family lived at Mill Lane, Corton. By 1901 they were living at High Street, Corton. Later his parents lived at 1 Rose Cottage, Corton.Robert joined the Metropolitan Police on 27 December 1909 and was a keen footballer and cricketer and member of the Police Athletic Club.Robert was working as a Police Constable, with the Metropolitan Police, and living at The Police Station, Barking, Essex, when he volunteered and attested for the Royal Engineers at East Ham on 1 February 1915. He was posted to 128 Field Company on 9 February 1915.On 5 April 1915 Robert was promoted to 2nd Corporal, and on 17 July 1915 he was promoted to Corporal. He embarked for France, with 128 Field Company, on 27 August 1915.  On 20 October 1915 128 field Company were employed in making bomb proof dug-outs in the front line and draining and planking communication trenches, in the vicinity of Bois Grenier. During the night they worked on loopholing parapets. They were bivouacked at Brick Street.Robert was killed in act on 20 October.Many of Robert’s personal effects were returned to his mother, including: identity disc, pocket book, letters, purse and coins, two razor strops, four handkerchiefs, soap and case, razor, two sticks of shaving soap, pipe and pouch, metal chain, silver watch and chain,  tea spoon, tin opener, compass, tin of ointment, knife and a tin with cigarettes.  

A Seaman with H.M.S. Aboukir, John died on 22nd of September 1914 aged 44. John was born at Lowestoft on 31 October 1869, a son of Jonathan and Jane Hannah Button. He was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 3 December 1871. His family lived at 11 Compass Lane, Lowestoft. In 1881 John and his father were at 2 Lake Lothing Terrace.On 29 April 1895 John married Susannah Allen at Saint Margaret's Church. John was a sailor living at 4 Factory Court, and Susannah lived at Albert Street. In 1901 they lived at 15 Melbourne Road and John was a mariner. By 1911 they were living at 47 Park Road, Lowestoft, and John was a general mariner.In early 1911 John was working ashore. By September 1911 he was working on the coal hulk Emily Smeed. In early 1912 he was again working ashore, buy by 1 August 1912 was again a crewman on the Emily Smeed. By February 1913 he was again working ashore. John first enrolled in the Royal Naval Reserve on 20 January 1896. He re-enrolled on 30 January 1911. John was called out for service when the First World War began and on 3 August 1914 he was drafted to H.M.S. Aboukir. On 28 August 1914 H.M.S. Aboukir was part of the British naval force at the Battle of Heligoland Bight, but took no active part in the battle. On 22 September H.M.S. Aboukir, sailing with sister ships Cressy and Hogue, were in the Broad Fourteens area of the North Sea when each ship was sunk by torpedoes from German submarine U-9. A total of 527 men, including John, were killed in the loss of the Aboukir. John's son, Robert, served in the Merchant Navy and died in 1945. 

An Engineman, Lewis died on 26th October 1916 at the age of 21.Lewis was born at Hulver on 20th March 1895, a son of Charles and Laura Button. In 1911 Lewis lived with his parents at The Street, Hulver, and Lewis was a gardener. Lewis married Lilian Wincup at Saint Peter's Church, Kirkley, on 24th August 1914. At that time Lewis was working as a fisherman and both he, and Lilian, lived at Kirkley (address unknown).Lewis was enrolled in the Royal Naval Reserve on 11th January 1915 and he served on board the Drifter 'Gleaner of the Sea'. In 1915 the 'Gleaner of the Sea' was part of the Dover Patrol and the crew had the task of tending the anti-submarine nets. On 24th April 1916 a German submarine, the U-13, became tangled in the drifter's anchor chain. The Skipper, Robert Hurren, attacked the submarine with a 'lance bomb' which exploded and damaged the submarine which was subsequently sunk. On the night of 26-27 October 1916 the Gleaner of the Sea, along with several other Lowestoft trawlers in the Dover Patrol, was attacked by German destroyers and sank with the loss of all hands. For details of the attack on the Dover Barrage see: The German attack on the 'Dover Barrage' 26th/27th October 1916 (sussexhistoryforum.co.uk)Lilian was living at Sunnyside Terrace, Gillingham, when Lewis was killed and subsequently went to live with her mother at Hulver. Lewis and Lilian had two children.In 1920 Lilian married George Shade, a fisherman, and they lived at Chapel Lane, Hulver. 

