William Wells, Brandon; E.N. Cockerton, West Tofts; Frank Baker, Brandon; William Drake, Weeting; Walter Warnes, Weeting; Albert Dickson, Brandon; F.W. Blomfield, Brandon; William Chinn, Weeting; Frank Arnold, Wilton; Albert Woollard, West Tofts; William Woollard, West Tofts; George Coleman, Munford; Reginald Mayes, Wilton; Bassett Brown Wilton; Reginald Arnold, Wilton; Henry William Disdale, Weeting; Percy Kent, Brandon; Frank Norton, Brandon; Sydney Carter, Brandon; Samuel Eagle, Brandon; Thomas Phipps, Donald Ashman, Arthur Brown, Alfred Flack, Victor Rolph, Alfred Talbot, William J Brown, Harry Brown, Sydney Coleman, and S.J. Rolph, all of Lakenheath.

And in February more men joined up ... Alfred Armiger, Frank Bullock, Harold Reynolds Crocker, William Dorling, George Drewery, Fred Dyer, Harry John English, Arthur W Graver, John Newell, W Steggles, Ernest W Thompson, FE Thompson, Robert Tusk, Charles Warren, Bert Wicks, Charles Farrow and Harold Ashley.

On a January Sunday morning about fifty of the soldiers of the Northampton Regiment attended the Morning Service at St. Peter’s church.  The Rev. P.C. Janse (the Assistant Curate) officiated.

Information has been received of the death of:
(March)
 Private Arthur Haydon, of the Rifle Brigade, who was the son of Mr& Mrs Haydon, of Haddiscoe, and was well known in Brandon, being a teacher at the Baptist Sunday School.  He died in hospital at Rouen, France, from wounds received in battle.

(July)
Corporal V Snare, of the 1^st Border Regiment, was killed in action in the Dardanelles.  Corporal Snare was the son of Mr and Mrs H Snare, of Battersea, formerly of Brandon, and was well known in the town.

ACCIDENT
– On a December evening, Mrs Kent-Woolsey, who had been to the Railway Station, and was returning to Brandon Hall was thrown to the ground after the horse she was driving fell on ice at the Cemetery Cottage, on Church Road.  She sustained injuries to her head and was badly bruised.  She was taken into the Cemetery Lodge, where Mr and Mrs F Wilby rendered assistance, as did Gunner Daniels, who gave First Aid.  Her young son who was with her at the time jumped out of the cart quite unhurt.

BOY’S DEATH
– Clifford Jack Gostling, second son of Mr Charles Henry Gostling, of Holmwood, Brandon, died aged 16 after being taken ill and was found to be suffering from appendicitis and peritonitis.  Two operations were performed but unfortunately without avail.  He was educated at the Brandon Council School, and was afterwards apprenticed as an engineer at the Spartan Works, where he was engaged in munitions work.  The funeral took place at Castle Acre.

In hospital

In April, Inspector Mobbs has received a postcard from PC Arthur Gray, who has been serving at the Front since the beginning of the war, stating that he is in hospital in France.  He is going on well and hopes soon to be discharged.  It is understood that he has some trouble with his foot.  PC Gray has just been promoted from third-class to second-class constable in the West Suffolk Constabulary.

Home on leave

- In June, Gunner J Stannard, Royal Horse Artillery, visited friends at Brandon, after receiving four days home leave.  He was in India at the outbreak of the war and came over with the Indian troops, landing at Marseille.  He saw active service and came under fire from accurate German artillery.  His unit had trouble locating a German Battery, but an aircraft spotted it under a steel roof and relayed the co-ordinates back to them.

  “A well placed shell blew the whole concern to smithereens.  The Germans are splendid fighters but man for man they do not equal the Brita who are in a good spirits.”

A NARROW ESCAPE – In October, a military motor-car was being driven along Mundford Road and reaching the railway station level crossing dashed into the gate nearest the road.  The gate being closed against the public, was forced open by the impact and the car came to a standstill on the line.  At the moment the 5.59 up train was approaching the station, but was fortunately brought to a standstill some yards from the car through the efforts of the station staff.  The red light on the gate was found on the four-footway, and this the driver asserts he did not notice.  Fortunately no one was injured, but the car sustained some damage.

