Private, SE/1942, No. 7. Veterinary Hospital, Army Veterinary Corps who ‘Died’ on 26/04/1915. Fred is now laid to rest in grave II in the FORGES-LES-EAUX COMMUNAL CEMETERY in France.

Pioneer, 128685, "F" Special Coy, Royal Engineers who ‘Died of Wounds’ on 04/11/1917 at the age of 22. Frederick born in Great Ormesby and enlisted in Great Yarmouth. He was the son of John and Martha Beck, of "The Laurels," Great Ormesby, Great Yarmouth. He is now laid to rest in grave IV. K. 5 in COXYDE MILITARY CEMETERY in Belgium.

Lance Corporal, 180532nd Bn, Norfolk Regiment who was ‘Killed in Action on 13/03/1916 at the age of 31. George was born in Ormesby and enlisted in Great Yarmouth. He was the husband of H. M. Shreeve (formerly Beck), of Back Rd., Rollesby, Great Yarmouth. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 10 on the BASRA MEMORIAL in Iraq.

Private, 40859, 1st/1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment Secondary Regiment: Hertfordshire Regiment who was ‘Killed in Action, on 30/04/1918 at the age of 33. Reba was born in Stalham and resided in Great Ormesby; he had enlisted in Norwich as Private, 39328 BRISTOW Northamptonshire Regiment. He was the son of Alfred and Emma Bristow, of Mill House, Stalham and was the husband of Fulleretta Russell Bristow, of Great Ormesby Mill, Great Yarmouth. Reba has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 48 to 50 and 162A on the TYNE COT MEMORIAL in Belgium.

Lance Corporal, 7454, 2nd Battalion Norfolk Regiment who ‘Died’ on 19/12/1916 at the age of 32. Alfred was born in Ormesby and enlisted in Norwich. He was the son of Alfred Crowe, of Low Rd., Ormesby St. Michael, Great Yarmouth, and the late Mrs. Crowe. He is now laid to rest in grave D. 78 of the ALEXANDRIA (HADRA) WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY in Egypt.

Private, 26250, 9th Battalion Norfolk Regiment who ‘Died of Wounds’ on 15/10/1918 21. Percy resided in Ormesby and enlisted in Norwich. He was the son of Alfred Crowe, of Low Rd., Little Ormesby, St. Michael, Great Yarmouth, and the late Mrs. Crowe and the brother of Alfred. He is now laid to rest in grave I. F. 35. in DOINGT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION in France.

Private, 29815, 9th Battalion Norfolk Regiment Who was ‘Killed in Action’ on 15/04/1918 at the age of 20. George enlisted in Norwich and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Crow, of Scratby, Great Ormesby, Great Yarmouth. He has no known grave and is now commemorated on Panel 34 to 35 and 162A on the TYNE COT MEMORIAL in Belgium. Unusually, George is also commemorated on the Caister War Memorial as well.

Private, 33878, 3rd Battalion East Surrey Regiment who ‘Died’ at home on 20/05/1917 at the age of 29. Robert was born at Great Ormesby and enlisted in Norwich. He was the son of John and Esther Derry; husband of J. Nichols (formerly Derry), of The Lodge, Ormesby Hall, Great Ormesby, Norfolk. He is now laid to rest in ORMESBY ST. MARGARET CHURCHYARD.

Deck Hand, 6478DA, Royal Naval Reserve of H.M. Trawler "Bush." 01/11/1916 at the age of 23. Charles was the son of Henry and Emma E. Dyble, of North Rd., Great Ormesby, Norfolk. He is now laid to rest in grave D. 66 ALEXANDRIA (HADRA) WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY.

Charles was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, along with other members of the RNR, and this was gazetted on FRIDAY, 14 JULY, 1916. The Gazette entry for the RNR stated:

‘The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have received with much satisfaction from the officers in charge of the Auxiliary Patrol areas at home and abroad reports on the services performed by the officers and men serving under their orders during the period 1st January, 1915, to 31st January, 1916. These reports show that the officers and men serving in Armed Yachts, Trawlers and Drifters of the Auxiliary Patrol during the period in question have carried out their duties under extremely arduous and hazardous conditions of weather and exposure to enemy attack and mines with marked zeal, gallantry and success.’

This is probably Rifleman, 891, 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade who was ‘Killed in Action on 26/04/1915. He has no known grave and is now commemorated on Panel 46 - 48 and 50 on the YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL in Belgium.