A Seaman with H. M. Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom), Robert died on 24th of February 1945 aged 39.Robert was born at Lowestoft on 12 November 1905, a son of John and Susannah Button. He was baptised at Saint John’s Church on 1 December 1905 and his family lived at 47 Albert Street. By 1911 his family were living at 47 Park Road, and this was still the family home in 1945. In 1921 Robert was an errand boy working for John Deveraux and Sons at 129 High Street. On 1945 Robert was a Seaman Cable Hand serving with H.M. Cable Ship Alert. On 24 February the Alert was working off Ramsgate. As the ship’s work was close to Ramsgate not close escort protection was provided. At 10.05 a.m. the Alert was seen between Elbow Bouy and South Falls Bouy. At 11.05 a.m. a navy ship found the wreckage of a ship and it was not until two days later that this wreckage was identified as having come from the Alert. No detail of precisely what happened to the Alert is known. An expert witness, who looked at the ships’ wreckage some days later, felt that the ship must have suffered a catastrophic explosion as the ship had broken in two. It is possible that the ship had been torpedoed or had struck a mine. All 59 crew, including Robert, were lost and later the Admiralty issued an apology for not realising what had happened to the Alert sooner and for the lack of rescue effort made.   Robert’s father, John, served in the Royal Naval Reserve and died in 1914. 

An Engineman with H.M. Drifter Jeannie Murray, Walter died on 15th of February 1918 at the age of 25. Walter was born at Hulver, Suffolk, on 21 August 1892, a son of Charles and Laura Button. In 1901 his family lived at Hulver Street, Henstead. In 1901 they lived at The Street, Hulver, and Walter was a fisherman. On 12 December 1912 Walter married Isabella Brown at Saint Peter’s Church, Kirkley. Walter was a fisherman and they both lived at Kirkley. In 1913 they lived at 4 Colville Road, Kirkley. Later Isabella lived at Well Lane, Hulver, and then at 15 Oaklands Terrace, Kessingland.Walter joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 21 January 1915 and served with the trawler None-the-Less as a Deck Hand. He was promoted to Enginemen on 1 July 1915. Walter joined the trawler Jeannie Murray on 1 July 1916. Walter was serving on the Jeannie Murray when he was killed in an event known by some as the ‘Massacre of the Drifters’. Captain Taprell-Dorling, in his book Swept Channels described the event:"On the night of 14-15 February 1918, an enemy submarine was reported in the minefield [off Dover] by the drifters, and heavy firing began. The "P" boats, monitors and destroyers on patrol concluded that the firing was at the submarine. They were unaware that a flotilla of German destroyers had steamed through the patrol and were attacking the paddle minesweepers, trawlers and drifters who were burning lights to assist in illuminating the minefield.The trawler James Pond, commanded by Chief Skipper A.E. Berry, D.S.C., R.N.R., was burning her flares near the French coast when he saw three destroyers approaching from the eastward at high speed. Flashing past at very close range, they each fired salvoes. It was impossible to miss. The raiders disappeared into the darkness, to leave the trawler damaged and blazing.The enemy destroyers had not finished. After passing the James Pond they turned sharply to the north-north-west along the line of drifters, firing salvoes into them as they steamed by. These little ships did not hesitate to return the fire with the tiny guns they possessed; but 3 and 6 pounders were nothing of a match for the 4.1's of the enemy. The Christina Craig, Clover Bank, Cosmos. Jeannie Murray, Silver Queen, Veracity and W Elliott, all between 60 and 96 tons, were sunk one after the other. Still more were damaged."

