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live in the village after the 1911 census. He also joined the
Lincolnshire Regiment, which is usual for men who enlist in
Stamford, but a Broadland lad would more likely join the Norfolk
Regiment. Hence, the balance of judgement is that he is a
“Kings Cliffe Man”.
His service number tells us that he was one of the first men
to join the newly formed 6th Battalion of the Lincolns, almost
certainly in August 1914.
They trained for nine months in England and then sailed for
Gallipoli at the end of June 1915, from Liverpool. They arrived
at Lala Bala, at Suvla Bay on the 7th August and went almost
immediately into action. That night they were part of a very
successful attack and captured one of the highest points in their
sector, nominated “Chocolate Hill”.
On the 8th August they were in reserve and preparing for an
attack on the Anfarta Ridge at dawn the next day.
The Turks had, however, received significant reinforcements
since the taking of Chocolate Hill and, when the allied forces
attacked, they were met with very heavy resistance from the
Turks above them. Accurate rifle fire and shrapnel bursting
amongst the men rapidly added to the casualties.
During the fight several fires started amongst the scrub, one of
them taking hold and making it impossible to see. At 12.15pm
the order was given to retire, but not all of the wounded could be
carried back. On reaching a consolidated rear position, it was
found that over 400 of the original 578 officers and men were
killed, missing or wounded.
Captain Hansen, the Adjutant, made six trips back into the fire
with volunteers to rescue more wounded and for this he received
a VC. Not all could be rescued and many died a gruesome death
in the flames. None of the missing members of the Battalion
were ever seen again.
That day Frederick George Walpole was reported “missing
presumed dead”. He was 22 years old.
His name is on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey, panels
44-46. Final resting place unknown.
243
Lincolnshire Regiment, which is usual for men who enlist in
Stamford, but a Broadland lad would more likely join the Norfolk
Regiment. Hence, the balance of judgement is that he is a
“Kings Cliffe Man”.
His service number tells us that he was one of the first men
to join the newly formed 6th Battalion of the Lincolns, almost
certainly in August 1914.
They trained for nine months in England and then sailed for
Gallipoli at the end of June 1915, from Liverpool. They arrived
at Lala Bala, at Suvla Bay on the 7th August and went almost
immediately into action. That night they were part of a very
successful attack and captured one of the highest points in their
sector, nominated “Chocolate Hill”.
On the 8th August they were in reserve and preparing for an
attack on the Anfarta Ridge at dawn the next day.
The Turks had, however, received significant reinforcements
since the taking of Chocolate Hill and, when the allied forces
attacked, they were met with very heavy resistance from the
Turks above them. Accurate rifle fire and shrapnel bursting
amongst the men rapidly added to the casualties.
During the fight several fires started amongst the scrub, one of
them taking hold and making it impossible to see. At 12.15pm
the order was given to retire, but not all of the wounded could be
carried back. On reaching a consolidated rear position, it was
found that over 400 of the original 578 officers and men were
killed, missing or wounded.
Captain Hansen, the Adjutant, made six trips back into the fire
with volunteers to rescue more wounded and for this he received
a VC. Not all could be rescued and many died a gruesome death
in the flames. None of the missing members of the Battalion
were ever seen again.
That day Frederick George Walpole was reported “missing
presumed dead”. He was 22 years old.
His name is on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey, panels
44-46. Final resting place unknown.
243