Private, 28998, 8th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment who was ‘Killed in Action’ on 15/09/1916 at the age of 34. Ernest was born and resided in Norwich and enlisted in Norwich. He was the son of William P. and Caroline Farman, of Great Ormesby, Norfolk. Ernest has no known grave and is now commemorated on Pier and Face 2 C of the THIEPVAL MEMORIAL on the Somme. On the day he was killed his battalion were in action around Guillemont and assisted in attacking the German strongpoint known as the ‘Quadrilateral’.

Private, 22270, 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment Who was ‘Killed in Action’ on 04/06/1916 at the age of 20. Albert was born in Rollesby and enlisted in Norwich. He was the son of Walter and Georgiana Grimmer, of Elm Cottage, Little Ormesby, Great Ormesby. He has no known grave and is now commemorated on Bay 3 of the ARRAS MEMORIAL in France.

Listed as Private, 80160, 31st Battalion (Alberta Regiment) who was ‘Killed in Action’ on 13/06/1916. Alfred has no known grave and is now commemorated on Panel 24 - 28 – 30 on the YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL in Belgium. His family name is actually HEWETT and he was the son of James and Florence HEWETT of Great Ormesby.

Lance Corporal, 15652, 9th Battalion Norfolk Who was ‘Killed in Action’ on 27/09/1915 at the age of 19. Arthur was the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Hewitt, of Brickfield, Great Ormesby, Norfolk. He has no known grave and is now commemorated on Panel 30 and 31 on the LOOS MEMORIAL in France.

There is not much on Victor, but we know that he was born in 1897 in St George, Hanover Square, London, Middlesex. He was educated at Eton and left there in 1914. He then served as a Lieutenant in the King's Royal Rifle Corps.

Private, 16038, 7th Battalion Norfolk Regiment who was ‘Killed in Action’ on 01/10/1915. Walter was born in Ormesby and enlisted in Great Yarmouth. He has no known grave and is now commemorated on Panel 30 and 31 of the LOOS MEMORIAL.

Major, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, Secondary Regiment, Army Service Corps Secondary Unit Text: attached. VIII. Corps. Mechanical Transport who was ‘Killed in Action’ on 12/04/1918 at the age of 28. Sidney was the son of Mr. and Mrs. H. S. H. Lacon, late of Ormesby Hall, Gt. Yarmouth, Norfolk; husband of Doris Lacon, of Chauntry House, Bray, Berks. He is now laid to rest in grave X. A. 4. in NINE ELMS BRITISH CEMETERY in Belgium.

Skipper, Royal Naval Reserve of H.M. Trawler "Quintia" who was killed on 26/11/1918 at the age of 26. William is now laid to rest in grave 538 in ORMESBY ST. MARGARET CHURCHYARD.

Private, 20672, 1st Battalion Essex Regiment who was ‘Killed in Action’ on 17/10/1916. James was born in Thurne and enlisted in Great Yarmouth originally joining as Private, 17715, Norfolk Regiment. He was the son of Jane Elizabeth Nickerson, of Great Ormesby, Great Yarmouth, and the late Watty Robert Nickerson. He is now laid to rest in IX. G. 15 in BANCOURT BRITISH CEMETERY.

Private, 15662, 9th Battalion Norfolk Regiment who was ‘Killed in Action’ on 26/09/1915 at the age of 19. John was born in Ormesby and enlisted in Norwich. He was the son of Jane Elizabeth Nickerson, of Great Ormesby, Great Yarmouth, and the late Watty Robert Nickerson and the brother of James. He has no known grave and is now commemorated on Panel 30 and 31 of the LOOS MEMORIAL.

Private, 27464, 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment who ‘Died of Wounds’ on 10/09/1918 at the age of 20. Basil was born in Ormesby and enlisted in Great Yarmouth. He was the son of George William and Lydia Emma Page, of Great Ormesby, Norfolk. He is now laid to rest in grave III. E. 6. TERLINCTHUN BRITISH CEMETERY, WIMILLE.

Private, 41850, 2nd Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment who was ‘Killed in Action’ on 30/11/1917. Sidney was born in Ormesby and enlisted in Norwich. He was the son of George William and Lydia Emma Page, of Great Ormesby, Norfolk and was the brother of Basil. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 7 of the CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL in France.

Gunner, 20213, 149th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery who was ‘Killed in Action’ on 22/09/1917 36. Robert was born in Martham and enlisted in Great Yarmouth. He was the son of Robert Piggin; husband of H. E. Ransome (formerly Piggin), of Broad Rd., Fleggburgh, Yarmouth, Norfolk. He is now laid to rest in grave XI. G. 1 of VLAMERTINGHE NEW MILITARY CEMETERY in Belgium.

