WILLIAM HENRY ADAMS
Second Engineer, Mercantile Marine, SS John Scott
Died: 19 September 1918, aged 49 years
Born in Peterborough
Husband of Lucy Ann Adams (nee Joynes), 35 Wollaston Road, Cleethorpes
Commemorated: Tower Hill Memorial
Background
William was born in Northamptonshire in about 1869. He married Grimsby girl, Lucy Ann Joynes in 1890. In 1901 William and Lucy lived at 72 Park Street with their two sons - John, aged seven, and Sidney, aged one.
In 1911, the Adams family lived at the back of King Edward Street in Grimsby - William worked as a dockside labourer.
The family later moved to Wollaston Road in Cleethorpes.
The armed merchant ship, John Scott, was en route from Barry in Wales to Dover on 19 September when she was torpedoed by German submarine, UB117, nine miles from Trevose Head in Cornwall. All 18 crew, including William were lost.
ALBERT EDWARD ALLEN
Private 1717, Albert Edward Allen, 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Killed in action: 4 October 1917, aged 25 years
Born in Grimsby
Son of Mary Jane Allen, 16 William Street, Cleethorpes
Resident of Grimsby
Commemorated: Tyne Cot Memorial
Background
Albert was the son of Plymouth-born dock labourer, John R Allen, and his wife Mary Jane, who hailed from North Thoresby. In 1901, John (35) and Mary (34) and their four children lived at 16 William Street - Albert Edward (nine, born in Grimsby), Eleanor- Lena to the family - (seven, born in Grimsby), Edith (four, born in Cleethorpes) and Norman (two, born in Cleethorpes). The family still lived at 16 Wililam Street by the time of the 1911 census. The four children were all at work - Albert was a labourer, Edith and Lena were 'day girls' (non live-in maids) and Norman was an errand boy.
JOSEPH WILLIAM BANCROFT
Lance Corporal 1700, 10th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 28 April 1917, aged 32 years
Born in Cleethorpes
Son of Joseph William and Ann Bancroft, 64 Mill Road, Cleethorpes
Buried: Roeux British Cemetery, France
Joseph’s name also appears in the Trinity Methodist Church memorial plaques which are now in St Andrew’s Methodist Church.
Background
Born in 1885 in Cleethorpes, Joseph was the oldest son of Joseph and Ann Bancroft (nee Willerton), who married in 1884. In 1891, the oyster merchant and his wife, both aged 28, lived on Cleethorpes High Street with their three children – Joseph (five), Nellie (four) and Fred (one). Also living with them was 26-year-old Alice Willerton, Ann’s single sister. By 1901, the family had grown with the addition of two more sons – Osborne (six in 1901) and Thomas (aged three). Dressmaker Alice was still living with the family. In the 10 years that followed the family went up in the world - they had moved from the High Street to Isaac's Hill. Joseph worked as a fish merchant’s clerk and the family had their own maid, 19-year-old Henrietta Bell. By 1911, the family lived at 64 Mill Road in Cleethorpes. Father Joseph was by then a fish merchant, Joseph junior, 25 worked as a fish packer. Nellie was a music teacher. Fred, like his brother Joseph was a fish packer. Osbourne, however, wasn't working in the fish docks, but was apprenticed as a plumber. Two other children werre also part of the household - Thomas Willerton (13) and Henry Hugh (seven).
Fred and Osbourne also served and survived the war. Fred served in the Royal Fusliers (7118) and Osborne (95265) in the Royal Engineers.
RAYMOND BANNISTER
Lance Corporal 22617, 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment
Killed in action: 11 April 1917, aged 20 years
Born: Cleethorpes
Son of Alfred and Betsy A Bannister, Saxon House, St Peter’s Avenue, Cleethorpes
Resident of Cleethorpes
Enlisted in Cleethorpes
Buried: Cojeul British Cemetery
Raymond is also named on the wall plaque from Trinity Methodist chapel now in St Andrew’s Church.
Background
Born in 1897, Raymond was the son of Cleethorpes-born fish company manager and trawler owner, Alfred Bannister, and his wife Betsy (nee Henson, from Brigg). In 1901, the family lived at 7 West Street. In addition to Raymond, who was five in 1901, Alfred and Betsy, had four other children - Alfred (11), Ilynn (six), Clarice (two) and Reginald (six months). All the children were born in Cleethorpes.
Another son, Bernard, was born in 1904.
The Grimsby fishing industry was at its height in the early years of the 20th century and the Bannister family did well from Alfred Banister Trawlers Ltd and its subsidiary companies. The family moved from Park Street to Saxon House in Cleethorpes, a large, imposing, detached house at the junction of Mill Road, Cambridge Street and (what was then) St Peter's Road in Cleethorpes.
Come 1911, the family still lived at Saxon House. They had a live-in servant - Mary Ann Osbourne from South Coates.
The two oldest sons were at work. Alfred (21) worked as a clerk and Fred (19) was a fish merchant.
From April 1917 to 23 June 1919, all Grimsby trawlers were requisitioned by the Admiralty. Several Bannister vessels were lost in the war - Argentina, Bernicia, Don, Ferret, Mercia, Southward and Wessex. The names of these trawlers and the crews lost were recorded on the Bethel Mission memorial, which is now in the Fishermen's Chapel in Grimsby following the demolition of the Bethel Chapel in the 1960s.
Saxon House has now been divided into flats.
The Bannister name lives on in the area today. Alfred Bannister Mews in Laceby commemorates the shipping family - the development was built by Alfred Bannister's grandson.