RAILWAYMEN SOLDIERS – A framed list of men who have left Brandon Railway Station staff to serve their country hangs in one of the waiting rooms.  The list contains the following names ...

Lance-Corporal J Dack, 4^th Norfolk Regiment;
H.E. Duncan, A.J. Dyball, A.H.P. Gunton, all signal section, Royal Engineers;
Corporal W. Newell, 4^th Norfolk Regiment;
Private W.W. Tuck, 2^nd Suffolk Regiment.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

November – At the Parish Church on Sunday afternoon, after Evensong, a memorial service took place for the Brandon men who have fallen during the war.  The service was taken by the Rector, who based his address on the text from Isaiah xliii., 1 and 2.  Special prayers were offered, and the Rector read out the following names of those who have laid down their lives for their country ...

Alfred Field, Leonard Carter, Charles Kent, Harry Victor Rumsey, Charles Warren, David Samuel Wells, Bertie Edwards, Walter James Grass, James Grass, Walter Wharf, William Kent, George Branch, Arthur Plumb, Charles Edwards (Sergeant), Walter Talbot, Walter Randall, and James Dyer (missing).

Prayers for the departed were offered, and the organist (Mr A.E. Chapman) impressively rendered the “Dead March” in “Saul”.  The service terminated with the National Anthem.

PROMOTION – In December, Mr E.G. Thorpe, who had for the past 16 months been manager of Messrs. W.H.Smith’s book stall at Brandon Railway Station, was promoted to the firm’s bookstall at Victoria Station, Norwich.  He had been in the service of the firm ten years.  His successor was Mr B.J.A. Green, who came from the Liverpool Street Station book stall.

DEATH ON HOSPITAL SHIP – In November it was reported that Driver R. W. Trett had died on a hospital ship. His sister, Mrs Baker, Town Street, received the notification.  He had been suffering from enteric fever, and had almost reached Southampton when he passed away.

IN CASE OF INVASION

INSTRUCTIONS FOR NORFOLK CIVILIANS

The following instruction for the guidance of the civil population in the event of a landing by the enemy in this country, are issued for the county of Norfolk.

In order to facilitate the operations of His Majesty’s Forces and to hinder those of the enemy the following instructions are to be followed by the civil population as soon as, but not before, the military authorities declare that a state of emergency has arisen in any particular district:-

1)      Transport and Petrol.  All horses, mules, donkeys, motors, bicycles, carts, carriages, and other vehicles, harness, petrol, launches, and lighters are to be immediately removed to a pre-concerted place which will be indicated by the Superintendent of Police in the proclaimed district.  If these objects cannot be immediately removed, they must be destroyed or rendered useless, if so ordered by the military authorities or police.

2)      Live stock.  Live stock is not to be driven along public roads without order.  The stock in the vicinity of the enemy will be rounded up and driven to some place indicated where it can be defended.  If necessary, it will be destroyed on an order by the military.

3)      Foodstuffs and other Property.  The military authorities may at their discretion destroy, or require the police to destroy, stores of provisions, granaries, and flour mills.  Unless special directions are given by the military authorities, unthreshed cereals should not be destroyed.  Orders for the destruction of property, so far as circumstances will permit, will be made in writing.  Any person refusing or neglecting to destroy, or render useless his property when ordered will lose all claim to compensation if it is destroyed or rendered useless by the military or Police.

4)      Public Property.  No attempt, except under orders from the military authorities or the police acting under such orders should be made to burn, cut, or destroy bridges, railway rolling stock, electric light or power stations, telegraph or telephone wires, wireless stations, waterworks, sluices or locks, piers or jetties, ferries.  Prompt assistance should, however, be given to the military authorities to carry out any of the foregoing operations which they think desirable.

5)      Entrenching equipment.  All tools, pickaxes, spades, shovels, felling axes, saws, barbed wire, and other equipment required by the military authorities should be placed absolutely at their disposal and all persons physically fit should be prepared to do any work required of them.

