WILLIAM FREDERICK HAMBLING

IPSWICH WAR MEMORIAL | Posted on 12th March 2016 |

Image from the Suffolk Chronicle And Mercury – 1917.

Born: 1880, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

Died: 28th September 1917; age 37; KiA instantaneously by shell fire while in an old German dug-out, in the company of an officer and gunner, who were also killed. Served 1 year & 129 days.

Yarmouth Mercury – Saturday, 27^th October 1917 – BOMBARDIER WILLIAM F. HAMBLING, R.G.A. – We regret to learn that Mrs. Hambling, of Broom Hill Road, Ipswich, and formerly of Great Yarmouth, has been officially notified that her husband, Bombardier William F. Hambling, of the R.G.A., was killed in action in France on the 28^th September last. William, who was thirty-eight years old, was for twelve years in the service of the local Post Office, being removed to Ipswich some twelve years ago, where he rose to the position of Assistant Inspector of Postmen. He joined the Army in May 1916 and went to the Front some fourteen months ago. Only a month before he met his death, he was mentioned in despatches. We extend our sincere sympathy to his widow and relatives.

E.A.D.T. – Thursday, 11^th October 1917 – POST OFFICE ROLL OF HONOUR – Mrs. Hambling, of Broom Hill Road, Ipswich, has received intelligence that her husband, Mr. William Frederick Hambling, had been killed instantaneously by shell fire while in an old German dug-out, in the company of an officer and gunner, who were also killed. Mr. William Hambling joined the Army in May 1916 and was attached to the R.G.A. His officer writes of him as a very competent and brave soldier, and states that a few weeks ago his name had been sent in for mention in despatches. He was the son of Mr. William Samuel Hambling, late Inspector of Postmen at Great Yarmouth, and entered the Post Office service as a messenger at that place. Subsequently, he was transferred to Ipswich, where he performed indoor postman’s duties until 1912, when he was appointed Assistant Inspector of Postmen, the position he held at the time of his death. William was much respected at the Post Office by the men who served under him, and also by officers and men in other departments. Outside the Post Office, he was very well known, having been a member of the All Saints’ Church Choir for some years. He leaves a wife and one young son to mourn their loss.

Residence: 65, Broom Hill Road, Ipswich.

Employed: Assistant Inspector of Postmen of the Post Office from 1912.

Enlistment Details: Location: London; date: 23rd May 1916; age: 35 years; religion: CofE. Height: 5ft 7 1/4ins.

Joined at Dover – 24th May 1916.

Service:

Home – 23rd May 1916 – 29th August 1916

Embarked 29th August 1916 – Southampton

Disembarked 30th August 1916 – Havre – 28th September 1917.

Rank: Bombardier; Service Number: 86055.

Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery, 155th Siege Battery.

Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.

Also killed by the shell fire in the old German dug-out:

HARRY ATKINSON, a Second Lieutenant for the Royal Garrison Artillery, 155th Siege Battery, aged 35, was employed by the Hennebique Ferro Concrete Agency. The eldest son of Robert Atkinson and Anne Passman Atkinson (nee Smith), of 137, High Park Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Harry Akinson was buried at I.J.1, Lindenhock Chalet Military Cemetery.

HAROLD MATHER, a Gunner, 84981, for the Royal Garrison Artillery, 155th Siege Battery, aged 28, was employed as a clerk for the Co-operative Wholesale Society, Manchester. The son of Thomas Mather and Elizabeth Mather (nee Rushton), of 23, Sefton Road, Pendlebury, Lancashire. Harold was married to Anna Malvine Katrine Mather (nee Marthinsen), and had two daughters – family home 41, Townsend Road, Pendlebury. Harold was buried in a joint grave with William Hambling.

Grave Reference:

Joint grave – I.H.1.

Lindenhock Chalet Military Cemetery,

West-Vlaanderen,

Belgium.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of William Samuel & Harriet Ellen Hambling, of 7, Dee Side, Mile End, Bungay, Suffolk; husband of Mary Ann Eliza Hambling, of 13, Palgrave Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

CENSUS

1881 79, Caister Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

William was a year old and living with his parents.

William Samuel Hambling, 29, a Letter Carrier, born Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

Harriet Ellen Hambling (nee Butcher), 26, born Greenwich, London.

1891 125, Northgate Street, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

William was 11 years old and living with his parents & siblings.

William, 39, a Tea Dealer – own account & a Letter Carrier.

Harriet, 36, an Ironer.

Olive Mary Hambling, 8, born Great Yarmouth.

Vincent George Hambling, 7, born Great Yarmouth.

1901 16, Row 74, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

William was 24 years old, an Assistant Postman. He was boarding at the home of 56 year old, Hannah M.A. Ames, an Upholsterer – at home.

1911 16, Kitchener Road, Ipswich.

William was 31 years old, a Stamper – Post Office. He was married and Head of the Household.

Mary, 34.

William, 5.

On the 23rd June 1904, at the Wesleyan Chapel, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, William married Mary Ann Eliza Parker, born December 1876, Great Yarmouth – daughter of Richard Joseph Parker, a whitesmith for Gray & Palmer – ironmongers, and Sarah Elizabeth Parker (nee Green), of 13, Palgrave Road, Great Yarmouth.

Mary Ann and William had one son:

William Richard Hambling, born August 1905, Great Yarmouth.

On the 17th August 1918, Mrs. Mary A.E. Hambling, of 146, Anderson Street, Great Yarmouth, received her late husband’s personal effects:

Photos, pocket book, Religious book, postcards, disc, letters, photos & card, pipe (in case), wrist watch, (damaged), strap & 2 protectors, 9ct plain gold ring, scissors (in case), pouch, photo (in case), 2 razors (in cases), 8 pieces of music, small comb, newspaper cuttings.

Probate to Mary Ann Eliza Hambling – widow.

Soldiers’ Effects to Mary A.E. Hambling – widow.

On the 15th May 1922, Mrs Hambling received her late husband’s Victory & British War medals.