Photo of Barton Hoppers Company Names to Faces

This photo is definitely one of the more well known ones of the history of Hoppers Company and the Barton Territorials. When I began researching, I was pushed to find anyone who knew a single soul in these photos. 

Thanks to a great many hours in the libraries and museums archives that relate to Barton's Great War history, and of course the advent of the computer age (I started all this on a heavy keyed Imperial typewriter off Barton Tip with a great amount of John Lovett's ribbons and an accounts book from Hugh Varah) and some good recent research involving Lawrence Robinson and some very gracious Bartonians with very keen memories especially it has become possible to put the names to faces.  Sorry to rant on about this but without their help these lads of Barton would have been more or less consigned to history.

As usual click on photo for larger image.  Photo by kind permission of Brian Peeps. 

Where it is possible I shall try and see who else can be named in the future.  Information is correct as far as information has been given

SIDNEY JACK ROBINSON AND THE SUICIDE CLUB

Sidney or  'Jack' as he preferred to be named appears in a number of photos-he enlisted initially into Barton Company but by 1917, an obviously keen eye (no badge recorded) got him a place in the 29th Machine Gun Corps. 

He did his training at Grantham, where the sound must have been terrific, on Lewis Guns, then state of the art killing machines. Tony Robinson and his time team made a programme about the MGC school.
He made Corporal by the end of the war, and the only remark on his conduct sheet was ''Very sober''.
Trenchfoot, or ulcerative phlebitis was started it seems, by a scratch from barbed wire. The condition was to scar men's legs for life. 
When he returned from the war, Jack went back to Hoppers to work.

 

Jack sitting right on this photo with his pre-war comrades.  The others are named elsewhere. 

This is while Jack was still in the Lincolns.   The other two are probably Barton men.

 

 At the Machine Gun Corps training School in Grantham.  Brian Peeps says the man standing next to Jack is possibly a Barton man. 

 A shot of what looks like the instructors of the MG school at Grantham

 

Corporal Jack Robinson 5th Lincolns and 29th Batt. Machine Gun Corps

NAMES FOR INCLUSION ON BARTON CENOTAPH

Cases For Inclusion.

The following is a list of the men who whose names are not on the Cenotaph.

For reasons that are obscured by time the following men were not included despite some of them at least having stronger links with Barton than some of those on the stone at Barrow Road. Some of those I have included with the official list, because I feel it would be simply unfair not to include them. George F.Cammack for example, although not having seen active service, dying within a few days of enlisting was ipso facto, a soldier whose name most certainly should have been added to the Cenotaph. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission sees fit to list him among the fighting men!
Local political motives always affect situations such as the erection of monuments-the men making the decisions were mostly elderly buffers who had no experience at all of the carnage of the four and a half years of the First World War. Perhaps they wanted to save money. Local and national government moaned about the cost of raising cenotaphs in every town and village. However the people in these towns demanded it.

Perhaps there was a bit of wrangling over inclusion. Lt.Colonel Wilson DSO, on a few committees, would have fought the soldier’s corner for every name he could have included. 

Perhaps it was assumed that men would be included on other memorials.

Had these men been away from the town for too long?

Were there requests from families for names not to be included?

Were some of the men simply (perish the thought) forgotten in the rush to erect a monument? It actually went up in 1919. Perhaps payments were made-little changes in local bureaucracy, even over the passage of years. This list of men brings the Barton total up to nearly 200, a sobering thought. The population of Barton was to drop by 40 per cent over the next forty years.

(Winteringham had no such worries-of only three places in the British Isles, all of their men returned)

I feel that an extra stone with these men’s names upon it should be made.

Frank GIBSON

19^th October 1918

Gunner 805491 Royal Artillery Territorial Force

Born at Barton. Enlisted at Houghton-le-Spring.

Harry Skepworth HARE

25^th June 1917

Private 60375 East Yorkshire Regiment

Born at Barton and enlisted at York.

Died of wounds. Formerly 174868 Royal Army Service Corps.

John Edward ALLISON MM

Private 11/802 11th East Yorkshire Regiment

12^th April 1918

Killed in action in Flanders. Born in Barton.

Rupert Wilfred GRANT

Private 201848 1^st/4^th East Yorkshire Regiment

Born at Barton and enlisted at Hull.

William GARTON

14^th February 1916

Private 17162 10^th Notts. and Derby Regiment-Sherwood Forresters

Born at Barton and enlisted at Nottingham.

Killed in action.

Henry SHARPLEY

24 years old

24^th March 1917

Lieutenant Royal Field Artillery Territorial Force 66^th Trench Mortar Battery

Henry’s name may sound familiar to some. His name is only emblazoned over the top of the library door in stone. His family Henry and May (of Ulceby) left the house to the people of Barton in memory of him. Henry died during the 3^rd battle of Ieper. (Passchendael) As he was in a trench mortar unit, much of his service would have been in the front line, and he could have been a trench mortar officer (TMO)

James SALMON

1206 Lance Corporal ‘E’ Company 1^st/5^th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

The son of James and Margaret of Sluice Mill, South Ferriby, James was killed on 20^th May 1915 in the mining incident at E1L. James is buried at Packhorse Farm Cemetery, Ieper. Born and enlisted at Barton upon Humber.

Edwin SENGER

21 years old

16^th June 1916

Private 1765 1^st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. I discovered his name while looking for others on the Menin Gate. He has no known grave.

Edwin was born at Barton and was residing at Doncaster. Killed in action.

John Henry ADAMSON

13^th October 1915

Private 1707 ‘E’ Company 1^st/5^th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

Born at Beverley and enlisted at Barton, John lived at New Holland. Killed on the Hohenzollern Redoubt.  Referred to as Barton man at time of his death by papers.

Fred COUPLAND

Sergeant 240712

27^th August 1918

Died of wounds. Fred was born at Barton and enlisted at Grimsby. His address was in Hull.

Frank Edward SELLARS

Private 12499 9^th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

26^th November 1915

Frank was born at Barton and enlisted at Scunthorpe. He died ‘home’. Brother of Arthur Sellars on the Cenotaph. Photo available.

