Kingston upon Hull War Memorial 1914 - 1918
The story of Hull in World War 1
Over, 7,500 Hull men died in the First World War. Over 1,200 of these were sailors working with the fishing fleet, or serving with the Merchantile Marine, the Royal Navy and the Royal Navy Reserve. They carried out vital war work, bringing in supplies, transporting troops and minesweeping the seas
There were nearly another 1,500 men who were born in Hull, but who lived elsewhere. They died fighting for Australia, Canada, New Zealand and America. There are many others, who enlisted in Hull or who were associated with the City, but are not usually remembered on Hull war memorials. As Hull had four large hospitals and was the port of entry for repatriated prisoner of wars, servicemen from all over the world are buried in Hull. The Kingston Upon Hull Memorial aims to remember all those with a Hull connection who died in the First World War.
There are over a hundred families on the Hull Memorial that lost two or more of their family. Sometimes fathers, sons and brothers were lost on the same day. Some families lost three sons, other Hull families lost four sons, including all their children in the First World War. At least one in six Hull families lost a direct relative. Many others would lose close friends, work colleagues or others known to them. Each death was irreplaceable and an individual tragedy for someone.
Unfortunately, not all deaths were recorded in official casualty figures, particularly if soldiers died of sickness, accidents or were discharged home with wounds, of illness. By 1924 the Ministry of Pensions reported that there were 20,000 war wounded living in Hull. Although they survived the war, they are rarely recorded on war memorials. What follows here are snippets of some of those people who died, whose deaths were reported in the local newspapers.
This web site is provided as a public service at no charge. While we attempt to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the user is cautioned that whilst every effort is made to verify the accuracy of the information, no responsibility is taken or accepted for information deemed to be erroneous. You may … Read more
Pte, Raymond Millington, left the Reckitt’s factory in Hull to join the Durham Light Infantry in 1914. He was discharged with a weak ankle, but later rejoined the Army Service Corp in 1915. He was killed by a bomb dropped from an aeroplane on his supply column, on the 1st September 1917. He lived with … Read more
Sapper, Eric Simpson, Royal Engineers, was accidentally drowned in the River Dwina, aged 20, and is buried at Archangel in Russia.
Cpl, Jack Andrews, Royal Engineers, from 75 Eastbourne Street, died of fever in Mesopotamia, aged 27.
George Richard Pickering, 18 Massey Street, died of wounds in Ireland, aged 17. Lieutenant, Edward M. Thompson, 5th Yorkshire Regiment, killed 22/2/16, aged 28. Son of Frederick & Adeline Thompson at 113 Stepney Lane.
Arthur Mowforth from 40 Louis Street died of wounds in Greece in 1917, aged 21.
Pte, Reginald Gorley was killed while carrying water.
Driver, Gerald Pitts Parker was killed while feeding his horse. He was born in Hull in 1891 and before the war had worked at Reckitts. He left a widow Minnie and two children at 101 Rosmead Street.
Pte, Horace Kirman, from 46 Folkestone Street, was killed by a sniper, rescuing a wounded Officer, at Oppy Wood. He received no medal.
Sgt, Ernest Marritt, 11th EYR from 24 Montrose Street, was killed on the 8th November 1917, capturing a machine gun. He received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions.
