WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

ORTON LONGUEVILLE WAR MEMORIALS

ORTON LONGUEVILLE, HOLY TRINITY THE VILLAGE, ORTON LONGUEVILLE, PETERBOROUGH, PE2 7DN ORDNANCE SURVEY REFERENCE: TL 168 965

“When you go home, tell them of us and say, For their tomorrow, we gave our today”

(Attributed to John Maxwell Edmonds 1875-1958)

The aim of this memorial booklet is to provide some information regarding the people of Orton Longueville who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country, and whose names are recorded on the parish war memorials.

The following pages have been compiled from information and records held by a number of organisations, including the General Register Office, The National Archives, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the Imperial War Museum, plus various publications.

This booklet has been written as a personal project and is not endorsed by any of the above organisations.

Some details have been extracted from regimental and historical websites, including amongst others “The Long, Long Trail” at www.1914-1918.net (which has details of the deployment of Army units during World War 1). All of the websites mentioned in the booklet are free to view.

Whilst care has been taken that the details within this booklet have been accurately transcribed, they are subject to the reader’s own verification from original records.

I apologise sincerely for any error it may contain.

Jane King 2012

ORTON LONGUEVILLE, HOLY TRINITY

The parish war memorial is situated at the main gate to the churchyard. (UK National Inventory of War Memorials reference: 330).

It is made from grey Rubislaw granite and stands approximately 12 feet high. It is in the form of a Celtic wheel-cross on a tapering four-sided column, which has a carved Crusader’s sword on the east face. The column sits upon a two-stage plinth, which bears the inscriptions from World Wars 1 and 2. The plinth is set upon a two-stepped concrete base. It was erected by Messrs G.R. Dickens and Son, of Peterborough, in 1920. The cost of the memorial (£134) was paid for by parish subscription.

The memorial was unveiled by Brigadier General W. Strong on the evening of Sunday 29th August 1920. The memorial was then dedicated by the Reverend Warren Hastings, after which the hymn “O God, our help in ages past” was sung. The assembled crowd then stood to attention while the “Last Post” was sounded, by Scout buglers from Longthorpe. After an interval of silence, “Reveille” was sounded.

Wreaths were laid at the foot of the memorial, including a number bearing cards inscribed with poignant messages from the relatives of those who had died.

The ceremony was followed by a service in the church.

(A report of the ceremony was published in the Peterborough Advertiser, issued on 4/9/1920).

The east face of the memorial bears the following inscription: PTE. BUTTERWICK, A. 4th BEDS. L/C. DUNCAN, G. GN. HIGH. PTE. EVANS, A. 7th NORFOLK. PTE. HILL, H.W. 7th R. BERKS PTE. HILLIARD, A.H. 7th NORTHANTS. PTE. JINKS, W. 3rd BEDS 2/LT. MARTIN, J. R.G.A. PTE. PLUMB, J. 6th NORTHANTS. CAP. SCORER, H.S. 5th LINCS. CPL. SCOTT, J. 1/4 LEICESTERS.

TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THE ABOVE MEN OF THIS PARISH WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918.

The north face bears the following inscription: 1939-1945 SAPPER BROWN, A. R.E. L.A/C. LIGHTFOOT, H. R.A.F. CAPT. LOWE, J.N. ESSEX RGT.

Within the church

1) There is a brass plaque, on the wall between the nave and chancel, to Herbert Selwyn Scorer. (UK National Inventory of War Memorials reference: 331). It incorporates the badge of the Lincolnshire Regiment. The inscription reads: IN AFFECTIONATE MEMORY OF HERBERT SELWYN SCORER CAPT “B” COY 1/5 LINCS REGIMENT KILLED IN ACTION AT THE TAKING OF THE HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT OCTOBER 13th 1915. IN HIS 30th YEAR. THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED BY HIS SORROWING FATHER, MOTHER, BROTHER, SISTERS AND BERYL

2) On the east wall of the vestry is the large black marble altar tomb of Charles Gordon, 10th Marquis of Huntly. On the front of the tomb is a marble plaque, measuring 30 x 25 cms. The inscription reads:- LORD LEWIS GORDON, BORN 3, MAY 1848, LOST IN H.M.S. “CAPTAIN” SEPT. 7. 1870.