W. Harold WHITEHEAD

28 years old

13^th November 1915

Harold was the brother of Harold Whitehead of the Humber Candle Works in Cottage Lane. He had left for Australia after receiving an appointment at Catherine Hill Bay. On the outbreak of War, feeling the pull of the old country too great, he enlisted in the 5^th Field Ambulance of the Australian Medical Organisation (AMO) He had arrived in the Dardanelles in May. He died of dysentery. Harold was the son of Elizabeth and William of Leeds. H is buried at Pieta Military Cemetery.

 

Ernest BEESCROFT or Beacroft

Drowned swimming in the Rhine in 1919 during the occupation at Köln. Ernest was buried with full military honours. Buried in the same spot as Alfred Taylor Woodcock.

 

Joseph Wilberforce GRASSBY

27 years old

15^th Rifles (Indian Regiment)

The son of Mr and Mrs. James Grassby, Joseph lived at ‘St.Kilda’, Queen Street. He left a widow and child.

Frank BYGOTT

20 years old

July 15^th 1916

Corporal 15/74, 15^th Prince of Wales Own West Yorkshire Regiment

The son of Mr and Mrs J. Bygott of Cornhill Farm, Frank was killed by a headshot in Flanders. Frank enlisted at Leeds.

Ernest APPLEYARD

3^rd May 1917

Private 32996, 9^th East Yorkshire Regiment

Born at Barton and enlisted at Hull. Killed in France and Flanders.

Thomas John BRUMBY

9^th November 1914

Private 5860 Coldstream Guards

Born at Barton and enlisted at Gainsborough, Thomas was a resident of Barrow.

Clarence CLAPSON

28^th May 1918

Private 57256 Lancashire Fusiliers

Killed in action France and Flanders. Enlisted at Louth and Born at Barton.

Fred COUPLAND

27^th August 1918

Sergeant 240712 5^th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment.

Born at Barton and enlisted in Grimsby. Resided Hull.

Fred died of wounds-France and Flanders.

George ALTOFT
33 years old
Corporal 6280 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regt
Assault on Aubers Ridge
Born at Barton according to Soldiers Died and his military census return- enlisted at Market Rasen George was living at Osgoodby and was a pre-war soldier.  Son of Joseph and Charlotte Alltoft He is on Osgoodby memorial.


Robert Archie HAITH
Kings Shropshire Light Infantry and 15th Reserve Training Battalion
Lived 54 Pasture Road, the son of John N  Haith  An 18 years old quarry man when enlisted on 21-10-1916. Out to France 29-1-17 Regarded as of good character and as honest steady and sober. Robert contracted tuberculosis and pleural effusion in Salonika in 1917 and was due to service in the field.
Transferred to Valetta in Malta on 17-9-1917, and then to the Braemar Castle to Bristol by November 1918.  
He received a Chelsea Pensioners number. He was discharged from the military on 16th March 1918.

 

 

 

Leonard Raymond JENNINGS

12^th October 1918

Private 424741 1^st/5^th Staffordshire Regiment

Born at Barton and enlisted at Chichester. A resident of Petersfield, Hants. Formerly 51215, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action in Flanders. Listed in the 1899 Glanford quarter for births and the soldiers died database.
There is a Reginald Jennings on the St Mary's Memorial

Richard MELLERSHIP

25 years old approx 
9^th August 1915

L/Cpl 11413, 6^th Lincolnshire Regiment

Enlisted at Gainsborough. Killed in action at Gallipoli-same battalion as Fred Smith who was killed three days prior. Missing in action. Reported as a Barton man in the Scunthorpe Star.  Also on St Mary's panels.  Born in Barton and according to military record and a boiler maker married to Daisy with two children-very literate by the days standards, enlisted 31st August 1914.  She was living at 5 Grey Street Gainsborough after the war ended. 

Percy SAXBY

31 years old 
22^nd August 1917

Private 10213, 6^th Lincolnshire Regiment

Born at Barton and enlisted at Lincoln

Killed in action in Flanders. Remembered at Tyne Cot Cemetery panel 35-38
Son of Charles and Harriet of 17 Carr St. Lincoln-actually born in Barrow according to census return.

John WICKSTEAD

14^th January 1917

Cpl. TT/889 Royal Army Veterinary Corps

Born at Barton and enlisted at Oakham. Died at Home. Buried at Meltham Mills, Yorks. near to family home.

Harry Thomas WOODWARD

26 years old. 
2^nd August 1917

Private 40786 2^nd Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

Killed in action in Flanders. Born in Barton, enlisted at Hull.  Burned at Coxyde Military Cemetery in West Flanders.

Charles BROCKELBANK MM

26 years old 
24^th November 1917

Sergeant 18592 20^th Lancashire Fusiliers

Born at Bracebridge, Lincoln and living at Barton. Enlisted at Salford, Lancs.

Killed in action in Flanders.  His wife Ellen, and father lived at Chapel Farm.She received his military medal in 1918  Reported in the press as a Barton man.
Not on Ilkeston, Croxton, or Ulceby war memorials.  (Possibly farm labouring family or farmers)

Albert PARKER

21^st July 1918

L/Cpl 241635 2^nd/5^th Duke of Wellington’s Own West Riding Regiment

Born at Ulceby and resided at Barton. Died at Flanders. Not on Ulceby memorial.

C F WILSON

23 years old
Killed in action 6-2-17
L/Cpl. 50618, 16^th Notts. and Derbyshire Regiment-Sherwood Forresters

Born at Irby on Humber Lincs. and enlisted at Caistor. Residing at Barton. Killed in action in Flanders. Not on Irby memorial. Mother and father were Charles and Annie Elizabeth Wilson of Burnham Beeches. Buried at Vlamertinghe military cemetery.

GEORGE HENRY COLLEY

  
George Henry Colley in the uniform of the Yorks and Lancs Regiment
 

George with his family and Charlotte his wife. Mary Jane is on the left here, and John William Felix on the right from her marriage to John Burgess (deceased) The baby in the middle is Harry, the child they had together.

George was born in Hull around 1883.  He was living in Barton in 1911 at 37
Nott Hill (error on census?) and worked at Hoppers making bicycle parts.
He married Charlotte (nee Bilton) on Christams Day 1914, at St Marys.
Her first husband John William Burgess has died young in 1908 at the age of 32.
John and Charlotte had two children in their marriage, Mary Jane b 1900 and John William Felix Burgess b 1902.

