Private Frank Gouldby Lowestoft DoW 1915

The edition of the Norwich Mercury dated Saturday, July 10th 1915, has a picture of this man.

The accompanying caption reads “LOWESTOFT LAD KILLED. Private F. Gouldby, 4th Suffolks, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Gouldby, 51 Stanley Street, Lowestoft, who has died of wounds received at Neuve Chappelle.”

There is nothing obvious on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website. However there is a:-
GOULDLY, FRANK
Rank:………………………......Private
Service No:………………….1894
Date of Death:…………….12/03/1915
Age:………………………….....19
Regiment:…………………....Suffolk Regiment, 4th Bn.
Panel Reference:…………Panel 9.
Memorial:………………….....LE TOURET MEMORIAL
Additional Information:
Son of Robert and Henrietta Gouldly, of 51, Stanley St., Lowestoft.
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/856965/GOULDLY,%20FRANK

There is no match for either a Frank Gouldby or Gouldly on SDGW, but there is a Private Frank Gouldley who was killed in action on the 12th March 1915 whilst serving with the 4th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. He was born and enlisted Lowestoft. No place of residence is shown.

The Medal Index Card for Private 1894 Frank Gouldby, 4th Suffolk Regiment, is held at the National Archive under reference WO 372/8/81377
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D2390215

His British War Medal came up for sale by auction in 2013.
www.dnw.co.uk/media/auction_catalogues/Medals%2025%20Mar%...

His Service Records do not appear to have survived the incendiary attack during the Blitz on the Warehouse where they were being stored.

There is no obvious Missing Persons file held by the International Red Cross.

The Government Probate Service holds a Soldiers Will for 1894 Frank Gouldby who died on the 12th March 1915.
probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Wills?Surname=Gouldby&Su...

Frank is also remembered at St John’s Church in Lowestoft.
www.roll-of-honour.com/Suffolk/LowestoftStJohnsChurch.html

1895/96 – Birth

The birth of a Francis Alfred Gouldby was registered with the Civil Authorities in the District of Mutford, Suffolk, in the January to March quarter, (Q1), of 1896.

The, as now, you had 42 days to register the birth without facing a fine. Potentially therefore Francis could have been born as early as Mid-November 1895 – even earlier if his parents were prepared to pay the fine.

Mutford District covered Lowestoft and the nearby villages.

The baptism of a Francis Alfred Gouldby, no date of birth recorded, took place in Suffolk on the 5th April 1896. His parents were Robert and Henrietta.
familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NXMQ-1X2

1901 Census of England and Wales

There is a 5 year old Francis A Gouldby, born Lowestoft, who was recorded living at 51 Stanley Street, Lowestoft. This was the household of his parents, Robert, (40, Steam Sawyer, born Lowestoft) and Henrietta, (42, born Norwich). As well as Francis the couples other children are:-
Florence…….aged 8….born Lowestoft
William R…. aged 6…born Lowestoft
Marguerite E..aged 3…born Lowestoft
Charles H...…aged 1…born Lowestoft

1911 Census of England and Wales

The family were still living at 51 Stanley Street. Parents Robert, (50, Wood Sawyer) and Henrietta, (53), have been married for 19 years and have had 5 children, all then still alive. Still single and living with them are:
William Robert……aged 16…Unemployed (Feeble Minded from age of 4)
Francis Alfred…….aged 15….House Boy
Marguerite Elsie…..aged 13
Charles Henry…….aged 11

On the day

From Page 61-62 “The History of the Suffolk Regiment 1914-1927” by Lieutenant-Colonel C.C.R.Murphy

On March 10 the brigade marched to Vieille Chappelle in readiness to take part in the battle of Neuve Chappelle, preparations for which had been in progress for some time. About noon the moved forward to a farm on King George’s road, passing on the way a large batch of German prisoners who had just been captured. On the 11th, while moving towards the southern end of Neuve Chappelle with a view to attacking the Bois du Biez, a conference of officers was held in a shell-hole by the roadside. The illustration of this incident …(is) displayed to public view in Christchurch Mansion.
(This painting can be seen at several web-sites including:-
www.alamy.com/stock-photo-the-4th-suffolks-at-neuve-chape...
www.art.co.uk/products/p870809825-sa-i4062131/the-4th-suf...
www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/the-4th-suffolks-...
(From a painting by Fred Roe. Appeared in The Sphere magazine, January 4, 1919.)