3) On the west wall of the nave is a Roll of Honour Board. The inscription reads: ROLL OF HONOUR FOR KING AND COUNTRY PARISH OF ORTON LONGUEVILLE The following members of the above Parish served in His Majesty’s Forces during the great War 1914-1918 Rank Name Regt Capt. Beeby, H 4th City of London Driver Beeby, H A.S.C. Pte. Brown, J 7th Royal Sussex Pte. Butterwick, T (Wounded) 5th Royal Warwickshire L/Cpl. Butterwick, C R.E. Pte Butterwick, A.W. (Killed) 3rd Bedfordshire Driver Dale, R R.S.C Private Dale, H R.G.A. Lieut. Dickinson, J.T. Bedfordshire L/Cpl Duncan, G. (Killed) Gordon Highlanders Major English, G. A.S.C. Lieut. English, R R.N. Pte. Evans, A. (Killed) 7th Norfolks Corpl. Fowler, H. A.S.C. Pte. Fowler, F. Grenadier Guards Pte. Hill, H.W. (Killed) 7th Royal Berkshire Capt. Hastings, Warren Rev. Labour Corps Pte. Jinks, W. (Drowned) 9th Bedfordshires Pte. Marriott, B Royal Sussex Pte. Marriott, L. 1/8th Essex 2nd Lieut. Martin, J. (Killed) R.G.A. Pte. Plumb, J. (Killed) 6th Northants Capt. Scorer, H.S. (Killed) 5th Lincolnshire Pte. Scott, R. Rifle Brigade Pte. Scott, Joe. (Wounded) 1st Northants Corpl. Scott, Jim (Killed) 1/4th Leicestershire Pte. Shepherd-Loades, J.W. M.G.C. Pte. Taylor, G.E. Labour Corps

PARISH MEMORIAL: WORLD WAR 1 BIOGRAPHIES

1) Alfred William BUTTERWICK

Alfred William Butterwick was born in 1894 in Orton Longueville, Peterborough. He was the son of William and Betsy Butterwick. On the 1901 and 1911 census he was living with his parents in Orton Longueville. On the 1911 census Alfred was recorded as being a farm labourer.

Alfred enlisted at Bedford as a Private with the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. His regimental number was 25449. He was recorded as living in Orton Waterville when he enlisted.

[The 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire regiment landed at Le Havre on 25/7/1916 and was placed under the command of the 190th Brigade in the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. It fought on the Western Front for the rest of the war.

On 11/2/1917 it was engaged in operations on the Ancre, in the vicinity of Miraumont. (Information from the Long, Long Trail website: www.1914-1918.net )]

Alfred was killed in action on 11/2/1917, aged 22. He has no known grave. He is commemorated on the pier and on face 2C of the Thiepval Memorial in France, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database: www.cwgc.org

Alfred was awarded the Victory and British medals.

2) Lewis George DUNCAN (There is a little uncertainty regarding the identity of the man named on the memorial. The inscription reads “G. Duncan”. There was a Lance Corporal Gordon Low Duncan of the Gordon Highlanders who died in World War 1, but he had no apparent link to Orton Longueville. The following details relate to the man most likely to have been commemorated on the parish memorial). Lewis George Duncan was born in Glenmuick, Aberdeenshire in about 1888. He was the son of William and Ann Duncan. On the 1891 and 1901 census he was living in Laggan Cottage, Glenmuick with his parents. He moved to Orton Hall, Orton Longueville between 1901 and 1911. On the 1911 census he was working as a footman at Orton Hall. His place of birth was recorded on the census form as “Glenmuick”. (Glenmuick is a village near Aboyne Castle, which for many years was one of the seats of the Marquis of Huntly, owner of Orton Hall). Lewis was the only person with the surname Duncan living in Orton Longueville on the 1911 census.

Lewis George Duncan enlisted as a Private with the 8th/10th Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders. His regimental number was S/11944. He enlisted in Huntingdon, and gave his place of birth as Glenmuick. He was later promoted to Lance Corporal.

[The 8th/10th Battalion was formed 11/5/1916, when the two were amalgamated at Bethune, France. It was attached to the 44th Brigade in the 15th (Scottish) Division.

On 31/7/1917 it took part in the Battle of Pilkem, one of the Battles of the Third Ypres. (Information from The Long, Long Trail website: www.1914-1918.net )].

