Lance Corporal 3531. 50th Company Machine Gun Corps. Formerly 14029 Norfolk Regiment. Killed in action in France & Flanders on 13th November 1916. Born and enlisted Cromer. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 5 C and 12 C.

Private G/24456. 1st Battalion Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment.) Killed in action in France & Flanders on 26th August 1916. Born and lived Cromer. Enlisted Norwich. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 12 D and 13 B.

Serjeant 3/8169. 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment. Died in France & Flanders on 9th May 1917. Born Cromer. Enlisted Norwich. No known grave. Commemorated on Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 3.

Private 20248, 7th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Died 18 August 1916. Aged 28. Born Wappenham, NJorthamptonshire, enlisted London. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 11 A and 11 D.

Andrew Curry researched this man and these are his notes:

So I decided to put the name Bodley into a search of the 1911 census with a Norfolk location. To my surprise up popped Marian Annie Bodley born in Slapton, Northants and living with William and Mary Burn her Uncle and Aunt in Cromer. This was too bigger coincidence as George Edward's father was from Slapton. Next I searched Marian Annie's details for the 1901 census and found the Bodley family consisting of John J Bodley, Ellen M his wife. Most significantly a George E Bodley, aged 12, was listed with a birth place of Wappenham, Northants. This matched the details in SD database for birth place and his aged in 1901 suggested he was born in 1888/9 making him 27/28 in 1916 which matches the CWGC entry. So connection between George and Cromer had been found as his Uncle or Aunt lived there, but why was his sister living with them?

The relationship between Marian and the Burn family was easy to work out as Mary Elizabeth Burn was born in Caistor, Norfolk, while Marian and George's mother Ellen was born in California, Norfolk. They had to be sisters. Checking the marriage records I found in 1885 John Joseph Bodley married Ellen Maria Greenside in the Great Yarmouth, Norfolk registration district. In 1886 William John B Burn married Mary Elizabeth Greenside in the Great Yarmouth, Norfolk registration district.

This did still not explain why Marian was living with her Aunt's family. The answer lay in the cemetery in Slapton. John Joseph Bodley died in 1905 and his death agrees with the CWGC entry for George Edward. Ellen Maria died the following year 1906. See attachments 6-8. I then tried to find the family members from the 1901 census on the 1911 census but apart from Marian I could only find her sister Lucy. By 1911 Lucy was 12 and living in an orphanage in Northampton. The rest of the family including George Edward seem to have avoided the census.

In conclusion it would appear that with the Slapton connection broken and George Edward's aunt and sister living in Cromer they wanted some way of remembering him. Especially as there was no grave to visit on one of the 1920s Royal British Legion pilgrimages and Thiepval Memorial was not completed until 1932. Although George's connection with the town was at best only tenuous his aunt and sister must have convinced the authorities to add his name to the memorial. This must have been the case as all George's details from SD and CWGC data bases connect with the census records and his father's death record. The link to Cromer while initially coming through his sister Marian was reinforced by the marriage records of his mother and aunt. I hope you agree that the Bodley George entry for Cromer is in fact George Edward Bodley of A Company, 7th Bn Northamptonshire Regiment - attachment 9-10.

Andrew Curry
17 October 2018

Lieutenant. 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade. Killed in action on 7th June 1917. Aged 37. Born 19th August 1879, baptised 15th September 1879 in All Saints, Ennismore Gardens, Knightsbridge, Middlesex, son of John Henry and Emma Marie Buxton. Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Buxton, of Easneye, Ware, Herts. Educated Harrow School, Middlesex, 1893-1897. In the 1911 census he was aged 31, unmarried, born Marylebone, London, a Banker, son of John Henry Buton, resident Easneye, Ware, St Margerets, Hertfordshire. Buried in Oosttaverne Wood Cemetery, Heuvelland, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot I. Row A. Grave 7. [*** No obvious connection with Cromer ***]

Extract from East London Observer - Saturday 16 June 1917, page 2:

DEATH. BUXTON.—KiIIed in Action, on the 7th June, 1917, Andrew Richard Buxton (“Curly”), The Rifle Brigade, third son of Mr. and Mre. John Henry Buxton, Easneye, Ware, age 37.

Private 17289. 19th Battalion King’s (Liverpool Regiment). Killed in action in France & Flanders on 30th July 1917. Aged 20. Born and lived Cromer. Enlisted Liverpool. Son of Harry and Annie Cook, of 51, Station Rd., Cromer, Norfolk. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 1 D 8 B and 8 C.

