ALL SAINTS CHURCH, ASHWICKEN PE32 1LN

“Our Church in the Fields”

THE FALLEN 1914 - 18 & 1939 - 45.

Allison, Maurice (George); Beales, Bertie Edwin;

Britton, Robert James; Laws, Walter;
Newell, Walter; Reed, Thomas Henry;
Watson, Herbert & William; Wilkin, George.

“We shall never forget them ..”

THE FALLEN 1914 - 18 & 1939 - 45.

Allison, Maurice (George); pages 4 - 7

Beales, Bertie Edwin; pages 8 - 13

Britton, Robert James; pages 14 - 15

Laws, Walter; pages 16 - 21

Newell, Walter; pages 22 - 25

Reed, Thomas Henry; pages 26 - 30

Watson, Herbert & William; pages 31 - 39

Wilkin, George. pages 40 - 47

“We shall never forget them ..”

3
ALLISON Maurice George
th nd
Maurice George was born on the 29 Sept1888 baptised at Docking on 2 Dec 1888

Maurice George Allisons family

Father William was a coachman

Mother Mary Ann

Other Children
Ernest William baptised at Feltwell on 3 Aug 1870
th
Edwin James baptised at Feltwell 16 Mar 1873 died 9 April 1875
rd
Clara was born 23 April 1875 and baptised at Feltwell Norfolk Clara married an Arthur
th
Steward on 30 October 1901 In 1911 they were living in Syderstone he was a
Coachman Arthur was born in Great Massingham he joined the Army Service Corps
nd
(Remounts Service) aged 40 on 22 May 1915 but was discharged and sent home
th
24 December 1915 disability varies to legs and thighs aggravated by service
Laura Lillian baptised at Feltwell 15 Apr 1877 died aged 9 Jan-Feb-Mar 1886
Walter Edwin baptised Feltwell 17 Aug 1879 died Oct-Nov-Dec 1892
James William baptised at Feltwell 14 Apr 1881
Maud Marion born 1882 and died Jul-Aug-Sep 1882
William Morris born Jul-Aug-Sep 1883 buried Docking 16th Dec 1884
Alfred Barlow born 28 May 1890 baptised Docking 7 Jul 1890

1911 Census shows William and Mary Ann living in The Lodge Ashwicken
William aged 66 and Mary Ann aged 64 it states they had been married for 42 years with 10 children 4 of
whom are still living.
th
William Allison died on 13 November 1912 aged 67
th
Mary Ann Allison died 25 October 1920 aged 72

1911 Census shows Maurice aged 22 living was working as a gardener at Shotesham Park Gardens
Norwich Shotesham All Saints and Shotesham St Mary

1911 census shows Ernest William aged 39 living 4 Clarence Mews Regents Park NW he has been married
7 years to Maud aged 39 and they have two children Lillian Maud aged 6 and Hilda May aged 2

4
1901 Census shows them still living in Docking (East End)
Head William aged 56
Wife Mary A aged 54
Daughter Clara aged 26
Son Maurice aged 12
Son Alfred aged 10
1901 Census shows Ernest William aged 29 working as at Coachman in Scarboro Road Great Massingham

1891 census shows the family living at 1 the Lodge Docking St Mary
Head William Allison aged 46 Groom/Coachman domestic servant born Methwold Norfolk
Wife Mary Ann aged 43 born Outwell Cambridgeshire
Daughter Clara Martha aged 16 working as a dressmaker
Son Walter Edwin aged 11 Scholar
Son Maurice George aged 2
Son Alfred Barlow Allison aged 10 months
Lodger William James Hanslip aged 16 Groom Domestic servant
William James Hanslip was born in Ashwicken

1881 Census shows the family living at Short Beck, Feltwell

Head William aged 38 working as a groom
Wife Mary Anne aged 33
Son Ernest William aged 10 scholar
Daughter Clara Martha aged 6 scholar
Daughter Laura Lillian aged 4 scholar
Son Walter Edwin aged 1

Military

Private 5798, 2nd/1st North Midland Battery, (Staffordshire) Heavy Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery. Killed in
action 27th September 1916. Born Docking, enlisted Wakefield, resident Ashwicken. Formerly 5798, 149th
Wakefield Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Buried in HEBUTERNE MILITARY CEMETERY, Pas de
Calais, France. Plot IV. Row P. Grave 7.

5
HEBUTERNE MILITARY CEMETERY
Country: France Locality: Pas de Calais Identified Casualties: 720

Location Information
Hebuterne is a village 15 kilometres north of Albert (Somme) and 20 kilometres south-west of Arras.

Hebuterne Military Cemetery lies to the west of the village and a CWGC signpost clearly indicates the way
from the village green to the cemetery.

Historical Information
The village gave its name to a severe action fought by the French on the 10th-13th June 1915, in the
"Second Battle of Artois". It was taken over by British troops from the French in the same summer, and it
remained subject to shell fire during the Battles of the Somme. It was again the scene of fighting in March
1918, when the New Zealand Division held up the advancing enemy; and during the following summer it
was partly in German hands. It was later "adopted" by the Borough of Evesham.

Hebuterne Military Cemetery was begun by the 48th (South Midland) Division in August 1915, and used by
fighting units and Field Ambulances (particularly those of the 56th (London) Division) until the spring of
1917; and it was reopened in 1918. The conditions of burial explain the irregularity of the rows.

There are now over 750, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, nearly 50 are
unidentified and special memorials are erected to 17 soldiers from the United Kingdom, known or believed
to be buried among them. The graves of two American soldiers have bee n removed from the South-West
corner.

