The Army Bible with an Inscription.

We have over the years of this project looked at the service of a great number of people from the town who served in the Forces, or as in the case of a number of women, as nurses – in all cases, both at home and overseas. While this work is largely concerned with those from Goole, there are a number of additional names that have been brought forward to us by people whose relatives also served but who had no connection to the town when they themselves were serving – in some cases they moved to the town later, in others it was a later generation that arrived in the town; in a smaller number of cases there is no link between them and Goole, we have been purely asked if we can help somebody who has some idea as to a relative’s service but doesn’t know where to start in looking at this aspect of their family history. The story below is one of the latter, though the ‘name’ came to us in an unusual way.

Earlier this year, at a local auction, and within a box contain numerous other items that were known to have come from the Isle of Axholme was an Army Bible. On the front fly page is inscribed, in pencil ‘In remembrance of Col Belcher Killed June 1917’. So, with this name and date a search was started to determine what could be found to tell his story.

Using the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website it was shown that ‘Col Belcher’ was Lieutenant-Colonel Harold Thomas Belcher DSO, and despite the entry within the Bible, he died on 8th July 1917. At the time of his death he was serving with 52nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery and was buried in the extension section of Dickebusch New Military Cemetery and Extension.

Used by permission from a family tree on ancestry

Harold Thomas Belcher was born on 17th March 1875 in Thorpeness, Suffolk to Thomas Hayes and Annie Belcher, being baptised in Preston-next-Faversham, Kent on 26th April. Thomas was their oldest child, the others being Arthur Hayes, Ethel Mary, Margaret Elaine, Eva Nearne, Raymond Douglas and Gordon. Their father in 1891 is a Cleric in Holy Orders and the Headmaster of Brighton College.

After being home-school by a governess he attended Brighton College before his entry to the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, where, as a keen sportsman he won the long jump in 1894, later competing in that event in representing Woolwich against Sandhurst. As well as athletics, Harold was a fearless rider and keen on hunting and polo, being a member of the Vine Hunt of Hampshire and often rode in Royal Artillery point-to-point races. Harold was ‘gazetted’ to the rank of Second-Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery on 15th June 1895 after passing-out from the Royal Military Academy. His service over the next three years cannot be fully determined, but on 15th June 1898 he was promoted to Lieutenant.

In 1899 Harold, then serving with 69th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, arrived in South Africa. He was to see considerable action during operations in Natal – including Talana and Lombard’s Kop, where he was severely wounded. After returning to his unit he was at the Defence of Ladysmith, before again being in Natal for further operations, including the action at Laing’s Nek (6th-9th June 1900). He went on to serve in Transvaal from July until the end of November 1900; later to serve on the frontier of Zululand and Natal from September to October 1901.

As a result of his service in South Africa Harold was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal, with six clasps, for Belmont; Orange Free State; Transvaal; Talana; Defence of Ladysmith and Laing’s Nek. It is unknown when Harold left South Africa, but owing to the criteria, he didn’t qualify for the award of the King’s South Africa Medal. In the London Gazette on 27th September 1901, and being dated to 29th November 1900, Harold was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order – ‘Harold Thomas Belcher, Lieutenant, Royal Artillery. In recognition of his services in South Africa’. The Insignia, Warrant and Statues were forwarded to Commander-in-Chief, India, and presented to (now) Captain Belcher at Mooltan on 13th March 1902. The promotion to Captain was ‘gazetted’ on 9th July 1901, being from 14th June (the Army List, which also gives dates of promotion, shows 14th May).

On 3rd October 1904 Harold was appointed Adjutant, Royal Artillery, until 5th November 1907. He was to serve for a number of years in India, before on 1st February 1910 he was appointed Commander of a Company of Gentlemen Cadets, Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. This date also saw him being seconded for ‘Service on the Staff’.

On 15th March 1912 Harold was promoted to the rank of Major. It was with this rank that his command of a Company of Gentlemen Cadets ceased on 31st January 1914. It is unknown when he ended his term of Staff service, being ‘Returned to the Establishment’ on 14th February, though it may well have been tied to the former announcement.

In addition to the ranks gained and posts appointed to, Harold also held a First Class Certificate in Gunnery; was the author of a book on Field Gunnery and the inventor of a special machine for instruction in ranging for use at the Royal Military Academy.

Following the commencement of the War with Germany on 4th August 1914, Harold arrived in France on 9th September 1914. Unfortunately, it is not known as to which unit he was serving with at this time.