[Crask on CWGC]. Private G/51582. 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Formerly 6869, 25th Middlesex Regiment. Killed in action in France & Flanders on 28th February 1917. Born Cromer. Lived E. Brunton (sic. probably East Runton). Enlisted Norwich. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 8 C 9 A and 16 A.

Lieut-Commander. H.M. Submarine "K4, Royal Navy. Drowned when his ship sank 31st January 1918. Aged 31. Born 7th April 1886 in Cromer, Norfolk, baptised 11th July 1886 in Cromer. Son of Dr. Robert Fenner and Edith Marion Fenner (nee Carter), of 38, Portland Place, London; brother of Cyril (below). Entered Navy 15th January 1901, sub-lieutenant 30th July 1905, Lieutenant 39th January 1907, Lieutenant-Commander 30 January 1915. In July 1917 he was awarded the Russian order of St Stanislas 2nd Class with Swords. No known grave. Commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire. Panel 28.

Special note: Submarine K4 sank in The First of Forth following a series of accidents involving many vessels and some trawlers who were not aware of naval manoeuvres.

Extract from Daily Telegraph & Courier (London) - Saturday 11 February 1911, page 5:

ROYAL NAVY.

The first Britieh submarines for overseas service - C 36, Lieutenant Godfrey Herbert; C 37, Lieutenant Athelstan Fenner; and C 38, Lieutenant John Codriafton—left Plymouth yeeterday morning for the China Station. They will be accompanied to Malta by the cruiser Bonaventure, depôt ship for submarines, and the cruiser Diana, which is rejoining the Mediterranean Fleet on reoommimsioning.

Second Lieutenant. 2nd Battalion Scots Guards. Killed in action on 24th September 1916. Born 23rd/25th March 1888 in Cromer, baptised 8th July 1888 in Cromer, son of Robert and Edith Marie Fenner; brother of Athelstan (above). In the 1891 census he was aged 3, born Norfolk, son of Robert N and Edith M Fenner, resident Norwich Road, Cromer, Erpingham, Norfolk. In September 1903 he was admitted to HMS Conway training ship, Liverpool, left December 1904, previously educated at Felsted School, Essex, son of Dr. Robert Fenner, of 29, Buckingham Gate, London S.W. In January 1905 he was admitted to Bedford Grammar School, left the same year. Appointed Second Lieutenant 11th August 1915, on probation, rank confirmed 28th February 1916. Admitted to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital at Millbank 14th June 1916 with problematic knee joint, discharged 28th July 1916. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 7 D.

Second Lieutenant John Leslie Fish Image: IWM (HU 122091)

[Incorrectly listed as Leslie F FISH on scroll] Second Lieutenant, 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 3 July 1916. Aged 23. Born 1 August 1892 at 6 Grove Road, Wanstead, London E11. Son of Ellen Maria Fish (nee Footit), of Belmont, Chigwell, Essex, and the late Frank Fish. He was an Iron Merchant. His brothers William Neville and Frank Alan Fish both lived at “Redbourne”, Norwich Road, Cromer. In the 1911 census he was aged 18, born Wanstead, Essex, a Clerk, son of Frank and Ellen Maria Fish, resident Millbrook, Chigwell, Essex. Buried in Ovillers Military Cemetery, Somme, France. Plot VII. Row K. Grave 3.

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1916:

[Listed as PALMER-GOWING on CWGC] Private 200734, 4th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 23 April 1917. Aged 25. Born Witnesham, Suffolk, enlisted Ipswich. Son of George and Eleanor Palmer-Gowing, of Westerfield, Ipswich; husband of J. Chilvers (formerly Palmer-Gowing), of 6, Lucas Rd., Colchester. Formerly 2903, Suffolk Regiment. In the 1913 Electoral Register he is listed as woning land in Norwich Road, Cromer. In the Electpral Register of 1915 for The Northern Division of Norfolk he is listed as being resident at Primrose Farm, Cromer and owning a tenement in New Street, Cromer. No known grave. Commemorated on Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 4.