The cemetery covers an area of 6,502 square metres and is enclosed by a red brick wall.

The following extract was in the Lynn News

The Late Gnr Allison
News has just been received that Gunner Maurice Allison
RGA sixth son of the late Mr William Allison and Mrs Allison, Ashwicken, was killed in action, in
th
France, on September 27 . Gunner Allison who was 27 years of age, enlisted in November last year
and had been in France only two months. The platoon commander writes to his mother: We all
sympathise deeply with you in the loss of your son. He and eleven comrades were all killed
instantaneously and he has been buried in a little English cemetery nearby. Although your son had
only been with the battery a short time, he was very popular and a real good soldier. The only
consolation you can have is that he died as a soldier, and I assure you your loss is my loss.

6
On the list of effects for soldiers killed it shows an amount of £3 2s 10d paid to a Harriet Elsegood
Harriet Elsegood was born in Grimston daughter of Thomas and Sarah Ann Elsegood. In 1911 she was
working as a domestic servant for Richard Douglas Denman who was a M.P underwriter at Lloyds he went
nd nd
on to join the army on 2 April 1916 and served as a 2 Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillary
presumably he and Harriet met through service and were perhaps planning to get married. Harriet went on to
th
marry Alfred Collison in 1931 and she died on 30 May 1955 Leaving £185 11s 1d to her older brother Issac
Elsegood a retired farmer.

7
BEALES Bertie Edwin
Bertie Edwin was born in October 1896 and baptised at All
th
Saints Ashwicken on 18 October 1896

Father Thomas Charles Beales,

Mother Kate Lucy Adams
Thomas and Kate have been married 22 years and had 7
children but one William died in 1894

th
Kate Lucy was buried at Ashwicken on 27 February 1933 aged
st
70 and Thomas Charles was buried at Ashwicken on 1
June1939 aged 75.

Other children
th
Lucy Francis born January 1889 baptised at All Saints Ashwicken 27 January 1889 Lucy Francis
Beales married Thomas G Impey on 1st July 1911 at All Saints Ashwicken
Thomas George Impey was born 1892 in Dry Drayton, Cambridgeshire, England in
1911 he was living as a boarder at 6 Russell Place Street, Cambridge and working as
a Coal Carter
st
He died 21 September 1951 aged 59 in Cambridge Probate register reports
st
Thomas George Impey of 6 Pepys-way Girton Cambridge died 21 September 1951
nd
at The Addenbrookes Hospital Cambridge Administration Peterborough 2 November
to Lucy Frances Impey widow and Leslie George Impey insurance agent Effects
£1369 15s She died in 2 Mar 1959 in Cambridge aged 70
nd
Lucy died on 2 March 1959 in Fullborn Cambridgethe Probate register shows
nd
Lucy Frances Impey of 59 Thornton Road, Griton Cambrdgeshire widow died 2
March 1959 at The Villa Fulbourn Cambridgeshire Probate Peterborough 7th May to
Leslie George Impey painter and decorator and Thomas Charles Impey civil engineer
effects £1721 1s 6d
th
William Thomas baptised at All Saints Ashwicken 15 February 1891 died 1894 aged 3
th
Mildred May born October 1892 baptised at All Saints Ashwicken 27 November 1892
th
Emily Hope born July 1894 baptised at All Saints Ashwicken 30 September 1894 married
Frederick C Hill in March 1916 when she was 21 years old.
th st
Robert Henry born 15 July 1898 baptised at All Saints Ashwicken 21 August 1998 He had one
daughter Iris P with Adeline Jessie Causton He died Apr 1985 aged 86
th
Charles Frederick born October 1900 baptised at All Saints Ashwicken 11 November 1900 married
Doris Mary Winner in Dec 1929

1911 Census shows the family living at The Brickyard Bawsey

Head Thomas Charles aged 47 working as an Engine Driver stationary for the Brickworks
Wife Kate Lucy aged 48
Son Bertie Edwin aged 14 working as Farm labourer
Son Robert Henry aged 12 at school
Son Charles Frederick aged 10 at school

1911 census shows Lucy as a cook for Horace Groom at 39 Hill Road, Felbrigg, Cambridge

1911 Census shows Mildred May living at The Winterton Rectory, Great Yarmouth, Winterton, Norfolk aged
18 working as a housemaid for Rev William Arthur Green

8
1901 Census shows the family living a 3 The Brickfields Bawsey
Head Thomas aged 37 engine driver for Brickyard
Wife Kate L aged 38
Daughter Lucy F aged 12
Daughter Mildren M aged 8
Daughter Emily aged 6
Son Bertie E aged 4
Son Robert H aged 2
Son Charles F aged 6 months

1891 census shows the family living at Brow of the Hill Leziate
Head Thomas aged 27 Stationary engine driver
Wife Kate L aged 28
Daughter Lucy F aged 2
Son William T aged 2 months

Military
Private 242502, 1/5th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Died
in Egypt 26th October 1918. Aged 22. Enlisted King's
Lynn. Son of Thomas Charles and Kate Lucy Beales, of
Bawsey Brickyard, King's Lynn. Buried in
ALEXANDRIA (HADRA) WAR MILITARY CEMETERY,
Egypt. Plot/Row/Section E. Grave 83.

