Roll of Honour - Lincolnshire

Ministry of Defence

Lest We Forget

The Royal British Legion

OWSTON FERRY WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 & 2 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and Copyright © Michael Peck 2007

The Owston Ferry memorial is to be found in the High Street, Owston Ferry, midway on the road boundary of the recreation round. It takes the form of a three stepped base surmounted by tapered shaft and Celtic cross with an inscription in black lettering on the front face of the shaft and on a tablet placed against the front side of the steps, there is a Celtic knot work design on the front face of the cross. Iron railings have been placed on three sides of the memorial with a chain link fence to the front of it. The memorial had been first unveiled on 20th October 1922 by Earl of Yarborough and re-dedicated in July 1947.

A further memorial exists in the church as noted in this extract from Hull Daily Mail - Saturday 7 February 1920, page 3:

OWSTON FERRY WAR MEMORIAL.
UNVEILING CEREMONY.

The unveiling and dedication of this memorial on Thursday last week was the occasion of a most inspiring service in the Parish Church. Festive in character and partaking of the nature of a parochial thanksgiving, the chief note of the day's celebration was honour. Everything showed the existence of a strong desire to honour these men, and the manner which the congregation took their part in the solemn service made this fact abundantly clear. All were proud of their fellow men. Reverent admiration and unsparing devotion were the main features of this beautiful service. Many lights and flowers and some fine laurel wreaths added to the happy solemnity of the unveiling the brass tablet.

This ceremony performed Major Meynell. At the close of evensong the choir, preceded by the banner of St. Martin and the Cross, left the chancel in procession for the west end of the church. The wardens—Messrs Barnard and Leggott—each carrying their wands of office, joined the procession at the screen, and walked immediately before the Vicar, all meanwhile singing Rudyard Kipling's beautiful recessional hymn, "Lest we forget."

"In the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ and honour of brave men," Major Meynell then released the Union Jack which veiled the memorial. He read the inscription recording the tablet's object and the list of names of those who had made the supreme sacrifice, as follows: —Lieut. J. B Betts, D.S.O.; Second-Lieut. G. A. Claypham, R.F.C.; Mr David Cook, master mariner; Sergt. Bertie Lockwood, Lce.-Corpl. G. E. Brown, Lce.-Corpl. William Fielding, Lce.-Corpl. W. H. Parkin, Pte. C. H. Bayes, Pte. Ernest Butroid, Pte. William Clark, Pte. Henry T. Cobb, Pte. Walter Cooper, Pte. J. W. Cordon, Pte. C. Dook, Pte. Joseph Fielding, Pte. A. Norman Fletcher, Pte. Walter Garner, Pte. Ted Harrison, Pte. E. M. Kent, Pte. Wm. Lockwood, Pte. W. Elsome Major, Pte. David Nelson, Pte. J. B. Read, Pte. J. W. Rhoades, Pte. R. Spencer, Pte. J. Tomlinson, Pte. J. G. Toon, Rifleman A. J. Travis, and Pte. Walter Wilson.

After offering the ancient prayer, "Grant them, O Lord, eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them," in deep Silence the moving notes of the " Last post " sounded out. The National Anthem was then lustily sung, and the congregation stood to pray, the curate offering the special prayers suitable for the occasion. The hymn, "There is a blessed home," was then sung, and the Vicar preached a sermon, urging all to be faithful to God and King. Referring to the fact that their fighters had been faithful, he declared that the Church was the army of the living God, and that all who were not really trying to promote His kingdom were betraying their own heroes as well as their God. This view came out again in the well-known processional hymn, "Onward, Christian soldiers," which concluded the service. The tablet is four feet long and three feet wide. The cost about £100, which has practically all been subscribed. Mr T. Eyre presided at the organ.

1914 - 1919
To the honoured memory of those who leaving their homes in this parish, gave their lives for King and Country in the Great War.