George and Charlotte had one child, George Henry aka Harry, who went on to fight with the Black Watch in WW2.

George himself served in the Yorks and Lancs Regiment and was transferred to the Labour Corps, presumably after injury.

Mr. Chris Andrews who graciously donated these photos informs us;
''My Mother recalls that George mentioned that he was gassed in the war, although he would rarely speak of it.  He would, wherever he dined, always use his own cutlery from the trenches , that he carried around in a small wooden box.''

                         George and Charlotte in Sunday best 

     At the beach, a great day out and normal pastime for ex-soldiers

  
George in the autumn of his years in occupational pose looking very happy in his work


After the war, George went on to being a gardener at Bardney Hall Convent school.  He passed away in 1953 and is buried in Barrow Road cemetery.

 

All information and photos above kindly donated by Mr Chris Andrews.

ERIC ESPIN-a short history of a soldiers life.

Eric James Espin's story has a personal touch for me, as I knew him quite well, having seen him on most days for about ten years.  It was through the Hoppers Club and McGarry's (my mother's workplace) betting shop (corner of George St and Priestgate-now a hairdressers) where I saw Eric mostly.  While I am not an authority on Eric, I did know him as reasonably well as any acquaintance in Barton.

He looked after the board in the betting shop with a marker pen in hand and prior to the marker board, chalk  on a blackboard-and woe betide anyone who accidentally rubbed the results off! Another thing, I don't recall misbehaving when he was around, as he had a something of a stern military demeanour. 
The most stuff I recall bout him is as I got older with his tales of old days in Barton.
  

Eric Espin in later years

Eric would listen, an ear cocked at the old tannoy, stained by years of heavy smoking, as were the ceiling and everything else as it blasted out the races and results,his face etched in concentration.  This was post retirement officially, and Eric had been a Hoppers man most of his working life, as a polisher.
He could be quite curmudgeonly at his work; he was a paid employee, but he bought my mother a bar of Bournville chocolate every week as a treat.
Every night after work, the pair of them would walk up High Street together, and chat for half an hour on the corner of Finkle Lane where he lived for a long time.  By then he was a widower.
As I vaguely remember he only ever told me that he was a flag wagger (signalman) and had been frequently shot at while standing on the parapet of a trench, directing artillery fire. 
As far as I recall that was the only thing he mentioned!
Maurice told us that ''He never really talked about it, only to say he'd had a rough time.''

Eric, second row up, fourth left with his signal company of the 13th Notts. and Derby Territorial Battalion, one of five battalions of the Notts. and Derbyshire (Sherwood Foresters) that he was transferred into.

Studio portrait of Eric, looking very soldierly,  by B. Parker of Barton.  He maintained a military air many years on into old age.

The postcard that Eric sent to his parents. As can be seen, it is from Holland but he would not have been there in 1916 as the postmark shows.

Eric wrote his parents a quick note to basically say that he was going to France on 10th December 1916, for the trenches, a colder and more miserable introduction to the rigours of army life could not be imagined,  His first draft was cancelled and he was leaving camp for London that night.



Dominoes was another love and he whiled away his spare time playing them in the dimly lit Hoppers Club with Dick Fowler and other well known faces.

Eric was perfectly bald in late life, small in stature and for his age, certainly, he had almost a wrinkle free skin and this was he told us many times, due to his washing in cold water!  He was a very orderly man, and you could quite see him being an army man.

He had a wicked sense of humour, and he would as an example, when they were sat round a dominoes table, himself and Dick Fowler-if they knew someone was having a picnic, or a wedding they would just mutter to each other ''Best thing it could do is p*ss it down this weekend!''  

When Eric passed away, a plaque was put up in his memory at Hoppers Club, as he was much missed.

 

Back For More.  In WW2 Eric joined the Home Guard Searchlight Section-this was by no means an easy task when German bombers were saturating Hull and the Lincs Coast with HE (High Explosive)  In this photo his section has won a cup for a competition. Eric is on the right. Anybody know who the others are?

                                                                         Maurice with Eric

 

Eric, it is believed is fourth left in second row up in this photo.  I would love to know where it was taken.  Anything familiar to anyone?

This last photo is a mystery.  It came in a  batch of Eric's photos-the uniform is Scottish but it was unnamed. There is a slight family resemblance so possibly it could be a cousin?  It was taken by B.Parker the ever present photographer for Barton.  The only match I have is Charles Farmery for a Highland Regiment.

The bulk of these photos were kindly loaned by Mr Maurice Espin.  The postcard of Holland with Eric's message was kindly loaned by Mr Chris Andrews, whose mother and grandparent's knew Eric's sisters, Gladys and Beryl very well.

BARTON SOLDIER WHO LEFT HIS MARK IN ARRAS

While finishing (there seems to be no such word!) this archive, a chance encounter bought to my attention by a Mr. Ian Gawthorpe of Hull, himself a keen historian from o'er the water, about a meeting he had had, with the owner of a hotel The Diamant- in the city of Arras in Northern France, which was subjected to a momentous advance by the Canadian and British army from 9th April 1917.

The battle of Arras was revolutionary because the new tactics of combined aeroplane bombardment and tank assault were put into motion for the first time. It was a success but the limited imaginations of the chiefs of staff meant that the gains were not fully exploited.

Ian informed me, through a message on the Great War forum, that he had visited the Diamant in Arras.  While there, the minehost showed him the basement.  Among some other scribblings on the wall was this mesaage-

He had kept it aside fro some time, in case anyone had wanted to see it.
To be honest it was a bit of a shock to be presented with the photo!

   Laurel House, Whitecross Street one time home to Herbert A Wilson.


As has been historically shown, the young soldiers under fierce bombardment were in the habit of scrawling things on walls, and this is what Herbert Wilson, 41 years old of Laurel House on Whitecross Street did, possibly with a chalk or even his bayonet just a few days before he died.  The owner of the hotel told Ian that anyone related to Herbert would be given a free night at the hotel.  Herbert ran a billiard hall at Calverley, a well to do bit of Yorkshire before returning to Barton after 1911.  It could well be that he was running the billiard room at Hoppers Club, given that he lived at Laurel House.  He was married but the couple were chldless.
It was only a few days after drawing his inscription that Herbert was killed in action in phase two of the Arras battle. 
Down to the left is his regimental number which tallies, and his regiment the 8th Royal Fusiliers, which took a beating over the next few days afterwards.

