David Seymour Posted 18 October , 2003 Share Posted 18 October , 2003 THETFORD GRAMMAR SCHOOL WAR MEMORIAL I have been researching those who appear on the War Memorial at Thetford Grammar School with a view to developing an awareness amongst the pupils, particularly in our Remembrance Services, of the reality behind the names. Recently two names, which do not appear on the Memorial, have been drawn to my attention, and I am most grateful to those concerned. As a result of their kindness the school will be adding those names to the Memorial in time for this November’s Service of Remembrance. I know that it is a long shot but I wonder if there are any other “lost” Old Boys of Thetford Grammar School. In the course of your extensive researches perhaps you too have in your archives references which would help me to complete the Roll of Honour for the school. Perhaps, also, you have additional information, which you would be willing to share, of the service of those on the War Memorial. I would also be very interested to hear about any Old Thetfordians who served and survived. The First World War Headmaster told the School Governors that he proposed to keep a list of such boys, together with their photos, and that he already, in the autumn of 1915, had a list of over 100. However, unlike the list for the Second World War the earlier list has not yet surfaced. The following is the current list of Old Boys of Thetford Grammar School who died during the First World War, with their dates of birth: 1. Stanley W. Allison, 17/6/1897 2. Ernest B. Ashfield, 20/7/1891 3. Walter Bigg, 24/8/1895 4. Reginald W. Branch, Apr. 1893 5. Cyril Henry Burton, 16/7/1888 6. Edward John Catchpole, 16/4/1892 7. Charles J. Clarke, 25/10/1892 8. Frederick Claxton, 3/7/1893 9. Cecil C. Cole, Mar. 1889 10. Louis A. Dickerson, 3/10/1891 11. Reginald W. Green, 3/10/1895 12. William A. Green, July 1888 13. Ernest R. Horne, 8/11/1896 14. George Michael Hoste, Oct. 1886 15. Allan C. Lane, 9/6/1895 16. Herbert H. Mann, Sept. 1896 17. Arthur R. Melbourn, 5/5/1899 18. William G. Pearson, Aug. 1891 19. Arthur S.J. Quick, 24/1/1898 20. Eric O. Read, July 1888 21. Charles P. Richards, Oct. 1883 22. George Rivers, 12/9/1896 23. Lionel E.A. Rolph, May 1892 24. Henry Russell, Jan. 1877 25. Charles W. Sayer, Feb. 1886 26. Hubert G.S. Squires, 11/6/1899 27. Robert Stimpson, 24/10/1895 28. Sydney Sudbury, 30/1/1895 29. William S. Sudbury, 29/11/1897 30. Frank J. Symonds, 27/10/1895 31. Walter E. Wagg, June 1886 32. Charles D. Wells, 13/1/1897 33. Gavain C.C. Wilson, Mar. 1897 34. Leslie C. Wilson, May 1892 35. Ronald S.C. Wilson, Jan. 1881 36. Victor B. Woods, 15/11/1895 37. Ernest H. Yari, 16/8/1899 38. Geoffrey W. Youngman, 18/6/1897 School Masters: 1. Stanley Joseph Steel, 15/5/1890 2. Edward E. Thompson, 17/1/1884 Many thanks, David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianw Posted 19 October , 2003 Share Posted 19 October , 2003 David, This is an interesting listing and a great educational resource. It shows again how that generation suffered during the Great War. It will be wonderful to add those missing chaps to the Roll of Honour where they belong. The list is full of interest . A quick look at the names shows C.H Burton as a 1.7.16 casualty with the 7th Sherwoods and E.O Read as a chaplain. I am intriqued by the very young R.W Branch. Do you know his story ? I presume you have access to SDiGW , but if you need a Thetford or similar search please get in contact. Regards Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Seymour Posted 19 October , 2003 Author Share Posted 19 October , 2003 Ian, Many thanks for your interest in this project. I only have access to SDiGW in book form for the Norfolk Regiment. Any help you can give on this matter would be most gratefully received. Regards, David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 19 October , 2003 Share Posted 19 October , 2003 Well, on the basis of one at a time... Stanley William Allison. 235112, Acting Lance Sergeant, 25th Northumberland Fusiliers, Tyneside Irish Killed 9 April 1917 (Arras) age 19 Formerly 2081 Norfolk Regiment Born in Thetford Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Allison, of 47, Castle St., Thetford, Norfolk Buried in BAILLEUL ROAD EAST CEMETERY, ST. LAURENT-BLANGY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 19 October , 2003 Share Posted 19 October , 2003 29505 Pte Ernest Robert Ashfield Killed in action 23 April 1917 (Arras) 1st Norfolk Regiment Enlisted Thetford Son of Jacob and Elizabeth Ashfield, of 1, St. Giles Lane, Thetford, Norfolk Has no known grave, but is commemorated on the Arras memorial to the Missing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 19 October , 2003 Share Posted 19 October , 2003 Not 100% sure but pretty likely Lieutenant Walter Bigg 8th Durham Light Infantry Son of William and the late Mary Bigg, of Long Melford, Suffolk. Born at Long Melford, Suffolk Killed in action 27 May 1918 (German attack on Chemin des Dames) Buried at LA VILLE-AUX-BOIS BRITISH CEMETERY Aged 22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 19 October , 2003 Share Posted 19 October , 2003 Reginal W. Branch Mystery Only casualty of that name was aged 23, died of wounds in 1915 while serving with Northumbrian Div Cyclist Company Come on, someone else do the next few! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 19 October , 2003 Share Posted 19 October , 2003 Oh, all right then. Second Lieutenant Cyril Henry Burton 7th Notts & Derbys. Killed in action 1 July 1916 (Gommecourt) No other info Has no known grave, but is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 19 October , 2003 Share Posted 19 October , 2003 9270 Pte Edward John Thomas Catchpole 7th Norfolks Died 12 August 1916 (Pozieres) Born North End, Great Yarmouth No other info Has no known grave, but is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Seymour Posted 19 October , 2003 Author Share Posted 19 October , 2003 Thanks Chris, I have used CWGC, of course, and school records. Joe Devereux, who is researching Officers died on 1/7/16, sent me some good details on Cyril Burton, of whom we didn't know, recently. It was this and the kindness of Ken Linge of the Thiepval Project who put me on to Edward Catchpole (I didn't know he was born at North End - thanks, Chris) that made me wonder who else is out there that we at school don't know of. Joe also sent details of Frank Symonds. This is what I was sent about Cyril Burton: #65279;Cyril Henry Burton, Second Lieutenant, 1st/7th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regt.), 1st July 1916. Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France, Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11A Son of Edward Henry Burton and his wife Matilda (Hanwell), of Brandon, Suffolk, was born on July 16th, 1888, was educated at Thetford Grammar School and King's College, London, and entered the Civil Service (Board of Education). He was a student of the Evening School of History at U.C.L. from 1911 to 1914, when he took his Diploma, and was awarded the Gilchrist Medal. In the spring of 1915 he enlisted in the Artists' Rifles, and on October 9th, 1915, he was gazetted 2nd Lieut., 7th Sherwood Foresters (Robin Hood Battalion). He went overseas to France at the New Year, and did trench duty with the 1st/7th Sherwood Foresters (46th Division) up to the time of the Somme offensive. Just before that offensive he took over the duties of Battalion Bombing Officer, and on July 1st went over with the first wave in the attack on Gommecourt. From reliable evidence it is known that Lieut. Burton and his bombers reached their first objective (the "Z" trench), but beyond that nothing is known of any of the party. Burton had been wounded in the thigh before the actual attack began, but, though urged to go back by the company-commander in charge of that part of the line, he refused. The last reliable news is that he was again wounded very badly, and that efforts had been made to stop the flow of blood by means of a tourniquet. Photo (Univ Coll London & Hosp & Med School) Many thanks to all who can add to our knowledge. Regards, David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted 19 October , 2003 Share Posted 19 October , 2003 OK. (bucking for promotion) 5. Cyril Henry Burton, 16/7/1888 BURTON, CYRIL HENRY Initials: C H Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Second Lieutenant Regiment: Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regt.) Unit Text: 1st/7th Bn. Date of Death: 01/07/1916 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11 A Cemetery: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL 6. Edward John Catchpole, 16/4/1892 CATCHPOLE, EDWARD JOHN THOMAS Initials: E J T Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Lance Corporal Regiment: Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 7th Bn. Date of Death: 12/08/1916 Service No: 9270 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 1 C and 1 D Cemetery: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL 7. Charles J. Clarke, 25/10/1892 difficult. could be Initials: C J E CLARKE, C J Private 1717 30/11/1915 23 Suffolk Yeomanry United Kingdom D. X. 1. 2 CLARKE, C J Lance Corporal 12552 01/07/1916 Unknown Dorsetshire Regiment United Kingdom I. B. 18. 3 CLARKE, C J Private 201100 03/08/1917 23 Northamptonshire Regiment United Kingdom IV. B. 9. but the only Charles per se is: CLARKE, CHARLES JOHN EDWYN Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Able Seaman Regiment: Royal Navy Unit Text: H.M.S. "Invincible." Age: 20 Date of Death: 31/05/1916 Service No: J/35927 Additional information: Son of Lydia Clarke, of 19, Coleridge St., Kensington, Liverpool. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: 12. Cemetery: PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL 8. Frederick Claxton, 3/7/1893 CLAXTON, FREDERICK Initials: F Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment: Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 1st Bn. Age: 23 Date of Death: 04/09/1916 Service No: 24201 Additional information: Son of Fred William Claxton, of 3, Croxton Rd., Thetford, Norfolk. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 1 C and 1 D Cemetery: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL Aye Malcolm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Seymour Posted 20 October , 2003 Author Share Posted 20 October , 2003 Malcolm, Many thanks for your interest and help. Chris, I've checked Reginald Branch in the school archives and an alternate date of birth of 1893 appeared. I checked the 1901 Census and 1893 is, indeed, correct. So we appear to have had a lad from Newcastle boarding with us. But why was he sent so far? All sorts of questions arise beyond the simple issue of the war casualty, and I am keen to build a full picture of all these Old Thetfordians. Once again many thanks for your help. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandon_at_war Posted 2 January , 2013 Share Posted 2 January , 2013 My apologies for resurrecting an old thread, but I am researching the names on the war memorial in Brandon, Suffolk, and this thread came up in a Google search. I would like to thank David Seymour and others for enlightening me about Cyril Henry Burton. His name is on the Brandon war memorial. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Blanchard Posted 5 April , 2013 Share Posted 5 April , 2013 An inadvertent photograph of Walter Bigg's headstone taken two days ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Seymour Posted 9 May , 2015 Author Share Posted 9 May , 2015 David, Many thanks for the photo of Walter Bigg's headstone. My apologies for the lateness of my reply but I have only just come across your post. With best wishes, David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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