BAYES	Charles Henry	Private 50600. 11th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment). Killed in action 16th January 1917. Born Beckingham, Notts, enlisted Lincoln, Lincs and resident Doncaster, Yorks. Commemorated RAILWAY DUGOUTS BURIAL GROUND. VII.E.18.
BETTS	J B	No JB Betts DSO identified, believed should read John William Betts. 2nd Lieutenant. 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment. Killed in action 9th May 1915. Former Police Constable. Commemorated LE TOURET MEMORIAL. Panels 23 and 24.
BROWN	George Edward	Private 27856. 15th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment), formerly 13159 Lincolnshire Regiment. Killed in action 15th May 1917, aged 22 years. Son of Charles and Sarah Ann Brown. Husband of Florence Brown of 8 Brewery Terrace, Wath on Dearne, Yorks. Born West Butterwick, enlisted Epworth, Lincs and resident Wath on Dearne, Yorks. Commemorated THIEPVAL MEMORIAL. Pier and Face 10C, 10D and 11A.
BUTROID	Ernest	Private 42685. 8th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment, formerly 15283 Lincolnshire Regiment. Killed in action 4th November 1918, aged 23 years. Son of Jesse and Sarah Butroid of South Street, Owston Ferry, Lincs. Born and enlisted Gainsborough, Lincs. Commemorated WARGNIES-LE-GRAND CHURCHYARD.
CLARK	William	Private 204209. 7th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Died of wounds 28th April 1918, aged 19 years. Son of William and Mary Clark of Station Road, Owston Ferry, Lincs. Born Owston Ferry, enlisted Scunthorpe and resident Owston Ferry, Lincs. Commemorated ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY. LXVI.A.14.
CLAYPHAN	George Alfred	2nd Lieutenant. 12 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. Killed in action 4th December 1917, aged 19 years. Son of Fred and Alice Clayphan of Trent Hall, Owston Ferry, Lincs. Commemorated BUCQUOY ROAD CEMETERY, Ficheux. II.L.5.
COBB	Henry Thomas	Private 303106. 8th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Killed in action 9th April 1917. Enlisted Gainsborough, Lincs and resident Doncaster, Yorks. Commemorated ROCLINCOURT MILITARY CEMETERY. I.B.22.
COOK	David	Civilian. Master Mariner of the ship ‘Humber’ (London). Died 25th January 1918. Commemorated TOWER HILL MEMORIAL.
FIELDING	Joseph	Private 15991. 6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Killed in action 8th June 1917. Born and enlisted Gainsborough, resident Owston Ferry, Lincs. Would appear to be Joseph Fielding born c 1893 in Owston Ferry, the 3rd son of William and Eliza Fielding, and brother of William Fielding. Commemorated YPRES (Menin Gate) MEMORIAL. Panel 21.
FIELDING	William	L/Corporal 40726. 1st Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment. Killed in action 18th April 1917, aged 29 years. Son of William and Eliza Fielding of North Street, Owston Ferry, Lincs. Enlisted Lincoln, Lincs and resident Doncaster, Yorks. Commemorated LOOS MEMORIAL. Panel 39 and 40.
FLETCHER	Alfred Norman	Private 46549. 4th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment. Killed in action 26th march 1918, aged 25 years. Son of Thomas and A.E Fletcher of Melville, Owston Ferry, Lincs. Born Owston Ferry, enlisted Scunthorpe and resident Owston Ferry, Lincs. Commemorated POZIERES MEMORIAL. Panel 67 and 68.
GARNER	Walter	Private. In the 1911 census he was aged 17, born 1894 in Owston Ferry, Lincolnshire. a Farm Servant, boarding at High Melwood, Owston Ferry, Owston, Lincolnshire.
HARRISON	Ted	Private 335588. 5/6th Battalion, Royal Scots Regiment. Killed in action 11th August 1918. Born Epworth, Lincs, enlisted Retford, Notts and resident Doncaster, Yorks. Commemorated BOUCHOIR NEW BRITISH CEMETERY. VI.D.29.