After a meeting at Sargeants Ice Cream Parlour, Ian, left on this photo with Neil and Ken Mechen, and Kens wife, showing the photo they took in the hotel Diamant, we have decided to go to France together at some point, after much discussion about Barton and Hull in the Great War.

Soldiers often left their mark in places, the most famous of all being the prison cell where men about to be executed for desertion left their marks at Poperinghe.  A futile last act, the need to leave a mark of some kind, the realization that all was not going to be well, or just taking his mind off
bombardment, we will probably never know why Herbert felt the need to graffiti his details into the cellar.   In any case a few days later Herbert had been killed, a 41 years old man was most likely not the quickest soldier in the front line, and he is buried under a stone at Gourock Trench Cemetery which holds many from the advance out of Arras from the 8th Royal Fusiliers.

A SECOND ROLL OF HONOUR PART 2

Part 2 of the Barton Upon Humber Roll of Honour from M to Z.  This is the list drawn up by a local newspaper source unknown, but possibly Scunthorpe Star.

It comprises of men from Barton and includes those not affiliated with the main churches of the parishes of St.Peter and St.Mary.

As previously stated it appears to be in groupings of families but this is not for certain, and if that is the case then it is incomplete. 

Not all in the list served overseas, some were far too old, and may have been working on for example Inland Waterways, which qualified them as war workers.

Naylor James

Newbitt Tom
Newbitt William Ernest

Newbown Thomas+

Newmarch Thomas

Newton James+
Newton Thomas Middleton
Newton Thomas W

Nicholson Fred+
Nicholson William Robert Living in Manchester

Norris Oscar
Norris Robert+

North-Cox Wilfrid

Nunn Walter Charles

Nurse John Alfred


Oldridge Arthur
Oldridge Edward Arnold b 1878 Newport Street
Oldridge Edward
Oldridge Frederick
Oldridge George
Oldridge Herbert
Oldridge James
Oldridge John William+
Oldridge Joseph
Oldridge Stanley

Osgerby Arthur
Osgerby Harry Frank
Osgerby Joseph+ this seems to confirm there were definitely two Josephs
Osgerby Joseph+
Osgerby Robert
Osgerby Thomas
Osgerby William

Oxley George Charles

Pape George Dickson L Cpl 419/58 and HR 29233 Royal Engineers Stone Mason of Holydyke Stone Works. Army works was stone and quarries dept. 36 years old on discharge-also hospitalised at some point 
Enlisted as a clerk.

 
Parish George Edward

Parker Albert
Parker Walter+
Parker Wilfred

Parkinson Frederick George
Parkinson Samual Brocklesby
Parkinson Norman

Parks Harry

Parnaby Thomas Reginald

Pea Barratt

Pearson George Ernest

Peck Albert
Peck Alfred
Peck Charles+
Peck Harold Grassby+
Peck George
Peck John
Peck Percy

Philipson Edgar

Pickard Alonza
Pickard Benjamin
Pickard Charles
Pickard George
Pickard George
Pickard Herbert+
Pickard Robert+
Pickard Walter

Pike Alfred
Pike Morris
Pike James William

Plaskitt Herbert

Poole Charles Percy Blagboro?

Portas George William

Powell Edwin Cross

Proctor Harold
Proctor Ernest
Proctor William

Proctor George+
Proctor Thomas+

Purnell Arthur john

Quickfall John

Rand Arthur

Reed Edwin
 
Reed John Edward

Richardson Arthur
Richardson Edmund+
George
George William

Richmond Jonathan Waterman assisting father on Sloop aged 16 in 1911 DH 12012 married Goulthorp 1918 died in Scunthorpe 1962

Robinson Arthur Pickering
Robinson Charles
Robinson Charles
Robinson Charles
Robinson Edwin+
Robinson George William
Robinson Harold Keel 
Robinson Herbert
Robinson James Henry
Robinson Richard
Robinson Sidney
Robinson Sidney Jack
Robinson Thomas John
Robinson Walter
Robinson William Alfred
Robinson William Henry

Robson Charles Herbert

Rose James
Rose Ryan
Rose Alec C.

Salter Frank Linley

Sanderson Arthur
Sanderson Frank
Sanderson Edward
Sanderson Frederick Hewson Cyclist Battalion and then Buffs-living at Crowland post war.

Scott J A
Scott John Robert

Seddon Frank
Seddon Harry
Seddon John

Seddons Alfred

Sempers Arthur F
Sempers Joseph Frederick
Sempers William

Shakesby Cyril Haydn Upholsterer from Hull East Yorks and MGC
Shakesby Clarence Vale Commissioned into East Yorks and RFC_RAF

Sharpe James
Sharpe Clarence

Shucksmith Ernest Bilton born 1879 35 in 1914 Eastfield Road East Yorks 13/654 (13 Battn)

Simpson John Green

Small Henry Wright Taylor
Small Robert

Smith Alfred
Smith Frederick
Smith Frederick
Smith Harry
Smith Lancelot
Smith Walter Wright+ Solicitors clerk of Marsh House

Sobey A
Sobey A
Sobey James Walter+
Sobey John William

Solca Albert Henry Hull man

Southall George
Southall Harry
Southall Joseph

Sparks Ernest+

Spencer William Arthur  Tentercroft House Brick manuf b1888

Squire Thomas Henry

Staff Henry

Stainton Fred

Stamford Fred

Stamp Cyril
Stamp Edward
Stamp Ernest
Stamp William Curtis

Stanley Walter

Stead George

Stephenson Percy

Stockdale Edwin

Stone William Richard

Stones Edward Stanley

Stow Arthur+
Stow Arthur
Stow
Stow Charles
Stow Frederick George+
Stow William Arthur+  

Strange Charles Herbert


Stuffin Albert Edward
Stuffin Arthur Leonard
Stuffin W

Styles Isaac George d Northumberland 1936

Such Cyril Playfoot Northumberland Fusiliers and Labour Corps.