Lieutenant-Colonel Harold Thomas Belcher DSO

He was to serve continuously near the front line throughout until he was wounded in the Summer of 1915, which necessitated five weeks at ‘home’ for treatment and subsequent convalescence. Unlike the infantry, which only spent short periods in front line trenches on rotation, and even if in work parties near the front, they were allowed some time away from the stress, occasional bombardments, and horrors of seeing fellow comrades being killed and wounded, with the knowledge that it could be you – the same cannot be said of the Royal Field Artillery units and batteries. If they were not firing on the enemy, they may have been on the move to new positions – or preparing them; all the while dealing with enemy bombardments and counter-battery fire or just random shelling aimed at roads known to have guns and supplies moved on them.

On 2nd February 1916 Harold was appointed as Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel, this being later antedated to 20th December 1915. Full promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel came on 28th June 1916.

On 13th February 1917 the London Gazette announced the Order of St. Anne 3rd Class (with Swords) was conferred by Field-Marshall His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Russia 12th September 1916.

Lt.-Col. Belcher assumed command of 52nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery, 9th Division on or about 14th September 1916. While no formal date is known, the entry within the 52nd Brigade ‘War Diary’ for the above date is the first in Harold’s hand.

Extract from 52nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery War Diary (WO95/1752/4) TNA showing entries for 27th to 30th September 1917 and the signature of Colonel Belcher, Commanding

On a date after 29th December 1916, Harold returned home for a period of leave. During this time he married Ghita Isobel Powell in Woodbridge, Surrey. He returned to France and his unit on or about 28th January.

In an attempt to give RFA batteries a little more flexibility as to their use, on 8th January 1917 52 Bde RFA left 9 (Scottish) Div to become 52 Army Field Artillery Brigade – four batteries (A, B, C and D), each with six guns (18-Pdrs and 10 men per gun). Prior to this a battery was assigned to a particular Division – when that Division moved, either from one section of the line to another, or from one Corps to another (which generally necessitated a much longer march) the whole unit moved. In allowing more flexibility it was hoped that greater use of the guns could be used more effectively.

Lt.-Col. Harold Belcher was killed in action on 8th July 1917. The entry within 52 Brigade AFA War Diary for this date reads:

‘Col Belcher Commanding the Brigade Major Potter Commanding D/52 & Lt McGarvie D/52 were all killed by a shell. Lt Palmer the Brigade orderly officer was wounded by the same shell.’

Harold’s two youngest brothers also served during the ‘Great War’ –

Captain Gordon Belcher, 3rd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment, attached to ‘B’ Company, 1st Battalion, died between 15th-17th May 1915. Buried Rue-des-Berceaux Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L'Avoue.

Major Raymond Douglas Belcher, ‘C’ Battery, 63rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery, died 7th December 1917. Buried Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport.

Extract of page from 52nd Brigade Army Field Artillery War Diary (WO95/203/4) TNA recording the death of Colonel Belcher

__________

The owner of the Army Bible which records Harold’s name is unknown. It can be assumed from that same inscription that whoever it belonged to must have been assigned to Colonel Belcher’s 52nd Brigade during the time of his command. Unfortunately, with the great loss of material over the years regarding WWI service records, pension records and pensions awarded for service, to widows as well as surviving troops, there is no way of being able to piece that part of the story together. In some ways, the loss of records, as much as being able to discover and read what survives, can and does help to inform us in some way as to the service of those men, regardless as to how their service had an impact on their lives, or indeed on that of their families back home.

Sources:

Official:

52nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery War Diary (WO95/1752/2); The National Archives, Kew.

52nd Brigade, Army Field Artillery War Diary (WO95/203/4); The National Archives, Kew.

Army List; The National Archives, Kew.

London Gazette; various Issues & Supplements; His Majesty’s Stationary Office (online).

Published:

Clarke, Dale & Delf, Brian; New Vanguard 94: British Artillery 1914-18 – Royal Field Artillery

Osprey Publishing; 2004.

Hamilton, Lt.-Col. The Hon. Ralph; The War Diary of the Master of Belhaven

Wharncliffe Books; 1990.

O’Moore, Creagh and Humphris, E.H.; The V. C. and D. S. O. Distinguished Service Order 1886-1915: Distinguished Service Order 6th September 1886 – 31st December 1915

Naval & Military Press; 2009.

 

THE FIRST WORLD WAR SERVICE RECORDS OF GOOLE AND DISTRICT MEN AND WOMEN

Last weekend the Find My Past web site had a 'free access' policy allowing people to access a large number of records for no charge.