Bertie Edwin Beales served in the military in 1914 when

he was 18 years old.
He died of malaria aged 22 on October 26, 1918, in
Egypt, he was a private in the 1st/5th battalion Norfolk
Regiment

9
ALEXANDRIA (HADRA) WAR MILITARY CEMETERY

Country Egypt Identified

Casualties: 2916

Location Information
Hadra is a district on the
eastern side of
Alexandria and is south
of the main carriageway
to Aboukir, known as Al
Horaya, near the
University of Alexandria.

The Cemetery is on the

road Sharia Manara.
The junction of this road
and Al Horaya is
diagonally opposite the
University of Alexandria.

Historical Information
In March 1915, the base of
the Mediterranean
Expeditionary Force was
transferred to Alexandria
from Mudros and the city
became a camp and
hospital centre for
Commonwealth and French
troops. Among the medical
units established there
were the 17th, 19th, 21st,
78th and 87th General
Hospitals and No 5 Indian
Hospital. After the Gallipoli
campaign of 1915,
Alexandria remained an
important hospital centre
during later operations in
Egypt and Palestine and
the port was much used by
hospital ships and troop
transports bringing
reinforcements and
carrying the sick and
wounded out of the
theatres of war.

10
This cemetery was begun in April 1916 when it was realised that the cemetery at Chatby would not be large
enough. Most of the burials were made from the Alexandria hospitals, but a number of graves of December
1917 were due to the loss of the troop transports "Aragon" and "Osmanieh" which were sunk by torpedo and
mine as they entered the port. The cemetery continued in use until December 1919 but later, some graves
were brought in from small burial grounds in the western desert, Maadia and Rosetta.

During the Second World War, Alexandria was again an important hospital centre, taking casualties from
campaigns in the Western Desert, Greece, Crete, the Aegean Islands and the Mediterranean. Rest camps
and hostels were also established there together with a powerful anti-aircraft base. Alexandria was also the
communications centre for the middle and near east and became the headquarters of the Military Police. The
cemetery at Hadra was extended for Second World War burials and was used from 1941.

There are now 1,700 First World

War burials in the cemetery and
1,305 from the Second World
War. The cemetery also contains
war graves of other nationalities
and some non war burial

On his headstone his father

requested “He giveth his
beloved rest”

11
12
13
BRITTON Robert James
Father Frederick born 1852 at Shouldham Thorpe died September 1939
Mother Amelia (nee Neave) born 1857 at West Raynham died March 1938
Married Oct/Nov/Dec 1874 registration district Downham
th
Amelia was buried at Ashwicken on 11 January 1938 aged 80and Frederick was buried at
th
Ashwicken on 11 July 1939 aged 87

1911 Census shows the family living at Bawsey Brickyard Frederick and Amelia had been married 36
years and they had 13 children all of whom were still living.

Children
th
Frederick Walter Neave born 5 September 1874 Shouldham Thorpe he married Agnes Jane Flegg
on July
17, 1898 and died September 1946, he had three children Eva Amelia Neave
was born in 1898 in Dersingham, Norfolk, She died as a child in March 1901 in
Dersingham, Norfolk. Eva Victoria was born in 1901 in Dersingham, Norfolk.
th
Married December 1925 to William Bush and died 8 Feb 1952. Frederick
Walter Cyril (known as Cyril) Neave was born in January 1902 in Dersingham,
Norfolk, He was married in June 1924 in Docking, Norfolk. He died on February
27, 1966.
th
Thirza born 1877 Bingham Nottingham Died 16 October 1963 aged 86 Probate
Thirza Britton of 1 St Edmunds Flats St Edmundsbury Road Kings Lynn Norfolk
th
spinster died 16 October 1963 at Low Water Nursing Home Heacham King’s
th
Lynn Probate Norwich 5 November to Arthur Francis Buttle Shop assistant
and traveller Effects £507.
Thomas born 1879 South Runcton Norfolk In 1901 he was living at Stone Pit Cottage
Leziate with his Aunt Sarah Williamson who was 77 and his younger brother
Henry who was 8
May born January 1882 in Bawsey Norfolk
th
Frances Sarah was baptised at All Saints Ashwicken 6 April 1884 In 1901 Frances aged 17
was working as a servant for a Mr and Mrs Arthur Tassell a shipping clerk living
at Livingstone Villa Gaywood Road King’s Lynn
th
John Valentine born April 1886 baptised at All Saints Ashwicken 25 April 1886
th
Robert James baptised at All Saints Ashwicken 13 October1889 died 14th September 1916
th
Ruth Mary Victoria baptised at All Saints Ashwicken 13 October1889 married Cecil Howes at All
Saints Church Ashwicken on 22nd May 1912
th
Beatrice Anna Born April 1891 baptised at All Saints Ashwicken 28 June 1891. She married
William Head in 1915.
th
Henry baptised at All Saints Ashwicken 15 July 1892
th
Bertie George baptised at All Saints Ashwicken 26 January 1896
rd th
Albert Arthur Auriol born 3 November 1897 baptised at All Saints Ashwicken 12 December 1897
he married in July/Aug/Sept 1927 Jessie Allflatt
th
Freda Maude baptised at All Saints Ashwicken 8 November 1914 Freda Maud married
Arthur Francis Buttle at All Saints Ashwicken on May 9th 1923 and died in Nov
1987

1911 Census shows the family living Bawsey Brickyard

Head Frederick aged 59 working as a brickmaker
Wife Amelia aged 54
Son Robert James aged 23 Labourer sandpit
Son Henry aged 18 Labour sandpit
Son Albert aged 13 Farm labourer
Daughter Frances Sarah aged 27 working as domestic nurse
Daughter Beatrice Anna aged 20 at home
Daughter Freda Maud aged 12 at school