Swanson Marshall 5th Seaforth Higlanders?

Symons William

Taylor Arthur+
Taylor George Arthur
Taylor Gilbert

Tew William Sidney  Cycle Liner and Motor Liner Hoppers-possibly not correct middle name

Thompson Edward
Thompson George William
Thompson H
Thompson John William
Thompson John Robert
Thompson Morwood  63 High S.  Cycle Fitter 1874 or son 1898
Thompson John

Thornton HArry

Thurlby Arthur
Thurlby Harry

Tindall Thomas Everitt Appears to be from Brigg

Todd John Thomas born 1896 family came from Stainton le Vale Father was a farm foreman, living at Beaumont-cote.

Tonks George

Toogood William David aged 26 in 1911 with a family iat 41 High St.  Cycle Works (brakes)

Towle Charles Frederick
Towle Wilfred
Towle William

Troop Fred

Trought Ernest

Trowell Harold

Toplin or Tuplin Joseph Robert




Thompson John William  

























 











 









Sempers Arthur F  
















 

 










 

REPAIR OF LT COL WILSONS GRAVE CARRIED OUT 27 Feb 2013

It was physical but it was worth it.  Thanks to Scott Robinson, both me and his father Laurie Robinson did some worthwhile work yesterday.

Previously it had been reported in this blog that the grave of Colonel Wilson had been vandalized or maybe damaged by a.n.other!!  but after a morning's labour Laurie,  the grandson of Jim Knight, with I have to say, minimal help from me, have put this right.
Lawrence bought with him not only tools, but a long and vast career and knowledge of renovation and building with him.  I'm not sure what I bought, but I bought it along anyway!
The main job is done and we just have to do a few other bits. I'm not sure if Lt.Col Wilson has any family around, but we felt this should be put to rights.

             The damage done, which has been left for four odd years.

 

        

Drill out ready to go.  Is there nothing this man cannot build? 

                                         
                                Acid treatment of the lettering

                                              
                          There's always time to lean on the shovel

Putting concrete bond into the base of the cross.  The base had to be dug out, lifted on bricks and refilled with quick set.  It took a little time levering the base up but we got there.  After the bond was put beneath base, which had subsided, iwe levered it back into place. We then drilled a hole in the base and sunk a stainless steel rod into it before drilling a matching hole in the cross, and putting it back in place. Laurie then bonded the cross onto the stone.  Should be good for another hundred years.

 

The job finished 

Just about returned to it's former glory.

In the background is Henry Wilson's grave and Henry Paley Wilson.  These are most likely Col. Wilsons father and brother.  They all lived at the Old Hall down by the Maltkilns. (Later Chemical Lane)  Henry Wilson and Paley Wilson were both Justices of the Peace as was Lt. Colonel Harold G. Wilson 

Contact details for this Blog

If you have any further information about the role of Barton and district men in the First World  War,  or if you can identify any men in the photo sections, or if you would like your own photos added to the site,  have any general enquiries, or need assistance with tracing your First World War heritage, please do not hesitate contact me via email:-

barton.company@yahoo.co.uk

Telephone 01724 489798 

For in Barton contact please get in touch with:

Lawrence Robinson on 01652 633536 

his email is:

larobinson44@yahoo.co.uk

To clarify I do not necessarily require original photos or documents, just good copies but anything loaned will be returned immediately after scanning.

Many Thanks

Sean Scholfield

GROUP PHOTOS BRIDLINGTON 1ST/5TH LINCOLNS

This photo was kindly loaned by the family of Charles Ensor Watkinson who is standing 4th left on the back row, capless. 
Charles was wounded three times in action, and was once rescued by Jim Knight.
He bore the scars of battle on his face, 'not severe, but enough for us to remember them' and was he hospitalised in Dundee for a time according to notes of his sons.
Mr. Watkinson's family was huge-his mother Victoria had 13 children, and one of the ladies that visited the Dundee hospital informed him that she was an aunt.

The Watkinsons were a police family-Charles was a cycle worker.
His son joined the constabulary after World War 2, making Chief Superintendent.

Standing next to him, according to the late Mr Watkinson, is Charles' long time pal Bacon. This is possibly George Bacon. He also survived the conflict.  There are many familiar faces here, and the photograph will be looked into more deeply at a further date.
Sidney Jack Robinson can be seen standing arms folded with another mans hand on his shoulder about 8th right with moustache.  He went onto Grantham and into the Machine Gun Corps.

Charles was born 18th April 1895  By the end of the war he had made Sergeant.
His 1st/5th Lincolns number was 1521 and he joined up on 3rd August 1914-perhaps he knew for definite there would be a war as it was duly expected and declared by Britain the next day.   He was at the training at Luton, Stansted, and was overseas with the first contingent in 1915.

Information provided by Mr. Colin Watkinson. 

 

     Charles on parade-second left of this group of boy soldiers.
George Tonks the Lance Corporal on the right lost his life on the Redoubt in October 1915. This photo was taken at Bridlington-this makes the attestation of Charles a slight mystery-it may be that this photo was taken on 3rd August 1914, the day he was sworn in.   ------Robinson, identified by nephew Brian Peeps is far left, and Charles Ensor Watkinson is second left.  Brian wasn't sure which uncle. Also the photo was printed off in Grimsby.  

PALS WHO JOINED UP TOGETHER

In 1914, as this patriotic fever swept the British isles, or most of it, there were a great number fo men who went to enlist together.
From Barton we have the trio of John William Kirk, William Reginald Ling and Frank Cox.
Their number read Kirk 11/48 Cox 11/49 and Ling 11/50 all went into the 11th East Yorkshires. 

''Reggie'' as he was known lived at 12 Fleetgate and was a polisher, presumably at Hoppers.

Frank was an East Acridge boy and had played as a cup winner for Barton Town FC. There are photos of him on the Barton town website. He was also a cycle polisher.

