Fighting for Other Nations

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 culture, other Hull people used these same passenger services, to travel the world and settle overseas. Many Hull men for example, fought for Commonwealth Nations, where they had worked or emigrated. This memorial website, records at least 96 Hull born men, who died fighting for Canada, another 43 who died fighting for Australia and 17 Hull men, who died fighting for New Zealand. Hull men also served throughout the British Army and died fighting with Scottish, Welsh and Irish regiments. They are buried throughout the world and many have no known graves. 

One extraordinary, former Hull man, was Captain, Henry Lewis Hulbert, (pictured) who died fighting for the United States, Marine Corps, in France in 1918. Henry Lewis Hulbert, was the son of Henry Ernest and Fanny Jane Hulbert, who lived at John Street, (near Hull’s New Theatre), and 2 Cavandish Square, Margaret Street, Hull.

Henry Lewis Hulbert, in France, 1918
Henry Hulbert, U.S. Marine Corps. Medal of Honor

Born to a wealthy Hull family, on the 12th January 1867, Henry Hulbert began a promising Diplomatic career in Malaya. However, after a scandalous divorce, he emigrated to America where he joined the US Marines as a private soldier. Due to his education and fine character, Henry Lewis Hulbert quickly caught the attention of his supervisors.

When America joined the First World War in 1917, Henry Lewis Hulbert, was 50 years old and too old for active service. However, due to his experience and fitness, Senior Officers campaigned for him to join the American Expeditionary Force. Henry Lewis Hulbert performed at least three acts of heroism during his short service in France. He was eventually killed at Belleau Wood on the 4th October 1918, leading the 5th US Marine Corp. Henry Lewis Hulbert, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the first United States Marine to do so. He is one on America’s most decorated soldiers, and he came from Hull. During the American – Samoa War of 1889, Henry Lewis Hulbert was awarded the ‘Medal of Honor’, while valiantly protecting a wounded officer in a rearguard action. It was America’s highest decoration for bravery and he was promoted. Henry Lewis Hulbert’s extraordinary story is told in the following link. 

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/hhulbert.htm

Another Hull man fighting for America, was Corporal, Ernest Suddaby, whose family was from 59 Brazil Street. Holderness Road. A bricklayer, like his father, he emigrated to Indianna, USA, in 1908. He enlisted at Louisville, in March 1917 and served as a Corporal in the 18th Infantry, American Expeditionary Force. He had already been wounded and was killed in action at Picardie, on the 21st July 1918, aged 30. He was one of nine children, and seven brothers, five of which served in the war. His younger brother, Walter was killed a month later, another brother, Albert was captured, and another brother, John Suddaby, was wounded in the war. Ernest Suddaby is commemorated on the Louisville, War Memorial, Kentucky, USA.

There were also many German born men, from Hull, who fought for Britain during the First World war. Max Schultz for example, was a German, who spied for Britain and lived in Coltman Street. Harry Weston, born in Germany in 1885, was a former Hull Policeman. His father was Irish and his mother German and they lived at 1 Anne’s Place, Oxford Street, Hull. Private, Harry Weston was killed with the 12th East Yorkshires at Ypres, on 13th November 1916. Similarly, Fred and William Grahn, from Wellsted Street, both died fighting for Britain in the War. While they were both born in Yorkshire, they came from a German family. Similarly, John Richard Raettig was killed in Belgium in 1916 and his brother, Ralph Arthur Raettig died at sea in 1917. They were the sons of Karl Raettig, born in Wittenberg Gemany, and a naturalised British citizen, who lived at 58 Del La Pole Avenue. Samuel Vromans, who worked as a German Interpreter, died of influenza, on the 16th October 1918. Lieutenant, Robert Max Skelsey, Royal Field Artillery, was killed at Arras in March 1918. He was born in Germany and educated at Hymer’s College in Hull.