6)      Movement of troops.  It is of the utmost importance that the movement of the troops and artillery should not be hampered by the presence of numbers of civilians on the roads.  Any person leaving the district should avoid the roads required by the military forces of the Crown.  These will be, as far as possible, indicated to them by the police.  Where advancing troops are nevertheless met upon the roads, civilians must immediately pass into fields and lanes and leave roads clear.

7)      Volunteer Training Corps.  Every man who has been enrolled in a recognised volunteer training corps should, unless required for duty as a special constable, proceed to the place of rendezvous.

8)      Attitude of Civil Population.  Unless otherwise directed, the civil population are advised to remain quietly in their homes.

No hostile act is to be committed against the enemy by any person who is not a soldier in uniform, or a member of a recognised corps, having his badge fixed, and acting under the orders of a responsible officer.

(January)

MOTOR CAR ABLAZE

“An overflow of petrol caused the total destruction by fire of a nearly new motor car on the London Road on a September evening.  The car was a 12-horse power Peugeot, owned by Lieutenant R.J. Gunther, of the Lovat Scouts.  He arrived at Messrs. Hanbury’s garage about 7.30pm and asked for four gallons of petrol, leaving the engine running. The manager (Mr F Scott) having emptied one of the cans of petrol into the tank, was in the act of emptying the other, and being at the same time in conversation with Lieutenant Gunther, did not notice that the tank was full.  The result was the spirit overflowed and ignited, the car very soon becoming enveloped in flame despite all the efforts to subdue the fire.

Mr Scott was slightly burnt about the hand and arm, and was afterwards medically attended.  Inspector Vincent and PC de Rungary were quickly on the scene, and the unusual sight of the burning car attracted a large crowd of onlookers.  Nothing could be done to save the car, and the damage was estimated at £400.”

A PATRIOTIC FAMILY

Mr and Mrs G Bullock, of Bridge Street, Brandon, have given their four sons, three as soliders and one as a sailor.  Mr Bullock himself is a member of the Brandon Volunteer Training Corps.  Their eldest son, Lance-Corporal R Bullock, is in the 16^th Lancers, and is on active service in France, Private Edward Bullock is in the Queen’s Westminster Rifles, and Private J Bullock, 13^th Essex Regiment, is also in training.  The sailor son is on H.M.S. Calleope

A family of soldiers

“Cases are continually being revealed in which whole families of sons are serving with the colours, and this week attention may be directed to the fine record set up by the family of Mrs Carter, of Broomhill, who has three sons serving, in addition to one killed in action, and one who was formerly in the Army, but was discharged on account of deafness.  Beyond that three of Mrs Carter’s daughters are married to soldiers, and she has a sister and a brother with sons in the Army.  Surely such a wholesale example of patriotism would be hard to beat, and the names are worth recording.

- The son who unfortunately lost his life in defence of his country was Private Leonard Carter.  He was with the 4^th Dragoon Guards and was killed in action on October 16^th.

- Another son is Sergeant A. Carter, of the Lincolns, who has been ten years in the Army, has served at Gibraltar, Aden and India, and is now at the front.

- Private E Carter who is in the Royal Fusiliers, joined soon after the outbreak of war, and expects to go to the front shortly; while Private Harry Carter is in the Canadian Force.  He went out to Canada to take up farming work four or five years ago, and also enlisted at the beginning of the war.  He came to England with the troops in April.

· The other son Jack, though he is handicapped with deafness, has made several attempts to join the Army, and while unsuccessful up to present has not lost hope of some use being made of his services.

Of the daughters Mildred is the widow of Sergeant Lane, of the Royal Artillery, who died from fever in Africa; Beatrice is married to Sergeant William Egrey, of the Bedfords, and Ethel recently married Lance-Corporal Robert Bullock, a Brandon soldier, who in January obtained a few days leave from active service for that interesting ceremony.”

(May, 1915)

SAD DROWNING FATALITY

– At the Paget Hall on Wednesday, 22^nd June, Mr C Green (Deputy Coroner) held an inquest concerning the death of James Stephen Parry, High Street, Brandon, who was drowned in the River Ouse while bathing on Tuesday.

Mr Benson Haskins was chose foreman of the jury.

Deceased father gave evidence of his identification.  He said his son, who could swim, went down to the river to bathe about five minutes past twelve on Tuesday.  Deceased was in the habit of going to the shallow place in the river, not where the fatality occurred.

