392 replies to this topic

[domwalsh]

Hi everyone.
I'm researching the role of the Royal Marines in the Zeebrugge Raid which took place on St George's Day 1918 with a view to writing a book. It will be biographically based, with an entry for each man who took part and, where possible, a photo. Any snippets or leads, no matter how trivial they may seem, would be gratefully received.
For my part, I am happy to help anyone researching individuals, as I have mountains of info, photos etc of both marine and naval participants. I'm always happy to check names to see what info I've got or whether they took part.
Best wishes,
Dom

[HERITAGE PLUS]

Dom

Corporal CH/18066, Richard H R Neate, 4th Royal Marine Battalion, Royal Marine Light Infantry. Died 23rd April 1918 in England. Age 22. Born at Castle Combe. Son of Annie Taylor Short (formerly Neate), of 100, Wood Lane, Chippenham, and the late Richard Neate. Buried south of the church in ST ANDREW CHURCHYARD, CASTLE COMBE, Wiltshire.

He was wounded on board HMS VINDICTIVE and brought back to England. His coffin was taken by train to Chippenham where the coffin was given a military escort ot the chapel of rest before conveyance to the nearby village of Castle Combe.

He is named on the village war memorial.

Further details to follow once I have checked my records.

Dave

[domwalsh]

Great, thanks Dave....just the sort of response I was hoping for. His name rings a bell so I'll check and see what I have on this gallant marine.
Dom

PS Having now checked my card index, I find I have an extract from the Wiltshire Times describing his funeral, memorial etc. I don't believe it has a photo, sadly, but I'll dig it out and supply you with a copy if you don't already have one. Looking forward to hearing what you have. Dom

[TcM59]

Hello Dom,

Not sure if this will be of interest but I’m researching George Black Orsborne, Skipper of the Grimsby fishing vessel “Girl Pat” in the 1936 saga. He was born in the north of Scotland (Buckie), July 1903 and named George Black after his father. His father died during WW1 and his mother married a man called Orsborn in July 1917. About this time young George (14) is supposed to have run away and joined the Royal Navy, Boys Service after, lying about his age, (saying he was 16). a few months later he is supposed to have wangled a transfer to the Dover Patrol - ML 239 and to have been wounded on that ML at Zeebrugge 23/03/1918, then after recovering in hospital, (RN Hospital Gillingham?) the Navy found out his true age and he was discharged end of that year!
I have documentary evidence - (having used up a few blocks of credits on the Scotlandspeople website! and other sources) - of some of this but nothing so far to prove or disprove the main event. At some stage he took his stepfather’s name with an ‘e’. So if he was on ML239 I’m not sure what name he would be using. Sorry its a bit long winded but do you have a crew list for that ML or list of injured?

Cheers: Terry

[HERITAGE PLUS]

Dom

I think I know of a photograph of Richard Neate. I will check and get a copy if possible. Will get back to you off forum in a few days.

Dave

[domwalsh]

Terry,
Let me have your email and I'll send what little info I have on ML239. Unfortunately I don't have a crew list and Osborne is not in my list of wounded (though there are numerous omissions to the official lists, I have found).
Best regards,
Dom

[Ken Lees]

Pte Samuel M HOPSON, Royal Marine, a pre-war enlistment, eldest son of Mrs Hopson and the late George Hopson, He was posted as missing after the Zebrugge Raid which is where he was believed to have been taken prisoner, having been one of the landing party.

Mentioned in the 'Ormskirk Advertiser' 2nd May 1918.

I have some other photgraphs that were sent to me from a relative of Hopson. I am searching my records to see if I can find contact details for the sender.

Ken

Attached Files

•  Sam_Hopson_4a.jpg   28.21K   1 downloads

[domwalsh]

Ken, thank you so very much. What a great photo. Would really love to contact the family. His name rings a loud bell with me so I'll look him up and see what I've got. I definitely don't have a photo, though. That's another one I can tick off. 200 down, 500 to go!
Best regards.
Dom

[TcM59]

Terry,
Let me have your email and I'll send what little info I have on ML239. Unfortunately I don't have a crew list and Osborne is not in my list of wounded (though there are numerous omissions to the official lists, I have found).
Best regards,
Dom

Dom, Anything on this would be greatfully received! As for the name, it could be variants of his step father's surname - Orsborn. He is named Orsborne on his marrage certificate 1925, but probably more likely to be Black at this time or possibly an alias - finding the truth about this character is not easy!

email contact: *@grimsbybytes.co.uk or email links on either of the websites at the bottom of my signature.