1901 Census
Head Frederick aged 49 working as a brickmaker

14
Wife Amelia aged 44
Son Robert aged 13 working as a stock man on farm
Daughter Ruth aged 12
Daughter Beatrice aged 9
Son Albert aged 3
Daughter Freda aged 1

1891 Census shows the family living on Gayton Road Bawsey

Head Frederick aged 39 working as a labourer
Wife Amelia aged 35
Son Walter aged 16 working as a labourer
Daughter Thirza aged 14 scholar
Son Thomas aged 12 working as a labourer
Daughter May aged 9 scholar
Daughter Frances Sarah aged 7
Son John aged 5
Son Robert James aged 3
Daughter Ruth aged 2
Daughter Anna aged 2 months

15
LAWS Walterth st
Walter was born on 20 March 1893 in East Winch and was baptised on 1 April 1893 at All Saints East
Winch. The register records his mother’s name as Alice but no father.

Alice was born in 1868 the daughter of William and Sarah Laws.
In the 1911 census Alice and Walter were living with her brother
John and her mother Sarah. Alice was aged 43 and working as a
dressmaker. She married Henry Mason in 1911 and died March
1949 aged 81.

William was born in 1841 in East Winch, he married Sarah

Valentine in January 1866 at West Bilney, They had four children
Alice born 1868, John was born in 1876 and baptised in All Saints
th
East Winch on 29 October 1876 Thomas baptised at All Saints
th
East Winch on 25 January 1880 and William was born in 1881
st
an baptised at All Saints East Winch on 21 February 1881

Walter was admitted to East Winch National/Church Of England Voluntary Aided School in 1896 in the
th
admissions book parents name is marked as Fred, it also records that he left the school on 10 October1898
reason is stated as “left the village”

th
William was buried at Ashwicken on 13 October 1910 aged 67.
th
Sarah was buried at Ashwicken on 12 November 1918 aged 76

1911 Census shows him living with his uncle in Leziate

Head John Laws aged 34 who was a warrener
Mother Sarah Laws aged 68
Sister Alice Laws aged 43 (Walters mother) who was a dressmaker
Nephew Walter Laws aged 18

16
1901 Census shows him living with his grandfather at Laws farm Leziate
Head William Laws aged 58 Agricultural farmer
Wife Sarah aged 58
Daughter Alice aged 33 Dressmaker working at home
Son John aged 24 Yardman on farm
Son William aged 20 Team man on farm
Grandson Walter aged 8

Military
[Listed as LAWS on the SDGW & CWGC] Private 29965, 7th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Killed in action
18th May 1918. Aged 25. Born Leziate Fen, enlisted Gayton. Son of Mrs. Alice Mason, of Lower Leziato,
East Winch, King's Lynn. Buried in MAILLY WOOD CEMETERY, MAILLY-MAILLET, Somme, France. Plot II.
Row L. Grave 14.

MAILLY WOOD CEMETERY, MAILLY-MAILLET,

Country: France Locality: Somme Identified Casualties: 643

Location Information
Mailly Wood Cemetery is 9 kilometres north of Albert
on the D919. The Cemetery is situated on the
outskirts of the village of Mailly-Maillet on the left
hand side of the road to Amiens, where it is
signposted from the main road onto a 500 metre mud
track.

Visiting Information
Access can be difficult during winter due to the
condition of the mud track and a four-wheel drive
vehicle would be required. It should however be
emphasised that even with this type of vehicle there
is a danger of the vehicle slipping as the track is
narrow, becomes very muddy and the fields are
below the level of the track.
Historical Information

17
Mailly-Maillet was within the line taken over from the French in the summer of 1915, and several
Commonwealth cemeteries were made in the commune. Mailly Wood Cemetery was begun with the burial of
thirteen men of the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders who died on 25 June 1916, and in November 1916, the 51st
(Highland) Division buried in it following the capture of Beaumont Hamel. Thereafter, the cemetery was little
used until April-August 1918, when the German attack on Amiens brought the front line very close, and
further burials were made by the 12th Division (in May) and the 21st (in August), among others.

After the Armistice graves from the battlefields immediately north-east of the village were brought into the
cemetery, and 30 graves from MAILLY MAILLET MILITARY CEMETERY in the village itself.

The cemetery now contains 702 burials

and commemorations of the First
World War. 60 of the burials are
unidentified and there are special
memorials to two casualties whose
graves in the cemetery could not be
found, and to six whose graves in the
military cemetery were destroyed by
shell fire.

The cemetery was designed by Sir

Reginald Blomfield.