Given that this site has many records not available on Ancestry, Chris took the opportunity to take a look for any records regarding Goole men which the Group didn't already have, mainly concentrating on the 452 men named upon the Cenotaph. Detailed below is a summary of all of the records found to date.

As a result of research that started 9-and a half years ago, the Group now have 100 service records relating to some of those men named; this breaks down as 81 Army (including those men who served with Australian, New Zealand and Canadian Forces) and the Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force; and 18 who served with the Royal Navy, Royal Marine and Royal Naval Division - in addition to this number is the record of William Henry Dean, who had served briefly with the Royal Engineers but being deemed 'unlikely to make an efficient soldier' he was discharged, going back to sea, and eventually to HM Drifter 'Spotless Prince' upon which he lost his life on 26th October 1916. Two of the records relate the 'other ranks' service of two men who were later Commissioned (for some reason these pages were not included within their 'new' record when they completed Officer Training).

All of the above records, except seven of them, are also accompanied by the relevant Medal Roll pages detailing the medals awarded to each man for his service. The seven who are not named within the medal rolls didn't serve abroad during their time of service - three had already been discharged, with two of them, Charles Richard Marshall and George Dennison dying on dates that have yet to be ascertained.

Even without a service record, details are contained within the medal rolls of men who arrived in France, Egypt (some being bound for Gallipoli), or the Balkans throughout the latter part of 1914 and all of 1915. Further details are recorded for those men who had served with other units prior to the one with which they were serving when they lost their lives.

With regards to those who served with the Army (and RFC/RAF) records that give the amount of pension paid to next-of-kin are found within the 'Register of Soldier's Effects'. The weekly amount paid was based on rank, marriage and any children. All of these records also bear another amount paid in 1919 - a 'War Gratuity' payment, this being a 'one-off' payment again based on the criteria above. Most of the men for whom service records and medal rolls have been found also have these pages accompanying them - though three would appear to have either been lost or misidentified.

An opportunity to further research men named on the Cenotaph but about which no information regarding any service during the First World War had so far been located was also taken; this has led to one very intriguing story.

Within the Goole Times' 1916 Almanac is the following entry, 'Stephen Jos. Kelly, Swinefleet, seaman in the Royal Navy'. Within the 1917 'Roll of Honour' booklet is this, 'S.J. Kelly, Swinefleet, Seaman, RN.; died from pneumonia'; and within a list of fallen men from Goole, nearly all of whom being named on the Cenotaph, that was printed in the Goole Times on 28th November 1919 is this entry, 'Stephen Joseph Kelly (HMS Pembroke)'.

Among the records for Goole who men who served with the Royal Navy is a record for one Stephen Kelly, which shows that he was born in Goole on 15th January 1894. On 10th March 1914 he enlists in the Royal Navy, stating that he wants to serve for 12 years, assigned to HMS Pembroke as a Stoker Class II. On 17th April 1914 it is recorded under 'If discharged, whither and for what cause' as 'DD' - 'Discharged Death'. Stephen had been admitted to Chatham Hospital with Broncho Pneumonia. Is this record related to the 'Kelly SJ' named on the towns' Cenotaph? Stephen's name is also included on a Chancel Screen within Swinefleet Chapel that lists Swinefleet men who had fallen during the Great War - though his name is not recorded on Swinefleet Memorial.

Unfortunately at the time of writing there are 16 men who are named upon the plaques on the Cenotaph which bear the names of the fallen from Goole about whom no information has been found. All of these men are named with the Goole Times edition of 28th November 1919 under the headings Royal Navy and RND; Army; and Mercantile Marine, but even with this information details as to their individual service and deaths remain elusive.

Similar endeavours to look for records regarding those men who had some association to Goole who also lost their lives but who aren't named on the Cenotaph is continuing. Why weren't they named on the Cenotaph? This was, and still is, solely down to the preference of the family concerned. This particular list currently contains 309 men, some of whom spent their whole lives within the town prior to serving (Fred and Arthur Moody, both Mercantile Mariners; Fred enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force, killed at Gallipoli; Arthur aboard s.s. Duckbridge, lost off north Scottish coast), while for others their only connection to Goole is that they formerly worked within the town (as did Clifford Riley, ex Master, Goole Secondary School, killed 1st July 1916) or that they enlisted within the town.

What of those men who survived their time within the Forces, either being placed on the 'Reserve' and liable for a return to service should the Armistice fail, or who were discharged owing to wounds. To date 399 records, from the barest detail (name listed within the London Gazette announcing the award of the Military Medal, for example) through to full service histories have been found. As with the service records detailed above, it is hoped within time to have each of these records interpreted so that other people can read the details of the men, and women, from Goole who served with distinction and courage during the 'Great War'.