Best wishes for your project.

Cheers: Terry

[manicafan]

Hi Dom
Do you have any info on the 34 men of the Chemical Section of the RNAS who took part in the raids on Ostend and Zeebrugge. They were responsible for the operation of the chemical smoke screen equipment. I have the names of about two thirds of them, but nothing on the remainder. If you have official numbers, they can be distinguished by the prefix F to their numbers.
I would be most grateful for anything you have on these men
Regards Duncan

[domwalsh]

Hi Duncan,
I have a full list of those who formed part of the Naval landing party, but only a few names of those who were on other vessels. Those who landed on the Mole were in charge of flamethrowers. Some were aboard the Motor Launches sent in to lay smoke screens before the main attack. I have quite a bit of info on the men, many of whom went on to have distinguished careers in science etc. Are you researching anyone in particular? Let me know your interest and I'll be happy to help.
Best regards,
Dom

[tom compton]

dom have you anything on harold tristram r.m.l.i. i have a photo .thanks tom .

[domwalsh]

Sadly I don't have him as listed as being on the Zeebrugge raid. Did you have any evidence he was?
Best
Dom

[tom compton]

no dom i know nothing about him he was my great uncle .and i dont know anything .what next . all i have is a photo . tom

[domwalsh]

Don't suppose you have his service number (would be on his medals, for example)? If not, you would have to look up his name on the RM medal roll for WW1 in the ADM 171 lists at the National Archives at Kew. That would give you his number, with which you would then be able to look up his record of service in ADM 159 series.
Best regards,
Dom

[bobbluesboy]

Hi Dom.Do you have anything on the following Royal marines at all,

CH 14864 F.W.Goodchild (have RFR LS as Corporal).

PO 5496 PTE E.Jeater R.M.L.I. .

1007 - S  Bombardier I .A.Schofield R.M.A. .


Many thanks Bob.

[domwalsh]

Hi Bob,
Am not at home, so will have to double check later, but I'm pretty sure the RM Museum at Eastney have Goodchild's copy of a photo of 1 Platoon taken just before the raid. I think I have some other stuff on him. Will get back to you on him and the other two tomorrow. Nice to have the RFR LSGC. What's your interest in the others?
Best regards,
Dominic

[bobbluesboy]

Hi Dom.I have a 14/15 Star trio and RFR LS to Pte Jeater and about 2 weeks ago I picked up a pair to Bombardier Schofield in a house clearance shop.Regards Bob.

Hi Bob,
Am not at home, so will have to double check later, but I'm pretty sure the RM Museum at Eastney have Goodchild's copy of a photo of 1 Platoon taken just before the raid. I think I have some other stuff on him. Will get back to you on him and the other two tomorrow. Nice to have the RFR LSGC. What's your interest in the others?
Best regards,
Dominic

[domwalsh]

Hi Bob,
Having checked my records, I don't think either of the other two were on the Zeebrugge Raid. But Cpl Goodchild was, as you doubtless already know. I have a copy of his record of service, though you've probably got a copy already.
I have attempted to download a copy of the 1 Platoon photo, which you will see from the back, was his copy and now resides in the RM Museum. Sadly it doesn't say which one he is, but I have a hunch he's the corporal sitting 2nd from left with two stripes. The only other corporal in evidence is in the back row and I know who he is. The lance-corporal at the other end of the first row of seated men is L/Cpl Heffernan whose medals I have. He was killed trying to stamp out bombs that landed on the deck of the Iris. He was MID, though his citation in the original recommendations is among those who got CGMs. Doubtless he'd have got one if he'd survived.
Is it just the RFR LSGC you have for Goodchild?
Regards for now,
Dom
PS Sorry, can't download the pix so let me have your email and I'll send over copies of the pix directly.

