Bulmer & District

History


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        Bulmer & District History Group


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JAMES MARTIN

1914 -1918

The name Martin is mis-spelt on the War Memorial as Marten.

James Martin was born in Belchamp Walter, and went to school there.  After leaving school he became a gardener to the Hyde-Parkers who lived at smeetham Hall, Bulmer.  James married Mary Barrell and they lived in Smeetham Hall Lane, and they had two children, a boy and a girl.

James joined the 10th Batallion of the Royal Irish Rifles (number 41332) and was killed in action on the 11th December 1917.

His daughter Eva, who at the time of her fathers death was about 7 years old, has in her possession her fathers war medals, including a “Dead man’s penny” and the notification of his death.  The following letter was sent from Buckingham Palace.

“I join my grateful people in sending you this memorial for a brave life given for others in the Great War,  George R”

Also a scroll which reads as follows:

“he or she whom this scroll commemorates was numbered amongst those who, at the call of King and Country, left all that was dear to them.  Endured hardship, faced danger and finally by the path and duty of self-sacrifice, passed out of this life of men giving up their own life that others might live in freedom.  Let those who come after, see to it that his/her name shall not be forgotten.

Sadly there is no grave for James Martin, but his name along with others appears on Pier 15 and faces A and B of the Thiepval memorial in France.  The memorial commemorates by name over 70,000 British soldiers who lost their lives in the Somme area and have no known grave.

The memorial is situated a little South of Thiepval about 8 km North East of Albert.


JOHN HARBORD

1914-1918

John Harbord was the son of Philip and Elinor Julia Harbord and brother of Antony and lived in Bulmer Tye House, Bulmer, in 1913.

In 1915, he was commissioned in the 1st Norfolk Yeomanry which was based in Woodbridge.  In October of that year, he arrived in Gallipoli and then sailed to Egypt in the December.  On the 11th of that month he was wounded in the neck by a snipers bullet.  In June 1916, he was promoted to full Lieut.  During this time the Regiment was serving as part of the Suez Canal defences and the western Frontier Force.  In July 1917, Lieut. Harbord was promoted to captain.  The Battalion then moved to France, to the front line south of Hazebrouk.

Captain Harbord was wounded on the 5th July 1918 and died on the 10th at the age of 24 years.  He was awarded the Military Cross.

John is buried in plot 4, row C, grave 7 in Les Baraques Millitary Ceminary, Sangatte, France.  Sangatte is a village on the western side of Calais.


ROBERT JACKSON

1914-1918

Robert Jackson lived at Finch Hill, Bulmer in 1913.  Robert was a staff sergeant with the 16th Lancers in France.  He is believed to have been a regular soldier.

His father was George Jackson, and his sister Edith married Frank Gobby. His wife was probably the daughter of William Sargent,  also of Finch Hill



WILLIAM WEAVERS

1914 -1918

Born in Bulmer and lived in Smeetham Hall lane.

His full name was William James Weaver, and he enlisted in the Army at Colchester.  He was private 10225, and served with the 1st Battalion  of the Essex regt.

William Weavers died in France ion March 12th 1917.


JOHN (JAMES) RAYMOND

1914 - 1918

John Raymond served with the Kings Royal Rifles.  Killed in action in France



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