Lincolnshire Remembrance: Memories and Memorials Newsletter May / June 2015

Project Update:

We are still working really hard to get information edited and on to Lincs to the Past. Thank you to everyone who has contributed, and for all your diligent research. If you have been doing research and would like to add it to the database, please do get in touch soon, as our goal is to have all the information uploaded by November. Equally if you spot any mistakes please let us know as we want it to be a good reliable resource, but with such vast quantities of information there are bound to be errors!

http://www.lincstothepast.com/home/lincolnshire-remembrance/

We will be doing some work in Boston this summer – on 20th June we will be at the Library collecting people's memories and family stories of the two world wars in the Boston area, this will then contribute to an exhibition at Black Sluice Lock centre on 31st July to 2nd August. If anyone has any stories or memorabilia, please do come and share with us. If you

1 Lincolnshire Remembrance: Memories and Memorials Newsletter May / June 2015

have any free time and would like to help with developing the exhibition please let me know. A date for your diary – Saturday 10th October 2015 We would like to invite you to join us at Thorpe Camp to celebrate the success of the project and to thank everyone for their contributions. We have decided to make the theme of the day First World War Aviation in Lincolnshire, and will be inviting some speakers to share their knowledge. There is also a chance to view the museum at Thorpe Camp and to join us for lunch. It will be a free event but booking will be required so that we have an idea of numbers for catering. Proposed Second Phase of Lincolnshire Remembrance Project: We have a strong data bank of information on the men and women who sacrificed their lives in the First World War but we do not have the same depth of information for those who died as a result of later conflicts because many of the official records are still closed. As more detailed information can only be gathered about Second World War and later conflict casualties from sharing by family members or fellow veterans we would like to have a focus on oral history as the method for this information gathering. Ideally we would like to encourage young people to be involved in the information gathering process. Memorial Walks and Cycle Rides The first phase of this project has been about gathering information and in this second phase we want to find ways of helping a broad range of people engage with their heritage and find out more about it. We had the idea of developing some memorial walks and cycle routes across the county. The routes would be enhanced by historical information in the leaflets regarding the memorials and stories of the people named on the memorials as well as highlighting other historic war related sites across Lincolnshire. There would also be information encouraging people to use Lincs to the Past to find out more. We are currently looking for funding for this second phase and hope that you will all be able to continue to support us with ideas and information. Training and Information days for Lincolnshire Remembrance

Date Event Venue

Saturday 6th June How to unlock stories lost in time – a Lincoln Central Library, 10am -12.30 guide to the sources used in local and Freeschool Lane, family history research and a tour of the Lincoln. Lincoln Library's unique collections

Saturday 20th June By Sea and Land: Boston in Wartime: Boston Library share your memories and family stories 11am -3pm

31st July -2nd By Sea and Land: Boston in Wartime: - Black Sluice Lock August exhibition and talks Cottages, Boston

Please book by contacting me (Cath Pike) at [email protected] or telephone 01522 554959

2 Lincolnshire Remembrance: Memories and Memorials Newsletter May / June 2015

Other Events:

Research your family tree at the Lincolnshire Archives

On Saturday 30 May, the archives team will be on hand to give guidance to all budding family historians on documents such as military records, the census and online resources to help your enquiries.

“With hundreds of thousands of documents spanning six miles of shelves and more than 1000 years, Lincolnshire Archives could hold the key to your family’s hidden history. Our experts will be on-hand to explain how to use our records to delve a little deeper. The archives’ documents include parish registers and census records, which can help uncover names and dates vital to establishing a family’s past. But it also includes records that can reveal long-lost stories and bring bygone personalities to life, such as criminal records, school and workhouse reports, war diaries and lists of deported convicts.”

As well as explaining how to find and use these records, the Family History Fair will also include tours of the archives’ search room. The event takes place at the Lincolnshire Archives from 10:30am - 3:30pm. Entry is free.

VC Holders honoured

Two Lincoln war heroes will be remembered at a special event. On Thursday 4 June at 11am, a ceremony will take place at Lincoln Drill Hall to unveil two commemorative paving stones in honour of Lincoln men Leonard Keyworth and James Upton, who were both awarded the Victoria Cross during the First World War.

3 Lincolnshire Remembrance: Memories and Memorials Newsletter May / June 2015

At Lincoln Drill Hall there will be a small VC-related display in the café area, with a larger one-day exhibition opening at Lincolnshire Archives immediately after the ceremony. The exhibition runs at the archives from 12-4pm, and entry is free.

Councillor Nick Worth, Executive Member for Culture and Heritage, said: “The stones are a way of honouring the bravery of these two men, providing a lasting legacy within the community. And the complementary exhibition will help residents gain a greater understanding of the part Lincolnshire played during the war. You’ll also have a chance to see many contemporary items from the First World War, including photographs, letters, war diaries and trench maps.”