It isn't just Goole though that the Goole First World War Research Group is looking at in terms of those men who enlisted. A great deal of work has been done by one of its members, Alan Dodsworth, in researching the men of the Marshland villages (Swinefleet, Reedness, Whitgift, Adlingfleet and Eastoft). Having a smaller number of men and records to deal with, Alan's work also includes more family background information (from the Census records), as well as the Wills filled in by the men, detailing to whom their belongings, and in some cases, to whom the pensions payable on behalf of their service should be paid to - more often than not named within the 'Register of Soldier's Effects'.

One final question - what remains to be found? The easy answer would be 'don't know'. There is no general index on what records survive, it is only when a search is conducted that records regarding the men of Goole and District come to light. Chris compares it to a jigsaw - "Imagine a jigsaw to which you have no picture to work with, you don't know how big it is and you don't know how many pieces there are when it's finished."

A POSTCARD OF THE KING AT THE GRAVE OF A FALLEN HERO

This postcard was sent home by William Henry Butcher, to his parents John William and Selina Bertha (nee Morley) at 46 Bridge Street, Doncaster.

 

The front of the card shows King George V 'at the Front' and being 'at the grave of a fallen hero'. The card is one of an official series released by the Government showing various scenes at which to inspire the people at home to continue the support of the War; to help raise recruitment; to keep the morale of the troops in France and elsewhere high - as well as depicting that the head of state was also as much concerned about the efforts of those men in uniform. 
 

On the reverse William (Billy) wrote the following:

'Dear F & M, Just received a writing pad from Goole. Will keep sending you a p p c instead of Field Service card. Hoping to get full set. B'

The card was passed by the censor (stamp No. 5015), and stamped by the Field Post Office on 9^th July 1917.

Billy' service record has either been lost, as a result of WW2 bombing, or is still held by the MoD on account of his service after the First World War but some details can be given from those records that are accessible.

Billy was born on 15^th April 1894 and in 1901 the family are living at 7 Gordon Street, Doncaster, with his father John William working for Doncaster Corporation as a waterman. Ten years later the family are still at the same address, with John now employed as a Tap Inspector at the Borough Council Water Works; Billy, now aged 16,  being employed as a 'fettler' within an iron foundry at an electrical engineering firm. At this time John was aged 42 with his wife Selina being 40, the rest of the family being George (13); Annie (10); Ernest (6); Harold (3) and Ethel (1).

When he enlists on 29th May 1915 in the Royal Field Artillery Billy was given the 'Territorial Force' number 786602, being assigned to 2/3 West Riding Brigade Royal Field Artillery. At some point he is transferred, being given the number 291143 - all this time his rank being 'Driver' (one of two men in charge of the horses, both when teamed up with gun and limber, and when the gun is in 'action').

On 11^th March 1919 he is discharged from the Army, but on the following day at Catterick he re-enlists, again in the RFA, now aged 24 years and 10 months. His former trade is given as 'skilled labourer', with his father' address given as 46 Bridge Street, Doncaster. His number now being 1046730.

At some time after the above date Billy is posted to Mesopotamia, and as a result of his 'good work' he is 'Mentioned in Despatches' - his name being printed in the London Gazette (Supplement 32452 pg.7179 dated 9^th September 1921); his rank at this time is stated as 'Signaller'.

 



Extract from Form W5398 detailing the service of William Henry Butcher

On 31^st March 1922 Billy is stationed at No. 3 Depot RFA, Hilsea, when he is discharged on account of the 'Termination of Service' under King's Regulations Para 392 (xxi). Now holding the rank of Bombardier, his conduct is noted as 'exemplary'. He gives his address upon discharge as 10 Flanderwell Villas, Bramley, Nr Rotherham.

As a result of his service in France Billy is awarded the British War and Victory Medals, both bearing the rank of Driver and No. 291143. He is also awarded the General Service Medal, with the clasp denoting 'Iraq'.

Billy married Alice Sturman in the late summer or early autumn of 1930. He died in 1974.