Lieutenant. 12th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. Killed in action on 25th September 1915. No known grave. Commemorated on Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 20 to 22. See also Trinity Collge, Cambridge

Extract from Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer - Wednesday 8 December 1915, page 6:

LIEUT. HERBERT OTHO HAMILTON, 12th Northumberland Fusiliers, previously reported missing is now believed to have hve been killed on September 26 at Loos. He was the only son of the Rev. W. F. T. Hamilton, vicar of Cromer, and in January last he married Muriel, daughterof Mrs. Wakley, of Lassmade, Barnstaple. He was educated at Repton School and at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took his degree in June, 1914.

Extract from Exeter and Plymouth Gazette - Wednesday 8 December 1915, page 3:

Lieut. Herbert Otho Hamilton, 12th Northumberland Fusiliers, reported missing, now believed killed September 26th at Loos, was educated Repton School and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took his degree in June, 1914. He joined the Army in September, and received his commission in the 12th Northumberand Fusiliers. He was the only son the Rev. W. F. T. Hamilton, Vicar of Cromer (and formerly of Christchurch Church, Woking), and in January last he married Miss Muriel Wakley, daughter of Mrs. Wakley, of Lasswade, Barnstaple. The major commanding his Company wrote: "We had to attack at 9 a.m. My Company was leading, and of the Company Herberh s platoon had the honour of leading. He fell right forward in the fining line at the head of his men. He was a very gallant officer, and greatly beloved by all." In his last letter to his father, Lieut. Hamilton wrote:—" Just a line while the beginning of the great battle is going on. It is wonderful how peaceful one feels amid it all. Any moment one may be put out of action, but one does not worry. That quiet time alone with at the Holy Communion was very nice and solemn and most comforting."

Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Died of wounds 1st December 1917, received in Gauche Wood. Aged 20. Born 1st August 1897. Brother of Captain John Harbord. M.C. Son of Philip and Elinor Julia Harbord, of Northwold Lodge, Brandon, Norfolk; nephew of Lionel Anthony Harbord, brother of John Harboard (see below). Awarded the Military cross (M.C.). In the 1901 census he was aged 3, born Norfolk, resident with his parents, Philip and Elinor (sic) Harbord, at The Hall, Lammas with Little Hautbois, Aylsham, Norfolk. Buried at FINS NEW BRITISH CEMETERY, SOREL-LE-GRAND, Somme, France. Plot II. Row D. Grave 2. See also Bulmer War Memorial and Northwold War Memorial

Extract from Essex Newsman Saturday 22 December 1917, page 2 and Chelmsford Chronicle - Friday 21 December 1917, page 3:

ESSEX ROLL OF HONOUR

Lieut. Philip Anthony Assheton Harbord, M.C., second son of Mr. and Mrs. P. Harbord, of Bulmer House, has fallen in action. He was only 20.

Captain. Norfolk Yeomanry. Died on 10th July 1918 of wounds received near Nieppe Forest on 6th July. Aged 24. Native of Norfolk. Born 12 August 1893, baptised 16 October 1893 in Southrepps, son of Philip and Eleanor Julia Hardbord. Son of Philip and Elinor Julia Harbord, of Northwold Lodge, Brandon, Norfolk; nephew of Lionel Anthony Harbord, brother of Philip Anthony Harboard (see above). Awarded the Military cross (M.C.). In the 1901 census he was aged 7, born Mayfair, London, son of Philip and Elinor (sic) Harbord, resident The Hall, Lammas with Little Hautbois, Aylsham, Norfolk. In the 1911 census he was aged 17, born St Georges, Hanover Square, London, a University Student, son of Philip and Elinor S9ic) Harbord, resident Bulmer House, Bulmer, Essex. Buried in Les Baraques Military Cemetery, Sangatte, Pas de Calais, France. Plot IV. Row C. Grave 7. See also Bulmer War Memorial and Northwold War Memorial

Extract from Essex Newsman 27 July 1918, page 2:

ESSEX ROLL OF HONOUR

Capt. John Harbord, M.C., son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Harbord, of Bulmer House, has died of wounds. He was educated at Cromer, Cordwallis, Haileybury, and Clare College, Cambridge. He had served on various fonts, and received his decoration for great gallantry while in command of his battalion in the East.

