Recent holiday with WW1 connections

by | Nov 24, 2012 | Uncategorised

Most people get on a plane or a train and head off to the sun or the snow to relax, well this really is not us.

Our recent holiday saw us driving through Europe spending some relaxing! time in Austria and then heading back. The interest to our readers of this kind of wacky race around Europe comes in some of the places we visited.

I our first day we visited another 6 Commonwealth War Graves sites around Loos, Arras and the Somme. This has been an ongoing project of ours that was born out of the research we are carrying out into the names of the men on the Morton War Memorial. One thing we always wanted to do was turn the names into real people and as part of this we set out our goal and decided that as we could never meet these people, the next best thing would be visiting their graves or memorials.

At the start of our holiday we realised that out of the sixteen names on the memorial we currently had visited only eight. One name is commemorated in Gallipoli, Turkey and one we could not find out who he was, so that leaves us with six more that are all in northern France.

So, here we are on day one of our holiday planning to visit four of our fellow Morton Lads but as luck would have it we caught an earlier Eurotunnel train, allowing us an extra couple of hours. In the end we were able to visit all six on the one day.

The cemeteries and men in question are listed below and each contains a link to the photographs we took at each (Click on the cemetery) and our history page for each man (Click on the soldier’s name)


Apologies if you are interested in one of the names that still haven’t been added to our site yet. I promise I will get round to writing up the research….. eventually.
Following a great night in Arras we continued on with our travels and during the trip we were also lucky to visit Verdun and also Ypres.
I must add one last comment, if you get even the slightest chance to visit the new Flanders Fields Museum in the Lace Hall in Ypres, please take the chance whilst the current interactive exhibition is still running. This is probably one of the most moving museums I have ever visited.
Jamie

The start of Blogging…

by | Nov 24, 2012 | Uncategorised

Ok Folks, well we have arrived at a blog. Why? you may ask.

Well we are constantly adding to our research that is carried out for our hobby of history. Over the years interested people have asked questions about our research, many comment about the lack of updates on the www.jamieandsue.co.uk website, many don’t know that we have Twitter, Facebook and Flickr accounts that may or may not get regular updates. Our family history research can be found on Ancestry.co.uk, our photos on Flickr, our travels on Facebook and our occasional thoughts and tidbits on Twitter. No one media is best for getting the varied and sometimes small information that we track down communicated to our families, friends and fellow researchers that may be interested

This blog will hopefully be used to keep people up to date with our latest breakthroughs, travels, research and the occasional off topic piece of information that may help others with their research.

A bit of background then?….
Originally we started out with family research for a family tree and over the year have been sidetracked into Local History, Military history and generally researching anything of interest.

Currently the following topics appear in our research:-

  • Sue’s family story
  • Jamie’s family story
  • Morton and Hanthorpe village history
  • The Morton War Memorial
As things change we will try and get the information across in the form of this blog. 

Remembrance – Alfred Dimbleby

by | Jan 16, 1919 | Remembrance, Uncategorised

16th January 1919

Alfred Dimbleby

Army Service Corps

Today we remember Baston man Alfred Dimbleby who died on this day, 16th January 1919, whilst serving with the Army Service Corps in Baghdad.

Alfred was born on 28th July 1882 in Butterwick, Lincolnshire, to Benjamin Dimbleby, a Bricklayer born in Glentham and his wife Eliza Dunn Clayton, born in Old Leake, Lincolnshire. The couple were married in 1872 in the Boston District. The couple settled in Butterwick where Alfred and his five siblings were all born.:-

• Ambrose Dimbleby, 1872, Butterwick

• Enos Dimbleby, 1875, Butterwick

• Herbert Dimbleby, 1877, Butterwick

• Maude Dimbleby, 1879, Butterwick

• David Dimbleby, 1881, Butterwick

• Alfred Dimbleby, 1882, Butterwick

In 1891 Alfred, now 8 years old, was living with his parents in Beningtion Road, Butterwick his father working as a bricklayer and eldest brother a Bricklayer’s apprentice.

Ten years later in 1901, now aged 18, Alfred is living in Thurlby in the household of Aquila Peasgood and his family. Mr Aquila Peasgood is a Baker and Grocer in the High Street and Alfred now lists his occupation as a Journeyman Baker and is a servant in the household thus looking very like he worked for Aquila Peasgood in his business.

The last Census for Alfred in 1911 now has him living in Baston at the age of 28 and working as a Baker’s assistant. He is living with the Morris Family, Betsy being the head of the house aged 80, a widow, her son Herbert was a wheelwright and carpenter. Another son James, a widower aged 42, was a baker and employed and we assume that Alfred worked with James.