On the postcard sent to his parents, Billy states that he received a writing-pad from Goole. It was probably from his Mother’s sister, his Aunt Agnes. Agnes Mary Morley was married to a boiler-maker named Arthur Atkinson. They were married in Doncaster in 1895 and shortly afterwards moved to Goole. They had a daughter Edith who was born in 1897. In 1901 Arthur and Agnes are residing at 8 Kingston Terrace, Goole; ten years later they are 'boarders' at 18 Heber Terrace, Old Goole. On the latter date Arthur is 35, with Agnes aged thirty-four. Edith, in 1911 is stated as being a drilling machine worker at a brass foundry in Doncaster, while living with her mother' parents, George and Mary Ann Morley, at 8 Wellington Street, Doncaster.

[My thanks to Pauline Stainton for her assistance on this - Chris]

A War Time Christmas

After four months of war the Allies and Axis nations had met at the Marne and undergone a series of battles and manoeuvres which would result in stalemate along the Western Front. Both sides had suffered appalling losses but in December 1914 the fighting would stop briefly for a Christmas Truce. In Goole the storey of the war was passed on in the local newspapers and in this blog the reporting of the war over Christmas during the First World War will be examined.

Upon reading the Goole Times of the period it is noticeable that there are no tabloid headlines and the format of the newspaper continued throughout the war largely as in the pre-war era. It was not until the later war years that the editions became shorter reflecting shortages of paper. In many ways the newspapers represent a normal Christmas period with adverts for Christmas shopping and news from within the town. The main reference to the war can be found in an article on page two which outlines the sermon “Are Angels Still Singing” by Reverend H G smith of the United Methodist Church. The sermon explores the paradox of celebrating Christmas during war time and asks the question of how a can a war between two Christian countries be justified, and indeed the ultimate question of how can the Christian faith be justified in a time of conflict. The lesson of the sermon concludes that Christians should show patience as God’s methods are always slow and that one should believe God still rules. The moral judgement of celebrating Christmas during wartime is not reflected in the paper with a large number of Christmas adverts and a page dedicated to Christmas recipes. A further article refers to how the Goole Volunteers joined the National Volunteers’ Association. An article for Christmas recruitments announced that recruitments will not be sent to depots until after Christmas, unless desired.

Throughout the paper further references are made to Christmas shopping and food recipes. Mixed in amongst these are details of local and national news, details of a Christmas party for War Children and the proposal of a relief fund and memorial. Further war news is detailed in two small articles about the bombardment on the east coast and the death of Captain Hind. Considering the Country was moving towards all out war very little news of the Western Front is reported. However, on the home front Christmas would be as normal with a page of Christmas recipes and those not serving could enjoy a Christmas Day Matinee Show at the Carlton.

As the War progresses the format of the newspaper remains the same. In 1915 amongst the general news and adverts articles appear titled ‘Christmas presents for Soldiers’, ‘Goole Soldiers experience’ and ‘In a Dug Out – Snaith Soldiers Graphic Description’. Details of war causalities and lists of war dead are also reported in the newspaper. Alongside these articles are advertisements for Christmas shopping.

Again, the 1916 Christmas edition of the Goole Times features Christmas adverts and local news with limited details of the war. Although as the war progressed alongside the shipping lists and wanted notices the lists of dead start to appear and pages start to be dedicated to the missing and war dead. The scarcity of food during the war is still not apparent as a page is dedicated to ‘Good Things for the Christmas Table.

Although not known at the time the final Christmas of the War in 1917 showed no change in the approach to newspaper publications. The same Christmas articles feature and news of the home front continue to be prominent. The war does begin to feature more prominently in the newspaper with further articles and details of causalities appearing in the paper. 

As the war ends in 1918 the first peace time Christmas for four years arrives. Despite the end of the war the lists of war causalities and war articles are a still a prominent feature of the newspaper. The newspaper also starts to feature articles and letters suggesting ideas for war memorials. The peace time newspaper features a large number of Christmas adverts and attention turns towards home news and international relations with news of the general election of an article warning about the ‘Growing Bolshevik Terror’.  

Throughout the war the newspaper still featured Christmas adverts and split reporting between war news and local and national news. The format and layout of the paper remained largely unchanged throughout the war, with the main changes been the addition of casualty lists and details of the war dead. Despite the terrors of war the Christmas spirit was evident throughout the War and despite war time restrictions both Soldiers and Citizens continued to celebrate Christmas as best as the war time conditions allowed.

An Element of Luck – Researching Goole Street Shrines

In 2010 I undertook a project to identify soldiers in Goole Museum’s Photographic Collection. The project expanded upon its original objective to create an index of entries in the local Newspaper, the Goole Times, for the First World War. Whilst undertaking this research I came across several articles referring to the erection of Street Shrines (or Street Rolls of Honour) in the town during 1917. I had not heard of the type of memorial before but after a small amount of research I found that during the First World War they were a common form of memorial in several of Britain’s cities. Their erection within a small town such as Goole is rather rare, with few known comparisons.

