Private, 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, Enlisted Norwich. No. 14568. 10 July 1917, died of wounds, aged 26. Buried at Etaples Military Cemetery, France (XX11.M.15A) and commemorated (as Henry Birch) on the Starston war memorial.

Born 1892, Brockdish, Norfolk, son of Ann & Alfred Birch (Agricultural Labourer). Harry’s parents were noted as living in Starston some time after his death though Harry himself may not have lived in the village.

Private, 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment; Service No. 3/10099. Killed in action 19 July 1916, aged 29. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial (Pier & Face 1C & 1D) and Starston War Memorial.

Born 1887, Pulham St Mary the Virgin (Pulham St Mary), Norfolk, son of Sarah Ann and William Cutting (Railway Platelayer). By 1901 George was living with his family ‘by the Railway’ in Starston.

Private, 9th Battalion Norfolk Regiment. Service No. 16510. Killed 15 September 1916; buried Guillemont Road Cemetery, Guillemont (V.K.3) and commemorated on Starston War Memorial. William Dann’s service records survive, giving a physical description, details of his military service and of his family.

Born 1893, Hempnall, Norfolk. Son of Emily (nee Thompson) and William Henry Dann (Farm Teamster). By 1914, William was living in Starston and his family retained links with the village at least until 1942.

Private, 1st/4th Battalions, Norfolk Regiment. Service No. 200533. Died 19 April 1917, Palestine. Commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial (Panels 12-15) and Harleston and Starston war memorials. George Frost’s service records survive, giving a physical description, details of his military service and of his family.

Born 3 September 1885, Redenhall, Norfolk, son of Betsy & Ambrose Frost (Malster’s Labourer). By 1911 he was living in Norwich Broadway, Starston (Green Lane) with his family including brother William who was also killed in the War.

Private, 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, with whom he served 13 years; Regiment No.6446; Discharged on 11 February 1916; Joined the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 6 March 1916 at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, which he gives as his residence; Private, No. 382200, serving with 2nd Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps, with nationality given as Canadian at the time of his death. His Canadian attestation record survives.

Born 31 July 1883, Redenhall, Norfolk, son of Betsy & Ambrose Frost (Malster’s Labourer). By 1911 he was living in Norwich Broadway, Starston (Green Lane) with his family including brother George who was also killed in the War.

Private, Royal Army Service Corps, attached 16th Division Signal Company, Royal Engineers. Enlisted London. Service No. M2/149937. Killed in action, 3 February 1917, aged 40. Commemorated in Westoutre Churchyard Extension, Heuvelland (Ref.II.D.3) and on Starston War Memorial.

Born c. 1877, Billingford, Norfolk, son of Jabez and Ellen Girling. Married Hannah Searl(e), 1907, Fulham, Greater London. In 1891 he was living with his parents and siblings in Harleston Road, Starston (now Brook Cottage) but by 1911 he was living in Fulham with his wife. No relation of Walter Girling, who also appears on the Starston war memorial. The service records of brother George Hilton Girling, who survived the war, are held in the National Archives.

Private, 9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Enlisted Norwich. Service No. 40215. Killed in action, 18 October 1916. Buried in the Bancourt British Cemetery, (VIII.F.20) and commemorated on Starston War Memorial.

Either one of two first cousins, both called Walter Girling, who were born in Starston in 1886 & 1887 respectively. The first Walter was born to Ellen Girling (a single woman) and the second to her brother Christopher Girling and his wife Rebecca. The older Walter (George) moved out of the village when he was about 7 years old and married Alice White West in 1905. The younger Walter’s family remained in the village at least until 1928.

Captain, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 6th and 1st Battalions. Killed in action 10 March 1915,, Aged 27, Commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France (Panel 32 & 33). Noted as ‘Overseas Military’ in the 1911 census, so served pre-war.

Born 1887, Dudley, Worcestershire; Father Francis Grazebrook, Iron Master; Mother Isabella Mary Grazebrook, formerly Grazebrook [probably cousins]. Married Katherine A.M.V. Hickman in 1912 in London. He was in the army until his marriage in 1912. He then resigned and his intention was to farm in Norfol. He did not buy a farm but may well have rented one. When the war broke out in 1914 he immediately went back into the army and was consequently killed at Givenchy in 1915. His body was never found. He instructed his men to retreat but he could not as he had been critically wounded.