Skipper, Royal Naval Reserve of H.M. Drifter "Girl Eva." Who ‘Died’ on 02/10/1916 at the age of 35. He was the husband of Lily May Bensley Pulford, of Beach Rd., Scratby, Norfolk. He has no known grave and commemorated on Panel 18 of the CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL.

Major, 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment who ‘Died ’07/11/1914 at the age of 43. Robert was the son of Thomas and Kate Rising, of The Manor House, Great Ormesby, Norfolk; husband of Constance Elizabeth Rising, of The Old Hall, Great Ormesby. He is now laid to rest in graveE. 5 in ZILLEBEKE CHURCHYARD in Belgium.

Major RISING was awarded the D.S.O., which was Gazetted on 6th November 1914. The citation reads:

‘Captain Robert Edward Rising, 1st Battalion,The Gloucestershire Regiment. Went up with supports and conspicuously controlled the defence of the Battalion's trenches against a determined attack by the Enemy. But for this stout defence the line must have been penetrated.’

Lance Corporal, 22910, 7th Battalion Norfolk who was ‘Killed in Action’ on 10/10/1916 at the age of 22.Charles was born in Rollesby and enlisted in Great Yarmouth. He was the son of George and Mary Ann Shreeve, of Ormesby St. Michael, Great Yarmouth. He has no known grave and is now commemorated on Pier and Face 1 C and 1 D of the THIEPVAL MEMORIAL in France.

Private, 16458, 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment who ‘Died’ on 09/04/1916 at the age of 25. He was the son of George and Mary Sizer, of Scratby, Gt. Ormesby, Gt. Yarmouth, Norfolk. He is now laid to rest in grave I. E. 7. in ETRETAT CHURCHYARD.

This is almost certainly Ernest William Sizer who was born in Tunstead in Norfolk and was aged 15 and residing in Scratby as a Gardener at the time of the 1901 Census. The 1901 Census also records he was the brother Alfred and would have been the son of George and Mary Sizer, of Scratby, Gt. Ormesby, Gt. Yarmouth, Norfolk. He is recorded as Private, 25650, 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment who was ‘Killed in Action’ on 24/04/1918. He enlisted in Exeter and resided in Starcross in Devon and is also listed on the Starcross War Memorial. He is now laid to rest in grave II. M. 10 in ADELAIDE CEMETERY, VILLERS-BRETONNEUX in France.

This is possibly Private, 43242, 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment who was ‘Killed in Action’ on 04/09/1916 He is now laid to rest in grave XXVII. B. 8 in DELVILLE WOOD CEMETERY, LONGUEVAL in France.

Deck Hand, 5099/DA, Royal Naval Reserve of H.M.S. "Dreel Castle" who ‘Died’ on 17/02/1917 at the age of 38. Wlliam was the sof Edgar William and Ellen Elizabeth Symonds, of Ormesby. He is now laid to rest in grave 490 in ORMESBY ST. MARGARET CHURCHYARD.

Private, 29289, 1st/7th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment who was ‘Killed in action’ on 08/10/1917 at the age of 19. Albert was born and resided in Ormesby and enlisted in Great Yarmouth Son of George and Marion Thurston, of North Rd., Great Ormesby, Norfolk. He has no known grave and is now commemorated on Panel 23 to 28 and 163A on the TYNE COT MEMORIAL in Belgium.

Private, 10156, 6th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment who was ‘Killed in Action’ on 03/08/1917 at the age of 26. George was born in and enlisted in Great Yarmouth. He was the son of George and Marion Thurston, of North Rd., Great Ormesby, Norfolk and the brother of Albert. He has no known grave and is now commemorated on Panel 33 on the YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL in Belgium.

There is no information on Harry at present.

Gunner, 41424, Royal Garrison Artillery of the Command Depot, Ripon, who ‘Died’ on 21/09/1918 at the age of 22. He was the son of Walter and Sarah Elizabeth Whitby, of "Rossville," Ormesby St. Margarets. He is now laid to rest in the North-West corner of ORMESBY ST. MARGARET CHURCHYARD.

Driver, T/70507, Royal Army Service Corps who also served in the Pioneer Corps who was ‘Killed in Action on 17/06/1940 at the age of 24. He is now laid to rest in Sec. 18. Plot 1. Row A. Grave 64 in RENNES EASTERN COMMUNAL CEMETERY in France.

Able Seaman, C/JX 155387, Royal Navy of H.M.S. Juno who was ‘Killed in Action’ on 21/05/1941 aged 21. He was the son of Claude and Elizabeth Burrows, of Caister on Sea, Norfolk. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 42, 2 on the CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL. H.M.S. Juno was launched in 1938, and was a J-Class Destroyer and she was spotted and attacked by a German Junkers Ju 88 bomber and was heavily damaged by the bombs She sank North of Crete. 