Bannister Trawlers 1900-1919
Algoma GY 6
Andes GY 5
Argentina GY 566
Bernicia GY 473
Brittannia GY 410
Buzzard GY 825
Camenes GY 531
Dee GY 513
Derwent GY 525
Don GY 517
Dovey GY 425
Edinboro Castle GY 1285
Ephraim
Eulalia (Ocana) GY 273
Ferret GY 438
Frances GY 903
Irwell GY 1176
Kalso GY 725
Kestrel GY 831
Kuno GY 1129
Mercia GY 1212
Napier GY 597
Northumbria GY 169
Northward GY 110
Onward II GY 87
Ophir (II) GY 171
Orizaba GY 356
Ostero GY 200
Othello GY 333
Saxon II GY 722
Sir James Reckitt GY 1203
Southward; GY 288
Sylvia GY 1112
Teuton GY 795
Videro GY 980
Wessex GY1231
TOM BENNETT
Sergeant 2394, 11th Battalion, Manchester Regiment
Killed in action: 17 August 1917
Born: Low Hill, Liverpool
Enlisted in Cleethorpes
Commemorated: Tyne Cot Memorial
JOHN GRANT BLOW
Private 5/40443, 11th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Died: 15 July 1917, aged 22 years
Son of John and Annie Blow, Hope Cottage, Mill Road, Cleethorpes
Buried: Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery
John’s name also appears in the Trinity Methodist Church memorial plaques which are now in St Andrew’s Methodist Church.
CHARLES BOWDEN
Corporal 462 Manchester Regiment Labour Corp (476835)
Died: 12 April 1919, aged 39 years
Husband of the late Elizabeth Bowden (nee Eyre)
Buried: Cleethorpes Cemetery
Corporal Bowden also served in the Boer War and was awarded King George’s Durban Medal, Long Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
WILLIAM BOYERS
Private 1616, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died 3 April 1916, aged 26 years
Son of William and Mary Boyers, 123 St Peter’s Avenue, Cleethorpes
Buried: Y Farm Military Cemetery, Bois-Grenier
Boyers on the absent voter list:
Arthur, 103 St Peter's Avenue (Army Service Corp)
Arthur, 123 St Peter's Avenue, (7th Lab Batt)
Fred, 36 Lestrange Street (gunner RGA)
Joseph Arnold, 123 St Peter's Avenue, Private 1/7 Middlesex but attested to Prince of Wales Regiment
ALBERT G BRANNAN
Private 21311, D Company, 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 12 April 1917, aged 28 years
Son of Alfred George and Hannah Brannan, 3 Rowston Street, Cleethorpes
Buried: Gouy-en-Artois Communal Cemetery Extension
FRANK SPICE BROWN
Private 23732, 15th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Killed in action: 17 July 1916
Born in Cleethorpes
Resident of Grimsby
Enlisted in Cleethorpes
Commemorated: Thiepval Memorial
Background
Frank was born at the end of 1897 in Cleethorpes to basket maker, Ira Brown, and his wife Eliza. In 1901, the couple and their four children lived at 47 Pelham Road - George (five), Frank (three) Harry (one) and Thomas (one month). Both parents and all the children were born in Cleethorpes.
JOHN E BUTTLE
Private 368, 10th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 17 July 1916, aged 33 years
Son of Alfred Edward and Helen Buttle, 12 Bursar Street, Cleethorpes
Buried: Cleethorpes Cemetery
CHARLES HENRY CARWALL
Lance Corporal, 19178, 7th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 27 August 1918, aged 21 years
Born: Cleethorpes
Son of Henry and Margaret Carwall, 344 West End Avenue, Doncaster
Buried: Martinpuich British Cemetery, France
CORNELIUS CHAPMAN
Private 32053, 6th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Killed in action: 28 April 1917
Commemorated: Arras Memorial
JOHN ORMOND CHAPMAN
Private 549, 10th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment
Killed in action: 1 July 1916, aged 26 years
Born in Cleethorpes
Son of Charles and Sarah Chapman, 493 Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes
Commemorated: Thiepval Memorial
Brother of Charles Harold Chapman who also died (see below)
CHARLES 'HAROLD' CHAPMAN
Private 1237, 10th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment
Died of wounds: 8 August 1916, aged 24 (25?) years
Born in Cleethorpes
Son of Charles and Sarah Chapman, 493 Grimsby Road. Cleethorpes
Resident of Grimsby
Enlisted in Grimsby
Buried: Cleethorpes Cemetery
Background
John was born in Cleethorpes in 1890 to Charles Chapman (a bricklayer born in Yarborough) and his wife Sarah who was nine years younger than her husband and came from Toynton-All-Saints in rural Lincolnshire. In 1891, the couple and three children - Sarah Elizabeth (known as Lizzie), aged seven (born in South Park), Mary, aged two (born in Cleethorpes) and 11-month-old John lived on St Peter's Road in Cleethorpes (now St Peter's Avenue). Younger brother Charles Harold - who was called Harold by the family - was born in 1891 in Cleethorpes. The family still lived at 3 St Peter's Road at the time of the 1901 census - Charles, 50, Sarah, 41, Lizzie 16 (probably Sarah Elizabeth), Mary, 12, John, 10, Charles Harold, nine, and five-year-old Hettie. Charles worked for the district council as a labourer.
On 7 January 1915 at the age of 23, Charles Harold, enlisted with the Grimsby Chums for the duration of the war. He was 5ft 6in tall and described as having a good physical development. He described himself as a 'commission agent', named his father as next of kin and gave his religion as Church of England. He was single and lived at home with the family- 483 Grimsby Road.
