ASHBY ST MARY ASHBYWAR MEMORIAL ST MARY WE WILL REMEMBER THEM WEVolume WILL 2 Company Sergeant Major William E. Starman REMEMBERPrivate John S. Cotton THEM Volume 2 Company Sergeant Major William E. Starman Private John S. Cotton ASHBY ST MARY WAR MEMORIAL WE WILL REMEMBER THEM Volume 1 Private Ernest. W. Bush Able Seaman Herbert V. Chambers Volume 2 Company Sergeant Major William E. Starman Private John S. Cotton Researched, compiled and produced by Terry Kitt 2014 Acknowledgements The information contained in this book is accurate as far as possible. It was collated from online research sites, Norfolk Museum records and Norfolk Regiment Records and information received from John Ling on the Starman family. If however any inaccuracies are identified by readers or any additional information and photos could be made available, this would be appreciated. Please contact Terry Kitt on 01508 480954 or by Email at [email protected]. Many thanks. The War Memorial situated within the churchyard of Ashby St Mary church Company Sergeant Major William Edward Starman M. M. Family Background William Starman’s father, William senior, was born in Kirstead in 1846 and was a career serviceman in the Army. He married Elizabeth in 1876. He was stationed at Winchester Barracks in 1877, Natal South Africa in 1882, Winchester Barracks in 1884, Raglan Barracks, Devonport in 1886 and Shornecliffe Camp Kent in 1877. He left the Army shortly after 1897 and was living in Hellington by 1890. William Edward was one of eight children: Frederick H born 1877 Winchester married Alice Jane Stone 1897 died 1945 Alfred T born 1882 South Africa married Julia A Smith in 1912 at Mitford. It appears Alfred also served in the Norfolk Regiment but probably prior to WWI as he is not shown on the Medal Rolls. Alfred died in 1954 in Fakenham. Julia died 1961 in North Walsham Elizabeth P born 1884 in Winchester. Married Athur Wells 1916 William Edward born 1886 at Raglan Barracks Devonport Mary Louisa born 1887 in Kent. Married Harvey twins Reginald W H born 1890 in Hellington and died 1952 Ivy G G born 1890, died C1895 in Hellington Frank born 1892 in Hellington William was born at the Raglan Barracks Devonport. He married Maria Ward on 2 nd November 1915 in Henstead. They had one daughter, Doris Jean, who was born on 28 th July 1917 in Blofield. William joined the Army and enlisted in the Norfolk Regiment on 10 th December 1904. From the family history shown in Appendix C, it is possible that there are relatives of William Edward still living in Norfolk with the surname of : STARMAN, REEVE, EVERETT, PARKER, CARR, CARROLL HARVEY and UPTON Extracts from Lily Wards Autograph book SERVICE RECORD. William joined the Army and enlisted in the Norfolk Regiment on 10 th December 1904. William did his basic training in Norwich and Colchester before embarking for South Africa on 12 th October 1905 on board H.M T. Millward. He was stationed at Bloomfontain, Standerton and Pietermitzburg. He left South Africa on 4 th October 1910 on board S.S. Galacia bound for Gibraltar. He was stationed in Gibraltar until 14th February 1911. He then sailed for India where he was stationed until 14 th March 1912. He returned to England and completed his service in March 1913. He re-enlisted at the outbreak of WWI with the1st Norfolk’s, joining the 1 st Battalion of the15th Brigade of the 5 th Division of the British Expeditionary Force in France on 14 th August 1914. The history of 5th Division in WWI This Division was part of the original British Expeditionary Force arrioving on 14 th August 1914 and remaining on the Western Front until late 1917 when it moved to Italy. It took part in most of the major actions, including: 1914 The Battle of Mons and subsequent retreat, including the Action of Elouges The Battle of Le Cateau and the Affair of Crepy-en-Valois The Battle of the Marne The Battle of the Aisne The Battles of La Bassee and Messines 1914 The First Battle of Ypres 1915 The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60 In late 1915, many units were switched for those of 32nd Division, a newly arrived volunteer formation. The idea was to strengthen ("stiffen" in the jargon of the time) the inexperienced Division buy mixing in some regular army troops; even though by now many of the pre-war regulars had gone and the regular battalions themselves were often largely composed of new recruits. 