A search through the local archives and local museum photographic collection resulted in no pictures. Several enquiries were made with Goole’s local historians which resulted in information about shrines erected in the town but not the actual street shrines (our previous research on the St Paul’s Shrines is thanks to this information). I therefore had a challenge to find out what happened to the street shrines.

The obvious solution would be to research using the Goole Times newspaper, which reported minute details of events within the town during the early 20th Century. After several weeks searching the years after the war and anniversary dates only one reference to the shrines was made. In 1919 a report was made to the only act of vandalism made to the shrines when flowers were stolen from one of them.

Several months later luck occurred when one of Goole’s local historians happened to see and copy a postcard of Pasture Road in the 1920s, and with much thanks realised it’s significance. The Post Card shows the only known image of a Goole Street Shrine. Given the size of Goole and the considerable research that has been made by Local Historians it is normally possible to research any topic or know where to find information, or know somebody who remembers an event or a person. After asking several locals I found that people could perhaps remember a shrine or a memorial or had heard of them but did not know when they were removed or any details. Therefore the shrines must have been removed probably before the Second World War.

In Hull much research has been made into Street Shrines and there is some evidence as to when individual shrines were removed. Some were made into permanent memorials and one of these survives in location and a second on an industrial estate. An original shrine survives in location, albeit on a new building and temporary removed for new building works. Many more were removed during slums clearances or were destroyed during the Second World War and many more have been lost through decay or vandalism. In the 1980s two were salvaged before their streets were demolished and are now in Hull Street Life Museum.

The difference between Hull and Goole is that Hull’s shrines were not erected as one but were erected singularly or in areas or by small groups and businesses. Goole’s shrines, with the exception of one, were erected as a result of the Church of England’s Men’s Society. Therefore the shrines had a religious element and the governance of a church authority and were part of a set. Therefore being religious articles it would have been unlikely that they were removed individually or destroyed and were most likely moved elsewhere during the 1920s or 1930s. Unfortunately further research in church and local archives did not provide further evidence of the shrines.

Recently whilst undertaking research on another topic luck struck again. Having spare credits on the Newspaper Archive website I undertook a search for War Shrines using all different tag words but with no results. I then searched for Old Goole and under a misspelt heading was an article referring to the proposed removal of the Goole War Shrines - ‘To Be Removed Failing Maintenance Promises’ in the [Hull] Daily Mail, dated 30^th May 1930. A search in the Goole Times for the corresponding article provides the full details:

Searching through the articles in the following weeks no reply was published regarding the articles and it can only be assumed that the decision was made to remove the street shrines en masse in 1930. No references are made to storing the shrines and it is assumed that all were destroyed. The next stage of the research will be to trace minutes of the meeting and appeal for pictures of 1920s Goole.

An East Coast Raid – The Attack

In the group’s previous blog the censored version of the Zeppelin Raid on Goole was explored. In this, our second blog, in the series a real account of the raid will be explored. The following account is based on an official report from the period and a letter written by a Mr West (Shipping Clerk at Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Goole Steam Shipping) to his daughter.

           

At 11.10pm on the 9^th August the Zeppelin was approaching Goole, which was showing lights, and by 11.15, following the river, reached the town. An empty goods train was travelling across Hook Bridge as the Zeppelin approached the town. The Zeppelin dropped three incendiaries just east of the bridge and two fell into the river:

“The Zeps came at 11.15pm Monday. Hook Bridge, got the first. They tried hard for bridge, dropping 3 bombs, but all missed – they are all at the bottom of the Ouse.”

The Zeppelin then flew over the town from East to West, dropping eight H.E bombs and 13 incendiaries on the town and docks. Ten houses were demolished and several other houses were badly damaged by explosion and fire, a dozen persons being buried in the debris.