Lewis was killed in action on 31/7/1917. He has no known grave. He is commemorated on panel 38 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial at West Vlaanderen, Belgium, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database: www.cwgc.org. He is also named on the Ballater Memorial in Aberdeenshire (see www.warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com).

Lewis was awarded the Victory and British medals.

(Since Lewis was living in the village in 1911 and enlisted at Huntingdon, he is most likely to be the man named on the parish memorial. It is possible that he was commonly known by his middle name, “George”, which would explain him being listed as “G. Duncan” on the memorial). 3) Alfred Edward EVANS

Alfred Edward Evans was born in Rowl, Wiltshire in 1899. He was the son of Alfred and Eliza Evans. On the 1901 and 1911 census he was living with his parents in Botolph Bridge, Orton Longueville.

Fortunately Alfred’s Army service records have survived. They record that he enlisted as a Private at Huntingdon on 7/1/1918. At that time he was 18 years old and working as a footman/postman.

He was initially allocated the regimental number 38286, and was assigned to the 4th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. On 10/1/1918 he was posted to Bedford.

On 28/3/1918 he transferred to the 2/1st Hunts Cyclist Battalion. His regimental number changed to 60652. He served in the UK until 11/8/1918. On 11/8/1918 he was posted overseas to France.

On 22/8/1918 he was transferred to the 7th Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment, which was then engaged in the Battles of The Somme. His regimental number changed to 42083.

On 18/9/1918 the regiment took part in the Battle of Epehy (one of the Battles of the Hindenburg Line).

Alfred was killed in action on 18/9/1918, aged 18. He was buried in grave IG 6 at Epehy Wood Farm Cemetery in France, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database. (See www.cwgc.org). The database records him as the “Son of Alfred and Eliza Evans, of Orton Longueville”.

Alfred’s Army service record indicates that his father was notified of his death on the 12th November 1918, the day after Armistice Day.

Alfred was awarded the Victory and British medals.

4) Horace Walter HILL

Horace Walter Hill was born in 1889 in Orton Longueville. He was the son of John and Sarah Hill. On the 1891, 1901 and 1911 census he was living with his parents in Orton Longueville. On the 1911 census he was working as a wagoner on a farm.

Horace enlisted at Huntingdon as a Private with the Hunts Cyclist Battalion. His regimental number was 1202. He was later transferred to the 7th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment. His regimental number changed to 39435.

[The 7th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment was attached to the 78th Brigade in the 26th Division. It was sent to France in September 1915.

On 11/11/1915 it left France and moved to Salonika, where it remained for the rest of the war.

On the 1st/2nd September 1918 it took part in The Capture of the Roche Noir Salient. (Information from the Long, Long Trail: www.1914-1918.net)].

Horace was killed in action on 2/9/1918, aged 28. He was buried at the Karasouli Military Cemetery, Polikastro, Greece in grave C 482, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database: www.cwgc.org. The database records him as the “Son of Mr and Mrs J Hill, of Orton Longueville”.

Horace was awarded the Victory and British medals.

5) Albert Henry HILLIARD

Albert Henry Hilliard was born in 1890 in Elton. He was the son of James and Letitia Hilliard. On the 1891 census he was living with his parents in Elton. On the 1901 census he was living with his parents on Cowpasture Farm in Woodston. (In 1905 Albert’s mother, Letitia, died. His father, James, was living in Moggswell Lane, Orton Longueville on the 1911 census).

Albert Henry Hilliard married Elsie Keziah Green in 1907 in the Peterborough District. On the 1911 census Albert was living with his wife and two young children (Doris and Albert) at 4 Chapel Row, Stibbington. He was working as a farm labourer.

Albert enlisted at Oundle as a Private with the 7th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. His regimental number was 17086. He was posted to France on 1/9/1915.

[The 7th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment was attached to the 73rd Brigade in the 24th Division. It landed at Boulogne on 2/9/1915.

On 27/9/1915 the 7th Northamptonshire regiment was engaged in fighting in the Auchy area, as part of the Battle of Loos. It was a target of heavy shelling and machine gun fire and suffered many casualties. (Information from the Long, Long Trail: www.1914-1918.net)].

Albert was killed in action on 27/9/1915, aged 25. He has no known grave. He is commemorated on the addenda panel of the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database: www.cwgc.org

Albert was awarded the Victory, British and 15 Star medals.