18
19
20
21
NEWELL William
rd th
William Herbert Newell was born 3 April 1899 and baptised 9 June 1899 at Swaffham

Father William
Mother Frances
1911 Census shows William and Frances were married for 25 years with 12 children,3 of whom had died

Children
George born Litcham
Daisy Ellen born 1888 (Apr/May/June) born Litcham
Mary born Terrington
th
Thomas Ernest baptised 10 March 1897 in Swaffham
th
Ruth Amy baptised 10 March 1897 in Swaffham
th
William Herbert baptised 9 June 1899 at Swaffham
Florence Ethel born 1902 (Oct/Nov/Dec) Swaffham
Kate Winifred
Sidney Alfred

1911 Census shows William aged 12 and at school living in Farm House, Glosthorpe, Ashwicken with his
father William aged 47 married (but doesn’t list wife on census) He was a milkman on farm

Daughter Daisy Ellen aged 22 working as a domestic servant

Son Thomas Ernest aged 14
Daughter Ruth Amy aged 14
Son William Herbert aged 12
Daughter Florence Ethel aged 8
Daughter Kate Winifred aged 8
Son Sidney Alfred aged 6

1901 Census shows them living Margate Street Swaffham

Head William aged 38 working as a yardman on farm
Wife Frances aged 38
Son George aged 14
Daughter Daisy aged 12
Daughter Mary aged 9
Son Ernest aged 4 born Swaffham
Daughter Ruth aged 4 born Swaffham
Son William aged 2 born Swaffham
th
Records show a William Ernest Newell was baptised 20 April 1894 at Swaffham
Son of William and Frances

1891 census shows the family living at Rhoon Marsh, Terrington St Clement
Head William aged 28 born East Lexham
Wife Frances aged 28 Born Sporle
Son George aged 4
Daughter Daisy aged 2

22
Military
Private 241012, 1st/5th Battalion (Territorial), Norfolk Regiment. Died in Palestine 19th April 1917. Born East
Winch, enlisted East Dereham. No known grave. Commemorated on JERUSALEM MEMORIAL PANEL,
Israel. Panels 12 to 15.

JERUSALEM MEMORIAL PANEL

Country: Israel and Palestine (including Gaza) Identified Casualties: 3308

Location Information
The Jerusalem Memorial stands in Jerusalem War Cemetery, 4.5 kilometres north of the walled city and is
situated on the neck of land at the north end
of the Mount of Olives, to the west of Mount
Scopus. The cemetery is found on Churchill
Blvd, sandwiched between Hadassah
Hospital and the Hyatt Hotel. An Australian
Memorial is opposite the cemetery entrance.

Historical Information
At the outbreak of the First World War,
Palestine (now Israel) was part of the Turkish
Empire and it was not entered by Allied forces
until December 1916. The advance to
Jerusalem took a further year, but from 1914
to December 1917, about 250
Commonwealth prisoners of war were buried
in the German and Anglo-German cemeteries
of the city.

By 21 November 1917, the Egyptian Expeditionary Force had gained a line about five kilometres west of
Jerusalem, but the city was deliberately spared bombardment and direct attack. Very severe fighting
followed, lasting until the evening of 8 December, when the 53rd (Welsh) Division on the south, and the 60th
(London) and 74th (Yeomanry) Divisions on the west, had captured all the city's prepared defences. Turkish
forces left Jerusalem throughout that night and in the morning of 9 December, the Mayor came to the Allied
lines with the Turkish Governor's letter of surrender. Jerusalem was occupied that day and on 11 December,
General Allenby formally entered the city, followed by representatives of France and Italy.

Meanwhile, the 60th Division pushed across the road to Nablus, and the 53rd across the eastern road. From
26 to 30 December, severe fighting took place to the north and east of the city but it remained in Allied
hands.

JERUSALEM WAR CEMETERY was begun after the occupation of the city, with 270 burials. It was later
enlarged to take graves from the battlefields and smaller cemeteries in the neighbourhood.

There are now 2,514 Commonwealth burials of the First World War in the cemetery, 100 of them
unidentified.

Within the cemetery stands the JERUSALEM MEMORIAL, commemorating 3,300 Commonwealth
servicemen who died during the First World War in operations in Egypt or Palestine and who have no known
grave.

The memorial was designed by Sir John Burnet, with sculpture by Gilbert Bayes. In addition, the mosaic in
the Memorial Chapel was designed by Robert Anning Bell. The Memorial was unveiled by Lord Allenby and
Sir James Parr on 7 May 1927.

23
24
25
REED Thomas [Henry]
th
Thomas Henry born April/May/June 1893 was baptised at Ashwicken on 9 July 1893 His was the only son
of Robert and Sarah Reed and had 10 sisters.

April, 1916 The Lynn News reported

his death
Ashwicken Soldiers Death
We regret to record the death in
hospital from wounds, incurred in
action in France, of Lance–Corporal
Tom H Reed of Ashwicken. The
nursing sister who attended him in his
last hours writes that he died on the
morning of March 15, after an
operation for a wound in the chest.
She adds that he passed peacefully
away, and that he was “so brave and
patient under it all”. The chaplain
writes that he was buried in a single
grave in the cemetery with military
honours, his coffin covered with the
Union Jack; a cross has been placed
over his grave, and as soon as
possible box edging and flowers will be
added.

Father Robert Reed Born East Winch

and baptised All Saints East Winch
rd
23 Feb 1862
Mother Sarah Ann Reeve
th
They married on 14 February 1886
1911 Census shows Robert and Sarah
Ann have been married 25 years and
have had 12 children two of whom
have died.

Other Children
Frances Ellen born 1883 married Albert Greenacre in April 1911
st th
Margaret born 31 March 1886 Baptised at All Saints Ashwicken on 25 April 1886 In 1904
there is a record of a baptism of a John Robert Reed with mothers name as Margaret
there is a birth record for John Robert Jul/Aug/Sept 1904. Married Herbert Ernest
th
Hudson in 10 October 1914 she died June 1975
th
Florence May born 19 November 1887 she was baptised at All Saints Ashwicken on 18thDecember
1887 and married John David Fullard in June 1923 she died in June 1957
th th
Alice born Apr 1889 was baptised at All Saints Ashwicken 14 April .1889 she died 17
April 1941 at Regent Palace Hotel London (Civilian casualty of WW2)
th
Jessie Elizabeth born October 1890 was baptised at All Saints Ashwicken 5 October 1890 died March
1892
th
Ethel born Jan/Feb/Mar1892 was baptised at All Saints Ashwicken on 13 March 1892 Her
son Cecil John was born on August 3, 1924.