A Deck Hand with Dredger Mercurius (London), James died on 28th of June 1916 at the age of 61.James was born at Norwich in 1855, a son of William and Sarah Buxton. In 1861 his family lived at Greyhound Lane, Heigham, Norwich. By 1871 they were living at West End Street, Norwich, and James was a bricklayer’s labourer. In 1881 James was the Mate on the trawler Effort. On 20 November 1882 James married Eliza Elizabeth Rounce at Saint Peter’s Church, Kirkley. James was a fisherman and they both lived at Kirkley. In 1891 they lived at 35 Saint Leonards Road.In 1893 James was the Skipper of the trawler Albatross, LT 546. In 1896 the trawler Fashion, owned by James, was wrecked off the Dutch coast. In 1901 James, Eliza, and family, lived at 345 London Road South, and James was a smack owner and fishing smack master. They were still at that address in 1911 when James was a smack owner. Later Eliza lived at 333 London Road South. During the First World War James was a Deck Hand on the Dredger Mercurius. On 28 June 1916 the Mercurius was on a voyage from Southampton to Immingham when it struck a mine about three miles south-east of Lowestoft and sank with all hands. 

An Engineman with H.M. Drifter Uberty. William died on 7th of May 1941 at the age of 42. William was born at Swaffham on 7 October 1898, a son of William and Rebecca Bye. He was baptised at Saints Peter and Paul Church, Swaffham, on 6 November 1898 and his family lived at Lynn Street, Swaffham. In 1901 his family lived at 90 Lynn Road, Swaffham, and they were still living at Lynn Road in 1911. On 1 October 1915 William joined the Royal Naval Reserve, number 344 SBC. He stated that his home address was 5 Harold Road, Lowestoft. On 7 October 1916 he was confirmed in the rate of Trimmer Cook and given service number 909 TC, and his address was 'near The Morning Star, Carlton Road, Lowestoft'. He became a Deck Hand, number 17090 DA, on 27 May 1917. Throughout the war he served with the trawler Tailor King. William was discharged on 26 May 1919.On 27 December 1920 William married Eva Charlotte Mingay at Saint Peter's Church, Kirkley. William was working as a fisherman and they both lived in Kirkley parish. In 1923 they lived at 4 Epsom Terrace, Kirkley Run, Lowestoft. By 1939 they were living at 60 Kirkley Run and William worked as a fisherman - 1st engineer. During World War Two William served as an Engineman (Chief Engineman in some sources) on the requisitioned trawler Uberty. The Uberty was bombed by German aircraft and sunk off Lowestoft Harbour and all thirteen of the crew were lost. NOTE: Several sources state that the Uberty was sunk on 8 May 1941, but Commonwealth War Graves states that twelve of the thirteen crew, including William, died on 7 May 1941. 

A Private with the Depot, Arthur died on 4th of December 1916 at the age of 40. Arthur was born at Heckingham, Norfolk, in 1876, a son of Rebecca Cable. In 1881 his family lived at Thurlton, Norfolk. For a time in 1886 Arthur and his mother were living at Heckingham Workhouse and Arthur was still there in 1891. By 1896 he had moved to Lowestoft and it seems that whenever he lived in Lowestoft he stayed with his sister Emma Swatman. By 1911 Emma was living at 131 Raglan Street. In 1896 Arthur was living at 8 Haward Street, Lowestoft, and working as a labourer for Mr. Calver, of Lowestoft, when he enlisted in the 4th Militia Battalion Norfolk Regiment, at Lowestoft, on 28 January 1896. On 25 March 1898 Arthur enlisted in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, service number 5617, at Melton Mowbray. He was posted to the 1st Battalion, in India, on 22 February 1899. In 1902 he was convicted by a Court Martial and sentenced to six months imprisonment. On 22 January 1906 he was posted to the 2nd Battalion in England. Arthur joined the Army Reserve on 24 March 1906 and was discharged on 24 March 1910.    When the First World War began Arthur was living at Lowestoft. He volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Hertford. He joined the Bedfordshire Regiment, service number 13231. He arrived in France on 3 December 1914 to join the 1st Battalion.At some point Arthur became unwell and returned to England and was posted to the strength of the Depot. He was admitted to the 4th London General Hospital, Denmark Hill, London. On 3 October 1916 he was transferred to the County of Middlesex War Hospital, Napsbury, near Saint Albans. Arthur died from a condition known as the general paralysis of the insane.