6) William JINKS

William Jinks was born in 1880 in Eye, Northamptonshire. He was the son of Henry and Keziah Jinks. On the 1881 census William was living with his parents in Eye. By the 1891 census the family were living in Alwalton. William’s father Henry died in 1896. On the 1901 and 1911 census William was living with his widowed mother in Orton Longueville. He was working as a farm labourer.

William enlisted at Bedford as a Private with the 5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. His regimental number was 27798. He gave his place of birth as Eye and his address as Orton Longueville.

The 5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was serving in Palestine in December 1917. Having suffered heavy losses, it was in need of reinforcements. The HT Aragon sailed from Marseilles in December 1917, arriving in Alexandria Harbour on 30/12/1917. She was carrying approximately 2700 people, most of whom were troops being sent to reinforce battalions, but also including some nurses who were bound for the hospital centre at Alexandria. The Aragon was struck by a torpedo and sank, with the loss of 380 officers and men. This included 25 men who had been bound as reinforcements for the Bedfordshire regiment.

William was one of those aboard the HT Aragon. He died on 30/12/1917. His body was not recovered. He is commemorated on the Chatby Memorial in Alexandria, Egypt, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database: www.cwgc.org. The database records him as the “Son of the late Henry and Kizziah Jinks”.

William was awarded the Victory and British medals.

(Information regarding the sinking of the HT Aragon can be found at www.bedfordregiment.org.uk and at www.merchantnavyofficers.com/rm2.html).

The parish memorial lists William as serving with the 3rd Battalion, Bedfordshires. The roll of honour lists him with the 9th Battalion. However, William’s Army records show that he served with the 5th Battalion. 7) John MARTIN

John Martin was born in Papworth Everard in 1892. He was the only son of John and Edith Lucy Martin. On the 1901 census he was living with his parents at The Willows Farm House, Horningsea, Chesterton, Cambridgeshire. Between 1901 and 1911 his father, John, died. On the 1911 census John was living with his widowed mother, Edith, at Roseville, New Road, Melbourne, Cambridgeshire. John was recorded as being a “farming pupil”.

John joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was assigned to the 229th Siege Battery. He was posted to France on 31/7/1917, and was transferred to Italy in November 1917.

[On 24th October 1917 the Italian army came under attack from German/Austrian forces, in the Battle of Caporetto. Over the next few weeks the Italian army suffered a resounding defeat, during which an estimated 40,000 Italian soldiers were killed or wounded and 280,000 were taken prisoner. (A report of the Battle can be viewed at www.worldwar1.com/itafront/caporetto.htm)].

Following the loss of half of the Italian army at Caporetto, six French army divisions and five British divisions were sent to reinforce them. The 229th Siege Battery was one of the units transferred from France to Italy in November 1917 as reinforcements.

John was killed in action on 19/12/1917, aged 25. He was buried at the Giavera British Cemetery, Arcade, Italy in Plot 2, Row A, Grave 8, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database: www.cwgc.org.

John was awarded the Victory and British medals.

I have found no record that John ever lived in Orton Longueville himself. His link to the village was that he was the nephew of Ambrose Martin, who was a resident here. The following extract is taken from the Peterborough and Hunts Standard, issued 12/1/1918: “Killed in action in Italy on Dec 19 1917, John Martin, Sec Lieut, RGA, aged 25 years, only son of the late John Martin, Melbourne, Cambs and Mrs Martin, The Beacon, Abbots Kerswell, Devon and only nephew of Ambrose Martin, Orton Longueville, Peterborough”.

8) Joseph Victor PLUMB

Joseph Victor Plumb was born in 1897 in Woodston, Peterborough. He was the son of Joseph and Nellie Plumb. On the 1901 and 1911 census he was living with his parents in Belsize Avenue, Woodston. In 1911 he was working as an errand boy.

Joseph enlisted at Northampton as a Private with the 6th Battalion of the Northamptonshire Regiment. His regimental number was 15079. He was posted to France on 26/7/1915.

[The 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment was part of the 54th Brigade in the 18th (Eastern) Division. It was sent to France in July 1915 and served on the Western Front for the rest of the war.

On 14th July 1916 it took part in the Battle of Bazentin, one of the Battles of the Somme. (Information from the Long, Long Trail website: www.1914-1918.net)].