The attack began at noon, but owing to the stubborn resistance offered by the enemy little if any progress could be made, and towards evening it became evident that the attack had failed. The battalion was holding a line of trenches in front of the Bois du Biez when, at about 8 p.m., a message was received ordering it to withdraw from the line and move into some ruinous billets along the Rue des Berceaux. As the battalion was in a strong position at the time, and holding its own without difficulty, it was conceived that this message was possibly a ruse de guerre, emanating from the enemy. The adjutant therefore went back to brigade headquarters to make enquiries and found that the message was genuine. With much difficulty, owing to the darkness and shelling, the battalion was assembled and marched back through Neuve Chappelle to its former position along the Rue des Berceaux, some casualties being incurred during the operation. Very soon after the arrival the enemy began to shell the Rue des Berveaux, compelling the battalion to vacate its so-called billets and take to some trenches near Windy Corner. The buildings were set on fore almost as soon as the battalion had left them, an act supposed to have been that of a spy.

Shortly before dawn on the 12th the battalion was ordered to return to the position vacated the previous evening. As it moved off at the head of the brigade the enemy put down an intensive barrage on the column, inflicting many casualties and throwing the brigade temporarily into disorder. It was on this occasion that Lieut.-Colonel Crudda, by his personality, leadership, and disregard of danger, first won that place in the hearts of all ranks which he held until his death. The character and bearing too of Brig.-General Strickland produced a further marked effect, and reawakened the spirit of the battalion. The brigade, rallying quickly, was now ordered to take part in another attack on the Bois due Biez. Severe fighting followed, lasting all the afternoon, the battalion remaining in position for the night.

In referring to the part played in the battle of Neuve Chappelle by the Jullundur Brigade the Corps Commander (General Sir James Willcocks) said: “This brigade underwent a two day fiery ordeal, both in support and in moving up to Neuve Chappelle. They had been very exposed and subjected to a ceaseless fire from big and light guns, in addition to machine-guns and rifles, and nearly six hundred casualties resulted.”

The battle of Neuve Chappelle was the first occasion on which British troops had driven the Germans from well-established positions in a trench-to-trench attack on a large scale, and the Jullundur Brigade was naturally proud of its share in that achievement. The losses sustained by the 4th Battalion amounted to 217, including the following officers-
Killed: Captain Stephen Garrett: 2nd Lieut. H.A. Row.
Wounded: Captain and Adjutant R. Cockburn; Captains M.F. Mason, F.J. Rodwell and H.D. Mitchell; Lieut. H.K. Turner; 2nd Lieut. H. Hoyland.

The following were awarded the D.C.M. for gallantry in the field at Neuve Chappelle: Sgts W. Pettitt and A.E. Pendle; L/Sgt. W. Smith; Pte. P.E. Sones. The last named, attached to the Lahore Signal Company, carried messages for forty-eight consecutive hours, under very heavy rifle and machine-gun fire. Corporal S.C. Balaam was promoted a King’s Sergeant on the battlefield, and subsequently awarded the D.C.M.

On March 13 the remnants of the battalion were withdrawn to Richebourg St. Vaast, and on the following day to Croix Barbee.
lib.militaryarchive.co.uk/library/infantry-histories/libr...

(Mildly photoshopped to minimise the visual impact of damage that was present on the original image.)

Taken in: United Kingdom / England / Lowestoft (show map)

Taken on: December 16, 2016

Tags:

Lowestoft

Suffolk

Frank Gouldby

Frank Gouldly

Francis Gouldby

Francis Alfred Gouldby

4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment

1st/4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment

12/03/1915

12th March 1915

In memoria

Dulce et decorum est

Old Soldiers rest in peace

Remember them

Read all about it

Faces of the Great War

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Norwich Mercury July 10th 1915 « less

Sets appears in: • In memoria • Dulce et Decorum Est..Pro Patria Mori more » • Read all about it • Lowestoft « less

Groups appears in: • The Great War 1914 - 1918 • Old Soldiers (rest in peace) more » • Your Faces of the First World War • REMEMBER THEM « less

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