[bobbluesboy]

Hi Dominic.I am currently awaiting Corporal Goodchilds RM service record so I did not know about his service in the Zeebrugge raid,I only have is LS unfortunately which I picked up on Ebay.Same with the other 2 Royal Marines,I am currently awaiting their service records.Do you still have some information on Bugler Harry Camfield as I am the same Bob!!!!!!! Hope you are well Dom and picked up some nice bits yourself.
  My email address is cbottlebob@ntlworld.com.Thanks Bob Clayton.

Hi Bob,
Having checked my records, I don't think either of the other two were on the Zeebrugge Raid. But Cpl Goodchild was, as you doubtless already know. I have a copy of his record of service, though you've probably got a copy already.
I have attempted to download a copy of the 1 Platoon photo, which you will see from the back, was his copy and now resides in the RM Museum. Sadly it doesn't say which one he is, but I have a hunch he's the corporal sitting 2nd from left with two stripes. The only other corporal in evidence is in the back row and I know who he is. The lance-corporal at the other end of the first row of seated men is L/Cpl Heffernan whose medals I have. He was killed trying to stamp out bombs that landed on the deck of the Iris. He was MID, though his citation in the original recommendations is among those who got CGMs. Doubtless he'd have got one if he'd survived.
Is it just the RFR LSGC you have for Goodchild?
Regards for now,
Dom
PS Sorry, can't download the pix so let me have your email and I'll send over copies of the pix directly.

[domwalsh]

 Goodchild_pic.jpg   14.88K   31 downloads
Bob,
I've had a go at cropping the photo I think is Goodchild. He has a medal ribbon for what looks like a Long Service so a check of his service record should confirm this.
Best
Dom
PS Having now checked, it seems I was wrong! I think this man is a Cpl Carr. It turns out that Goodchild was a lance-sgt during the raid, which means there are two possibilities for him. See my post below for the pix.

[domwalsh]

 Heffernan_crop.jpg   12.35K   33 downloads

...and here's L/Cpl Heffernan, the senior bugler in the Royal Marines at the time of his death at Zeebrugge in 1918. He wears the ribbon of the Messina Earthquake medal.

I have lots of similar photos of Zeebrugge men, so do please post any queries. Equally, if anybody has any photos or other info on any Zeebrugge men, I'd love to hear from you.

Cheers.
Dom

[bobbluesboy]

Hi Dom.Excellent picture and superb information.Strange to thing that the medal I have now could have been sat in his locker on the base when this picture was taken all those years ago.Thanks for allowing me to see it.I have sent you an email.All the best Bob.

 Goodchild_pic.jpg   14.88K   31 downloads
Bob,
I've had a go at cropping the photo I think is Goodchild. He has a medal ribbon for what looks like a Long Service so a check of his service record should confirm this.
Best
Dom

[domwalsh]

 Goodchild_one.jpg   10.11K   35 downloads      Goodchild_two.jpg   9.65K   25 downloads
Here are the two new possibilities for L/Sgt Goodchild. He was 35 at the time, but I'm not sure I can tell which it is. Any clues anyone? Are there any differences in uniform for a lance-sergeant as against a full sergeant?
Dom

[manicafan]

Hi Duncan,
I have a full list of those who formed part of the Naval landing party, but only a few names of those who were on other vessels. Those who landed on the Mole were in charge of flamethrowers. Some were aboard the Motor Launches sent in to lay smoke screens before the main attack. I have quite a bit of info on the men, many of whom went on to have distinguished careers in science etc. Are you researching anyone in particular? Let me know your interest and I'll be happy to help.
Best regards,
Dom

Hi Dom.
I have an interest in all men who served in or were involved with the RNAS. I have a list with some detail of virtually all such men. Any info on any of the RNAS men who took part in the raid would be most welcome. I am also in regular contact with the person sorting out the RM enlistment papers at Yeovilton and could perhaps reciprocate with info. These enlistment papers frequently contain all manner of further documents such as court martial papers, marksmanship record, writing and arithmatic tests on enlisting etc
Yours Duncan