The council is eager to hear from any relatives of the two men. People can get in touch by emailing [email protected] .

Civic Voice War Memorial Workshop

It is estimated that there are 100,000 war memorials throughout the UK taking many different forms, such as obelisks, crosses, rolls of honour, lychgates, community buildings and playing fields. Throughout the centenary we would like to ensure that they are a fitting tribute to those who gave their lives in the First World War and subsequent conflicts. Over the next four years we will be helping volunteers throughout England to record the condition of their local war memorials and take steps to ensure they are conserved and protected for the future.

Volunteer involvement in the project is vital. Civic Voice, in partnership with Historic England, Imperial War Museums and War Memorials Trust, is asking for volunteers to carry out condition surveys of their local war memorials. This will provide an overall picture of the condition of memorials throughout England and enable funding to be directed to those in need of conservation. Volunteers will also be encouraged to apply to have their local memorials listed, giving them protection for the future. A series of free workshops is being organised to provide volunteers with all the necessary training, and ongoing support will be provided by Civic Voice and the War Memorials Trust.

Next Steps: A free workshop has been organised at the Drill Hall, Lincoln on Friday 24th July. It will provide volunteers with the opportunity to discuss the project and find out how to identify and record the condition of their local war memorials. From the workshop volunteers will gain:

 Background information about the project  Training to undertake a condition survey.  Training on how to record survey results on the War Memorials Online website  The chance to ask questions  A resource pack containing all the necessary information to get you started.

People who are interested in getting involved in the project can reserve their place at the workshop by visiting https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/war-memorial-condition-survey-workshop-lincoln- tickets-16052688022

Best wishes Anna Wilson

4 Lincolnshire Remembrance: Memories and Memorials Newsletter May / June 2015

Exhibition at Library to mark VE Day

To mark the 70th anniversary of VE Day, Grantham Library is hosting a small exhibition of work by local photographer Walter Lee until 6 June.

Lee served as an ARP Warden during the Second World War, meticulously documenting daily life in the town in photographs and the written word. The first volume of his work, 1939-1941, was exhibited at Grantham Library and Museum in 1949. It proved to be so popular that the Imperial War Museum (IWM) urged Lee to complete the series.

This took a further 15 years and the borough council commissioned two sets, one for the local library and the other for the IWM.

The last time his work was exhibited was in 1966 to mark his 50 years in photography. Later in 1977, to mark the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, his war diaries became the focus of attention again when they were re-bound courtesy of local munitions firm BMARC.

Walter Lee’s photographic work has been a great source of reference for many people and his war diaries are a unique resource for WW2 local research.

5 Lincolnshire Remembrance: Memories and Memorials Newsletter May / June 2015

Mike Credland is well known in Lincolnshire for his knowledge of everything to do with the First World War, but also for his collections. These have now found a more permanent home in a small museum at Manor House Stables, Martin (close to ).

The Museum is open to visitors by appointment or during Special Events. The phone numbers to book visits are 01526 378717 (Sherry) or 01526 378466 (Michael). The next open day is 12th July.

Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre is open to the public every Sunday and Bank Holiday from Easter to October from 1pm – 5pm. Pre- booked visits can be arranged at other times – Call 01526 342249

