No.43680, Private,Lawrence CUBITT
Aged 23
|
Lawrence Cubitt was born in Brandon in 1892 (Thetford Q3-1892 4B:383), son of Thomas William and Sarah Ann CUBITT(née RHODES). 1901 census...Aged 8, he was at Hills Row, Bury Road, Brandon with his father Thomas CUBITT [48] groom at hotel, born Egmere, Norfolk; his mother Sarah [43] born Wretton; brother Walter [15] houseboy in hotel; sister Alice [2] and grandmother, widow Isabelle RHODES [82] born Sutton St James, Lincs. The three children were all born in Brandon. 1911 census...Aged 18, a grocer's assistant,he was at Lode Street, Brandon with his parents and sister Alice. All six siblings survived. He married May THOMPSON of Walsoken, in Walsoken on 7th June 1916, their address was 1 Stow Road, Walsoken. She married Percy W. MOUNTAIN on 16th August 1919 and was living at White House, Magdalen, Wisbech. His father had died in 1917 |
|
He enlisted in Wisbech when resident in Walsoken. He gave his age as 23years 3 months, trade carpenter, born Brandon.
He was 5 feet 1.25 inches (155.6 cm)tall, weighed 106 lbs (48.2 kg), chest 32.5" to 34.5" (82.6 to 87.6cm), Church of England. 22nd November 1915, attested for 12th Suffolks, then on 8th January 1916 he was transferred to the 10th Suffolks, No.23276. On 15th June 1916 he was posted to the 22nd Reserve Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, No. 25458. In Harwich, on the eve of his posting to France he overstayed his pass from midnight on 23rd June to 7pm on 24th. He apparently then went via Folkstone-Boulogne and was at 35th Infantry Brigade Depot in Etaples on 24th. Attached to the 18th Manchesters on 18th July, he was transferred to the 18th Manchesters on 15th September 1916 and was killed in action on 12th October 1916. His wife was awarded 13 shillings 9 pence (68p) per week pension from 7th May 1917, which would have ended when she married again in August 1919. The war diary has:- "12.10.16 2:5 pm At zero (2:5pm) the battalion (less one Coy and two platoons) moved from the trenches in small shallow columns, covering approximately the two "battalion frontage".They encountered a very severe barrage put up by the enemy immediately they left the trench, which in spite of severe casualties they resolutely pushed through. I wish to draw special attention to the bravery and determination of the company and platoon commanders who led their men through the barrage and through the heavy machine gun fire which opened almost instantly at the zero hour. The company commanders of the two Coys on the left ("A" 2nd Lt BROWN and "B" 2nd Lt TRIMMER) became casualties just before reaching the British front line, but notwithstanding this the men advanced under their platoon sergeants. On crossing the British line the machine gun fire became much intense and more heavy casualties ensued.. A number of men of "A" and "B" Coys moved quickly forward and attached themselves to the 17th MANCHESTERS, the support troops thus becoming merged with the assaulting lines. At a distance of about 300 yards north of our front they came across a German trench filled with enemy dead. The trench had been wired and was pretty deep but it had been heavily shelled by our artillery and presented no obstacle to our further advance. A hundred yards further north there was another enemy trench containing a number of dead bodies. This trench had evidently been hastily dug being only from two to four feet deep with practically no wire. it had been much damaged by our artillery fire. The assaulting wave carried another 100 yards further north and a site was selected for a trench , the work of consolidation being commenced at once. The trench was dug to a depth of 5 feet in places and rough fire steps made. While this work was proceeding a party consisting of one German officer and four men came down the road leading towards our line, apparently looking for their own trench. They were told to come in and surrender and the officer who spoke English seemed glad to do so. Attempts were made to establish touch withBritish troops on the right and left without success and two N.C.Os were sent back to get orders by the Sergt of the 17th MANCHESTERs who had assumed command in the absence of any officer.Lance Corporal NOON of the battalion under my command was one of these. The N.C.O.s returned without the required information and it was then decided to withdraw to our own front line as it was clear that the position was entirely isolated and at that time our own artillery was shelling the position. With reference to the two platoons of "C" Coy who formed the right of the battalion, it appears that in moving through the barrage they suffered few casualties until reaching our front line when they too came under heavy machine gun fire, being enfiladed from the right. The assaulting troops in front suffered severe casualties and men attempted to dig shelter in the shell holes in front of our line, Judging from what could be seen of the enemy, they appeared to be standing on the firesteps of their trenches. They were exposed almost to the waist. Their dress seemed to be a dark blue uniform the they wore steel helmets. Finding it impossible to make any further progress the platoons withdrew with what was left of the first wave to the original British trench. During the attack this original trench was occupied by the Lewis guns under 2nd Lt ROBERTS. As the men returned to the front line the battalion was reorganised as far as possible. Lt Col WALSH, 2dn R.S.F. assumed general command of his own battalion and the 18th MANCHESTER REGT. I was directed to remain at my battalion HQ at FACTORY CORNER where I established contact with the 90th Infantry Brigade and the HQ of Lt Col WALSH. During the operations my signallers attempted to get in touch with the aeroplane but the attempt had to be abandoned owing to heavy shell fire, the VENETIAN shutter being completely destroyed. HB Williams Lt.Col Commanding 18th Manchester R." CWGC records show the battalion had a total of 51 killed, of these, 13 are buried with Lawrence in Flers, the rest are named on the Thiepval Memorial. click here to go to the Brandon at War website for more information
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