On 9 January 1915, the young soldier left Southampton for France. Injured in action - compound fractures of the right femur, elbow and hand and a gun shot wounds to the thigh - he was evacuated back to England to be treated at the Military Hospital in Colchester. However, he never recovered from his wounds and died at 4.40am on 8 August 1916 - just a month after his older brother John was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. His was brought back to Cleethorpes and buried in the town's cemetery. But more tragedy was to befall the family. Having lost two sons in the war, Charles senior died on 31 January 1917. Sarah received Harold's British Victory Medal on September 1921 and his Victory Medal in February 1922. Both were sent to her at 493 Grimsby Road - where she lived with her three grown-up daughters.
ALFRED WILLIAM JOHN CHAPPLE
Engineman 25/ES, Royal Naval Reserve, HM Trawler Night Hawk
Killed in action: Christmas Day 1914, aged 29 years
Son of Robert and Mary Chapple
Husband of Louisa Chapple, 22 Kew Road, Cleethorpes
Buried: Cleethorpes Cemetery
Background
Alfred was born in Masta Mill in Kent. His father, fisherman Robert Frederick Chapple, hailed from Greenwich and his wife, Mary, from Deptford. In 1891, the family were living in Dover. Alfred had an older sister, Mary, and two younger brothers, Henry and Charles.
The Night Hawk was lost on 25 December 1914 in British waters. Another engineman and Cleethorpes resident, William Henry Rowbotham, was also lost on the Night Hawk.
GEORGE CHEETHAM
Possibly Private 292724 2nd /7th Northumberland Fusiliers (attested, 28133 Lincolnshire Regiment)
Died: 24 February 1918
Resident of Lincoln
Buried: Khartoum War Cemetery, Sudan
EDWARD COLE
Private 13627, 6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment
Killed in action: 9 August 1915
Commemorated: Helles Memorial
JAMES EDWARD COLE
Private 28114, 11th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment (attested 25456, Lincolnshire Regiment)
Died of wounds: 4 May 1917
Born in Caistor
Resident of Cleethorpes
Buried: Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun
Background
James was born illegitimately in Caistor in 1889 to Lizzie Malinda Cole. He was brought up by Lizzie's younger sister, Kate Wagstaff (nee Cole, who came from Hedlington). Kate later adopted James. Although Lizzie married Frank Prescott in 1892, it isn't clear whether he was James' father. In 1901, 11-year-old James lived with his aunt at 10 Bentley Street. As with so many young men, the docks beckoned and James found work as a fish packer. On 11 May 1912, he married Agnes Jane Shearsmith in Old Clee. Two children followed - Leslie, born on 19 April 1913 and James Neville, born on 23 April 1915. Come December that year, 27-year-old James enlisted for the Lincolnshire Regiment, but later transferred to the East Yorkshire Regiment. James embarked for France in September 1916, landing at Boulogne. He died from his wounds on 4 May 1915 at the 8th Casualty Clearing Station having received a gun shot wound to his head. Just days later, on 15 May, the couple's third son - Edward - was born in Grimsby. In August, the Army returned James' possessions to Agnes - two discs, a photo, cards, wallet, religious book, cap badge and metal ring. She was awarded a pension for herself and her three children until November 1917. In May 1919, Agnes also had to submit information to the military about the family. By then living at 12 Crowhill Avenue, she gave the names of her three sons, but no information about James's parents. However, she revealed that James' grandfather - Mark Cole - was alive and lived in Barnetby-le-Wold. James' memorial scroll was sent to her in April 1920.
JOHN M COOK
Private 165, 10th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 11 April 1917
Buried: Bailleul Road East Cemetery, St Laurent-Blangy, France
RICHARD COOK
Private 7793, B Company, 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 27 March 1915, aged 31 years
Son of Mr R W Broughton, Humber Street, Cleethorpes
Commemorated: Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium
CHARLES HENRY COOPER
Private 1810, 1/6th Battalion, Machester Regiment
Died: 12 May 1915
Born in Waltan, Liverpool, Lancashire
Resident of Cleethorpes
Enlisted in Cleethorpes
Commemorated: Helles Memorial
Background
In 1911, 22-year-old Charles worked as an assitant in a paper mill and lodged with Thomas and Hannah Lamming and family at 59 Bentley Street, Cleethorpes.
FRANK COX
Sergeant 559, 10th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 1 July 1917, aged 23 years
Son of William and Mary Elizabeth Cox, 8 Mill Road, Cleethorpes
Commemorated: Thiepval Memorial
GEORGE CROFT
Lieutenant, 48th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps
Died: 16 February 1918, aged 22 years
Son of Mr and Mrs A N Croft, Hill Side, Brigsley
Husband of Sybil Croft, 65 Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes
Buried: Ham British Cemetery, Muille-Villette
ALBERT M CROFT
Background
Albert Croft was born in Retford in Nottinghamshire in about 1886. His father, George, came from Yorkshire and worked as a railway goods guard. Railway families were always on the move at that time - which is shown in the birth places of the couple's children. First child, Ellen, was born in Lincoln (where her mother came from). George junior, Walker and Albert were all born in Retford, while Sidney, Harold and Florence Mary were born in Grimsby. In 1901, they lived in Clee.
THOMAS J CROFT
Lance Corporal TF/3827 1st/7th Battalion Middlesex Regiment
Killed in action: 7 October 1916, aged 21 years
Son of James and Annie Croft, 8 Knoll Street, Cleethorpes
Commemorated: Thiepval Memorial
Thomas’s name also appears in the Trinity Methodist Church memorial plaques which are now in St Andrew’s Methodist Church.
Background
Thomas Croft was born in Cleethorpes in 1895 to James and Ann Croft (from Laceby). Father James was a steam trawler skipper and in 1901, the family lived at 61 Cambridge Street. In addition to Thomas, who was five in 1901, James and Ann list three other children on that year's census – William A Croft (nine years old), Beatrice M (seven) and George J (three).