Extract from The Bond of Sacrifice: Officers Died in the Great War:

CAPTAIN CHARLES ALVEREY GRAZEBROOK, 6th (RESERVE) attd. 1st BATTN. THE KING'S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS, was left wounded in the enemy trenches at Givenchy on the 10th March, 1915.

Captain Grazebrook was the third son of Francis Grazebrook, of Stourton Castle, near Stourbridge, and was born at Dudley on the 5th fie September, 1887. was educated at Marlborough College and at the R.M.C., Sandhurst, from which he February, his first appointment in the Army in 1908, when he was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the King's Royal Rifle Corps. he was Posted to the 3rd Battalion, which joined in Crete, and served with it in Malta and in India. In April, 1911, he was promoted Lieutenant, and he retired from the Service early in 1914.

On the outbreak of the war with Germany in August, 1914, he rejoined, and was gazetted Captain in the 6th (Reserve) Battalion of his regiment in that month. He was stationed at Sheerness for training, and for active service he was attached to the 1st Battalion of his regiment, which he joined in France in November, 1914.

After the action on the 10th March, 1915, at Givenchy, Captain Grazebrook was reported "wounded and missing," but he was later reported to have been killed in action on that date.

Writing of him his Commanding Officer said: "He led his men most gallantly and behaved magnificently. .. . Their charge will always be remembered as one of the finest deeds of the regiment." Captain Grazebrook married, on the 18th April, 1912, Katherine A. M. Violet, daughter of the late A. P. Hickman, of Hagley, Worcestershire, and left one daughter, Diana Catherine Mary, born in May, 1913.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918:

GRAZEBROOK, CHARLES ALVEREY, Capt.. 6th, att. 1st, Battn. The King's Royal Rifle Corps, 3rd s. of Francis Grazebrook, of Stourton Castle. Stafford, by his wife, Isabella Mary, dau. of George Grazebrook ; b. Dudley, 5 Sept. 1887 ; educ. Marlborough College and Sainthood: gazetted to the 3rd K. R.C.C.. 7 Feb. 1908. and promoted Lieut. 1 April. 1911; joined his regiment at Crete, where he served for a year or so. then went with it to Malta, and India. where he was stationed at Dagshai till 1912. when he came home. He retired in the beginning of 1914. and joined the Special Reserve, but on the outbreak of war immediately rejoined and was promoted Captain. 14 Aug. 1914. He took out a draft to the 1st K 11.C., 10 Nov. 1914, and was in the North of France all the winter. He was reported wounded and missing, 10 March. 1915, and was later unofficially reported killed in action on that date. Ordered to charge the enemy trenches near Givenchy that day. " He led his men magnificently, they covered themselves with glory and their charge will always he remembered as one of the fittest deeds of the regt. Everyone says they were magnificent." so wrote his Commanding Officer. He m. at St. Mary Abbots, Kensington, 18 April, 1912. Katherine Arthur Mary Violet, dau. of Arthur Percy Hickman, of Hanley, co. Worcester. and had a daughter, Diana Katherine Mary, b. 19 May. 1913.

Private, 13th Battalion Alexandra Princess of Wales Own Yorkshire Regiment. Enlisted Scarborough, No. 26792. Died of wounds 29 April 1917. Buried in Fins New British Cemetery, Sorel-le-Grand (IV.J.11) and commemorated on Starston War Memorial, Norfolk.

Born 1890, Harleston, Norfolk, son of Maurice William and Eliza Meadows (nee Dunn). Edward’s parents and siblings were living in Rushall Road, Starston in 1911, which probably accounts for his name appearing on the village memorial, but there is no evidence that Edward himself ever lived in the Starston.

Private Essex Regiment, No. 29084, latterly Private, 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, No. 40506. Enlisted Norwich. Killed in action, 16 November 1916. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial (Pier and Face 2C) and Starston and Harleston War Memorials.

Born c. 1878, Wortwell son of Robert and Elizabeth Osborne. Frederick and his wife Annie (nee Elliott) who he married in 1905 were living in Hardwick Road, Starston in 1911 and later records indicate that his widow was living as Dairy Cottages, [Hardwick Road], Starston in the 1920s.

Private, 9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Enlisted Norwich, Service No. 14576. First entered service in France 30 August 1915. Awarded the Military Medal and Bar. The Bar was awarded in April 1918 following actions at Lagnicourt. According to the citation, all around him were killed and Alfred carried on to disable the Lewis gun to prevent it falling into German hands. Killed in action, 15 April 1918. Commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial (Panel 34 to 35 and 162A) and the Starston War Memorial, Norfolk.