6 Lincolnshire Remembrance: Memories and Memorials Newsletter May / June 2015

Event Venue Date Thursday 11th The Machine Gun Corps at Belton – The Old School Hall June 10.30am Talk by Bill Fulton of the Old Belton Village – 12 noon Comrades Association Booking Essential – call 01476 566116 £8 including light refreshments Monday 22nd Shout at the Devil Lincoln and Western June 2015 Presentation by Kevin Patience Front Association Meeting at Sobraon 6.45 for 7pm Barracks, Burton Road, Lincoln LN1 3PY £4 27-28th June Summer Garden Fete at Belton – Belton House 9.30 -5pm recapturing the spirit of the First Belton World War fetes with re-enactors, Grantham, Lincs NG32 2LS live music and traditional games Admission charges apply, but free to and food and drink National Trust Members 11th – 12th July Thorpe Camp 1940s Weekend – re- Thorpe Camp, Tatershall Thorpe, B1192 enactors, military vehicles, museum Woodhall Spa / Road. LN4 4PE. open and refreshments www.1940weekend.co.uk 12th July The Story of Scopwick House VAD Manor House Stables, Timberland Road, Open Day Hospital in the Great War Martin Lincs LN4 3QS. Open day with stories, photographs For further information contact Mike and memorabilia Credland: 01526 378466 or email [email protected] 24th- 25th July 1915: Gunbuses, Gas and Gallipoli: Lincolnshire Archives, St Rumbold St. , 10.30am – Displays on Life in the trenches, VC Lincoln, LN2 5AB (01522 782040 3pm winners, development of the tank Free event and beginnings of military aircraft production 27th July 2015 The BEF's Artillery 1915 – Improvise Lincoln and North Lincolnshire Western 6.45pm for and Expand Front Association Meeting at Sobraon 7pm start Presentation by Geoff Spring Barracks, Burton Road, Lincoln LN1 3PY £4 14th -15th Lancaster and Vulcan: Avro Aircraft Lincolnshire Archives, St Rumbold St. , August in Lincolnshire – A history of Avro's Lincoln, LN2 5AB (01522 782040) 10.30am – designs from First World War bi- Free Event 3pm plane to the Vulcan Bomber, using original documents and photographs 22nd and 23rd The Great War Society recreates a Belton House – National Trust August and First World War infantry camp. With Sunday 25th demonstrations and presentations Normal admission charges apply October all weekend – a centenary 11am and commemoration of the Machine 1.30pm Gun Corps Monday 7th The Battle of Loos 1915 Lincoln and North Lincolnshire Western September A presentation by Colin Ellender Front Association Meeting at Sobraon 6.45pm for Barracks, Burton Road, Lincoln LN1 3PY £4 7pm Start Thursday 24th The Machine Gun Corps at Belton – The Old School Hall September Talk by Bill Fulton of the Old Belton Village 10.30am – 12 Comrades Association Booking Essential – call 01476 566116 £8 noon including light refreshments Saturday 26th RAF 300 (Polish) Squadron and 1667 For full details contact: Faldingworth

7 Lincolnshire Remembrance: Memories and Memorials Newsletter May / June 2015

September H.C.U. – dedication of two new Memorial Group 10.30 -18.00 memorial plaques If you have events you would like us to advertise do email me at [email protected]

New Memorials:

International Memorial & Interpretation Centre telling the collective story of Bomber Command.

On the 2nd October 2015 the IBCC will be holding a ceremony to unveil the Spire Memorial. To accompany this auspicious occasion the Trust has commissioned a commemorative programme.

The 64 page, full colour programme will not only record the events on the day but will incorporate interviews with veterans of air and ground crews, WAAFs, residents of the County during the Second World War and others and will carry articles written by experts in the history and heritage of both Bomber Command and Bomber County.

It will also feature never before seen images that have been collected by our digital archive team. This limited edition programme can be pre-ordered via the IBCC on-line shop at a cost of £12.50. 50% of which will go towards raising funds for the building of the Chadwick Centre. http://internationalbombercommandcentre.com/

10th May 2015 Unveiling of the Lincoln Tank Memorial on Tritton Road

Lincoln has a new memorial which commemorates the contributions made by Lincolnshire people to the development and the manufacture of the very first tanks. The memorial shows a partly constructed Mark I tank which was originally built for the First World War by William Foster & Co Ltd

The striking memorial is prominently placed on the Tritton Road roundabout. This location is in close proximity to the location of the factory of William Foster and Co. who developed and manufactured the first tanks. Laverne Tritton, a descendent of the designer William Tritton, travelled to Lincoln from Canada and unveiled the memorial on Sunday 10th May.

The memorial cost £100,000 and depicts Tritton, Rigby and Wilson who were the designers, developers and manufacturers of the first tank in Lincoln.

8 Lincolnshire Remembrance: Memories and Memorials Newsletter May / June 2015

Southrey

A beautiful memorial window was installed in November 2014 at St John the Divine church at Southrey as part of the commemorative activities to remember those who gave their lives in the Great War. The window is in memory of all those connected to Southrey who have given their lives whilst serving their country in the last hundred years.

Southrey, in the parish of Bardney, has a unique wooden church and is well worth a visit. You will be assured of a warm welcome. The church is open 365 days a year.

http://www.achurchnearyou.com/southrey-st-john-the- divine/

9 Lincolnshire Remembrance: Memories and Memorials Newsletter May / June 2015

Conservation Focus:

Age and the weather can take its toll on war memorials. The picture above shows the Dambusters memorial at Woodhall Spa, earlier this month. The central plaque has become detached and slipped off. District Council have cordoned off the area and are planning repairs. This memorial was erected in 1987

Research Focus Lincolnshire's many First World War memorials have a common story to tell; of young men sacrificing their lives in the service of their country. The First World War was not a war fought at home so in most cases war memorials do not record any civilian victims. However, there are at least three memorials in Lincolnshire which record a well-known tragedy which did target civilians – the sinking of the RMS Lusitania.