A Deck Hand with H.M. Drifter Campania II, Charles died on 5th of March 1917 at the age of 35. Charles was born at East Bridge, Theberton, Suffolk, on 18 March 1881, a son of William and Emma Cable. In 1891 his family lived at The Common, Leiston. By 1901 Charles was a fisherman and he lodged at 54 Saint Peter’s Street, Lowestoft, with the Girdlestone family. On 4 March 1906 Charles married Ethel Maud Rebecca Howes at Saint Peter’s Church, Kirkley. By 1911 they were living at 74 Tennyson Road. Later Ethel married George Andrews and lived at 58 Ipswich Road.Charles joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 25 February 1915 and served on the trawler Arimathea. On 1 August 1916 he joined the trawler Campania II.   On 5 March 1917 the Campania II was in the North Sea and was lost in a gale. All twelve crew, including Charles, died. Charles' wife, Ethel, died in 1943 during an air raid. 

A Seaman with Steam Drifter Reliance (Lowestoft), Frederick died on 7th of October 1917 at the age of 38. Frederick was born at Lowestoft on 11 May 1879, a son of William and Sarah Ann Cable. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft, on 7 September 1879. In 1881 his family lived at Carlton Colville, and in 1891 their lived in a cottage at New Road, Carlton Colville. By 1901 they were living at 3 Victoria Road, Oulton Broad, and Frederick was a railway labourer. On 6 November 1902 Frederick married Ethel Rose Barnard at Saint Peter’s Church, Carlton Colville. Frederick was a labourer and they both lived at Carlton Colville. By 1911 their home was at 5 School Road, Oulton Broad, and Frederick worked as a general labourer for the Great Eastern Railway Company. By December 1914 Frederick was working as a fisherman.  In 1917 Frederick was a seaman with the Drifter Reliance, LT 694. The Reliance sailed from Lowestoft, on Saturday 29 September, to fish between Wintertons Ridge and Smiths Knoll, and was due to return on Monday 8 October. The Reliance was seen by several boats outside Winterton Ridge during the evening of October 6. A member of the crew of the Lord Roberts, William Westmate, stated at an inquiry that his crew had hauled their nest and gone below when, about five minutes later, they heard an explosion. This was presumed to be the Reliance striking a mine. All ten of the Reliance’s crew were lost. See: 1914 – 1918 Lowestoft Fisherman: killed by enemy action – History of Lowestoft's Fishing Industry

A Lance Corporal with the 9th Bn., William died on 26th of September 1918 at the age of 22. William was born at Lowestoft in 1896, a son of Susannah Calthorpe. In 1911 he was an inmate at Lothingland House (Workhouse), Oulton Broad. A Pension Record Card shows that his mother also resided at Lothingland House (Workhouse), Oulton Broad, after William's death. William was living at Mile End, London, when he enlisted in the Royal West Kent Regiment, service number 8117. William was transferred to the London Regiment and arrived in France on 21 June 1917 and he served with the 9th Battalion (Note the 9th Battalion was formed in France in February 1918 from the 1/9th and 2/9th Battalions: William must have served with one of these when he arrived in France).Note that both the Army Register of Soldiers' Effects and the original Commonwealth War Graves Commission paperwork state that William had been posted to the 2nd King's Royal Rifle Corps at the time of his death. Based on information in the War Diary of the 2nd King's Royal Rifle Corps we can infer that William was posted to that Battalion on or before 13 September 1918 and it is probable that he was wounded some time between the 18th and 26th September. He died of his wounds at 47 Casualty Clearing Station.William left his estate to Miss Mary Kerry.  