Born 24 January 1897, Shipmeadow, Suffolk, son of Priscilla and George Peck (farmer). The family moved to Starston around 1904; in 1911 he was living with his family in Hardwick Road, Starston, probably at the Dairy. Descendants of Alfred’s brother Jonathan still live locally.

Able Seaman, Royal Navy, HMS Racoon. Service No. J 40062. Killed 9th January 1918. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial (28) and Starston War Memorial.

Born 1898, Rushall, Norfolk son of Alice and Charles Reeve (Yardman on Farm). Charles’ parents were married in Starston Church and his older brother Reginald and his father were born in the village. His parents were living in Dairy Cottage, Hardwick Road, Starston in the 1920s.

Private, 11th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment. Enlisted Harleston, Service No. 3040. Killed in action, 28 June 1918. Buried in Aval Wood Military Cemetery (I.B.45) and commemorated on the Starston War Memorial, Norfolk.

Born 7 May 1899, Starston and baptised in St Margaret’s Church, Starston, son of Eliza and Elijah Ringer (Labourer) who were married in Starston. Lewis seems to have lived in the village for most, if not all, his life.

Private 8th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Enlisted Nailstone, Warwickshire; Service No. 13272. Killed in action, 25th September 1916. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial (Pier and Face 2C & 3A) and Starston War Memorial, Norfolk.

Born 1890, Stradbroke, Suffolk son of Annie and Benjamin Roberts (Horseman on farm). It is likely that John never lived in Starston himself, with his family moving there after his death. John was noted as living in Ibstock, Leicestershire.

Private, 3rd Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Enlisted Norwich, Service no. 19451. Died 7 November 1915, aged 28, at Felixstowe Military Hospital, Suffolk. Buried in St Margaret’s churchyard, Starston, Norfolk.

Born 2nd February 1887, Starston and baptised in St Margaret’s Church, Starston. Son of Annie Mary & Arthur Hubert Sampson (builder/woodcarver). Percy was born and went to school in Starston and his family moved into the village some time around 1885. In 1901 the family was living in Avondale House, Rushall Road, Starston.

Private, Norfolk Regiment, Service No. 5333 and then 1st/6th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment, Service No. 41651; Enlisted Starston. Killed in Action, 28 September 1918; Commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial and on the Starston War Memorial.

Born c. 1888, Pulham St Mary, Norfolk, son of John and Emma Saunders. By 1911 he was living in Hardwick Road (probably Kerrison Cottage), Starston with his mother, stepfather and siblings.

Driver, 156th Field Company, Royal Engineers; Enlisted 1914, York; Service No. 53723. Killed in action, 29th June 1916. Buried in Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery Extension (I.D.1) and commemorated on the Starston War Memorial.

Born 6 April 1889, Starston and baptised in St Margaret’s Church in the village. Son of George (farmer) and Sarah Smith. David went to school in Starston and both the Smith family and the Youell family (his grandmother’s line) had connections with the village over several generations.

Private, 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment; Enlisted Norwich; Service No. 30010. Killed in action, 25 October 1916. Buried in Regina Trench Cemetery, Grandcourt (IV.B.30) and commemorated on the Starston War Memorial.

Born 1890, Loddon, Norfolk, son of James and Hannah Smith. It seems likely that his family was living in the village by the 1920s although it is not known if Ernest himself ever lived in the village.

Captain in the Madras Railway Corps, described as a civil engineer. According to the family, he started working in a civilian capacity before the War, but then transferred to the military arm of the Corps and served as a captain. Died of enteric fever in Madras, 2 December 1917. Commemorated on the Starston War Memorial and a plaque on the south side of the nave in St Margaret’s Church, Starston.

Born in Starston, 1883, son of Alfred and Anna Enfield Taylor. He was due to marry Sylvia McFarlane around the time of his death. His younger brother, Ronald Francis Taylor, was killed at Ypres in 1915. Three generations of the Taylor family still live in the village, descendants of Lombe Taylor, Lewis’s older brother.

2nd Lieutenant, 5th Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry; Killed in action, 8 August 1915, at Ypres. Commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, (Panel 47 and 49), the Starston War Memorial and a plaque on the south side of the nave in St Margaret’s Church, Starston.

Born in Starston, 1888, son of Alfred and Anna Enfield Taylor His older brother, Lewis Enfield Taylor, died in India of enteric fever in 1917 while serving with the Madras Railway Corps. Three generations of the Taylor family still live in the village, descendants of Lombe Taylor, Ronald’s older brother.