The RMS Lusitania was a super liner of the Cunard Line, the largest vessel afloat and one of the fastest – capable of crossing the Atlantic in 4 days and 20 hours. The German Embassy in

10 Lincolnshire Remembrance: Memories and Memorials Newsletter May / June 2015

Washington had warned passengers via the New York newspapers that if they travelled on Allied ships they did so at their own risk, and if a vessel was suspected of carrying arms or war material, even if it was a passenger ship, it would be considered hostile and open to attack. However, only two passengers were persuaded to cancel their passage on that fateful voyage.

On 7th May 1915 as the Lusitania approached the coast of Ireland; she was directed by the Admiralty to take the route to the south-west, rather than the more protected northern route. No escort or convoy was provided. Captain Turner posted look-outs and readied the lifeboats, but to no avail. At 13.30 the submarine U-20 spotted the Lusitania. At 14.10 Kapitanleutnant Walther Schweiger ordered a torpedo to be fired. It struck the vessel, a second explosion followed a few seconds later (probably the boilers) and within 18 minutes the Lusitania had sunk and 1,201 people perished.

Amongst those passengers were several people from Lincolnshire, some survived, but at least four did not. David Todd was aged 28, he was returning to Britain from Philadelphia where he had been working as a florist. He had learnt his trade at Bayons Manor, Tealby, working as a garden boy for the Tennyson d’Eyncourt family. He was travelling Second Class, so was probably quite successful in his trade. He had sent a postcard to his brother saying that he was coming home to enlist. Tragically, another Lincolnshire man Martin Payne, who survived saw David on deck just before the vessel sunk, he told Martin that he could not swim. He is remembered on the Tealby memorial. ( A more detailed version of his story by James Murray can be found in Lincolnshire Past and Present No60 (2005)).

Annie and Dorothy Lancaster were also Second Class Passengers. They were returning home to the family home and their parents William and Eleanor Lancaster of The Manor, Keelby. They had been visiting Montreal, Canada.

Very little is known about George Blackburn who is remembered with a memorial Altar Cross at Sapperton, St Nicholas. The Cross is inscribed:

"I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Given to the service of God by Miss Blackburn in memory of her brother, George Robert Blackburn who lost his life in the sinking of the Lusitania, 7th May 1915."

He appears to have been 42 years old and his journey started in Canada. He was travelling third class. Perhaps you know more….?

11 Lincolnshire Remembrance: Memories and Memorials Newsletter May / June 2015

Many questions remain unanswered about the tragedy of the Lusitania. One debate surrounds the cargo. (A programme still available on the BBC i-player shows dives to the wreck of the Lusitania. The cameras clearly show over a million bullets strewn over the cargo area now that the wooden boxes have disintegrated, so the Lusitania was carrying munitions). Other questions relate to the lack of protection given to the vessel and ponder whether the disaster was engineered as an attempt to persuade America to become embroiled in the war. If it was, it was not successful - it was another two years before the United States was finally galvanised into action.

Guy Patrick Spence Reid – The FE2 ace buried in Lincoln

Researched by Adrian Wilkinson from Lincolnshire Archives

Guy Patrick Spence Reid was born in Puerto Cruz on Tenerife on 18th May 1897. He was the son of Thomas Miller Reid, who was British Vice-Consul in the Canary Islands, and his wife, Lisette (née Livings). Reid joined the Seaforth Highlanders in 1915, but later transferred to the Royal Flying Corps.

12 Lincolnshire Remembrance: Memories and Memorials Newsletter May / June 2015

He qualified for his Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate in a Maurice Farman biplane at Farnborough on 4th September 1915.

In the early weeks of 1916 Reid was posted to Number 20 Squadron in Belgium, which was equipped with the FE2b biplane fighter. Reid became one of the first men to use the new FE2b to defeat a Fokker Eindecker, when he forced one to crash land on 7th February 1916. Over the following months he shot down three more Eindeckers and an Aviatik. His fifth victory on 6th September 1916 made him officially an ace and shortly afterwards he was awarded the Military Cross. The citation for the award reads as follow:

"For conspicuous skill and gallantry on many occasions. Capt. Dixon-Spain, with 2nd Lt. Reid as pilot, attacked and drove back a hostile machine. A few minutes later four hostile machines were seen, three of which were attacked one after another and driven back, the fourth being accounted for by another patrol. Another time they attacked two hostile machines, shot down one and drove the other back. Two days later they attacked two more machines, of which one is believed to have been destroyed, the other being pursued back to its aerodrome."

He was transferred back to Britain in December 1916 and was posted to a Royal Flying Corps training school. On 16th October 1917 he was flying over Lincolnshire with one of his pupils, a Lieutenant Cameron, when the aircraft was seen to plunge into the ground from a height of 900 feet. Guy Reid was killed in the crash and was buried in Newport Cemetery in Lincoln; he was only 20 years old.

Please do contact me if you have any contributions for the newsletter, articles, events for the diary, requests for help with research, etc. [email protected]

Or 01522 554959

Many thanks

Cath Pike

13