Joseph was killed in action on 14/7/1916, aged 18. He has no known grave. He is commemorated on the pier and Faces 11A and 11D of the Thiepval Memorial in France, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database: www.cwgc.org. The database records him as being the “Son of Joseph and Nellie Plumb, of Orton Longueville”.

Joseph was awarded the British, Victory and 15 Star medals.

9) Herbert Selwyn SCORER

Herbert Selwyn Scorer was born in 1886 in Thorney, Cambridgeshire. He was the son of John Norton and Susan Scorer. On the 1891 census Herbert was staying with his grandparents in Sudbrooke, Lincolnshire. On the 1901 census he was a boarder at Sydney House, Oundle School. On the 1911 census Herbert was living in Orton Longueville. He was recorded as being a farmer.

Herbert joined the 5th Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment as a Captain.

[Colonel T. E. Sandall wrote A History of the 5th Batt., The Lincolnshire Regiment. A digital copy of it can be viewed at www.4-lom.com/sandall. The following details have been extracted from that book:

In 1912 the Battalion, under Captain Scorer, provided the Guard of Honour at Grimsby station when King George V visited Immingham to open the new docks.

The Battalion was mobilized on 5/8/1914. It sailed from Southampton aboard the SS Empress Queen, arriving at Le Havre on 28/2/1915. Captain Scorer was in command of “B” Company at that time. The Battalion was deployed in the Ypres Salient for the first few months.

Herbert Scorer was one of three named officers who were praised for their actions during an incident in the trenches on 30/9/1915. The Brigadier General described them as having behaved “with much gallantry”.

At 2pm on October 13th 1915, the Battalion left the trenches and went “over the top” at the Hohenzollern Redoubt. It came under intense fire almost immediately, suffering heavy casualties. Of the 23 officers who went into action on that day, 11 were killed and 11 wounded (one mortally). This, almost total, loss of commanding officers had a dramatic effect, leaving the lower ranks to fight on virtually leaderless. In the space of a few hours the Battalion lost 22 officers (11 killed, 11 wounded). Of the other ranks, 285 men were reported killed or missing and 175 were wounded].

Herbert Scorer was one of those who died at Hohenzollern on 13/10/1915, aged 29. He has no known grave. He is commemorated on Panels 31-34 of the Loos Memorial in France, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database: www.cwgc.org. (The database records him as serving with “C” Company).

Herbert was awarded the Victory, British and 1915 Star medals. (As well as being named on the parish memorial, there is a personal memorial to Herbert within Orton Longueville church, erected by his family. A photograph of it is included in earlier pages of this booklet).

Photograph of Herbert Scorer, 1914 10) Jim SCOTT

Jim Scott was born in 1893 in Orton Longueville. He was the son of Simon Whittaker Scott and Elizabeth Middleton Scott. On the 1901 and 1911 census Jim was living with his parents in St Botolphs, Orton Longueville. In 1911 he was working as a farm labourer.

Jim enlisted at Oakham as a Corporal with the 1/4th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment. His regimental number was originally 2604, but later changed to 240659.

[The 1/ 4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment was attached to the 138th Brigade in the 46th (North Midland) Division from May 1915. It was deployed in the Ypres Salient until December 1915, when it was sent to Egypt. After only a few weeks, the Division was shipped back to France. It remained on the Western Front for the rest of the war.

From the 29th September to the 2nd October 1918 it took part in the Battle of the St Quentin Canal. On the 3rd October 1918 it took part in the Battle of Beaurevoire. Both of these were Battles of the Hindenburg Line. Information from the Long, Long Trail website: www.1914-1918.net].

Jim died of wounds on 3/10/1918. He was buried in grave III C5 of the Vadencourt British Cemetery at Maissemy, Aisne, France, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database: www.cwgc.org

Jim was awarded the Victory and British medals.

[According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, at the beginning of October 1918 the XI Corps Main Dressing Station was located at Vadencourt. In October and November 1918, Vadencourt British Cemetery was used by the 5th, 47th and 61st Casualty Clearing Stations (at Bihecourt, on the road to Vermand) as well as by Field Ambulances].