FRED CROSS
Private 232266, 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died of wounds: 22 May 1918
Born in Cleethorpes
Enlisted in Cleethorpes
Buried: Vailly British Cemetery
Background
The Cross family lived at 8 Dolphin Street, Cleethorpes, in 1901. The family comprised Mary (49 and from Holton Le Clay), William (25), Arthur (22), Kate (17), Fred (14), Rose (12), Charles (eight) and Harry (seven). The two oldest sons, who were born in Grimsby, lived at home and worked as bricklayers. All the other children were born in Cleethorpes. In 1901, at the age of 14, Fred was already working - as a butcher's errand boy. The census of that year doesn't record Mary as being widowed, so she is likely to have been married to a fisherman, who was at sea, and therefore not recorded as being at home. Fred's address on the absent voters list was 18 Isaac's Hill.
FRED DAVISON
Rifleman 4902, 8th City of London Battalion (Post Office Rifles)
Died of wounds: 1 July 1917
Born in Cleethorpes
Resident of London
Enlisted in Cleethorpes
Buried: Bois-de-Noulette British Cemetery, Aix-Noulette
Fred is also commemorated on the memorial in the main Grimsby Post Office.
CYRIL DENISON
Private 237, 10th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 25 March 1916
Born in Ossett, Wakefield
Resident of Grimsby
Enlisted in Cleethorpes
Buried: Cleethorpes Cemetery
Background
In 1901, nine-year-old Cyril and his family lived at 88 Lovett Street in Cleethorpes. His mother Annie (44 at the time) had six children - Frank (19), a fish packer, Margaret (16), donald (15). Ernest (11), Cyril (nine) and Gladys (five). All the children were born in Wakefield with the exception of Gladys who was born in Grimsby. It is therefore likely that the Denison family were one of the thousands that headed to Grimsby to take advantage of work in the fishing industry.
At the age of 22 in September 1914, Cyril Denison enlisted as a private with the Lincolnshire Regiment. The Yorkshire-born fish packer was fair-haired and blue eyed and gave his widowed mother, Annie, and his brother, Donald, both of 22 Nicholson Street, Cleethorpes, as his next of kin.
From September 1914 until February 1916, his service was in the UK. He was posted to France on 20 February 1916, but was only there a month before being brought back home on 3 March 1916. He died on 25 March at Oakbank Wara Hospital in Glasgow and was buried in Cleethorpes Cemetery.
The army returned his effects - correspondence and three penny stamps - to Cyril's widow, Mrs A Denison at 75 Highgate, Cleethorpes.
Two of the Denisons boys appear on the absent voter list of 1919 - Ernest, 6 Pelham Road, and Donald Godfrey, a corporal in the 10th Tank Battalion.
FRANK DRAYTON
Shoe-ing smith 1236, 1st North Midland Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
Died: 26 February 1915
Buried: Bishop's Stortford Old Cemetery
FRED FIELDS
Lance Corporal 9934, 1st Battalion, Border Regiment
Died: 21 August 1915, aged 21 years
Born in Fleetwood
Son of the late Ada F Fields
Resident of Grimsby
Enlisted in Cleethorpes
Commemorated: Helles Memorial, Turkey
Background
In 1901, Fred lived at Cridling Stubbs in Yorkshire. However, on the census records he isn't listed as Ada's son, but as her stepson.
FREDERICK C FLETCHER
Trimmer Cook, 516 TC, RNR, HM Trawler Lord Airedale
Died: 29 November 1916, aged 44 years
Son of Charles and Mary Jane Fletcher, Manchester
Husband of Jane Ann Fletcher, 51 Coronation Road, Cleethorpes
Commemorated: Chatham Naval Memorial
GEORGE HENRY FLETCHER
Private 61381, 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 26 October 1918, aged 20 years
Son of Henry and Ann Fletcher, Clee Field Farm, Grimsby
Buried: Awoingt British Cemetery
ARTHUR FYFE FORGE
Second Lieutenant, 8th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 4 October 1917
Commemorated: Tyne Cot Memorial
EDWARD FRANCIS
Private 235183 (formerly 268808), 2/5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Died: 21 March 1918, aged 23 years
Son of Thomas and Sarah A Francis, 29 William Street, Cleethorpes
Commemorated: Arras Memorial
JACK GLOVER
WILLIAM GOODSHIP
Able Seaman 177248
Died: 22 September 1914
Commemorated: Chatham Naval Memorial
William is also named on the Post Office memorial in Grimsby Post Office and the St Aidan's Church Memorial.
Background
William was born in Kennington in south London and married Grimsby-born Florence in 1901. In 1911, the family lived at 41 Cavendish Street in Grimsby - William (aged 32), Florence (aged 29), Martha Shipman (grandmother, 68, from Ilford), sons Horace (three) and Fred (aged two), as well as a boarder from Hull named Julia Johnson (11 years old). At the time of the 1911 census, William worked as sa maltster's labourer.
HAROLD GRANT
Private 421886, 10th (County of London) Battalion (Hackney)
Died: 2 November 1917
Born in Cleethorpes
Son of John and Matilda Grant, 17 West Street, Cleethorpes
Resident of Grimsby
Enlisted in Cleethorpes
Buried: Gaza War Cemetery
Background
In 1911, 19-year-old Harold lived with his mother (Matilda, aged 59, from Dunnington Bar) and father (John, aged 61, from Cleethorpes. John worked as a manager in a grocery department. In addition to Harold, a bother, Sydney (22, born in Cleethorpes) still lived at home in West Street. Two older sisters has left home by then - Clara (32) and Amy (25). The family also had a servant - 19-year-old Edith Wright.