The Military Service Act 1916 dictated that any unmarried men up to the age of 41 would be conscripted and Alfred was called up to carry out his duty, enlisting in Bourne on the 1st March 1916. On enlistment Alfred was to posted to the Army Reserve.

Alfred’s attestation listed his Father as Benjamin Dimbleby of Uppingham.

Alfred finally received his mobilisation papers on the 17th April 1916 and proceeded to Lincoln where on the 18th April his initial medical examination was carried out. This noted that he was aged 33 years and 216 days, was 5ft 3 and 1/4 inches tall and weighted 109 pounds. It was also noted that he was a qualified baker which would have swayed the decision as to where he would be most useful for his Army service and so on the 19th April 1916, Alfred was posted to the Army Service Corps. A note in his service record shows “K” as the Battalion or Depot.

On the 26th April 1916 the posting to the Army Service Corps was approved and he would have started his basic training.

Five months of training later on the 9th September 1916, Alfred’s Home Service ended and he embarked on a ship at Devonport and posted official records show his posting to the Indian Expeditionary Force on the 10th September 1916.

After a voyage of one month Alfred Disembarked in Basrah and arrived at ASC Base Deport in Makina (Basrah) on the 11th October 1916. Eventually he was assigned a unit and posted on 30th October 1916 Alfred to the 10th Field Bakery at Amara.

Each division of the British Army was allocated a Field Bakery that was part of the supply department of the Army Service Corps. These field units were usually more static and worked well behind the lines, usually at a base camp. Information regarding one such bakery unit in France would suggest that each Field Bakery consisted (originally in 1914) of one officer and 92 men and could produce enough bread for 20,000 men.

Alfred was present with his unit, as can be seen in some entries in his service records, these are listed under “in the field” during the next two years, other than one entry that has an unreadable location. He would have been in the field when Baghdad was captured on 11th March 1917 and when Turkey signed the Armistice on the 1st October 1918.

The next time he is mentioned specifically in records is on the 19th October 1918 when he was diagnosed with Dysentery. This diagnosis took place at the 16th Casualty Clearing Station and Alfred was shipped to Hospital at Abu Saida where he was to spend a long time and even see out that war as he would have been still in hospital on Armistice day. Things did not go well for Alfred and Army records office received a report that he was ‘Dangerously ill’ on the 11th January 1919.

Five days later on the 16th January 1919, Alfred died of Dysentery in Abu Saida, Mesopotamia.

Alfred is buried at North Gate Cemetery in Baghdad which contains the graves of men who fell in Baghdad as well as graves later brought on from Northern Iraq.

The CWGC completed work to repair and place 511 graves on new bases in 2012 however because of the location of the cemetery in a hostile area of Baghdad they have not been able to maintain the cemetery to this date.

Of the 38,842 British Military Deaths in the Mesopotamia Campaign, 26,814 were from sickness and other non-battle causes (including prisoners). The high ratio of non-battle casualties was largely put down to the geography of the operational area. It was unhygienic, extremely hot in summer, extremely cold in winter, composed primarily of either sandy deserts or marshes, and largely underdeveloped. This meaning men had to be transported long distances for medical attention.

On the 29th November 1920, Benjamin Dimbleby received the Memorial Scroll and a letter from the King, posted from the ASC administration depot at Woolwich Dockyard. His note on the receipt adds that he has received the letter and scroll with thanks.

Commonwealth war Graves Commission

In memory of Private Alfred Dimbleby, S4/173635, 10th Field Bakery, Royal Army Service Corps who died on 16 January 1919. Remembered with honour, Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery

More information about Alfred can be found on a page dedicated to his memory on our website.

https://www.southlincolnshirewarmemorials.org.uk/…/alf…/

The photographs of Baghdad North Gate War Cemetery are Courtesy of the War Graves Photographic Project. Not all of the graves in this cemetery are in great condition and thankfully Alfred’s has survived even though it is not in the best of condition.

Newspaper Entry

by | Feb 4, 1918 | Newspaper Article, Uncategorised

Lincolnshire Echo Monday 4th February 1918

LINCOLNSHIRE DAY BY DAY
Mr and Mrs Stennett of Horbling, near Billingborough, have received the sad news that their only son, Jos. Hy. Stennett, has given his life for his country. The notice received from the Admiralty records that he lost his life while on duty on one of H.M. ships on war service. Deceased, who was 22 years of age, was a first-class stoker, and only joined the Navy about a month before the outbreak of hostilities.

11th October 1915

by | Oct 11, 1915 | Daily News, Uncategorised

Monday 11th October 1915

Bourne

Today we learn of the sad death of Francis Andrews of Bourne who died today serving his country with the 15st battalion Royal Irish Rifles.