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World War 1 survivors

The 19 men from the village who served and returned from World War 1 were named on the Orton Longueville Roll Of Honour as:

Captain H. Beeby, 4th City of London Regiment Driver H. Beeby, Army Service Corps Private J. Brown, 7th Royal Sussex Regiment Private T. Butterwick (wounded), 1/ 5th Royal Warwickshire Regiment Lance Corporal C. Butterwick, Royal Engineers Driver R. Dale, Army Service Corps Private H. Dale, Royal Garrison Artillery Lieutenant J.T. Dickinson, Bedfordshire Regiment Major G. English, Army Service Corps Lieutenant R. English, Royal Navy Corporal H. Fowler, Army Service Corps Private F. Fowler, Grenadier Guards Captain (Reverend) Warren Hastings, Labour Corps Private B. Marriott, Royal Sussex Regiment Private L. Marriott, 1/8th Essex Regiment Private R. Scott, Rifle Brigade Private Joe Scott (wounded), 1st Northamptonshire Regiment Private J.W. Shepherd-Loades, Machine Gun Corps Private G.E. Taylor, Labour Corps.

PARISH MEMORIAL: WORLD WAR 2 BIOGRAPHIES

1) Alfred Brown The parish memorial inscription lists “Sapper A. Brown”, of the Royal Engineers, as having died in World War 2. According to the Orton Longueville Parochial Church Council minutes dated 16/1/1945 & 29/3/1945 *, “A. Brown” was a man from the village, whose name was added to the parish memorial by the consent of “Mrs Kilby”. This information enabled me to trace his details as follows:

Alfred Brown was born in 1913 in Peterborough. He was the son of Caroline Brown. (His mother married John William Kilby on 28/11/1915 at Peterborough Register Office. Caroline was a 19 year old spinster, living in Bridge Street, Peterborough at the time of her marriage).

Alfred joined the Royal Engineers as a Sapper. His service number was 5834555. He was assigned to the 994 Docks Operating Company, Royal Engineers. According to his entry in the War Office: Army Roll of Honour, WW2, Alfred died at sea on 17/6/1943.

[The 994 Docks Operating Company was serving in the Mediterranean in 1943. It boarded the auxiliary transport ship, SS Yoma, in June 1943, bound for Alexandria.

The SS Yoma was sailing in convoy number GTX-2, heading for Alexandria, when she was struck by a torpedo at about 7.30 am on 17/6/1943. She sank within minutes, off Cyrenacia, Libya, with the loss of more than 400 lives.

A passenger list for the SS Yoma, showing the names of survivors and those lost, is held by the National Archives, in document reference number WO 361/432 (“Casualties at sea, Mediterranian: SS Yoma , sunk off Cyrenacia, Libya, 17th June 1943”)].

Alfred died at sea on 17/6/1943, aged 30. He has no known grave.

He is commemorated on Panel 5, column 3 of the Brookwood Memorial in Surrey, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database: www.cwgc.org. The database records him as being the “Son of Caroline Brown, and stepson of John William Kilby”.

(There are numerous websites relating to the sinking of the SS Yoma, some of which are listed below) http://members.iinet.net.au/~gduncan/maritime-1a.html www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?58548 www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/04/a8401204.shtml

(* Orton Longueville Parochial Church Council minute book: 15/4/1920-19/5/1960. Reference number: HP61/8/5/1, held at Huntingdonshire Archives, Huntingdon).

2) Horace LIGHTFOOT

Horace Lightfoot was born in 1906 in Woodston, Peterborough. He was the son of Edward and Helen Lightfoot. On the 1911 census he was living with his parents at 291 Oundle Road, Woodston. Horace married Alice Dale in 1931 in the Peterborough district.

He served in the Base Signals and Radar Unit, RAF Volunteer Reserve. He was a Leading Aircraftman, and his service number was 1467078.

Horace died on 7/11/1944, aged 38. He was buried in grave 21, plot 9, row 2, at Oostende New Communal Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, Belgium, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database: www.cwgc.org . The database records him as being the “Son of Edward and Helen Lightfoot; husband of Alice Lightfoot, of Orton Longueville”.

[Horace was almost certainly one of those who perished on the HM Landing Ship Tank-420. That vessel was carrying the No.1 Base Signals and Radar Unit to Belgium on 7/11/1944, but was unable to enter the port of Ostende due to adverse weather. She had turned back towards England, but was still within sight of the Belgian coast, when she struck a mine in the English Channel at about 3pm. She was split in two by the explosion, and quickly sank.