1916 March 1916 saw a move, with 5th Division taking over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, in front of Arras. This was a lively time, with many trench raids, sniping and mining activities in the front lines. When the Franco-British offensive opened on the Somme on 1 July 1916, the 5th Division was enjoying a period of rest and re-fit and was in GHQ Reserve. However, this restful time was not destined to last: The Attacks on High Wood* The Battle of Guillemont* The Battle of Flers-Courcelette* The Battle of Morval* The Battle of Le Transloy* The battles marked * are phases of the Battles of the Somme 1916 By 5 October 1916 the Division had left the Somme and was holding a quieter line near Festubert. There was a constant threat from enemy artillery and sniper fire, but in comparison with the Somme it was a relatively tranquil period that lasted until March 1917. William was wounded during 1916 and after convalescing in Eastbourne returned to active service. 1917 The Battle of Vimy** The Attack on La Coulotte** The Third Battle of the Scarpe** including the Capture by the Division of Oppy Wood The battles marked ** are phases of the Battles of Arras 1917 On 7 September 1917 the Division was relieved and moved out of the line for a period, being sent next to join the great offensive in Flanders. The Battle of Polygon Wood*** The Battle of Broodseinde*** The Battle of Poelcapelle*** The Second Battle of Passchendaele*** The battles marked *** are phases of the Third Battle of Ypres. A major change now occurred with 5th Division being one of five British formations selected to be moved to Italy. This was a strategic and political move agreed by the British Government at the request of the Allied Supreme War Council, as an effort to stiffen Italian resistance to enemy attack after a recent disaster at Caporetto. Many diaries at this time, by men who had witnessed slaughter in the floods of Passchendaele, talk of the move and Italy as being "like another world". Much work was done preparing to move into the mountainous area of the Brenta, but eventually the Division was instead moved to the line along the River Piave, taking up positions in late January 1918. Unfortunately this pleasant period was not to last, for the Division was recalled hurriedly to France, once the enemy had made an attack in overwhelming strength on 21 March. 1918 The Battle of Hazebrouck+ in which the battalion fought in the Defence of Nieppe Forest. The battle marked + is a phase of the Battles of the Lys. On 14 August 1918 the Division was withdrawn for rest and placed in GHQ Reserve. Two weeks later it entered into what became a series of complex, endless, overlapping Allied attacks that forced the German Army into retreat. Fighting through Albert (back on the old and devastated Somme ground of 1916), to Irles, Beugny, Havrincourt, Gonnelieu and the River Selle, and finally into Valenciennes and the River Sambre, the Division was in more or less continuous action until late October 1918. The Battle of Albert+ The Battle of Bapaume+ The Battle of Drocourt-Queant+ The battles marked + are phases of the Second Battles of the Somme 1918 The Battle of the Epehy^ The Battle of the Canal du Nord^ The battles marked ^ are phases of the Battles of the Hindenburg Line. The pursuit to the Selle++ The Battle of the Selle++ The battles marked ++ are phases of the Final Advance in Picardy William was promoted through the ranks of Lance Corporal, Corporal, Lance Sergeant, Sergeant and then to Company Sergeant Major on 14 th August 1918. His Service Number was 7000. He was awarded the Military Medal on 27 th October 1916 during Battle of the Somme July –November 1916. His citation reads: 7000 Corporal William Starman. For conspicuous conduct and devotion to duty since the start of the war. For rendering first aid whilst exposed to enemy fire on several occasions. For coolness and courage during the gas attack South of Hill 60 on 5 th May 1915, when he kept his men well under control and handled them with coolness and judgement. Recommended for Military Medal which was awarded 27th October 1916. The 1 st Battalion of the Norfolk regiment War diaries gives the following detail of the action on 5 th May 1915, during the second battle for Ypres and the capture of Hill 60. 5th May 1915 Trenches Sector West 34 to 37 At 0830 our trenches were gassed for the first time. The Gas was laid down from Hill 60 opposite 37 and 35 trench. The men in the latter trench suffered considerably owing to the very close discharge of gas emitted from the canisters. Casualties were 75. The Germans did not press home any attack. William Edward Starman died of wounds, sustained in action, on 16 th September 1918, just three weeks before the end of WWI and is buried in the St Sever Cemetery Extension in Rouen.