A Private with the Corps of Military Accountants, Alfred died on 20th of July 1921 at the age of 24. Alfred was born at Lowestoft on 11 October 1895, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth Calver. In 1901 his family were living at 131 Saint Peter's Street. From 15 September 1908 Alfred attended Lowestoft School of Science. By 1911 Alfred's father had died and his family still lived at 131 Saint Peter's Street.During the First World War Alfred enlisted in the London Regiment, number 6245 then 573150, and served with the 2/17th Battalion. He was in France from 24 June 1916 to 22 November 1916; in Salonika, with A Company, from 1 December 1916 to 3 March 1916, when he was admitted, injured, to 31 Casualty Clearing Station; East Africa from 9 July 1917 to 31 August 1918; and in France from 5 September 1918 to 19 February 1919. Subsequently he joined the Corps of Military Accountants and was attached to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in Iraq.  

A Private with the 9th Battalion, George died on 13th of September 1916 at the age of 25. George was born at Lowestoft on 14 February 1891, a son of William Ling and Elizabeth Sarah Ann Calver. He was baptised at Saint Peter’s Church, Kirkley, on 24 February 1891. Throughout his life George’s family lived at 1 Ontario Road, Kirkley. From 1 July 1895 George was a pupil at Kirkley School. Later his parents lived at 117 Portland Street, Norwich.  In 1911 George worked as a shop assistant at a drapery.  George enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 22910. Colonel Murphy’s ‘The History of the Suffolk Regiment 1914-1927’ has the following account of the 9th Battalion’s attack at The Quadrilateral 13 September 1916:The battalion took part in an attack by the 61st Division on the Quadrilateral., the 71st Brigade being on the left and the 16th on the right. The 9th Battalion attacked with three companies in the front line and one in support, zero being 6.20 a.m. The battalion got through the German out post line quite easily, but on gaining the open ground, which stretched for about four hundred yards to the enemy’s wire, came under a terrific machine-gun fire from the formidable strong point known as the Quadrilateral. Across this bare expanse the men struggled bravely forward. Lieutenant Macdonald with others getting close enough to throw a bomb into the German stronghold before being wounded. No further progress could, however, be made. At 7.30 a.m. another attack, in which A Company participated, was launched; and in the evening a third. Still no entrance could be effected. The battalion therefore, in touch with the units on both flanks, dug itself in on a line about half a mile in front of the jumping off trenches of the morning.  The Battalion’s casualties were: officers 2 killed and 10 wounded; other ranks 15 killed and 185 wounded. George was reported missing and later it was concluded that he had died on, or since, 13-16 September. 

A Private with the 11th Battalion, Joseph died on 26th of August 1917 at the age of 29. Joseph was born at Kirkley on 19 August 1888, a son of Charles and Mary Calver. In 1891 his family lived at 8 Haward Street, and this was still their home in 1901. Joseph was baptised at Saint Peter’s Church, Kirkley, on 23 April 1903, and the family lived at Kimberley Road. By 1909 his family were living at 26 East Street and later his parents lived at 61 Crown Street. On 4 April 1909 Joseph married Sarah Ann Elizabeth Gallant at Saint Margaret’s Church. Joseph was a labourer living at 26 East Street and Sarah lived at 1 Erskine Place. The witnesses were Thomas Alfred and Lily Florence Calver: Lily Joseph’s sister, and Thomas his brother-in-law. By 1911 they were living at 14 Sparham’s Buildings, Saint Peter’s Street. Joseph enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 2089, and was posted to the 6th (Cyclist) Battalion. Joseph was posted to France to join the 1/4th Battalion and was subsequently posted to the 11th battalion, service number 43434. On 26 August 1917, the 11th Battalion, part of 101 Brigade, were involved in a brigade attack on at Quarry, near Bellicourt. The battalion war diary states that the attack started at 4.30 a.m. and by 4.50 a.m. all objectives had been achieved and the battalion spend the rest of the day consolidating their position. The war diary for Headquarters of 101 Infantry Brigade states that the various objectives were obtained but there had been many casualties from enemy shell-fire. Joseph was killed in action on 26 August. During August 1917 the 11th Battalion sustained the following casualties:Officers: two killed, five wounded, one missingOther ranks: 34 killed, 126 wounded, 2 missingJoseph’s brother in law, Thomas Alfred Swann, served in the Royal Naval Patrol Service and died in 1940. 

