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 on 14 th .

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 and subsequent retreat, including the Action of Elouges The 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

1915 The 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 * The Battle of Flers-Courcelette* The * The Battle of * The battles marked * are phases of the Battles of the Somme 1916 By 5 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 *** The *** The Battle of Poelcapelle*** The Second *** 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 , 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 + The Battle of + 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 . 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 July –.

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.

He was being treated for his wounds at the 11 th Stationary Hospital in Rouen, where his left leg was amputated and where he subsequently died from his wounds.

During August and September 1918 his battalion was resting or training and it is presumed that William was wounded earlier when the 1 st Norfolk’s were engaged in heavy fighting at Achiet le Petis and Acheit le Grand near Arras.

St. Sever Cemetery and St. Sever Cemetery Extension are located within a large communal cemetery situated on the eastern edge of the southern Rouen suburbs of Le Grand Quevilly and Le Petit Quevilly.

Block R

St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen During the First World War, Commonwealth camps and hospitals were stationed on the southern outskirts of Rouen. A base supply depot and the 3rd Echelon of General Headquarters were also established in the city.

Almost all of the hospitals at Rouen remained there for practically the whole of the war. They included eight general, five stationary, one British Red Cross and one labour hospital, and No. 2 Convalescent Depot. A number of the dead from these hospitals were buried in other cemeteries, but the great majority were taken to the city cemetery of St. Sever. In September 1916, it was found necessary to begin an extension, where the last burial took place in April 1920. The cemetery extension contains 8,348 Commonwealth burials of the First World War (ten of them unidentified) The extension was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

Private John Stanley Cotton

Family background .

John Cotton and Mary Dunham lived in Reepham and had three children John, Hannah and Robert.

John was born in 1824. From 1841 to 1871 he lived with his uncle James Dunham who farmed 108 acres on Thurton Road, Bergh Apton.

John married Susanah Cook in 1873. They had two children: John Barber Cotton born in 1874 and Ellen Faith born in 1876. In 1881 John farmed 4.5 acres in Low Common Road, Ashby St Mary.

John died in 1889 and is buried in Ashby St Mary churchyard.

His son John Barber joined the Civil Service and left Ashby to live in London. He married Nellie Rachel Abel in Islington in 1904.

After John death, Ellen Faith and her mother continued to live in Low Common. Susanah died in 1908 and is buried with her husband in Ashby St Mary churchyard.

Hannah was born in 1826. She was also living with her uncle James Dunham in Bergh Apton in 1841 and 1851. Hannah died in 1855 in Norwich.

Robert Major Cotton was born in St Faiths in 1858. Robert Major married Ellen Faith in Loddon in 1910. Ellen was born in Bergh Apton in 1875.

Robert Major Cotton farmed in Ashby St Mary. Robert and Ellen had six children. John Stanley was the eldest, born in Ashby St Mary in 1911. Robert D born 1912, Arthur E born 1913 Gilbert T born 1915 Muriel born 1917 Alec N born 1918.

John Stanley was a bachelor. He joined the Army, Service Number 5769414, at the outbreak of WW II.

He was in the 2 nd Battalion of the Royal Norfolk Regiment, which was part of the 4th Infantry Brigade 2 nd Infantry Division of the British Expeditionary Force. In 1940 the 2 nd Infantry Division were covering the retreat to Dunkirk. They were holding the line at the La Bassée Canal.

John Stanley Cotton died aged 29 years, on the 27 th May 1940 during this defensive action. It was on this day that an infamous war crime was committed, known as the Le Paradis incident.

On the 27 th May 1940, the 2nd Battalion of The Royal Norfolk Regiment were stubbornly holding Le Paradis and the neighbouring hamlets of Le-Cornet Malo and Riez-du-Vinage against overwhelmingly superior forces, trying to block the enemy's road to Dunkirk.

Their ammunition expended, and completely cut off from their Battalion and Brigade HQ, 99 officers and men of 2 Royal Norfolk surrendered to No 4 Company of the 1st Battalion of the 2nd SS Totenkopf (Death's Head) Regiment.

They were disarmed and marched to some farm buildings on another farm where they were lined up alongside a barn wall. They were then fired upon by two machine guns. 97 of them were killed and the bodies buried in a shallow pit. The bodies of the murdered soldiers were exhumed in 1942 by the French and reburied in the local churchyard which now forms part of the Le Paradis War Cemetery.

John Stanley is not listed as one of those who were killed in this incident and it is presumed he was killed earlier in the day. He was buried in the Dunkirk Town Cemetery Plot 2, Row 5, Grave 41.

Dunkirk Town Cemetery is at the south-eastern corner of the town of Dunkirk, immediately south of the canal and on the road to Veurne (Furnes) in Belgium.

During the Second World War, Dunkirk was the scene of the historic evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from France in May 1940 Of the 793 Second World War burials, 213 are unidentified and special memorials are erected to 58 soldiers known to be buried among them.

The DUNKIRK MEMORIAL stands at the entrance to the Commonwealth War Graves section of Dunkirk Town Cemetery. It commemorates more than 4,500 casualties of the British Expeditionary Force who died in the campaign of 1939-40 and who have no known grave. The memorial was designed by Philip Hepworth. The engraved glass panel depicting the evacuation was by John Hutton.

N

John Stanley Cotton Plot II Row 5 N

ASHBY ST MARY WAR MEMORIAL

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

2014