26
 nd
Priscilla born Jan/Feb/Mar 1895 was baptised at All Saints Ashwicken on 22 September
1895 she married Frederick C Flatman Arp/May/June 1916
th
Mabel Anna born Apr/May 1897 was baptised at All Saints Ashwicken on 30 May 1897died July
1904
rd
Daisy Maud born Jul/Aug/Sept 1901 was baptised at All Saints Ashwicken on 3 November 1901
she had a son Thomas Henry who was baptised at All Saints Ashwicken on
30thNovember 1924
Gladys Mabel born Oct 1904 was baptised at All Saints Ashwicken on 9thOctober 1904 she married
Steven Parker
Jack born 1904 (No birth record for Jack possibly Margaret’s son)

1911 Census shows Robert aged 48 as a Cowman on farm he and Sarah Ann aged 49 Living at Garden
Row Ashwicken.
Daughter Frances aged 28 single working as a domestic servant
Daughter Florence aged 23 single working as domestic servant
Son Tom aged 17 single farm labourer
Daughter Daisy aged 9 at school
Son Jack aged 7 at school
Daughter Gladys aged 7 at school

1901 Census shows Robert aged 39 working as a yardman on farm and Sarah Ann aged 40 living at
Glosthorpe Cottages Ashwicken
Daughter Alice aged 12
Daughter Ethel aged 9
Son Thomas aged 7
Daughter Pricilla aged 6
Daughter Mabel aged 4

Military
Private 9047, 'A' Company, 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Died of wounds 15th March 1916. Born
Ashwicken, enlisted King's Lynn. Buried in DOULLENS COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION No. 1,
Somme, France. Plot II. Row E. Grave 11.

DOULLENS COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION

Country: France Locality: Somme Identified

Casualties: 1346
Location Information
Doullens is a town in the Department of the Somme,
approximately 30 kilometres north of Amiens on the
N25 road to Arras.

The Communal Cemetery and Extensions lie on the

eastern side of the town, about 270 metres south-east
of the road to Arras.

Historical Information
Doullens was Marshal Foch's headquarters early in
the First World War and the scene of the conference
in March 1918, after which he assumed command of
the Allied armies on the Western Front. From the
summer of 1915 to March 1916, Doullens was a
junction between the French Tenth Army on the Arras
front and the Commonwealth Third Army on the
Somme. The citadelle, overlooking the town from the
south, was a French military hospital, and the railhead
was used by both armies. In March 1916,
Commonwealth forces succeeded the French on the
Arras front and the 19th Casualty Clearing Station
came to Doullens, followed by the 41st, the 35th and
the 11th. By the end of 1916, these had given way to
the 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital (which stayed

27
until June 1918) and the 2/1st Northumbrian Casualty Clearing Station.

From February 1916 to April 1918, these medical units continued to bury in the French extension (No 1) of
the communal cemetery. In March and April 1918 the German advance and the desperate fighting on this
front threw a severe strain on the Canadian Stationary Hospital. The extension was filled, and a second
extension begun on the opposite side of the communal cemetery.

In May 1940, Doullens was bombed with Arras and Abbeville before being occupied by the Germans.

The COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION No 1 contains 1,335 Commonwealth burials of the First World
War. There are also seven French and 13 German war graves from this period. Second World War burials
number 35, more than half of them men of the Queen's Royal West Kents who died 20/21 May 1940.

The COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION no 2 contains 374 Commonwealth burials of the First World
War, and 87 German war graves.

The COMMUNAL CEMETERY itself contains ten Commonwealth burials of the Second World War.

The extensions were designed by Charles Holden.

28
29
30
HERBERT AND WILLIAM WATSON

Herbert and his wife Martha

(by kind permission of Paul Watson)

Herbert Watson was born in April1888 and baptised at

All Saints Ashwicken on 1st July 1888. He was the fifth
son of William and Alice Watson. Their fourth son was
also named Herbert who had been born the previous
year but had died when he was less than a month.

The Family
Father William Thomas Watson
Mother Alice Watson (nee Riches)

William Thomas Watson married Alice Riches at All

Saints Ashwicken 21st May 1871
1911 Census shows they have been married 40 years,
had 10 children, one of whom has died

Children
Robert Born Jul/Aug/Sept 1871 baptised All Saints
Ashwicken 28th December 1873 when he approx was 3
years old He died March 1950.
Elizabeth baptised All Saints Ashwicken 14th
September 1872
Henry born April 1876 baptised All Saints Ashwicken
28th May 1876
Kate Born Apr/May/June 1878 baptised All Saints
Ashwicken 1st September 1978
Louisa Born Apr/May/June 1880 baptised All Saints Ashwicken 17th September 1882
Emma Born Jul/Aug/Sep1882 baptised All Saints Ashwicken 17th September 1882
William Born Oct/Nov 1884 baptised All Saints Ashwicken 4th November 1884
Herbert Born Jan/Feb 1887 baptised All Saints Ashwicken 8th February 1887 died Feb/Mar 1887
Herbert Born April 1888 baptised All Saints Ashwicken 1 st July 1888
Walter Henry Born Jan/Feb/Mar 1890 baptised All Saints Ashwicken 1st June 1890

Herbert Watson married Martha Elizabeth Todd on 4th November 1911 at All Saints Ashwicken

They lived in School House, Pott Row

31
Military
Private 19301, 9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Killed in action 21st March 1918. Born Ashwicken,
enlisted Norwich. No known grave. Commemorated on ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais,
France. Bay 3.