GEORGE GRANT
Private 42819, 2nd Bat Essex Regiment
Born in 1899 in Cleethorpes
Died: 3 September 1918, aged 19 years
Son of Henry Barsley Grant and Annie Grant, nee Harris, Eschol House, Mill Road, Cleethorpes
Buried: Dury Crucifix Cemetery, France
Brother of Frank below
G Rowland Grant’s name also appears in the Trinity Methodist Church memorial plaques which are now in St Andrew’s Methodist Church
Background
George and Frank (details below) were the two oldest sons of Cleethorpes-born Henry Barsley Grant, a cooper and fish barrel maker, and Annie Grant, nee Harris, who came from Sheffield. In 1901, the family lived at 2 Lyndhurst Terrace, Mill Road, Cleethorpes. At the time of this census, Henry and Annie were both aged 32, Frank was four and George just one. A sister, Ivy, was seven. Also living in the house were Annie’s brother, 22-year-old John William Harris, who also worked as a cooper and fish barrel maker. He was born in New Clee. Charlotte, Annie’s 17-year-old sister, also lived in the house.33-year-old May Rawlin, a domestic servant, boarded with the family. At some point the family moved from Lyndhurst Terrace to Eschol House on the other side of Mill Road.
FRANK G GRANT
Driver 800775, C Battery, 230th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
Born in 1896 in Cleethorpes
Died: 26 March 1918, aged 21 years
Son of Henry Barsley Grant and Annie Grant, nee Harris, Eschol House, Mill Road, Cleethorpes
Buried: Sailly-Labourse Communal Cemetery Extension, France
Frank’s name also appears in the Trinity Methodist Church memorial plaques which are now in St Andrew’s Methodist Church.
ROLAND G. GRANT
HAROLD GRAY
FRED GREEN
PHIL HAGUE
Private M/286420, P Company, Army Service Corp
Died: 5 November 1918
Resident of 18 Kingsway, Cleethorpes
Buried: Cleethorpes Cemetery
JOHN HEATON
Private 2301, 1st/5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment
Killed in action: 13 October 1915, aged 19 years
Son of Edward and Maria Heaton, 24 St Helier’s Road, Cleethorpes
Commemorated: Loos Memorial
John's brother, George Willian, served in the 9th Royal Sussex Regiment.
PHILIP HOBSON
Gunner 810307, B Battery, 232 Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
Died: 29 October 1917, aged 22 years
Son of John and Elizabeth Hobson, Cleethorpes
Buried: Brandhoek New Military Cemetery
ROBERT N. HODGSON
HAROLD JOHN HOUGHTON
Private, A Company, 4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 27 June 1916, aged 23 years
Son of Benjamin Bright Houghton and Mary Emma Houghton, 31 Bentley Street, Cleethorpes
Buried: Foncquevillers Military Cemetery
HERBERT T HUMBERSTONE
Lance Corporal 257, 10th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 1 July 1916
Commemorated: Thiepval Memorial
THOMAS SINDERSON HUMBERSTONE
Private 235366, 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment
Died: 5 October 1918, aged 21 years
Son of William and Elizabeth Humberstone
Buried: Beaurevoir British Cemetery
Thomas’s name also appears in the Trinity Methodist Church memorial plaques which are now in St Andrew’s Methodist Church.
Background
Thomas was born in 1897 in Cleethorpes to wholesale fish buyer, William Humberstone, and his wife Elizabeth (nee Sinderson), who were married in 1889. Elizabeth Sinderson was born in Cleethorpes to Thomas and Mary Sinderson.
In 1891, William, Elizabeth and baby daughter, Alice, lived in George Street, Cleethorpes. William was recorded as being a fish labourer. They also had a lodger, a 14-year-old cousin named Maria Ackrill, who came from North Somercotes and who worked as a domestic servant. It isn’t clear whether she was their servant or worked elsewhere. By 1901, the family had moved to19 Charles Street in Cleethorpes. Grimsby-born William, was then aged 37.
Thomas's mother's family
In 1871, the Sinderson family lived at 9 Kingston Terrace, Highgate, Cleethorpes. Elizabeth's father, Thomas, then aged 44, worked as a fisherman. The 1871 records reveal that Thomas and Mary (aged 40 in 1871) had three children - William, 11, Elizabeth, five, Robert, two, and Charlotte, six months. All the children, as well as their parents, were born in Cleethorpes.
Thomas's father's family
Although William Humberstone was associated with the fishing industry, he didn’t come from fishing stock. William’s father and Thomas’s grandfather, Joseph Humberstone, came from South Ormsby and worked on the railways. As a 28-year-old in 1871, Joseph worked as a porter and lived in Neptune s Street. In the next decade, Joseph worked his way up to railway signalman. The large Humberstone family still lived in Neptune Street - Joseph, 36, and his 37-year-old wife, Rebecca (from Great Carlton). The 1881 census lists seven children - Sarah Ann, 18, William, 17 (backyard labourer), Frederick, 15, Mary Jane, 12, Emma, 10, Joseph, eight, and Alfred, five.
SIDNEY JOLLANS
Lance Corporal 8538, 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment
Killed in action: 9 May 1915, aged 22 years
Son of William and Sarah Jollans, Old Court House, Kirton in Lindsey
Commemorated: Ploegsteert Memorial
Lance Corporal Jollans received the Distinguished Service Medal and the Cross of St George 4th cl (Russia).