Private, 1st/4th Battalion, Duke Of Wellington’s (West Yorkshire) Regiment; Enlisted York; Service No. 29041 Died 19 November 1917. Commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial (Panel 82 to 85 and 162A) and Starston War Memorial.

Probably born 1893, Fressingfield; baptised on Easter Sunday (10th April) 1898 in St Margaret’s Church, Starston, son of Henry and Alma Wright. The family moved from Fressingfield to the Green Lane area of Starston/Redenhall around 1897 when Charles and his brother George were admitted to Starston School.

No military record has been found for a William Wright with any Starston connections.

Possibly William Wright, born in Cratfield (or Fressingfield) in 1883, son of Henry and Alma Wright and the elder brother of Charles George Wright, above, though William probably never lived in the village himself. Possible marriage in 1909 to Marian Elizabeth B. Tye. The couple were living in Tibenham, near Long Stratton in 1911 with their six-month-old daughter, Lillian.

   1939-1945

Chief Petty Officer Writer, HMS Europa. Service No. C/M 35209. Died 2 April 1941, aged 39 and buried in St Margaret’s churchyard, Starston (Ref. OC/M31). Commemorated on Starston war memorial. It is not clear whether he was killed in action, subsequently died of wounds or whether he died of an unconnected illness.

Baptised 4 August 1901, St Margaret’s Church, Starston, son of Charlotte and Edwin Bailey, (Gardener and Parish Clerk). His parents were married in the village in 1895 and his father, Edwin, had lived in the village since before 1881 and was the Starston Parish Clerk.

Private, 4th Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment; Served in Malaysia; Service No. 5775266. Died 17 February 1942, commemorated on the Singapore Memorial (Column 52) and Starston War Memorial, Norfolk.

Born 18 February 1921, probably Starston, son of Ernest Robert, labourer, and Mildred Dorothy Nobbs (nee Osborne). Known as Reg, his family moved into Starston sometime between 1891 and 1900, the date his father was born. His parents married in Starston Church in 1920 and relatives of his brother, Charles, still live locally.

Private / Farrier, Royal Army Veterinary Corps; No. 2389287. Killed 20 November 1944, Italy aged 42. Was kicked on the head by a mule on his first day in Italy, either when unloading or shoeing the mules, according to Starston neighbours. Buried in the Caserta War Cemetery (V.A.6) and commemorated on Starston War Memorial.

Born 1901, Tharston, son of William and Rosa Walpole. His older brother William, also a farrier, served in the First World War and was wounded. Jacob married Rosa Wright 1926. Probably moved to Starston after his marriage and his descendants still live locally.

Private, 9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Enlisted Norwich. Service No. 19164. Killed in action 15 September 1916, aged 27. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, France (Pier and Face 1C &1D) and Hardwick and Shelton war memorials.

Born 1889, Starston, Norfolk, son of Samuel (Yardman on Farm) and Emma Jane Brock. Lived in the village until the family moved to neighbouring Hardwick some between 1891 and 1901.

Private, 1st/6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, Service No. 250639. Formerly 5484, Norfolk Regiment. Killed in action, 14 April 1917. Commemorated on the Arras Memorial (Bay 8) and Pulham Market War Memorial.

Born and baptised 1887, Starston, son of George Arthur Watling (Carpenter) and Dinah Cook . His parents were married in Starston some five years earlier. Ernest’s mother’s family, the Gowers, go back several generations in Starston.

Gunner, 270th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery; Service No. 119569; Enlisted at Bungay. Clare Foulger’s service records survive. Died in Aldershot Isolation Hospital on 4 January 1917 of cerebro spinal fever. Buried in St Margaret’s churchyard, Starston, Norfolk (NC/O05) and commemorated on Bungay and Long Stratton War Memorials.

Born 1884, Long Stratton, Norfolk, son of William George (Builder) and Elizabeth Foulger. Lived in Bungay from c. 1901 until c. 1915. Married Charlotte Harriet Tubby of Starston in 1910, at St Margaret’s, Starston. One daughter, Freda Mary. His widow was living in Starston Hall in 1920, but it is not clear if Clare himself ever lived in the village.

Private, 1st City of London Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Enlisted Long Stratton; No. 5529. Killed in action, 7 October 1916. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial (Pier & Face 9D and 16B) and Shelton and Hardwick War Memorial, Norfolk.

Born 1895, Starston and baptised in St Margaret’s, Starston 1896, son of Walter Leopold and Rosa Anna Goldsmith. His older brother Waldron and his cousin Leonard Middleton were also killed in the war.