(The following information has been provided by Paul Watson)

He was posted as missing on the day of his death. No body was ever found.
His widow believed he was ‘missing’ and was never informed of his death; although the Battalion
recorded that fact in its daily diary a few days after March 21, 1918. This diary was written on the
frontline at the time. In this period the British were falling back rapidly under a massive German
onslaught.

Herbert is commemorated on the Arras Memorial at Faubourg d’Amiens in the southwest of Arras,
and on the Ashwicken War Memorial.

He left a widow, Martha, and two children, Gladys Maud Watson (born 1912) and Ronald Herbert
Watson (born 1914). Martha died in 1975, Ronald in 1997 and Gladys in 1998.

Martha Watson’s obituary in the Lynn News and Advertiser stated:

…After her marriage she lived at Wootton but returned to Port Row after her husband was reported
missing in the 1914-1918 war.”

However, the reference to her returning to Pott Row after he was reported missing is probably
incorrect.

It would appear that Martha returned to Pott Row before her husband’s death because there are a
number of postcards in existence written to Gladys and addressed to School House, Pott Row.
They are clearly written when he was away. The address is completed with the word: England.

The offensive in which Pt Watson died was known as Operation Michael which was launched on
the day he was killed.

The Western Front in 1918

Extracted from the British Campaign I France and Flanders, January to June 1918 (v5) by
Arthur Conan Doyle.

By the opening of 1918 the balance had tilted against the Allies in the west. Russia was broken
allowing the Germans to switch men and equipment for the war in France and Flanders.
The British Army was stretched at this time.
The great German attack began on March 21, 1918 and is known as the Second Battle of the
Somme.
Germans swarming in under cover of Nature’s smoke barrage for here, as in several parts of the
line, a thick morning mist generally helped the attack and screened the stormers unit they were
actually up to the wire, which had usually been shattered by trench mortars.
. . . but the northern stretch from Dernicoourt to Lagnicourt was struck with terrific impact, and
gave before the blow to very much to the same extent as the decision to the immediate north.
The 71st Brigade in the Lagnicourt sector was especially hardly hit, and was very violently assailed
by a strong force of Germans, which included the 1st Prussian Guard.
This famous regiment was at one time all round the 9th Norfolks, who succeeded at last in fighting
themselves clear, though their Colonel, and the great majority of the officers and men in the
battalion were killed or wounded.
Even those wounded, however, were safely carried off, thanks to the devotion of Captain Failes
and a handful of brave men.
In this desperate struggle the whole brigade was decimated.

32
By evening the Germans, advancing in great numbers, had occupied the former villages of
Doignies, Boursies, Louverval and Lagnicourt, their total penetration from Boursies in the south to
Court in the north, a stretch of seven miles, averaging about 3,000 yards.

ARRAS MEMORIAL

Country: France Locality: Pas de Calais Identified Casualties: 34764

Location Information
The Arras Memorial is in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery, which is in the Boulevard du General
de Gaulle in the western part of the town of Arras. The cemetery is near the Citadel, approximately
2 kms due west of the railway station.

Historical Information
The French handed over Arras to Commonwealth forces in the spring of 1916 and the system of
tunnels upon which the town is built were used and developed in preparation for the major
offensive planned for April 1917.

The Commonwealth section of the FAUBOURG D'AMIENS CEMETERY was begun in March
1916, behind the French military cemetery established earlier. It continued to be used by field
ambulances and fighting units until November 1918. The cemetery was enlarged after the
Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields and from two smaller cemeteries in the
vicinity.

The cemetery contains over 2,650 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 10 of which are
unidentified. The graves in the French military cemetery were removed after the war to other burial
grounds and the land they had occupied was used for the construction of the Arras Memorial and
Arras Flying Services Memorial.

The adjacent ARRAS MEMORIAL commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United
Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916
and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most

33
conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German
attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are
commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bretonneux. A separate memorial remembers
those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917.

The adjacent ARRAS FLYING SERVICES MEMORIAL commemorates almost 1,000 airmen of the
Royal Naval Air Service, the Royal Flying Corps, and the Royal Air Force, either by attachment
from other arms of the forces of the Commonwealth or by original enlistment, who were killed on
the whole Western Front and who have no known grave.

During the Second World War, Arras was occupied by United Kingdom forces headquarters until
the town was evacuated on 23 May 1940. Arras then remained in German hands until retaken by
Commonwealth and Free French forces on 1 September 1944. The 1939-1945 War burials
number 8 and comprise 3 soldiers and 4 airmen from the United Kingdom and 1 entirely
unidentified casualty. Located between the 2 special memorials of the 1914-1918 War is the
special memorial commemorating an officer of the United States Army Air Force, who died during
the 1939-1945 War. This special memorial, is inscribed with the words "Believed to be buried in
this cemetery". In addition, there are 30 war graves of other nationalities, most of them German.

Both cemetery and memorial were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with sculpture by Sir William
Reid Dick. The memorial was unveiled by Lord Trenchard, Marshal of the Royal Air Force on the
31 July 1932 (originally it had been scheduled for 15 May, but due to the sudden death of French
President Doumer, as a mark of respect, the ceremony was postponed until July).