ALBERT JONES
REGINALD JONES
HARRY JOYNES
Deck Hand 9999DA, Royal Naval Reserve, HM Trawler Carlton
Died: 21 February 1916, aged 44 years
Born in Grimsby
Son of Samuel and Sabina Joynes, 14 Bentley Street, Cleethorpes
Commemorated: Chatham Naval Memorial
HENRY STANLEY KEIGHTLEY
Private 1774, Herbert Stanley Keightley, 10th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 4 August 1916, aged 19 years
Son of Herbert and Annie Keightley, 69 College Street, Cleethorpes
Buried: Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval
ERNEST KIRKHAM
HORACE LACY
Private 40678, 9th Battalion, Essex Regiment
Died: 17 July 1917, aged 22 years
Son of Thomas Lacy, 7 Giles Street, Cleethorpes
Husband of Alice Gertrude Lacy, 315 Brereton Avenue, Cleethorpes
Commemorated: Arras Memorial
A brother, Arthur Ernest, who also lived at 71 Giles Street, was a CSM with the Grimsby Chums.
GEORGE MARTIN LAMMING
Private 2714, 1/5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 13 October 1915, aged 21 years
Son of Tom and Hannah Lamming, 163 Bentley Street, Cleethorpes
Commemorated; Loos Memorial
GEORGE FRED LANCASTER
Pioneer 191971, 18th Division, Signal Company, Royal Engineers
Died: 23 August 1918, aged 23 years
Son of Mr and Mrs W Lancaster, 47 Highgate, Cleethorpes
Buried: Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery, Extension
HORACE LEE
WILLIAM LITTLE LEEMING
Second Hand, RNR, HM Drifter John Robert
Died: 1 February 1919, aged 41 years
Husband of Charlotte Leeming, 41 Cosgrove Street, Cleethorpes
Commemorated: Chatham Naval Memorial
HAROLD LEESON
Gunner 92752, C Battery, 250th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
Died: 1 June 1918, aged 23 years
Born in Cleethorpes
Son of Joanna Leeson, 104 Mill Road, Cleethorpes, and the late Mr C Leeson
Buried: Coulommiers Communal Cemetery
Brother Ernest Leeson also served.
FRANK MILLER
CHARLES A MILSOM
HERBERT HENRY MOORE
Private 37177, 2nd/5th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment
Died: 23 April 1918, aged 22 years
Son of William and Mary Ann Moore, 35 Rowston Street, Cleethorpes
Buried: Aire Communal Cemetery
ERNEST ARTHUR NIELSEN
Private 95749, 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Died: 27 May 1915, aged 18 years
Son of N P and Kate Nielsen, 51 Market Place, Cleethorpes
Commemorated: Soissons Memorial
Nielson and Nielsen are Scandinavian names, so the family are likely to have come from Norway or Sweden.
CWGC had the surname as Nielson.
Three Nilesens appear on the wartime absent voters list: Ernest Arthur (above), Frederick Christian (Royal Field Artillery 800922) and Niels Peter (Second Engineer, HMS Pekin) - all three are recorded as being registered to vote at 192 Brereton Avenue.
FREDERICK NORGATE
Second hand, 2444SA, RNR HM Trawler Carlton
Lost at sea: 21 February 1916, aged 56 years
Son of John and Ann Norgate, Crossdick, Norfolk
Husband of Mary Ann Eliza Norgate, 58 College Street, Cleethorpes
Commemorated: Chatham Memorial
EDWARD F NORTH
ARTHUR ODLING
Air Mechanic Second Class, 229766, 222nd Squadron, Royal Air Force
Died: 6 December 1918, aged 36 years
Husband of A L Odling, 54 Mill Road, Cleethorpes
Buried: Haidar Pasha Cemetery, Istanbul, Turkey
Before the Armistice, the cemetery was used by the Turks for the burial of Commonwealth prisoners of war. After, the Armistice, it was mainly used by the No 82 General Hospital.
FREDERICK 'FRED' HAROLD OSBOURNE
Private 201959, B Company, 2/4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 26 September 1917, aged 22 years
Son of Mr B G E and Mrs E Osbourne, 73 Highgate, Cleethorpes
Commemorated: Tyne Cot Memorial
Brother Arthur was a private in the 4th Reserve Battalion of the King' Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.
FRED PARKINSON
Can't identify in CWGC records
STANLEY PARKINSON
Deck hand 14487, RNR HM Trawler Calvia
Died: 19 November 1917, aged 20 years
Son of Henry and Maud Parkinson, 10 Edward Street, Cleethorpes
Buried: Cleethorpes Cemetery
CYRIL ARMITAGE PEACE
Deck Boy 819SBD, Royal Naval Reserve, HM Trawler James Seckar
Died: 25 September 1917, aged 17 years
Son of Albert Edward and Phoebe Peace, 19 College Street, Cleethorpes
Commemorated: Chatham Naval Memorial
As well as the memorial plaque on the outside wall of St Peter’s Church, Cyril is also named on the Trinity Methodist plaques which are now in St Andrew’s Methodist Church.
Seventeen-year-old Cyril was one of he youngest recruits from the area to lose his life. His father also served and was an air mechanic in the RAF.
Background
Born in Leeds at the end of 1900, Cyril at 17 was and one of the youngest from the area to lose his life. His father, Albert Peace was a cabinet maker from Ossett in Yorkshire. His mother came from Dewsbury. In 1901, the couple, both 23, lived in Holbeck in Yorkshire, along with Albert’s 50-year-old mother, Emma.
The 255-ton trawler on which Cyril served as a deck boy was launched on 20 June 1916. She was torpedoed – probably by UC63 captained by Karsten von Heydebreck – and lost in the Atlantic off the coast of Cork, Ireland, with the loss of 16 crew. She was last seen at 45.39 N 12.00 W.