A Skipper with H.M. Trawler Silanion, Charles died on 25th of September 1916 at the age of 38. Charles was born at York on 26 January 1878, a son of The Revd. Thomas and Diana M. Campbell. He was baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Micklegate, York, on 31 January 1878. In 1881 his family lived at 9 South Parade, York. In 1891 Charles was a pupil at Mr. Townsend’s School, The Hall, Cross House, South Parade, Doncaster. By 1901 the family were living at The Rectory, Ridlington, Norfolk. In 1911 the family home was 290 London Road, and later at 365 London Road. In 1915 Charles’ address was 4 Aspley Crescent, Manningham, Bradford. By 1916 Charles was living at Moray Lodge, Cliff Road, South Lowestoft.In 1899 Charles was awarded his certificate of competency as a Second Mate on a Foreign-Going Ship. On 23 April 1915 Charles joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, service number L.Z.1582, and would have served with the Royal Naval Division but was transferred to the Royal Naval Reserve on 8 May 1915. He was re-enrolled in the Royal Naval Reserve on 22 May 1915 to serve as a Second Hand, and he was promoted to Skipper on 13 March 1916.Charles joined the trawler Lord de Ramsey on 1 October 1915 and, from 14 March 1916, was the Skipper of the trawler Silanion.  Charles’ service record shows that he drowned on 25 September 1916 and has the following comment:Disappeared on 25.9.1916 and it is considered he lost his life by accident, slipping overboard through a mischance which cannot be identified.  Note: The Commonwealth War Graves website gives his vessels name as Silanier, which is incorrect.

A Flight Sergeant with the Royal Air Force, Alfred died on 23rd of June 1941 at the age of 26. Alfred was born at Lowestoft on 28 August 1914, a son of John William and Elizabeth Cannell. He was baptised at Saint Peter’s Church, Kirkley, on 23 September 1914 and his family lived at 46 Acton Road. In 1921 his family lived at Becks Green, South Street, Ilketshall Saint Andrews. In 1938 Alfred married Helen M. Smith, this was registered in the Lothingland district. By 1939 Alfred’s family, and Helen, lived at 44 Acton Road.  Alfred enlisted in the Royal Air Force as an aircraft apprentice. Alfred became a pilot and by June 1941 was flying with the Central Gunnery School. On 23 June 1941 he was flying a Hampden I, number L 4199, on a relocation flight from Warmwell to Castle Kennedy. The aircraft crashed into the sea near the Isle of Man. All of the crew were killed. WITH THANKS TO:Malcolm Barrass

A Private with 1/15th Bn., Edward died on 7th of October 1916 at the age of 23. Edward was born at Lowestoft in 1883, a son of Edward William and Laura Cannell. throughout his life Edward's family lived at 257 Raglan Street, Lowestoft.Edward was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 17 July 1895. By 1901 Edward was working as a grocer's assistant. In 1911 Edward was an assistant to William Hughes, Master Grocer, and living at Mr. Hughes' premises at 49 Hugh Road, North Finchley.  Edward enlisted in the Army at North Finchley. He joined the 15th London Regiment, number 6288. He arrived in France on 23 July 1916 and joined the 1/15th Battalion. On 7 October 1916 the Battalion were at Eaucourt L'Abbe. The War Diary has:Attack on the Warlencourt Line by 140 Brigade at 1.30 p.m. Attack unsuccessful. Battalion badly cut up. The remnants of the Battalion under Captain Bates dig themselves in in an advanced position on the right of the Brigade astride the Eaucourt L'Abbe - Le Barque Road. Casualties:Officers: Killed 1, Wounded 4, Missing 1Other Ranks: Killed 22, Wounded 257, Missing 65Edward was reported missing on 7 October. As there was the possibility he was still alive he was renumbered as 533125, for administrative purposes. In August 1917 it was concluded that he must be presumed to have died on 7 October. 