34
35
Extract from book of soldiers effects showing the amount of money paid to his widow
Martha after the war.

36
 William Watson
William Watson was the third son of William and Alice Watson and the older brother of Herbert he
was born in 1884 and baptised at All Saints Ashwicken on 4th November 1884 before the war he
he was a labourer on a farm. He enlisted in King’s Lynn.

Military
Rifleman B/200144, 11th Battalion, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own). Killed in action 14th
August 1917. Enlsited and resident King's Lynn. Formerly 5/5250, Norfolk Regiment. Buried in
ESSEX FARM CEMETERY, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot III. Row D. Grave 42.

Country: Belgium Locality: West-Vlaanderen Identified Casualties: 1097

Location Information
Boezinge is a village in the province of West Flanders, north of Ieper on the Diksmuidseweg road
(N369). From the station turn left into M.Fochlaan and go to the roundabout, then turn right and
continue to the next roundabout. Turn left and drive to the next roundabout and then turn right into
Oude Veurnestraat. At the roundabout turn left onto the Diksmuidseweg, and follow the road under
the motorway bridge; the Cemetery will be found on the right hand side of the road.

Historical Information
The land south of Essex Farm was used as a dressing station cemetery from April 1915 to August
1917. The burials were made without definite plan and some of the divisions which occupied this
sector may be traced in almost every part of the cemetery, but the 49th (West Riding) Division
buried their dead of 1915 in Plot I, and the 38th (Welsh) Division used Plot III in the autumn of
1916.

There are 1,200 servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in this cemetery. 103

37
of the burials are unidentified but special memorials commemorate 19 casualties known or
believed to be buried among them. The 49th Division Memorial is immediately behind the
cemetery, on the canal bank.

The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

It was in Essex Farm Cemetery that Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae of the Canadian Army
Medical Corps wrote the poem ' In Flanders Fields' in May 1915.

Extract from book of soldiers effects which shows money owing to William is paid to His mother
Alice but also to Martha (widow) which presumably is Herbert’s wife.

38
War diaries for the 11 th Batallion Rifle Brigade for the days William was killed.

39
WILKIN George rd
George was born 1889 and baptised on 3 February 1889 at All Saints Necton

Father John Wilkin married Sarah Ann Hudson on October 30, 1872,
Mother Sarah Ann Hudson
1911 census shows John and Sarah Ann have been married 41 years and had eight children, two
of who had died.
Children
Walter born 1874
nd
William born 22 January 1876 and baptised at All Saints Necton on 5th March 1876.
th th
Anna Elizabeth born 30 January,1878 and baptised at All Saints Necton on 10 March 1878 she died
October 1883
th
Alice born 5 May 1880 she married William Ewart Corden who was a tea dealer from the
U.S.A. in 1911 they had been married 7 years with one child aged 1 month she died
Jun 1961 aged 81
th nd
Arthur born 6 April 1883 and baptised t All Saints Necton on 2 December 1883 he died
Jun 1924 aged 41
th
John (Johnnie) born 25 April 1886 baptised 20th June 1886 at All Saints Necton, he died December
1928 aged 43
st th
May born on 21 May 1892 and baptised at All Saints Necton on 18 December 1892

1911 Census shows them living at Holt House Cottages, Leziate, Kings Lynn, Norfolk

Head John aged 61 working as a labourer on farm

Wife Sarah Ann aged 58
Son George aged 22 working as a labourer in sand pits.
Daughter May aged 18

1901 census shows the family living at Wooton Road Gaywood

Head John aged 50 working as a team man on farm
Wife Sarah Ann aged 48
Son Walter aged 27 working as a team man on farm
Son John aged 15
Son George aged 13
Daughter May aged 8

1891 census shows the family living at Church Lane, Necton

Head John aged 42 working as an agricultural labourer
Wife Sarah Ann aged 39
Son Walter aged 18 working as an agricultural labourer
Son William aged 15 working as an agricultural labourer
Daughter Alice aged 11
Son Arthur aged 8
Son Johney aged 5
Son George aged 2

1881 census shows family living at 23 Common Row Necton

Head John aged 32 working as an agricultural labourer
Wife Sara A aged 30
Son Walter aged 7 scholar
Son William H aged 5
Daughter Anna E aged 3
Daughter Alice aged 11 months

40
Military
Private 14508, 9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Died of wounds 18th [CWGC] or 19th [SDGW] September
1916. Age 28. Born Necton, enlisted Norwich. Son of John and Sarah Ann Wilkin, of Station Road, East
Winch, King's Lynn. Buried in GROVE TOWN CEMETERY, MEAULTE, Somme, France. Plot 1. Row F.
Grave 9.

His mother had “May he rest in peace” put on his headstone.

GROVE TOWN CEMETERY, MEAULTE,

Country France Locality: Somme Identified Casualties: 1391

41
Historical Information
In September 1916, the 34th and 2/2nd London
Casualty Clearing Stations were established at this
point, known to the troops as Grove Town, to deal with
casualties from the Somme battlefields. They were
moved in April 1917 and, except for a few burials in
August and September 1918, the cemetery was
closed.

Grove Town Cemetery contains 1,395 First World War

burials.

The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

42
43
44
45
As well as the Victory Medal and British War Medal George was also awarded the1915 star

46
 th
Extract for the war diaries for 9 Battalion Norfolk Regiment for the days when George was wounded
and died

47