Many of those who had survived the explosion abandoned their places on the rafts, in order to swim to the aid of their comrades who were struggling in the water, sacrificing their own lives in the process. 14 radar officers and 224 other ranks, all from the 60 Signals Group of the R.A.F., were lost. Most were British servicemen, but some were members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, serving on attachment to the R.A.F. The incident has been described as “Possibly the largest single-unit radar loss of the war”. 55 Naval officers and crew from the ship also died.

Most of the bodies that were recovered from the tragedy were buried in either Plot 9 of the Oostende New Communal Cemetery or at Blankenberge Town Cemetery, in Belgium. Most of those whose bodies were not recovered are commemorated at either the Air Forces Memorial at Runnymead in Surrey or at the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

The website www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/1016042001.jpg carries a moving account of the loss of the HM LST-420, written by Peter Smoothy of the 9th LST Flotillion.

The National Archives document reference WO 361/741: “Casualties at sea: LST 420 (landing ship tank), sunk 7 November 44”, relates to the War Office Casualties Branch enquiries into missing personnel from the incident].

3) John Norton LOWE

John Norton Lowe was born in 1914. He was the son of Alfred and Eleanor Lowe of Orton Longueville.

He served with the Essex Regiment (Infantry). He was attached to the Nigeria Regiment, (Royal West African Frontier Force). His service number was 176280. His appointment as 2nd Lieutenant was announced in the London Gazette, Issue number 35103, page number 1498, published 11/3/1941. He was later promoted to Captain.

John was mentioned in Despatches, “in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma”. The announcement was made in the Supplement to London Gazette, Issue number 37284, page 4785, published 25th September 1945. This can be viewed at www.london-gazette.co.uk

John died on 7/10/1944, aged 30. He has no known grave.

He is commemorated on Face 15 of the Rangoon Memorial in Taukkyan War Cemetery, Myanmar (Burma), according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database. The database records him as being the “Son of Alfred Edward and Eleanor Marchant Lowe, of Orton Longueville, Huntingdonshire”. (See www.cwgc.org).

MEMORIAL TO LORD LEWIS GORDON (sited within Vestry)

Lord Lewis Gordon was born on 3/5/1848 in Orton Longueville. He was the son of Charles Gordon, 10th Marquis of Huntly, and Maria Antoinetta Pegus. On the 1851 census Lewis was living at Orton Hall with his siblings. On the 1861 census he was a pupil at North Grove House School in Portsea, Portsmouth.

Lord Lewis Gordon was nominated to a Naval cadetship in October 1861. He passed his exam as a Naval cadet in December 1861. He obtained his third-class certificate for seagoing service in June 1863, aged 15. [Information from The Times Digital Archive].

In December 1868 he was assigned as Acting Sub-Lieutenant aboard the H.M.S. Danae, on which he served for the next six months. On the 22nd June 1869 he was allowed to travel home “at (his) own expense”. In August 1869 he was posted to the H.M.S. Duke of Wellington “to pass exams”. He was promoted to Sub-Lieutenant. [Information from The National Archives document: ADM 196/38].

He was appointed as Sub-Lieutenant aboard the H.M.S. Captain and joined the ship at Portsmouth in April 1870. [Information from The Times Digital Archive].

H.M.S. Captain was an experimental twin-screw battleship. According to the National Maritime Museum, poor supervision during construction led to the “Captain” being heavier than planned. The ship’s centre of gravity had also risen by about ten inches during construction, rendering the vessel unsafe. She was launched in 1869 and commissioned in April 1870. Concerns about her instability during trials were overruled.

[The H.M.S. Captain was undergoing trials off the west coast of Spain in September 1870. She was last seen afloat by a sister ship at 1.30 am on 7th September. A sudden storm then blew in, during which sight of her was lost. By 2.15 am, when the gale subsided, she was no longer to be seen. The H.M.S. Captain had capsized and sunk on 7th September 1870, off the coast of Cape Finisterre.

It was originally believed that she had foundered with the loss of all hands, but one boat containing 18 survivors reached the port of Corcubion in the evening of that day. (Information from The Times Digital Archive: Monday September 12th, 1870, page 12, Issue 26853)].