John William Kirk lived somewhere between High St and King St but what is certain is that the Kirks (one member fo the family painted horses and riders) lived at the house next to the police station adjoinining Marsh Lane.
Kirks also lived on King Street.
Reggie was at Port Said in February 1916, and disembarked at Marseilles in March 1916.
Frank was in France on 1st January 1916. He served at M------ could be Morval 4 miles North of Albert, (Somme) and Authy. Then he was in Port Said with Reggie at least on the same journey disembarking at the French port on 8th Marsch 16.

They enlisted together on 7th September 1914 (Frank for sure and William) at the Central Recruiting Office at Hull City Hall-as their numbers are so low (originals were 48-49-50 during a recruitment campaign-it might be imagined that they got in fairly early, in the rush to be recruited. I will do some more research on this in due course.
They all did pretty well and got some rank, Frank best of all being a Lance Sergeant. 

Little did they know that by 1918, there was only one of them left, John Kirk, and he was to die in the spring of that year.
Mrs E.H.A Cox (Eugeneie of the New Inn Ulceby. recieved Frank's memorial plaque in 1920  The New Inn was owned by Frank's father in law.
The pair had married at Ulceby Chapel on 29-11-14.  It is possible that the 3 men were present at the wedding. 

These links show two excellent photos of Frank. 

http://www.walter9.info/Ulceby/html/frank_cox.html

http://inbarton.comuf.com/bartontownobfc.htm   scroll down the page for this one.  Thomas Proctor I believe is standing on the right of Frank.

The widow and her two children received a pension of 19s/6d.  a week (97.5p.)


The problem with pals joining together was that they all got killed together. 
This is illustrated in the losses on the Hohenzollern Redoubt. 
These were not pals though, but pre-war volunteers. 
The definition of a Pals battalion was of groups of tradesmen or social group such as artists or engineers Cricketers and Jockeys enlisting en masse examples being the famous Accrington Pals, and the Sportsmen and bantams.
The battalion that the three Barton men joined was one of the Pals Battalions, which were immensely popular in Hull. 
Entire blocks of streets in cities formed their own units. 
When these got decimated, usually in a few minutes of action on the wastelands of the Somme, the government was forced to have a rethink on the policy of letting Pals battalions exist. 
However by the end of 1916 the well had run dry so to speak, enthusiasm had waned, and the eagerness had evaporated.
Henceforth conscription superseded any need for Pals.
Incidentally Grimsby's was apparently the only to be called the Chums. This is a word rarely heard today!.  They were in action at La Boiselle, the huge crater there being their battleground. 

WILLIAM ARTHUR STOW DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY

 William Arthur Stow 'in mufti'.

 After the war, Will stayed on in the army.

 With the cap and badge of the Durham Light Infantry
 

Will on horseback; the cap badge is not Durham Light Infantry-and it could be Machine Gun Corps. 

Will is 2nd right middle row in this photo

This last photo is from service in India, and is British army tropical dress.


These photos are from the collection of Mr. Stow of Barton, and are of William Arthur Stow, who was a dispatch rider with the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) He was born in 1899, and lived at Fernleigh, Marsh Lane.
The job of the dispatch rider was arduous, and they were the target for artillery fire, whose vested interest was in making sure the messages weren't delivered. Riders usually went by horse or motorcycle.

A SECOND ROLL OF HONOUR 1918 Part One

The original listing, previously published, is probably based on the parish of St Mary.
This list probably originated in 1918 and shows a whole lot of new names not previously mentioned.  I am assuming that some of the men named here did not belong to a particular parish church ,or at least were not affiliates of St. Mary's church, which the original (Brethren Pray For Us) list may well be.
This list may also may be, but is not definitely listed by direct families.

The list was shown under the heading ''Barton's roll of honour'' in a newspaper.
It appears that this was a one off, and showed the extent of Barton's involvement in the war.  This is not a pure active service list, and most likely includes men serving in munitions, waterways etc.   Briefly looking at some on this list, there are a more than a handful of men in the late summer of their years-reserved occupations might be included.

Some of the men on other lists are not named here, that is the deifnite omission of the paper. 

Owing to the size of the list, I shall write it in instalments.  The full research will be carried out at a later date, but anyone can feel free to undertake this if they so wish!!

Where names are identical ie two George Havercrofts, this could indicate father and son, both serving as age bar was raised in late 1916. 

John Kirk Adlard +

John Henry Adamson + 

Akester George
Akester George Frederick
Akester George Parker

Akrill James Richard

Alcock Henry +
Alcock Frank Joseph
Alcock Alexander

Allison Ralph
Allison William

Altoft Olwin?
Altoft Harold

Anderson Clifford +
Anderson Donald
Anderson William John

Anderton Edward

Andrew W D

Andrews Albert

Appleby Jack Leslie

Appleyard George Edward  (Roper)
Appleyard John Herbert

Arksey Joseph William +

Armstrong Fred Thompson

Ashton William

Atkinson Charles
George
John R
Peter H
William Arthur

Austin William Arthur
Austin Richard Herbert

Ayre Edwin

Ayre Walter

Bacon Robert Ballden (illeg)

Baker Don
Baker john W.

Bacon Robert

Baker Donald
Baker john W

Ballden? (illeg) Joseph

Bailey Walter

Barker Robert +
Barker William +

Barley John
Barley john Edward +
Barley Robert 
Barley William Herbert

Barnett Joseph
Barnett George

Barraclough Elmett
Barraclough Arthur E.
Barraclough Joseph
Barraclough James
Barraclough Eric Howard

Barton John Henry +

Beacroft Herbert +

Beaumont Frank

Bennett john William Wood
Bennett Fred
Bennett William john

Berry Thomas

Bingley Harold

Birkitt William

Birtwhistle Cyril Hewetson

Blachard John William

Bland George

Blood Thomas William

Blythe Edward
Blythe John William
Blythe Walter Ernest

Bone Cyril C

Booth George Ernest
Booth Norman

Boyd Arthur,
Boyd John
Boyd Samuel Charles

Bradley Arthur
Bradley Eugene

Brackenbury Fred

Brameld Fred

Brand George

Brightman Charles

Brown Leonard George
Brown Herbert
Brown Walter +

Brumpton Ernest

Burgess Harry
Burgess John Alfred

Burkitt Thomas
Burkitt Tom

Burton George

Cade John Percy

Cammack Fred Smith Downe
Cammack George Frederick
Cammack Vincent Neale (sic)
Cammack George W

Campbell Arthur Manley

Cant Arthur
Cant John Morris +

Cantrill Charles

Canty Fred
George

Carline William Edmund

Carr Tom

Carter Ernest

Cash John William

Cawell George Oughton

Cawell Sydney

Chafer Gerge William +

Chant Tom

Chant  William

Chapman Archibald Walter

Chapman George William

Chapman Hodgson

Chapman Levi

Chappell Percy  +

Clapson Ernest 

Clapson Gerard Lacey 2 Holydyke butchers errand (school) (sic-Sacey) 

Clark George William 

Clark William Henry

Clarke Joseph Ellerby +

Clapson Ernest

Clayton Harry +

Clayton John Wright  2359 5th Lincoln?