           

“Many dropped between bridge & Goole, but, striking soft soil, never exploded…”

 “One fell at Jessie’s back, onto the Kelsey’s garden, that didn’t explode, luckily; the next struck a house in Axholme Street, passing thro’ roof, & I can tell you the deep booming roar woke me & our room was one red glare – all Shuffleton seemed to be ablaze. Ma thought it was thunder, & lightning. I kept quite cool and resigned – it was an incendiary bomb, but the fire was put out. The next fell thro roof of Mrs. Acaster, the stone house, next to our butcher’s – four were sat at supper and 3 killed: Mrs. +2 daughters, a visitor escaping. Another fell just opposite this one, the other side of Victoria Street, next to Clarkson’s shop & next to where Mrs. Ellis went to live; it crashed thro roof & was an incendiary, but fire was put out…”

“Then came some demons. One fell in George Street (Back) – 3 houses had wall blown out into the lane…4 killed. Pa, Ma, 2 children – Mr. Gunnee carried girl out, all flesh, of one leg torn away – next he fetched a young baby, but the sight finished hum; he was done…sick…he went away…to vomit… Next fell in Ouse (Back) near T.K. Willson’s baker. Hole in wall, driver horse & cart thro’ – floors are all down in the cellar…”

Goole After the Zeppelin Raid (Yorkshire Waterways Museum - Crabtree Collection (1991.106)

A large shed on the dockside was badly hit and in Aire Street was badly damaged by the blast. 

“Next fell in Ouse (Back) near T.K. Willson’s baker. Hole in wall, driver horse & cart thro’ – floors are all down in the cellar…Next a beast came, for destruction to property, tho not to life, fortunately. It struck the Quay Wall, just opposite Adam Street end. Stone blocks 2 feet thick, were splintered, and the solid masonry under them. Docks hydraulic pipes broken, log wood sent flying, Railway wagons derailed & smashed to pieces – Lowther Hotel hasn’t a window left, all blown out…& so is all Aire Street, Hoppers, Makintosh, Murdock, right to Armitage & Timm’s. Our office end windows broken & so are Brook’s Bank…Next fell on out Hamburg shed; it smouldered some hours and them burst into flame, at 6.00am. Most is destroyed, shed and contents. Another fell near, into a wooden shed, & blew it to pieces, scattering goods, slates & planks in all directions. Next fell on the coal sidings, just off Bridge Street. Could you have seen result, you would know what a crater is; it made one. A loaded coal truck, 14 tons, was shoved off the line, both rails broken thro & bent inward, aye split lenghtwise…An N.E.R. truck knocked into fragments, & one of our butter vans smashed…More fell near Alum Works, where similar craters were made , and minor damage done. We shall never know how many, some are at the bottom of the dock…”

Where the Bombs Fell (Yorkshire Waterways Musem - Crabtree Collection (1993.136.b))

           

An incendiary went through the roof of the Exchange but did no damage. The effect on the town’s people was one of shock and panic:

“I have talked to a man who was in a small boat, at the time, near a coal hoist; he did not know where to turn for safety, they seem everywhere…”

“But you should have seen the fugitives fleeing. Mount Please was swarming; swarming. The Harrison slept on the barge ground, there. See a barefoot woman, only nightdress on, a baby in her arms, & 2 children pulling at her.”

The Zeppelin continued to travel westwards dropping 16 incendiaries, which fell between the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Sidings and the North-Eastern loop line between the docks and the Dutch River Bridge, causing no damage. The Zeppelin would continue to drop bombs throughout Yorkshire believing heading out to sea at 12.12 am.

The panic continued throughout the night and into the following day:

“All flocked out, too, on Tuesday, at dusk, but better prepared. Men & women, bairns & baskets, chairs and stools; aye and even beds were taken out to field and hedge side, road and lane, seeking safety”. 

           

The fires were speedily bought under control but as a result of the raid one man, nine woman and six children were killed. Two women were seriously injured and two men, two women and five children less seriously injured. All were persons in poor circumstances and all the men were civilians. The visitor to Mrs Acaster’s would also later be confirmed dead.

In the final article of the series the aftermath of the raid will be examined. 

References:

Hook, J (1995) This Dead Land: The Zeppelin Raids on Hull and District 1915-1918. J. Hook.

Mr West Letter – Goole Library YW/GOO/942/ 

With thanks to the Yorkshire Waterways for the images. 

An East Coast Raid

Ninety-Seventy years ago a tragic event happened which would lead to the loss of life and serious injury to the people of the town. In August 1915 Goole suffered an aerial attack by a Zeppelin air ship of the German Armed Forces. In a series of three posts the Society will tell the storey of the raid and process of remembering the war dead.

            The first actions of enemy conduct on Britain were throughout late 1914 with Sea Bombardments to Great Yarmouth and the East Coast. In January 1915 the Kaiser approved aerial bombardments by Zeppelin airships. The first aerial raids targeted Norfolk and London. In June 1915 the first air raid on Hull took place causing loss of life and damage to property. The short summer nights saw little enemy action over the next several months but in August 1915 the raids re-commenced with consequences for the town of Goole.