Seaman, LT/JX 189896, Royal Naval Patrol of H.M. Trawler Ben Brachie who ‘Died’ on 07/08/1940 at the age of 25. Roger was the husband of Elsie Flowerdew Clarke, of Ormesby. He is now laid to rest in ORMESBY ST. MARGARET CHURCHYARD.

Trooper, 305308, Royal Horse Guards Who ‘died’ on 28/01/1947 at the age of 25. Claude was the son of Sidney Ernest and Julia Empson, of Winterton and is now laid to rest in WINTERTON (ALL SAINTS) CHURCHYARD.

Corporal, 7538447, Army Dental Corps who ‘Died’ on 24/02/1946 at the age of 26. George was the son of Charles William and Georgena Margaret Huggins, of Great Ormesby. He is now laid to rest in ORMESBY ST. MARGARET CHURCHYARD.

Private, 5778862, 2nd Battalion Royal Norfolk who was ‘Killed in Action’ on 04/05/1944 at the age of 29. Leon was the son of Andre Joseph Leban and Louise Elizabeth Leban; husband of Edna Noreen Leban, of Ormesby-St. Michael, Norfolk. He is now laid to rest in grave 2. C. 16. in KOHIMA WAR CEMETERY.

Skipper, Royal Naval Reserve of H.M.S. Ut Prosim who was ‘Killed in Action’ on 24/04/1940 at the age of 55. Charles was the husband of D. N. Larner, of Great Ormesby. He is now laid to rest in ORMESBY ST. MARGARET CHURCHYARD.

Able Seaman, C/JX 265843 Royal Navy, of H.M.S. President III who ‘Died’ on 27/11/1944 at the age of 33. Ernest was the son of Herbert Percival and Ethel Ellen Maud Myhill, of Ormesby St. Margaret. He is now laid to rest in ORMESBY ST. MARGARET CHURCHYARD.

Corporal, 5773052, 6th Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment who ‘Died’ on 02/12/1942 at the age of 20. Eric was the son of Osbert and Maud Picton; husband of Joyce Elizabeth May Picton, of Swaffham, Norfolk. He is now laid to rest in the British Section, grave A. C. 8. of YOKOHAMA WAR CEMETERY in Japan.

Pilot Officer, (Pilot), 175969, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, D.F.M. Who was ‘Killed in Action’ on 10/09/1944 at the age of 23. Jack was the son of Robert Charles and Ethel Edith Playford j husband of Phyllis Maud Playford, of Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk. He is now laid to rest in grave 7. B. 7. of DELHI WAR CEMETERY in India.

His D.F.M. citation stated:

‘1332630 Flight Sergeant Jack PLAYFORD, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 151 Squadron. Warrant Officer Kelsey and Flight Sergeant Playford have participated in very many sorties. As observer and pilot respectively they have displayed great skill and their example of keenness and determination to engage the enemy has been worthy of high praise. They have destroyed2 enemy aircraft.’

Able Seaman, C/JX 235766, Royal Navy of the S.S. Empire Hall who died on 23/02/1942 at the age of 25. James was the son of Robert Charles and Ethel Edith Playford, of Ormesby St. Michael, Norfolk. He has no known grave and is now commemorated on panel 55, 3. of the CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL.

Sergeant (Air Gnr.), 520346, Royal Air Force who ‘died’ on 17/10/1941 at the age of 27. Sidney was the son of Thomas James Sales and Emma Jane Sales, of Great Ormsby, Norfolk. He is now laid to rest in grave Grave 597 in HARWELL CEMETERY in Berkshire.

There is no information on William at present.

Ordinary Signalman, C/JX 152600, Royal Navy of H.M.S. Sphinx who ‘Died of Wounds’ on 04/02/1940 at the age of 19. William was the son of Frederick and Winifred Wooltorton, of Little Ormesby, Norfolk. He is now laid to rest in Section O. Coll. Grave 7 in WICK CEMETERY.

From: www.halcyon-class.co.uk/sphinx/hms_sphinx.htm

‘At about 0800 on 3rd February 1940, SPHINX, Speedwell and Skipjack commenced sweeping north of Kinnaird Head. At 0912 a bomb struck the SPHINX forward. It went through the back of the T.S., through the front of the bridge, through the forecastle deck and burst on the Mess Deck. The explosion folded the forecastle back on to the bridge and badly crippled the whole fore end of the ship. The Captain (Taylor) was killed outright on the bridge. Attempts were made to tow the ship. At about 0430 on 4th February a large wave struck the ship forward and she immediately capsized. Five officers and forty-nine ratings were killed. She was the first Halcyon Class to be lost.’