Alfred William Palmer, aged 12, said on Tuesday he went down to bathe in the river with the deceased.  They both went into the overflow at the shallow part.  Deceased got out the other side of the river, and witness came out and dressed.  Deceased asked witness to go over to his side, which he did, and then deceased jumped into the river from the staunch.  Witness told him not to do it, but deceased said he would try his luck. Deceased could swim all right until he got to the deep part, where the current was, and then he called out for help.  Deceased then sank.  Witness went to the other side of the river, and put his boots and stockings on and ran for help.  When he got as far as Mr Tred’s shop he saw two soldiers and asked them if they could swim, as a little boy was drowning at the staunch.  One of the soldiers went to the river, the other going for further help.  When witness returned to the staunch they had got deceased out.

The foreman – “Did deceased jump from the bank?”
Witness – “He jumped in from the brick wall.”
A Juror – “Was the staunch gates open or closed?”
Witness – “Up.”

Edward Tom Turner, aged 12, who also went to the river with the deceased to bathe, said he told the deceased not to go into the staunch hole.  Deceased went in, however, and swam until he got to the deep water.  Witness did not see the deceased go under, but heard the last witness say he had.

Inspector Mobbs – “Did you give the deceased a cigarette down by the river?”
Witness – “Yes.”
Inspector Mobbs – “What for?”
Witness – “Nothing.”
Inspector Mobbs – “You gave it to him before he went into the deep water?”
Witness – “Yes.”
Inspector Mobbs – “Did you give him the cigarette to go into the deep water?”
Witness – “No, sir.”

Dr W.O. Trotter stated that in response to a call he cycled down to the staunch on Tuesday, where he found the deceased out of the water lying on the bank.  A soldier was trying artificial respiration.  Witness saw no signs of life in the body, but ordered artificial respiration to be continued, though it was without affect.  Death was due to suffocation from drowning.

Edward Buddell Puckridge, of Bromley, Kent, said he was fishing in the river a few yards from where the boys were bathing.  He saw the deceased and other boys standing on the brick wall of the staunch.  Deceased was undressed, and had bathing drawers on.  Witness heard a splash and saw deceased swimming past where he was fishing.  Deceased appeared to be swimming well against the current, and seemed to be making for the rushes.  The other boys called out, “You’ll be drowned.”  When deceased had got past witness the current seemed to carry him from the rushes into the middle of the stream.  Witness asked boys the deceased could swim well, and they replied that he could swim, but not very well.  Deceased then appeared to be swimming with great difficulty. And witness searched for a pole or anything he could use to assist the boy.  He found nothing at all.  When witness returned to the river the deceased had disappeared.  Witness went to a bend on the river, and then saw Mr Lingwood, who came when witness called him.  Witness could not swim, and one of his arms was incapacitated.  The boys told him there was 13ft of water there.

By the foreman – “When deceased turned from the rushes witness formed the opinion he was making across the stream to the other bank.

Palmer Albert Lingwood, furrier, said he was in his motor-boat on the river on Tuesday when he heard someone running up the path shouting, “Come with a boat, a boy is drowned.”  Witness started his motor and took the boat the river, until he saw the body lying at the bottom of the water, which at that spot was not more than five or six feet deep.  Witness secured the body and tried artificial respiration, which was carried on by some soldiers.  Witness thought he saw signs of life as the deceased’s eyes apparently opened.

The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death”, and expressed their sympathy with the parents.

Inspector Mobbs said the deceased was a very promising lad and his sympathy went out to the parents.  The Coroner said he wished to associate himself with the expressions of sympathy.  The Foreman expressed the hope that some means could be devised for preventing boys from bathing in the dangerous parts of the river.  The jury requested the foreman to hand their fees over to the Red Cross Society.

This was not the first time he had stopped a runaway horse.  A few months ago he stopped a pair of horses on the Mundford Road after pursuing them on a bicycle borrowed from a passing lady cyclist.

Letter from Port Said - Mrs Docking, wife of PC Docking, who is at Port Said, in January received two letters from her husband.  He reported himself as well and in one letter he enclosed the Christmas card which he received from the King and Queen.

