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.
Pte, Charles Frederick McColl, 11/81, 1/4th East Yorkshire Regiment, (pictured) was executed for desertion on 28 December 1917, aged 26. He was the son of John McColl and Annie Hope, of 6, Bramham Avenue, Woodhouse Street, Hull. McColl was the eldest son and second of five children. He had three sisters and a brother, who … Read more
The Hull Jewish community is one of the three oldest in England. The Hull ports made travel easier for traders and peddlers, allowing Jewish businesses to flourish and encouraging them to put down roots. Hull’s first recorded Jewish inhabitant in 1766 was Michael Levy, a watchmaker. In 1788 a local jeweler, Aaron Jacobs, created an … Read more
As an ancient, thriving Port, Kingston Upon Hulll, has always attracted people and been a City of great diversity. Between 1836-1914, 2.2 million people, mostly from Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway, Russia and Sweden, passed through Hull, en route, to America, Canada, South Africa and Australia. While some these people stayed, adding to Hull’s commerce and … Read more
Walter and Joseph Campion, both died on the Somme, in November 1916. BORN HULL 1892. FIFTH SON OF SAMUEL GLOVER CAMPION & MARY ANNIE OLIVER, AT 7 WALLER STREET AND 3 BALFOUR STREET, HULL. ONE OF SEVEN CHILDREN AND SIX SONS. THE FAMILY WORKED ON THE HULL DOCKS AND RAILWAYS. WALTER WAS EMPLOYED AS A … Read more
Sgt, Laurence Mitchell, 1/4th EYR killed on 3rd May 1915 at Ypres, was followed by his brother 2nd Lieut, Tom Mitchell, 14th Northumberland Fusiliers, who died of wounds at Etaples, on 4th November 1918. They were the sons of Tom and Marie Mitchell, of 135 Francis Street, Hull.
Brothers James and Albert Stones died in 1916 and 1917 respectively. They were the two sons of Frederick and Caroline Stones, at 49 St Andrews Street, Hessle Road.
Hull Pals and brothers Herbert and Arthur Keith, from 79 Arundel Street, died within 6 months of each other in 1917. Check their names on the Arundel Street memorial and map on this website. LAZENBY Arthur Henry Lazenby died on the 26th November 1914 serving with the Royal Navy, aged 18. His brother Richard … Read more
Another set of brothers from Wellsted Street were John William Grahn and his brother Fred Grahn. They were killed in 1917 & 1918 respectively, Their father was German and they were raised by their Auntie at 4 Francis Avenue, Wellsted Street. Their names are recorded together in the Holy Trinity Church book of remembrance.
James and Charles Joys, both soldiers, died in France within 8 weeks of each other. They were the sons of James Henry and Clara Ann Joys who lived at 12 Wellsted Street, Hessle Road
Gunner, 1817, Albert William VENUS, Royal Field Artillery, 2nd Northumbrian Brigade, was killed at Bellewaarde Ridge, on the 24th May 1915, aged 22. A German shell hit his battery killing most of the other gun crew. Although the Battalion Diary & the Hull Daily Mail reported his death at the time, he was not officially remembered … Read more