The crew lost were:
BLACKMORE, John, 2nd Hand, RNR, DA 16359
COOPER, James S, Deck Hand, RNR, DA 10074
CRAWFORD, David W, Ordinary Telegraphist, RNVR, Tyneside Z 10760
DAMMS, Tim, Deck Hand, RNR, DA 16987
DIVERS, Thomas R, Engineman, RNR, ES 4523
HILLIER, Clifford, Deck Hand, RNR, DA 11040
JOHNSON, George H, Trimmer, RNR, TS 6762
MALLETT, Victor J, Boy Cook, RNR, SBC 873
MCEWAN, John, Deck Hand, RNR, DA 18007
MOSS, William, Deck Hand, RNR, DA 17316
OSBORNE, Frank, Trimmer, RNR, TS 6750
PEACE, Cyril A, Deck Boy, RNR, SBD 819
ROBINSON, William, Deck Hand, RNR, DA 15206
SAWYER, Charles E, Trimmer, RNR, TS 6827
VINCE, Herbert, Leading Deck Hand, RNR, A 9447
WHITEHEAD, Charles, Deck Hand, RNR, DA 2107
Also lost were 19-year-old deck hand George Henry Cooper, son of Elizabeth Sophia Bokenham Rogers (formerly Cooper), of 19 Church Street, Southwold, Suffolk, and the late Richard John Cooper. He, like young Cyril, is commemorated on the Chatham Memorial as well as the Southwold War Memorial.
ROBERT RAMSKILL
Corporal 241024, 1/4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment (attested to the 1/5th)
Died: 21 August 1917, aged 33 years
Son of Christopher and Elizabeth Ramskill, Grimsby
Husband of Jane Elizabeth Ramskill, 158 Stanley Street, Grimsby
Buried: Bethune Town Cemetery
FRED N C REESON
Corporal 801221, C Battery, 295th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
Died: 6 August 1918, aged 23 years
Brother of Miss G B Reeson, 79 Cambridge Street, Cleethorpes
Buried: Thiennes British Cemetery
SEDMAN RICHARDSON
Private 27762 Sidman Richardson, 10th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 16 June 1917
Commemorated: Arras Memorial
SAMUEL ROBINSON
ERNEST ROBINSON
ARTHUR ROBINSON
ARTHUR W ROWSTON
Deck Hand, Mercantile Marine, Steam Trawler, Devonian
Died: 8 September 1915, aged 25 years
Born in Grimsby
Husband of Mrs Rowston, 77 Tiverton Street, Cleethorpes
Commemorated: Tower Hill Memorial
GEORGE RUSHBY
Private 40089, 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 4 March 1917
Commemorated: Thiepval Memorial
SIDNEY J SHARPE
Private 19848, 1st Garrison Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 23 March 1919, aged 43 years
Buried: Calcutta (Bhowanipore) Cemetery, India
FRANK S SHEARDOWN
Private, 25844, 8th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment
Born in 1888 in Cleethorpes
Killed in action: 28 April 1917, aged 27 years
Son of William Sheardown and Christiana Sheardown, nee Hodgson, Mill Road, Cleethorpes
Husband of Hilda Sheardown, 79 Crowhill Avenue, Cleethorpes
Commemorated: Arras Memorial
Cousin of Herbert Sheardown and Robert Hodgson who also died.
Frank’s name also appears in the Trinity Methodist Church memorial plaques which are now in St Andrew’s Methodist Church.
GILBERT K SHEARDOWN
Private 1810, 2nd Bat Lincolnshire Regiment
Born in 1895 in Cleethorpes
Killed in action: 23 October 1916, aged 21 years
Son of Fred Kirk Sheardown and Rose Alice Sheardown, nee Hodgson
Commemorated: Thiepval Memorial
There is a Herbert K Sheardown on the Trinity Methodist Church memorial plaques which are now in St Andrew’s Methodist Church.
GEORGE ROBERT SHOWLER
Company Sergeant Major 61, 5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment
Killed in action: 13 October 1915, aged 39 years
Born in Cleethorpes
Son of Mrs Esther Showler, 113 Mill Road, Cleethorpes
Husband of Alice Maud Showler, 5 Crow Hill Avenue, Cleethorpes
Enlisted in Grimsby
Commemorated: Loos Memorial
George’s name also appears in the Trinity Methodist Church memorial plaques which are now in St Andrew’s Methodist Church.
ARTHUR SMITH
Can't narrow down on CWGC records
RICHARD L SMITH
Private, 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 1 April 1917
Buried: Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty
WILLIAM DRAYTON SMITH
Private 241463, 2/5th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 26 September 1917
Commemorated: Tyne Cot Memorial
THOMAS HENRY SNELL
Private 25943, B Company, 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, DCM, MM
Died: 31 August 1918
Son of Thomas Dimond and Fanny Snell, Grimsby
Husband of Elizabeth Ann Snell, 3 Charles Street
Buried: Fienvillers
STANLEY EVERARD STAINTON
Private 3693, A Company, 1/5th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 13 October 1915, aged 19 years
Son of Mr and Mrs J S Stainton, 1 Dolphin Street, Cleethorpes
Commemorated: Loos Memorial
EWART STENTON
Lance Corporal, 13th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
Died: 9 October 1918
Son of Mr T Stenton, 106 Bentley Street, Cleethorpes
Buried: Naves Communal Cemetery Extension, France
Brothers Frank and Jospeph also served - Frank was in the RDC and Joseph in the Army Service Corp.
ALAN STOCKDALE
Background
Alan Edward Stockdale lived at 88 Thrunscoe Road in Cleethorpes andn served in the Army Service Corps. His brother Percy was on the 5th Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment.