He will be missed by all in the village, his sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Newspaper Article

by | May 29, 1915 | Newspaper Article, Uncategorised

The Lincoln Leader and County Advertiser

Saturday May 29th 1915

LINCOLN TERRITORIAL KILLED

Hit in the Communication Trench

UNDER NOTICE FOR PROMOTION

HELPED TO BURY LANCE-CORPORAL LEAMY

“SPLENDID IN EVERYTHING HE DID”

By the death Of Lance Corporal Albert Codling the 4th Lincoln territorials have lost yet another valued an promising non commissioned officer. ” I had him under notice for further promotion writes captain Tetley and it is a Distinct loss to his platoon that such an energetic and intelligent young soldier should have been fatally wounded so soon after his arrival in the trenches. Additional poignancy is added to the circumstances in view of the fact that the deceased Lance Corporal was a close comrade of the late Lance Corporal Leamy, who under like conditions lost his life a few weeks ago. Codling in fact was one of those who attended to the burial of Leamy and in a letter home he remarked at the time on the loss he and his comrades had sustained. It had been said by those in authority that the magnificent standard of efficiency attained by the British Army at present in France and Belgium is to a very large extent due to the unselfish and untiring efforts of the non-commissioned officers and Captain Tetley in his letters has more than once paid high tribute to the service of this important branch of our present army.

CAPTAIN TETLEY BREAKS THE NEWS

The 1st news of codling’s death was received by his parents early this week, when a letter was received from Captain Tetley to the following effect:-
“I am very grieved to have to tell you that your son Lance Corporal Codling was killed last Thursday night during an attempt by the Germans to blow up a mine that was in the trench that we were holding. The enemy was throwing trench mortar bombs and it was necessary to vacate the trench temporarily, in addition to these bombs there was a hail of shrapnel, and it was one of these bullets that hit him as he was going down a communications trench. I feel his loss very much, and he will be missed by everyone in his platoon and company. He was splendid in everything he did and I had him under notice for further promotion. His lost to you will be great, and all my sympathy and that of his comrades is with you and yours in your great bereavement. Take comfort from the fact that he died doing his duty and in the service of his country (Signed) F Eric Tetley.”

HIS HOPEFUL LETTERS

Deceased, who was only 22 years of age, wrote regularly from the trenches, but rarely mentioned the doings of either himself or his company. Shortly before his sad end he wrote in a letter to his mother: “Just a line to let you know that I am in the pink. We have just come out for arrest again. It is very cold here today, though it is nice and dry. I had two boxes of woodbines and one of gold flake from the boys at the Lindum and have plenty of fags now, but I can always find plenty of room for them… I did not expect there would be much fair this year, they are more particular about the lights in England than what they are here; In fact the people live right under shellfire. I expect they go down the seller when they begin to drop 2 near. It is alright hearing shells come screaming along so long as they keep whistling but a little bit before they burst they stop whistling, so we have a good idea whereabouts they’re going to drop. We know the report of their guns, an as they go off we know there is one coming. They are rotten shots.

HE DID HIS DUTY

Under date 23rd inst. Colour Sergeant Maplethorpe writes:- ” Dear Madam, – It is with deepest Sympathy that I enclose these few lines along with the money that was found on your son. It was handed to me by Captain Dean, who asked me to forward it to you. His few private things have been sent to the base and will be forwarded from there. I knew your son very well, and he was one of the old H company, of which I was colour Sergeant, and I am very sorry we lost him and so are all the company. But he did his duty and did it well to the end, and I hope that that will be a little consolation to you for his loss.”

AN OLD TERRITORIAL

Lance Corporal Codling was an old member of the territorial’s, he having joined the 4th battalion 2 years ago and having attended 2 camps previous to mobilisation. After leaving school at the age of 13 he was employed as dray man by the Midland Railway Company and was very well known and liked by all the employees at the station. He was a youth of pleasant demeanour, and all who came in contact with him quickly became attached to him. As a soldier he was ever popular alike with his superior officers and with the men under him. Along with the late Lance Corporal Lee me he was transferred to the front about 10 weeks ago, and together with him received his first stripe not many weeks later. As already stated codling was close by when Leamy was hit, and it was his extremely unpleasant task to assist in burying his comrade.
A second son of Mrs Codling is at present with the 2/4th Lincolns at Luton, and is anxious to get out to the scene of action and do his duty.
In a letter home at the time of his comrade’s death the Lance Corporal wrote: “I received Dad’s letter when we entered the trenches at 3:30, I was just against poor Leamy when he was hit. He was one of my pals, and he got promoted at the same time as I did. He was in the same section as I am. It was mustard that night, bullets were coming like rain around us and we were taking no notice of it when he got hit, poor chap. It unnerved us a bit. I feel sorry for his wife, he having only been married after mobilisation. He was only 21 that day. The corporal of the section and myself and some others saw that he got a decent burial”