Private 53038. 20th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, City of London Regiment. Formerly 41766 Royal Fusiliers. Killed in action in France & Flanders on 16th April 1917. Aged 39. Born Southrepps. Lived and enlisted Cromer. Son of Mrs. Harriet Hewitt, of Beeston, St. Andrews, Norwich; husband of Jane Elizabeth Hewitt, of Elm View, Louden Rd., Cromer. No known grave. Commemorated on Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 3

[Listed as Stanley Cyril HICKS on scroll] Private 43225. 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment. Killed in action in France & Flanders on 4th September 1916. Aged 19. Enlisted Norwich. Son of Soloman and Alice Louisa Hicks, of "Redlands, West St., Cromer, Norfolk. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 1 C and 1 D.

[On CD & CWGC as George Charles.] Private 18747. 1st Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in action in France & Flanders on 20th July 1916. Born Honington, Suffolk. Enlisted Norwich. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 11 A and 11 D.

Captain, 1st Squadron, Royal Flying Corps and The Duke Of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment). Missing presumed killed while flying 10th august 1917. Aged 24. Born 16th December 1892, baptised 5th February 1893 in Cromer, son of Ernest Frederick and Emma Jarvis. Son of Ernest Frederic and Emma Jarvis, of Albert House, Cromer, Norfolk. In the 1901 census he was aged 8, born Cromer, Norfolk, son of Emma Jarvis (a widow), resident 35, Vicarage Road, Cromer, Erpingham, Norfolk. In the 1911 census he was aged 18, born Cromer, Norfolk, a Clerk, visiting William Charles and Jessie Scrivener, who were resident 203 Willesden Lane, Brondesbury, Willesden, Middlesex. Buried in Harlebeke New British Cemetery, Harlebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot XIV. Row D. Grave 10.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918, Volume 3, page 153-154:

JARVIS, ALAN BISHOP, Capt., 10th (Territorial) Battn. The Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regt.), attd. R.F.C., 4th s. of the late Ernest Frederic Jarvis, of Cromer, by his wife, Emma (Albert House, Cromer), dau. of the late William Green, of Sheringham, co Norfolk : b. Cromer, 16 Dec. 1892 ; educ. Gresham's School, Holt, and on leaving there entered the office of Messrs. Hill and Cassap, Ship Brokers ; joined the Middlesex Territorials as a Private in Aug. 1914 ; obtained a 2nd Lieutenancy 21 Aug., being promoted Lieut. 22 Nov. following, and Capt. In June, 1916; served with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force at Gallipoli from July, 1915 ; took part in the landing at Sulva Bay, and after being there a short time was invalided home ; returned to Gallipoli early in Nov. ; took part in the evacuation of Sulva, after which he went to Egypt, and was for a short time attached to the Imperial Camel Corps, and later to the R.F.C., acting for six months as Observer ; came home in April, 1917, when he obtained his wings ; went to France 16 July, and was killed in aerial action 10 Aug. following, while flying ten miles over the German lines ; unm.

Second Lieutenant, 53rd Training Squadron (Grantham), Royal Air Force, formerly 2nd Lieutenant, General List. Killed in an aeroplane accident when he was in collision with another aircraft whilst flying in a Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8, aircraft serial number A4546, 8th May 1918. Aged 18. Son of Louis and Barbara Levine, of "Dunrobin," Norwich Rd., Cromer, Norfolk, formerly 3, Park Road, Cromer. Born at Norwich. His brother Cyril Isaac Levine also died in service (see above). In the 1901 census he was aged 1, born Norwich, resident with his parents, Louis and Barbara Levine, at 66, Prince Wales Road, Norwich, Norfolk. Buried in Norwich Cemetery, Norfolk. Jewish grave 47.

Extract from R.A.F. Records:

Court of Inquiry. 22780/1918. Lieut. A.N. Thorne, 2/Lieut. H. Watson and 2/Lieut. M.J. Levine.

The cause of the accident was in our opinion due (whilst the Pilots were on duty) to inexperience on the part of 2/Lieut. Levine in that he failed to turn his machine to the right when the leader Lt. THorne did so and that Lt. Thorne had probably lost distance from the formation in carrying out two successive banks thereby causing the two machines to collide.

Private 17055. 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment. Killed in action in France & Flanders on 1st July 1916. Aged 32. Born Cromer. Enlisted Norwich. Son of William Cossey Nockels and Maria Nockels, of Cromer, Norfolk; husband of May Elizabeth Jenner (formerly Nockels), of 150, Albert Rd., Peckham, London. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 1 C and 1 D.