Out of a ship’s complement of over 500, there were only 18 survivors. It was one of the Royal Navy’s worst peacetime losses ever recorded. Lord Lewis Gordon was one of the many who was lost at sea. He was 22 years old.

There are two large plaques commemorating the loss of H.M.S. Captain in St Paul’s Cathedral in London, one giving the official account of the disaster and a list of the ship’s officers, and the other listing the seamen, Royal Marines and boys who died.

There is an interesting website, with photographs and tales of the survivors, at: www.hmscaptain.co.uk

(Lord Lewis Gordon died in peacetime. However, as he died in service with the Royal Navy in an incident of such historical interest, I have included his details within this booklet).

*

(Note: Alongside Lewis’ memorial plaque on the Gordon altar tomb within the vestry is a commemorative plaque to his brother, Lord Bertrand Gordon, born 24/7/1850. He did not die in service. Bertrand lived with his parents in Orton Hall until 1867, when he sailed to Australia. He arrived in New South Wales aboard the “Cowpatrick” on 16/12/1867, aged 17. Bertrand died of consumption on 10/8/1869 at Barncleuth, Sydney, aged 19. His funeral took place on 12/8/1869 and he was buried in Newtown Cemetery, New South Wales. Many entries can be found for him on the website: www.trove.nla.gov.au/ndp).

SOURCES/REFERENCES INCLUDE:

Office for National Statistics {England and Wales Civil Registration Index (© Crown Copyright-see below) {(General Register Office: Births/Marriages/Deaths Index)

National Records of Scotland {Statutory Registers of Birth/Marriages/Deaths in Scotland (© Crown Copyright. Data supplied {Census returns for Scotland by National Records of Scotland)

The National Archives/Public Record {Census returns of England and Wales 1851,1861,1881,1891, Office {1901 and 1911 (© Crown Copyright-see below) {WW1 Medal Index Cards (WO 372) {War Office: Roll of Honour, Second World War (WO 304) {Army Service Records WW1;”Burnt Documents” (WO 363) {War Diaries (WO 95) {Admiralty: Officers Service Records (ADM 196/38)

HMSO {Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-1919 (published 1920) (© Crown Copyright-see below) {Officers Died in the Great War 1914-1919 (published 1919)

The National Publishing Company The National Roll of the Great War 1914-1918 (published 1920)

Peterborough Central Library Peterborough and Hunts Standard, newspaper archive

(© Crown Copyright material has been reproduced under the Open Government Licence).

WEBSITES www.cwgc.org (Commonwealth War Graves Commission: Casualty Database) www.rmg.co.uk The National Maritime Museum www.1914-1918.net The Long, Long Trail (deployment of Army units in WW1) www.london-gazette.co.uk London Gazette archives (appointments/Dispatches etc) http://infotrac.galegroup.com The Times Digital Archive (accessed via Library membership) www.warmemscot.54.bizhat.com Ballater Memorial, Aberdeenshire (Lewis George Duncan) www.bedfordregiment.org.uk } Details of the sinking of HT Aragon www.merchantnavyofficers.com/rm2.html } www.worldwar1.com/itafront/caporetto.html Details of the Battle of Caporetto www.4-lom.com/sandall Digital copy of “A History of the 5th Battalion, The Lincolnshire Regiment”, by Colonel T.E. Sandall http://members.iinet.net.au/~gduncan/maritime-1a.html } www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?58548 } Details of the sinking of SS Yoma www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/04/a8401204.shtml } www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/1016042001.jpg Details of the sinking of HM LST-420 www.rquirk.com/cdnradar/cor/chapter12.pdf Digital copy of Chapter 12 of “Canadians on Radar, Royal Canadian Air Force, 1940-1946” by George K Grande, Sheila Linden and Horace R Macauley. (Chapter 12 by J R Robinson). Re: HM LST-420 www.hmscaptain.co.uk Details of the sinking of H.M.S. Captain, and survivors tales

Holy Trinity Church is in the Diocese of Ely.

It is Grade 1 listed by English Heritage. (UID: 50248, list entry number:1166191). Its architectural details can be viewed at www.english-heritage.org.uk

The church (and Orton Hall) are described on pages 300-301 of “Pevsner Architectural Guides: Bedfordshire, Huntingdon and Peterborough”, published by Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-09581-3.

Cutting taken from the Peterborough Advertiser, issued 4th September 1920

(Photograph attached to article published in 1920)