WILLIAM STOCKDALE
Private 3499, 5th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 13 October 1915
Buried: Arras Road Cemetery, Roclincourt
HAROLD F SWEEBY
Private 1615, 10th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 1 July 1916
Buried: Ovillers Military Cemetery
WILLIAM SWIFT
Second Lieutenant, 8th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: Between 1 July 1917 and 3 July 1917
Buried: Gordon Dump Cemetery, Ovillers-la Boisselle
EDMUND PARRATT TASKER
Private 1262, 10th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 9 April 1917
Commemorated: Arras Memorial
FRED TASKER
Private 1357, 10th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 1 July 1916
Buried: Ovillers Military Cemetery
GEORGE THOMPSON
WILLIAM HENRY TINKER
Private 36525, East Surrey Regiment
Died: 5 April 1918
Commemorated: Arras Memorial
Background
William lived at 8 Elm Road in Cleethorpes.
VINCENT HENRY WADE
Private 37489, 2nd Battalion, York and Lancashire Regiment
Died: 12 April 1918
Commemorated: Tyne Cot Memorial
FRANK WILFRED WALKER
Private 34532, 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers
Died: 9 April 1918, aged 22 years
Son of Fred R and Susannah Walker, 10 West Street, Cleethorpes
Buried: Tilloy British Cemetery, Tilloy-les-Mofflaines
William Ellis Walker was a deck hand on HMS Attentive. Fred Robert, junior, was a deck hand on HMS Pekin.
FRANK LUTHER WALLIS
Bombardier 801220, C Battery, 295th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
Died: 2 April 1917, aged 27 years
Born in Cleethorpes
Son of Mrs I Wallis, 40 St Helliers Road, Cleethorpes
Resident of Grimsby
Commemorated: Roisel Communal Cemetery Extension
Brother Fred was in the RFA. Another brother, William Boyers Wallis, was in the Sherwood Foresters.
HAROLD V WALMSLEY
AMOS WARD
Amos lived at 59 Cuttleby, Albert Road, and was a Corporal in the Labour Corps.
SIDNEY WATSON
HENRY H WEBSTER
Lance Corporal 27364, King’s Royal Rifle Corp, Second Lieutenant, 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment
Born in India
Son of Revd E and Mrs Webster
Killed in action: 14 April 1918, aged 20 years
Commemorated: Tyne Cot Memorial
Background
Harry was born in 1898 in India, the son of Wesleyan minister Ebenezer Webster, who was the minister at Trinity Methodist Church from 1913 until 1920. He was sent to Wolsingham School in Weardale, Co Durham, where his name appears in the school memorial. That memorial reads 'In honour of the old boys of this school who fell in the world wars 1914-1918, 1939-1945'.
Harry’s medals were sent to his father at Epworth House, Matlock, Derbyshire.
Revd Ebenezer Webster MA is recorded as a Wesleyan minister in Kelly's 1925 Directory.
Harry’s obituary from the Grimsby News
GRIMSBY NEWS May 3 1918
SEC LIEUT HARRY WEBSTER, only son of the Revd and Mrs E Webster, of Cleethorpes, is reported killed in action in Flanders, April 17th. Two years ago he left his engineering studies in the Hull Technical College to enlist as a private in the King's Royal Rifles, and was at once selected for promotion. He received his first stripe shortly after joining and his second a few weeks later. After training in the 17th O.C.B. at Rhyl he received his commission in the Lincolnshire Regiment a year ago and went to the Western Front in June, where he saw service in all parts of the line, from St Quentin to Ypres. He took part in the heavy fighting last March, when his battalion (Lincolns), so gloriously held the line. A few days before his death he succeeded to the command of his company, and as one of his comrades says in a letter to the bereaved parents, he played a very brave part during the German attack in the Lys sector, where he was killed instantly by a shell. The chaplain writes that he was beloved by all in the battalion, and one of the men of his company adds that they would have followed him anywhere. Harry Webster was born in India, and was only 20 when he died for the great cause. He held the championship badge for athletics in the Wolsingham Grammar School, and after coming to Cleethorpes became a hearty worker among the young people, taking a large share in the Sunday school, Boys’ Life Brigade, and similar work. He was a keen sportsman and greatly loved and admired by the young people he came in contact with, as well as by the older members of the congregation attending the Wesleyan Church, who knew his stirling worth and appreciated it.
Henry’s name also appears in the Trinity Methodist Church memorial plaques which are now in St Andrew’s Methodist Church.
JOHN WELLS
REGINALD HOWARD WILLIAMS
Private 3513, 1st/5th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
Died: 13 July 1917, aged 18 years
Born in Bristol
Son of Frederick and Clara Agnes Williams, 77 Fair View Avenue, Cleethorpes
Buried: Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty
WILLIAM WILLIAMSON
Possibly a second hand on the Attentive. The family lived 421 Cleethorpe Road.
ADOLPHUS ALEXANDER T WINDEATT
Gunner 240978, A Battery, 296th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
Died of wounds: 23 March 1918, aged 23 years
Son of Walter and Lucy Windeatt, 433 Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes
Enlisted in Cleethorpes
Buried: St Pierre Cemetery, Amiens, France
CWGC records him as Alexander Windeatt.
Background
Alexander was born in Grimsby in 1894. His father, Robert Walter Windeatt, hailed from Devon and was the manager of a steam fishing company. In 1901, Robert and his wife - Lucy (who was born in Hundelby) lived at 58 Harrington Street in Cleethorpes. Both were 40 and had six children living at home - Walter (16), John Robert (15), Albert (10), Amy, Alexander (six) and ???? (four). The two oldest boys worked in the docks as assistants to fish merchants.
John Robert was a gunner with the Royal Garrison Artillery and served in Egypt.
GEORGE WOODFORD
Sapper, 476972, 464th Field Company, Royal Engineers
Died of wounds: 6 May 1918
Resident of Sheffield
Enlisted in Cleethorpes
Buried: Les Baraques Military Cemetery, Sangatte
George was awarded the Military Medal.