Captain, "A" Company 3rd Battalion attached to 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment. Killed in action on 18th November 1916. Aged 23. Born in Norfolk 22 August 1893, baptised 19 September 1893 in Aylsham, son of Thomas Crossley and Agnes Rayner. Son of the Hon. Sir Crossley Rayner (late Chief Justice of British Guiana) and Lady Rayner. In the 1901 census he was aged 7, born Norfolk, son of Agnes Rayner, resident 18, Carlisle Road, Aldrington, Steyning, Sussex. In the 1911 census he was aged 17, born Aylsham, Norfolk, a Student, resident The Rectory, Ruan Minor, Helston, Grade, Cornwall. Educated Cambridge University, Sidney Sussex College. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 13 A and 14 C. See also Cambridge University, Sidney Sussex College

Captain, 17th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment). Killed in action 9th August 1916. Aged 32. Born 6th May 1884, baptised 1st June 1884 in Cromer, son of Alfred Edward and Sarah Ann Salter. Younger son of Mr. and Mrs. Salter, of Cromer. Admitted to Aylsham, resident Cromer, left 1897, 14th September 1896, previous school was Cromer Board School. Joined Great Eastern Railway 1900, Surveyor, Land Agent's Department. In the 1911 census he was a baorder, aged 26, born Cromer, a Land Surveyor, boarding at 15, Sunnyside Road, Ilford, Essex. Enlisted 1914. Awarded the Military Cross (M.C.). No known grave. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 12 D and 13 B. See also Liverpool Street Station, London

Private 5138. 1/4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. Formerly 1591 Norfolk Regiment. Killed in action in France & Flanders on 29th October 1916. Born Norfolk. Enlisted Melton Constable. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 10 B 11 B and 12 B.

Private 9204. "H Company, 1st Battalion Prince of Wales’s Own West Yorkshire Regiment. Killed in action in France & Flanders on 18th September 1916. Aged 21. Born Cromer. Enlisted Norwich. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 2 A 2 C and 2 D.

[Joseph Harold on CWGC]. Lance Corporal G/40246. 2nd Battalion The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment.) Formerly 41228 Royal Fusiliers. Killed in action in France & Flanders on 11th May 1917. Aged 29. Born, lived and enlisted in Brighton. Son of William H. and Florence Tibbalds, of 24, Clifton St., Brighton; husband of Ethel Kate Tibbalds, of 4, Bond St., Cromer, Norfolk. No known grave. Commemorated on Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 2

CIVILIANS

Sick Berth Attendant D/SR 8625, H.M.S. "Tamar", Royal Navy. Died 2 October 1942. Aged 24. Son of William Robert Jenner Abel and Jean Abel, of Cromer, Norfolk; husband of Beatrice Abel. No known grave. Commemorated at PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 71, Column 2.

Colour Sergeant 5773762, 6th Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment. Died during the Japanese invasion of Malaya and Singapore 26 January 1942. Aged 22. Son of Mrs. M. R. Craske, of Cromer, Norfolk. No known grave. Commemorated on SINGAPORE MEMORIAL, Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore. Column 47.

Private 5778101, 6th Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment. Died as a Ja[panese Prisoner of War working on the Thailand-Burma Railroad 3 October 1943. Aged 29. Son of William Debonaire Holdom and Edith Florence Holdom, of Cromer, Norfolk. Buried in KANCHANABURI WAR CEMETERY, THailand. Plot 2. Row K. Grave 55.

Flight Sergeant 621042, Royal Air Force. Died 23 July 1941. Aged 21. Son of Louis George and Harriett Sophie Larwood, of Cromer, Norfolk. No known grave. Commemorated on SINGAPORE MEMORIAL, Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore. Column 409.

Private 5778407, 5th Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment. Died at sea as a Japanese Prisoner of War 21 September 1944 while in the Hofuku Maru Japanese ransport ship which was sunk 80 miles north of Corregidor by planes from an American Aircraft Carrier. Aged 29. Born 22 September 1914 in Norfolk, resident Cromer, Norfolk. Son of Charles William and Ellen Elizabeth Nicholds, of 48, Cabbell Road, Cromer, Norfolk. No known grave. Commemorated on SINGAPORE MEMORIAL, Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore. Column 52.

Corporal 25088644, Parachute Regiment. killed as a result of an explosion that happened whilst on a deliberate operation near Musa Qaleh in Afghanistan 30 May 2009 while serving with the Brigade Reconnaissance Force. Aged 30. Born 19 November 1978.