Clayton Percy +

Clewlow Thomas +

Clipson William

Clipson Arthur

Clipson Frank Harold 821436 Royal Artillery

Clipson George 

Clipson James William 

Clipson John William

Clipson Joseph  385 3rd East Yorkshire Regt? 10 Vaults Lane

Clipson Leonard

Clipson Samuel 

Codd George

Codd Arthur 

Codd Herbert

Codd George Herbert 

Codd John William

Coggan William Walter 18230 Lincolnshire Regt

Cole Charles H

Cole George

Colley George Henry

Collingwood Albert

Collingwood Charles

Collingwood Arthur

Cook Ernest

Cook Herbert +

Cook John

Cooper Alexander

Cooper Cyril Charles

Cooper Randall Richard West Yorkshire 57236 poss

Cooper Gilbert Stanley

Cooper William

Coopland John William +

Coopland Theodosius

Coulam Harold +

Coulam Herbert +

Coverdale James

Cox Charles +

Cox John Edward

Cox Ernest Charles 

Cox Frank +

Cox George William

Cox Harry

Cox Herbert +

Cox William

Cox Leonard  Edward

Cox Robert 

Cox John 

Cox Walter
Cox William

Credland Charles
Credland Harold+
Credland James Edward Connell (sic)

Cressey Edward
Cressey George William
Cressey Percy
Cressey Robert
Cressey George

Crow Edward

Crowther Harry
Crowther William

Curry John William

Curtis Alfred Henry 
Curtis Fred +
Curtis George Henry

Daddy George William
Daddy William

Dawber John Thomas Walwork

Dawson George William
Dawson WIlliam

Day George Roper

Deacon James

Dean Thomas Shadford

Dent Arthur
Dent Harold 
Dent Herbert
Dent John Harold

Dewey Donovan+
Dewey George+
Dewey Sidney

Dickinson Arthur H
Dickinson Horace+

Dimaline Charles

Dinsdale Oswald
Dinsdale Wlater/Walker+

Dixon Arthur
DIxon George William
Dixon Henry
DIxon Sidney

Donkin Stanley Philip

Doughty Cornelius
Doughty Ernest
Doughty Edward
Doughty Fred
Doughty George
Doughty Harold+
Doughty Percy

Douglas Thomas

Dove George
Dove Preston

Draby Alfred Henry

Drury George William
Drury john William

Dunlin John

Dunn Arthur William
Dunn John Edgar

Eastoe Arthur Harold
Easton Horace

Ebbotson Herbert (may be spelling issue)

Ellerby Arthur Harold
Ellerby William Henry

Elliott David Ferguson

Elm Hubert
Elm Percy

Ellwood Cyril Ernest
Ellwood Harold Gibson
Ellwood Hebert

Emmitt Ernest William

Empringham George

Epsin David
Espin Eric James
Espin Harry

Everitt Arthur Edward+

Fairbank Robert

Farmery Charles Henry +
Farmery John

Farr Charles
Farr Henry
Farr Wallace

Farrah James Frederick

Fawcett Fred

Field Clrence Henry
Field George+
Field Harry
Field Raymond Harold+
Field Harold de Witt 37 Queens Ave Outrider Father of  Raymond and Clarence

Fields Percy

Flowers (sic) Alfred

Foster Arthur Elijah
Foster William Henry

Franklin Charles+
Albert+
Edward+
Charlie
John William

French Herbert Carlyle Rhine Army Occupation and 13th London regt
French Rayomnd

Furniss Alfred
Furniss Henry
Furniss John Hunt
Furniss Norman

Gadie Fred+

Geary Albert E+
Geary Arthur George Wharton  37870 RGA
Geary Edward

Gibbons Walter or Walt

Gibbs Edward Thomas

GIlfoy Arthur
GIlfoy Herbert
GIlfoy George+
GIlfoy Harold+
GIlfoy William

Gilliard William Henry

Gleadhill Alfred
Gleadhill Thomas

Gledhill Fred
Gledhill Leonard Samuel

Glover Arthur Baker
Glover George Henry

Goble Herbert

Goodhand Ernest 61 High St Butcher boy
Goodhand Harold  

Goodson George Ernest+
Goodson Robert Dennis Shipwright 22 Pasture Rd 240012 Lincolns
Goodson Shadrach

Clayton john Henry

Gooseman William Robert

Gouldthorpe Charles Lawrence
Gouldthorpe George Frederick
Gouldthorpe Hubert
Gouldthorpe Hoodless
Gouldthorpe Jack
Gouldthorpe R

Grange Harry

Grassby George
Grassby George Francis
Grassby Oliver

Graves James Henry

Gray Donald
Gray Lawrence
Gray George William

Green Alfred+
Green George William+
Green Reginald Bolding
Green Thomas Henry

Greenwood Edward
Greenwood George
Greenwood Sydney Clifford

Grimbleby Charles Henry
Grimbleby Ernest
Grimbleby Thomas Henry

Grindell Charles

Haddock Alfred
Haddock Charles Robert
Haddock William

Hadfield Joseph

Hall Charles Alfred
Hall George William 

Hamilton Ernest
Hamilton Reuben

Hamper Charles Ruston

Hampston Harry 2 Hungate

Hardy E+

Hare William

Hargreaves Harry

Harrison Albert Edward
Harrison Arthur
Harrison Joseph William polisher Hoppers
Harrison Robert