Acting Bombardier, 326th Siege Battery, RGA. Enlisted Woolwich, Kent; No. 29732 sometime before 1911. Died of wounds 15 June 1917. Buried in Estaires Communal Cemetery and Extension (IV.G.6) and commemorated on the Shelton and Hardwick War Memorial, Norfolk.

Born 1892, Norwich, son of Rosa Middleton and baptised as Waldring John Middleton in 1896 in Starston though by 1901 he was living with his father and brother George in Pulham St Mary. His mother and two other brothers were living in Starston in 1901. His brother Philip and his cousin Leonard Middleton were also killed in the War.

Private, 8th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Enlisted Norwich, No. 2236. Killed in action 5th October 1916. Buried in Connaught Military Cemetery (X1.J.7) and commemorated on Hardwick and Shelton War Memorials, Norfolk.

Born and baptised in Starston in 1894, son of Herbert Hanner, a horseman, and Caroline Mary Hanner. Married Ellen M. Coe in the Depwade district in 1912.

Private, 2nd Battalion Suffolk Regiment; Enlisted Ipswich; No. 16806. Died of wounds 6 September 1915. Buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery (Ref III.B.31A). Commemorated on Suffolk’s Roll of Honour.

Born and baptised in Starston, 1887, son of Alfred George and Maria Mayhew. Married Sally Louisa Wright in 1907 and had at least two children, Olive Louisa and Myrtle Mabel. Living in Laxfield, Suffolk by 1911.

Private, 9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Enlisted Norwich; No. 18472. Killed in action, 27 January 1916. Buried in White House Cemetery, St Jean-les-Ypres (I.K.21).

Born 1890, Starston, son of Elijah and Anna Middleton. Married Clara Everett in 1911. Leonard had moved back to his family’s village of Shipdham, near Dereham by 1901, but his grandparents, Elijah and Ann remained in Starston and are buried in Starston churchyard. Leonard’s cousins, Waldron and Philip Goldsmith originally of Starston, were also killed in the First World War.

Private, 9th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Own), No. 101570. Killed in action, 28 April 1917. Buried in the Beaumetz Cross Roads Cemetery. No known memorial in this country.

Born c. 1898, Redenhall, son of Albert (Malster) and Elizabeth Pearce. Harry was born after the family left Starston, so is only indirectly connected with the village. His brother, Samuel Albert Pearce, who was also killed in the Great War, and his older sister Clara were both born in the village.

Norfolk Regiment, No. 2257, and Acting Corporal, 11th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, No. G/15231. Killed in action, 21 October 1916. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial (Pier and Face 7). No known memorial in this country.

Born November 1886, and baptised in St Margaret’s Church, Starston, son of Albert (Malster) and Elizabeth Pearce. Married May or Mary Randall in 1907. Living in Harleston with wife and daughter Hilda (born c.1910) in 1911. Samuel’s younger brother Harry George was also killed in the Great War.

Gunner, 393rd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Enlisted Attleborough, Service No. 147797. Killed in action, 13 September 1918. Buried in the Dominion Cemetery, Hendecourt-les-Cagnicourt (11.A.17).

Born June 1880, Starston and baptised in St Margaret’s Church, Starston, son of Edward (Labourer) and Harriet Pymer. Married Angelina Mary Chapman in the Hartismere District, Suffolk, 1901 and was living in Moulton, near Long Stratton in 1911

Lance Corporal, 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Enlisted Norwich; Service No. 8945. Killed in action, 30 September 1915, aged 20. Buried in the Citadel New Military Cemetery, Fricourt (III.A.10) and commemorated on the Thorpe Abbotts and Rushall War Memorials, Norfolk.

Born 1895, Starston, and baptised in St Margaret’s Church, Starston, son of Ernest (Fowl Dealer/Farmer) and Mary Ann Reeve

Private, Norfolk Yeomanry, part of the Household Cavalry; No. 2327; Enlisted Harleston. Died 12 November 1915, aged 22; Buried in the Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta (Ref. D.V.3) and commemorated on Harleston War Memorial, Norfolk and on his parents’ gravestone in Starston churchyard (Ref.. NC/ M04)

Born, 1893, Redenhall son of George (farmer) and Jane. Although the family lived just outside Starston, they seem to have strong connections with the village, possibly owning land in Starston, and Donald’s parents are buried in Starston churchyard. Descendants of his brother still live locally.