           

            On the 9th August five Zeppelins were launched against Britain. Four of these were targeted against London and the fifth, L-9, was aimed to target Hull. En route to Hull L-9 was attacked by aeroplane and losing orientation flew in direction of Goole.

           

            An official account states that the Zeppelin first made land over the East Coast, at Skipsea, during the night of the 9th August but upon being intercepted by aircraft made out to sea and became lost in fog. Twice the Zeppelin returned over land before being followed out to sea by aeroplanes. An hour later the Zeppelin again flew over land in the vicinity of Hutton-Cranswick and Beverley before reaching the River Humber, at 11.10pm. The airship navigated westwards along river before reaching Goole. The town not previously subject to air raid precautions was showing lights and unprepared for an air raid. At 11.15 the town was bombed.

            The censorships of the period meant that the Goole Times, published three days after the raid, reported the attack under the title an ‘East Coast Raid’. The account reports that another air raid had taken place on the East Coast by an air ship sent by the ‘vile and unscrupulous Huns’. It is reported that little damage was done to property but lists one man, nine women and six children killed and five men, seven women and several children receiving ‘more or less’ serious injuries. In reference to damage it is stated that incendiary bombs caused some fires but these were quickly extinguished. The night of the attack was extremely dark, with thick fog, which rendered night flying very difficult and one of the pilots sent to engage the enemy was killed in a crash landing.

            The Admiralty [the Navy being responsible aerial defence at the time] reported that a squadron of hostile airships visited the East Coast on the night of the attacks causing fires by dropping incendiary bombs but these were quickly extinguished and only immaterial damage was done. One Zeppelin was seriously damaged by the gunfire of the land defences and was reported on Wednesday being towed into Ostend. It was later subject to continued attacks by aircraft from Dunkirk under heavy fire and it is now reported that, after having had her back broken and rear compartments damaged, she was completely destroyed by explosions.

            The report of the air raid does not reference the name of the town attacked and downplays the extent of damage caused to the town, despite being reported in a local newspaper and the true extent of the raid already well known. The politics of war therefore prevented newspapers providing information to help the enemy or damage the moral of the civilian population.

           

An account of the raid will feature in our next blog.

References:

The Goole Times Newspaper

Hook, J (1995) This Dear Land: The Zeppelin Raids on Hull and District 1915-1918. J. Hook.

A Name on a List

2nd Lieutenant Henry Guy Thorp

The memorials erected in Goole are lists commemorated to those who were killed during the First World War. The method of gathering these lists involved extensive work by the Members of the Church or Organisation responsible for erecting the memorial. Typically the research involved a door to door survey of the town and a compilation of a central list. Lists of those in service or those who has been killed were also compiled in the local papers throughout the war. Therefore one would expect that the memorials erected within the town are representative of all those who were killed on active service. However a study of the local newspapers show that several Goole people who were killed during the war were not included on the Goole memorials.

An example of those not included on local memorials is Henry Guy Hanning Thorp, a Goole born 2nd Lieutenant of the 3rd Battalion of the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Henry Guy was born in Goole in 1895 and lived in the town before attending Public School. His father, Henry Bell, was the Director of the Local Board, and prominent local architect. By 1911 Henry Bell had moved to Doncaster but was still working as a Valuer in Goole and designed the Fever Hospital on Westfield Lane in 1912. In the months leading up to the First World War Henry Guy was touring Canada but returned to Britain upon the declaration of War. Gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant Henry Guy joined the 3rd Battalion of the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and served in France from March 1915. Lieutenant Thorp’s service was short as he was announced dead on the 13th March 1915, age 19. The local newspaper reported the death and described Lieutenant Thorp as a well-known figure around Goole.

The reasons for people not been included on the War Memorials vary. This may range to clerical error or families not wanting to register the loss of a family member. Other practical aspects include whether any next of kin survived in the town to register the deceased for the memorial. Recently revision of historical practice has also allowed those killed for cowardice clemency and the right to be included on War Memorials.

Lieutenant Thorp was included in several weekly/monthly Rolls of Honour Published in the Goole Times during 1916 and listed within the Roll of Honour published by the Goole Times for the period from the start of the War until June 1917. Despite been known as a Goole Man and listed in the Rolls of Honour Lieutenant Thorp is not included on Goole’s First World War memorials. During 1915 Lieutenant Thorp’s father is noted as living in Doncaster but after this period little information is known about the Thorp family. Therefore it is likely that nobody was available to register Henry Guy Thorp for his name to be placed on one of Goole’s Memorials.