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.
George and Emma Booth, of Chapel Lane, Hull, lost their son Fred Booth serving on Minesweepers, in March 1916, another son, John William Booth, at the Battle of Jultland in May 1916 and their third son, Private, Albert Edward Booth, on the Somme, on the 2nd April 1918.
Fred, Matthew and Robert Driver, were three brothers, from 3 Devon Grove, Sculcoates Lane, Hull, that died in the war.
Kate and John Hedges, of 16 Goodrick Terrace, Cave Street, lost their three sons. Noel Victor Hedges died of wounds recieved on the Somme, on 8th July 1916, aged 19. their eldest son, Mark Ellis Hedges, died at Ypres on 26th September, 1917, aged 27. Their other son Frank Arthur Hedges, died on the Menin Road, after only one month at … Read more
Anthony and Catherine Walsh, from Gordon Street, Hull, lost three sons, from their family of ten children. Their eldest son Anthony had served in the military for10 years before re-enlisting at the outbreak of war. He was discharged from the army with mania and committed to Beverley Asylum, where he died in May 1916. Their other … Read more
The three Diglin brothers (photo below) were George Diglin, East Yorks Regt, service no 13/505, killed 13/11/1916, Walter Diglin, York and Lancaster Regiment Service no 203159, killed 24/0/1917 and William Diglin, East Yorkshire Regiment 7th Battalion, Service No. 3/33418, killed 25/04/1917. A 4th brother who served – Ernest Diglin, Kings Royal Rifle Corps 6th Battalion Service No: Y624 was discharged from … Read more
John Edward Lilley and Mary Ann Lilley, of 7 Holderness Villas, Rhodes Street, Hawthorne Avenue, Hull, lost their three sons: Pte, Sydney Lilley, 13th EYR, killed on 13/11/1916, aged 20; Pte, Fred Lilley, MGC, killed 10/10/1917, aged 29; and Pte, George Lilley, 10the EYR, killed 15/08/1918, aged 23.
Robert and Emma Sergeant lost the following three sons: Pte, Robert Sergeant, 12th EYR, killed 13/11/16, age 27; Driver, Edwin Sergeant, RFA, killed 23/3/18, age 34; and Pte, Herbert Sergeant, Yorkshire Regiment killed 09/04/18, aged 18.
Thomas and Sarah Dimmack, of Strickland Street, Hull, lost three of their six children in the war. Pte, Thomas William Dimmack, East Surreys, killed 7/8/16, aged 33; L/Cpl, Thomas Dimmack, 1st EYR, killed 21/4/18, aged 36, and Pte, Joseph Dimmack, 12th EYR, died 19/10/18, aged 22.
John and Sarah Galloway of 46 Cleveland Street, lost the following three sons. Private, George David Galloway, 7th EYR, who died of wounds on 7th July 1916, aged 30 and is buried at Hedon Road Cemetery; Private, Thomas Galloway, 1st EYR, killed on the Somme, on 16th September 1916, aged 24; and Gunner, Evans Galloway, RFA, who … Read more
James & Mary Ann Grayburn, of 7 Talbot Terrace, Toogoode Street, Hull had eight children. They lost their sons; George, killed with the Border Regiment on 16/9/16, aged 30; John, killed with the 13th EYR on 20/7/17, aged 27, and William killed with the 10th EYR on 26/9/18, aged 23.