Harrold George Philimore+

Harvey Reginald Burnett Lived at White Swan orig Doncaster
(note son was a dentist-Harveys dentistry two doors down Fleetgate? He would pull teeth on a Saturday night a tthe Swan if you really needed it doing. Maria Chant and George Stephenson bar staff) far too old for army poss Son enlisted

Hastings Thomas
Hastings Thomas William

Havercroft Charles
Havercroft Ernest
Havercroft George
Havercroft George William
Havercroft John
Havercroft John Crompton

Hawes Frederick Arthur

Henderson Robert Cecil Drummond 2 Lt Lab. Cps

Hewitt George
Hewiit Sydney
Hewitt Walter

Hildyard Lewis Albert+

Hill Charles
Hill Ernest+
Hill Harold+

Hobson John William
Hobson Thomas FRederick

Holden Ernest

Holland Herbert+

Hoodless Fred
Hoodless George
Hoodless William Percy

Hope Sam R+

Hopper Ellis Flower  (Durham LI Captain) France Feb 1918
Hopper Frederick Walter
Hopper William
Hopper William

Horne Walter

Hornsey Mark Hesletine  (b 1882 Westfield Road Bricklayer)

Houghton Alfred Templeman Hoppers Clerical RFA Driver
Houghton Sidney Ashton

Howell Harry+ Dam Road Cement works
Howell John Robert

Howson William Alfred

Hudson William
Hudson Herbert
Hudson Ernest

Hunsley Frank

Hunt Reginald+
Hunt Edward
Hunt Harry+
Hunt Percy

Hutchinson Stanley

Jacklin Alfred Horace
Jacklin Walter

Jackson Cyril Lewis
Jackson Lewis
Jackson George
Jackson Percy
Jackson Thomas Stanley

James Donald

Jarvill George Frederick 18 in 1911 Dairyman son

Jennings Walter Edward

Jennison Charles William

Jenny Henry David

Jickells Alfred
Jickells George Henry

Johnson George
Johnson Harry Hall
Johnson John Clark jun
Johnson Robert William

Jordan James Edward

Jubb Frank
Jubb John
Jubb John Brand 27 in 1911 living in Manchester

Kent Thomas
Kerkin (sic) Gilbert Edward

Kerridge Tom
Kerridge Thomas G

King Albert
King Joseph Charles
King James William
King Sidney+
King W J
King William Robert

Kinsley George
Kinsley Joseph

Kirby Albert Edward
Kirby William Matthew

Kirk Horace
Kirk John William
Kirk Tom

Knight James

Lambert George Henry
Langley Willie

Lawrence Dick
Lawrence George

Lawtey Frank
Lawtey Robert
Leaman (sic) Walter

Leaning John William

Ling Ernest+
Ling George
Ling William Reginald+

Linley Herbert
Linley William

Little Richard john

Long William

Loughborough Arthur Donald

Lovell Tom

Lormand? oblit.  William

Luint George Frederick
Lunt John

Lyon Harold Normand+

Lyon Lawrence+

MacIntyre Alan Thomas

Maden Robert Sherry b1895 student in civil service living at Waterworks poss 25th London Regt

Mumby Robert

Marriott Sidney

Matthews Charles
Matthews john Lee
Matthews Thomas William
Matthews Walter Cyril
Matthews John Edward

Meddings J W
Meddings John William

Mellors Percy

Middleton Fred
Middleton Frank

Miller Richard john

Milson Arthur+
Milson Charles Foster
Milson Harold
Milson Herbert

Mintchell? William

Mizen Arthur Frederick

Moore Christopher+

Moore Frank
Moore Thomas Reuben

Morley Alan Hawkins
Morley Donald Ewart
Morley  Edwin Bertram Captain RAMC to France 3-4-1916

Morris Philip Howard 21st Royal Fusiliers 10th West Riding Regt

Mouncey Eli Scott

Murphey Henry James
Murphey Sidney Matthew
















 































 

























 

 































 




























 











 








 

 

 






























  







 











 

THE CLIPSON FAMILY PHOTOS

The following photos are reproduced here, with information by kind permission of the Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Clipson.

Sam Clipson with his family of Green Lane.

Bernard said his sister wouldn't stop fidgeting hence the blur. Mr Parker, the Barton photographer asked for a freeze moment to create perfect photos.

Bill Clipson of Beck Hill in the uniform of the 1st/5th Battalion Lincolnshire regiment. He was a neighbour of Walter Jennings and Tom Clayton.


Sam lived in Green Lane all his life. He became a sergeant in the war. He was brother to William and George.  He died in the late 70s.

 

George Clipson, killed in action, aged 27, on the Hohenzollern Redoubt with other Barton men on 13th October 1915 as a private in the 1st/5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment.  His nephew Bernard, who loaned these photos was born 10 years to the day after the death of his Uncle, and still regards him as his mentor. (2012)

The importance of the YMCA in the Great War is not to be underestimated.  As can be seen, they provided lots of comfort for the boys at the front.  Here Sam used their mailing service. They provided food, warm clothing, advice, and after the war, were very helpful to the poor unemployed soldiers.

 

 Sam Clipson's discharge papers,showing monies he had accrued toward his annual military pension.

Sam aboard his steed Joey, probably in 1915.  The photo below shows Sam in what looks like a bodged together uniform complete with Cavalry boots and may have been temporarily commissioned in 1915.  It is said that he got to Sergeant but his final salary papers have him down as a Corporal-the parish magazine stated in 1915 that he had been offered a commission.

Sam Clipson in an ill fitting uniform in 1915.  The vicar informed the town through the parish magazine that he was offered a commission, but it appears that this was not accepted, if at all offered.

William 'Bill' Clipson's service record-more to follow-its states that distinguishing marks was a ''hands across the sea'' tattoo on his arm.

       Mr. Bill Clipson cutting a fine military figure in a studio portrait (courtesy of Chris Bailey) 

                  The military bible and victory medal of Bill Clipson. 

Corporal Bill Clipson's own inscription in the back of his service bible. It states that he is a Corporal but he was promoted to Sergeant.

A grand old man of many campaigns, Bill Clipson sits centre among his more sprightly comrades at Louth in 1958 Regimental Association annual meeting. (See Survivors chapters for more info on the photo)