KENT	Edward Mansell	Private 82013. 56th Coy, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), formerly 128463 Lincolnshire Regiment. Killed in action 28th March 1918, aged 22 years. Son of Mr and Mrs T.W Kent of Waddingham, Lincs. Born Kirton in Lindsey, enlisted Scunthorpe and resident Owston Ferry, Lincs. Commemorated ARRAS MEMORIAL. Bay 10.
LOCKWOOD	Bertie	L/Corporal 8822. 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Died of wounds 10th April 1916, aged 27 years. Son of William and Mary Annie Lockwood of North Street, Owston Ferry, Lincs. Born Owston Ferry, enlisted Lincoln and resident Owston ferry, Lincs. Commemorated CALAIS SOUTHERN CEMETERY. Plot C. Row 2. Grave 9.
LOCKWOOD	William Henry	L/Corporal 34518. 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Died of wounds 18th April 1917, aged 32 years. Husband of Annie Lockwood of Coronation Terrace, North Street, Crowle, Lincs. Born Owston Ferry and enlisted Crowle, Lincs. Commemorated ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY. XIX.B.17A.
MAJOR	William Elsom	Private 29998. 1st Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Killed in action 8th October 1918, aged 30 years. Son of Mrs C Major of Post Office, Owston Ferry, Lincs. Born Owston Ferry, Lincs and enlisted Doncaster, Yorks. Commemorated PROSPECT HILL CEMETERY, Gouy. III.E.17.
PARKIN	William Morris	L/Corporal 10576. 6/7th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. Killed in action 21st March 1918, aged 24 years. Son of Joseph and Elizabeth Parkin of Gunthorpe, Lincs. Born Silvertown, London, enlisted Gainsborough and resident Grainthorpe, Lincs. Commemorated ARRAS MEMORIAL. Bay 5.
RHOADES	John William	Private 31083. 2nd Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, formerly 4493 Durham Light Infantry. Killed in action 12th September 1916. Born Owston Ferry and enlisted Epworth, Lincs. Commemorated FLATIRON COPSE CEMETERY, Mametz. III.I.11.
TORN	John G	Private 82189. 8th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), formerly 28379 Lincolnshire Regiment. Killed in action 27th May 1918. Son of Mrs M.J Torn of Owston Ferry, Lincs. Born Owston Ferry, enlisted Scunthorpe and resident Owston Ferry, Lincs. Commemorated SOISSONS MEMORIAL.
TRAVIS	Arthur J	Private 266258. 2/7th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment. Killed in action 17th February 1917, aged 22 years. Son of Arthur and Mary Amelia Travis of Rose Cottage, Owston Ferry, Lincs. Enlisted and resident Leeds, Yorks. Commemorated FRANKFURT TRENCH BRITISH CEMETERY, Beaumont-Hamel. D.13.
WILSON	W	Unable to identify CWGC/SDGW and no further information currently.
Their name liveth for evermore.
1939-1945
BROCKLEBANK	Albert Victor	Guardsman 2720901. 1st Battalion, Irish Guards. Died 28th April 1943, aged 28 years. Commemorated OUED ZARGA WAR CEMETERY. 1.D.9.
DUFFIELD	Wilfred Herbert	Sergeant 1072742. 11 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died 1st September 1942. Commemorated FAYIO WAR CEMETERY. 2.G.23.
HUNT	Frederick Leonard	L/Sergeant 4538680. 10th Battalion, Parachute Regiment, Army Air Corps. Died 19th September 1944, aged 25 years. Son of Walter William and Charlotte Hunt of Owston Ferry, Lincs. Commemorated ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY. 6.D.16.
SMITHSON	Walter Clarence	Gunner 950451. 1 Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery. Died 15th April 1941, aged 22 years. Son of Thomas W and Sarah Smithson of Owston Ferry, Lincs. Commemorated TOBRUK WAR CEMETERY. 3.J.4.
STEPHENSON	J	Distinguished Conduct Medal. Sergeant 5046681. 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. Died 23rd August 1944, aged 31 years. Husband of Mary Ann Stephenson of Lisburn, Co Antrim, N. Ireland. Commemorated ST DESIR WAR CEMETERY. V.B.5.

Last updated 14 November, 2024

War Memorials Trust