EGGS AS MESSENGERS TO THE WOUNDED – Several of the children who contributed eggs for the wounded at a service held for that purpose at the Baptist Church, wrote   addresses on the shells and sent little messages.  In two cases these brought letters of gratitude from soldiers in hospital at towns as far away as Manchester and Eastbourne.

Ivy Field, of Bury Road, received the following letter from Private H.W. Martin Winter, 8^th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, who is at Crumpsall Military Hospital, Manchester ...

“This morning as I was having breakfast I came across an egg that bore your name and address, and also a little message, and it has inspired me into writing and thanking you for your kindness.  And, of course, you are a stranger to me, I presume that you are a schoolgirl, if not you will have to forgive me; but all the same you will probably be glad to know that at least there is one that is very grateful.  It is not so much the gift, but it reveals that in your heart you feel proud of the soldiers that have done their duty to their King and country, and to the women and children; and it is a great pleasure to me to let you know that your kindness is not wasted.  I would like you to thank all your friends and companions that you know have sent these little gifts, in my name on behalf of the wounded soldiers, and if ever I go to the Front again your little message will help and comfort me in that hour of darkness.”

The other letter was from Private W Bayliss, of the 9^th Worcesters, who is at the Summerdown Convalescent Camp, Eastbourne, and it was addressed to Donald Lingwood, son of Mr and Mrs H Lingwood, Thetford Road, Brandon.  The contents are as follows ...

“I send this letter of thanks to you for the kindness you have shown to us wounded soldiers who have been invalided home to England from the Dardanelles.  We had eggs this morning for breakfast, and the first one that was put on my plate had your name and address upon it, so I think I am only doing right by sending this letter to you.  After twelve months’ service it is quite a treat to have something tasty for breakfast …
It would have been a blessing if we had had eggs for breakfast at the Dardanelles instead of bully beef and biscuits".

Other news …

August - In connection with the anniversary of the declaration of war a service of penitence and intercession was held at the Parish Church on Wednesday evening, the Rector officiating.
The service was attended by the Brandon Volunteer Training Corps.  After the hymn “Rock of Ages” and address was given by the Rev. Cannon Farmiloe, of Bury.  Intercession followed, with a memorial prayer for those who have fallen in the war.

September - The first of the year’s harvest festivals was held in the Town Street Primitive Methodist Church on Sunday.  The congregation and friends had contributed liberal gifts of flowers, fruit, corn, vegetables, etc for the decoration and sale.  The day’s services were conducted by Mr H Whittome of Feltwell.  A solo was sung by Miss Alice Challis and Mr. Frank Challis preceded at the organ.

October - A notable record in school attendance was established by Percy Grimes, son of Mr and Mrs Grimes, of Brandon.  He attended the Council Schools for nine years and three months, during which he was never absent and never late.  He gained a scholarship, and is continuing his education at Thetford Grammar School.  The matter was referred to at a recent meeting of the School Managers, when it was resolved that the case should be reported to the West Suffolk Education Committee with a view to obtaining some tangible recognition of the lad’s achievement.

October - In order to meet the lighting restrictions, the hours of attendance at the Council Schools have been altered, and are now as follows:
Morning session 9.30am – 12.30pm
Afternoon session 1.30pm – 3.10pm, and to 3.40pm for the other departments.

October - The Public Clock in the turret of the Council Schools has undergone a thorough cleaning.  The work has been entrusted to Mr W.J. Murrell, Brandon.  The face now presents a bright and fresh appearance, is outlined in gold leaf, also the figures on the dial.  The bell has been re-hung.  In order to conform to the Lighting Regulations the face will not be illuminated.

December - Miss Eileen Lingwood passed the examination of the Royal Academy of Music in the Higher Division.  She was a pupil of Mr C.H. Shann, of Bury St Edmunds.

December - Bertie Elmer, who had recently left the Council Schools, had made perfect attendance during eight consecutive years.  He was a son of Mr James Elmer, of Town Street, and formerly attended the Town Street School.

PARISH CHURCH AND LIGHTING REGULATIONS – In December it was been decided to screen the windows of the Parish Church so that the evening services on Sundays could be resumed.

1915 WORLD WAR EVENTS

January
1