A Gunner with 387 Battery, 121 H.A.A. Regiment, Harold died on 13th of August 1946 at the age of 37. Harold was born at Canterbury on 16 February 1909, a son of William Richard and Ellen Alice Capper. In 1911 his family lived at 4 Military Road, Canterbury.Harold married Violet Adelaide Hatcher at Saint Mary the Virgin Church, Orlestone, Kent, on 6 September 1930. In 1939 Harold and Violet lived at 2 Coronation Cottages, Worth, Kent, and Harold worked as a nurseryman (foreman).By autumn 1941 Harold was serving in the Royal Artillery. Tragically Harold and Violet's son and daughter were killed in an air-raid at Sturry, Kent, on 18 November 1941.Harold was discharged, medically unfit, on 24 June 1943. He died in 1946: his death being registered in the Wandsworth district of London.At some point Violet moved to live at Lowestoft and she married William Holmes at Lowestoft in 1949. ** No_address help please **

A Colour Sergeant with 1/4th Battalion. James died on 2nd of January 1915 at the age of 38. James was born at Lowestoft on 29 September 1876, a son of James Edward Burwood and Mary Ann Capps. He was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 1 October 1876. In 1881 his family lived at 7 Crown Street, Lowestoft, and by 1891 at 90 Albert Street. James began work as a Post Office sorting clerk and telegraphist at Lowestoft in 1893. On 5 July 1901, at Norwich, James enlisted in the Army Post Office Corps, number 750. At the time he was working as a Post Office sorting clerk and telegraphist. He saw active service in the Boer War and was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal. James was discharged, at London, on 18 November 1902 and stated that he intended to live at 88 Albert Street, Lowestoft.  On 12 May 1908 James married Charlotte Elizabeth Pechey at Saint Nicholas' Church, Great Yarmouth. James was working as a clerk and Charlotte lived at 27 Camperdown, Great Yarmouth. In 1911 they lived at 95 Beresford Road, and later at 88 Park Road, Lowestoft, and James continued to work as a sorting clerk and telegraphist. In 1910, at Lowestoft, James enlisted in the 1/4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment. James was mobilized when the war began and he arrived in France with the 1/4th Battalion on 8 November 1914.James died, at Bailleul, France, from a cerebral haemorrhage contracted on active service.James' name is recorded in the General Post Office Memorial Book. See GPO War Heroes

A Chief Skipper with H.M. Drifter Ocean Retriever, William died on 22nd of September 1943 at the age of 50. William was born at Lowestoft on 17 March 1893, a son of Edmund Thomas Capps and Laura Capps. He was baptised at Christchurch, Lowestoft, on 17 May 1893 and his family lived at Anguish Street.  In 1901 his family lived at 4 Wilde Street. By 1911 his family were living at 102 Saint Margaret's Road. In 1914 William was awarded his certificate of competency as a Skipper.  On 12 July 1915 William became a Skipper with the Royal Naval Reserve, number WSA 1796. At the time he was living at 102 Saint Margaret's Road, Lowestoft. From 15 July 1915 he was the Skipper of H. M. Trawler 'Sam Richards' and served with that trawler until 17 February 1918. He was promoted to Temporary Chief Skipper on 1 January 1917. He was demobilized on 11 January 1919.  William was Mentioned in Despatches for services in the Auxiliary Patrol (London Gazette 14 July 1916). He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for service with the Auxiliary Patrol between 1 February and 31 December 1916 (London Gazette 27 June 1917).  On 29 December 1920 William married Sylvia Constance Turrell at Saint Margaret's Church. William was a fisherman living at 102 Saint Margaret's Road, and Sylvia lived at 32 Regent Road. By 1939 they were living at 10 Ipswich Road. William was appointed Temporary Skipper with the Royal Naval Reserve on 3 November 1939, number WS 3082 (later TS 201). He joined the Patrol Service for minesweeping duties on 6 December 1939. ON 22 June 1940 he took command of the 'Justifier' and then, on 1 May 1940, the 'Sea Holly'. On 28 June 1940 he joined the 'Ocean Retriever'. He was promoted to Acting Temporary Chief Skipper on 30 June 1943.  William was serving on H. M. Drifter Ocean Retriever when it detonated a mine and sank in the Thames Estuary. All eleven crew were killed.