Other Hull men from Hull based German families included, Lance Sergeant, John William Scheels, from Hill Street, Hull. He served with the 6th East Yorkshire Pioneers, and died of wounds, in Belgium, on 21st August 1917, aged 27. Private, John Frederic Schmieg, from 40 Strawberry Street, Hull, served with the Cameronian Highlanders, and died in 1915. Gunner, Walter Schultz, from Bean Street, Hull, served in the Royal Field Artillery, and died of wounds, on 17th June 1918, aged 22. Corporal, Arthur Schramm, from 58 Mamaduke Street, Hull, served with the 7th East Yorkshire Regiment, and was killed at Ypres, on 20th October 1918, aged 25. Lance Corporal, John Henry Maack, MM, from Great Thornton Street, Hull, served with the Royal Army Medical Corps and died a prisoner of war in Germany. Private, Joseph Arthur Kammerer, whose German born parents, ran a repair shop at 94 Osborne Street, Hull, was wounded in 1917 and died of influenza, on 5th November 1918, aged 27. Richard James Limbach, from 13 Endsleigh Villas, Reynoldson Street, Hull, served with the Tyneside Irish, and was killed at Arras, on 27th April, 1917, aged 34. Private, Charles Nicklas, was son of a German born Butcher in Hull. He served in the 1st Cameronian Rifles and was killed on the 18th May 1918, aged 29. William Meyerhoff, son of a naturalised German, was a professional soldier before the war. He was killed with the 2nd East Yorkshire regiment, at Ypres, on 23/04/1915, aged 23. His family were from Raywell Street, Hessle Road, Hull. Private, Henry Rothenburg, 13th Royal Welsh Fusiliers, killed in action on 22/04/1918, aged 22. Both his parents were born in Berlin and had arrived in Hull in the 1880’s.

Theodore Shultz, was a seaman, born in Stettin Germany in 1867. He was lost on the Minesweeper ‘Arabis’ on the 10th Febraury 1916, trying to fight off three German destroyers in the North Sea. Frederick Schmidt, was another German born sailor. He was lost at sea, aged 60, on the Hull Trawler ‘GITANO’, in 1918. Charles Grosneck was lost at sea, on 12th April 1917, aged 21. His father was a German born fisherman, living at 3 Princes Avenue, Hull.

Private Edward John GOHL 11/489, of the East Yorkshire Regiment, was born in August 1889. He was the second of ten children to Julius and Susannah Gohl of 49 Waverley Street, Hull. His father Julius Grohl was born in Germany and emigrated to become a well known confectioner in Hull and Withernsea. His shop was located at 6 George Street, Hull. A Shop Assistant by trade, Edward Gohl enlisted at City Hall on 8th September 1914, aged 25. Four days later he was promoted to Corporal and remained so throughout training and the posting to Egypt, on the 11th December 1915, to defend the Suez Canal. He arrived in France on 7th March 1916. The East Yorkshire were then transported to the village of Serre, to prepare for ‘The Big Push’. In June 1916, Edward was promoted again, this time to acting Sergeant. After eight months of landing on French soil, Edward was killed in action on 23rd December 1916. His body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing on the Somme. He was only 27 years old. Edwards siblings also served. His brothers were Charles Gohl, RASC, who served in France 1917-18; Harry Gohl, RE’s, France 1915-18; Richard Gohl who joined the Navy c 1917 and his sister Louisa Gohl who was VAD Nurse in France in 1916. (For more information on the Gohl family, please see the family link, kindly forwarded to me by Brian Gohl. (www.gohlfamily.org)

Myer Hessleberg, was born in Latvia. He lived at 134 Porter Street, Hull and worked as a boot repairer. He served as Private, 45981, with the 16th Northumberland Fusiliers, and was killed in action, on 20th September 1917, aged 19.

John Siplane, Thomas Tamm, Jes Tinchin and Gustav Adolf, were all Russian born sailors, lost on Hull ships.

Samuel Abrahamson, born in Russia, lived at 92 Osborne Street, and was well known in the Hull Market Place, as a shoe maker. He fought for the 38th British Royal Fusiliers (Jewish Division) and died in Jerusalem, on the 14th October 1918, aged 27.

Louis Cuckle born in Russia, lived at 19 Lukes Street, Hull. He was the son of Sophia Cuckle, at 18 Oxford terrace, Porter Street. He joined the Seaforth Highlanders in June 1915 and had been on active service for eight months. He was killed on the Somme, a month before his 22nd Birthday, on the 24th July 1916. He was one of Hull’s many Jewish casualties in the First World War. His death was reported in the Hull Daily Mail on the 17th August 1916, with his photograph. Similarly, Max Chayet, who was born in Minsk, and lived at 338 Hessle Road, Hull. Studying Medicine, he enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps, in 1915, under the name, of Max Kaye. He was Mentioned in Dispatches, and died in Iraq, on 4th April 1916, aged 24.

Private, Myer Black was also born in Russia in 1895. Myer was one of ten children, five brothers and five sisters, to Abraham Black, of 35 Porter Street, Hull. The family had left Russia for a new life in the West and set up home in Hull, a city that was then a thriving port and fishing town. A Tailor by trade, he enlisted to fight for his adopted country on 10th September 1914 and joined the fledgling 11th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, ‘The Tradesmen’, 2nd Hull Pals. Myer fought in Egypt and on the Somme and he was killed at Serre, on the 13th November 1916. He is buried at Euston Road Cemetery; he was 21 years old. Myer’s name is also commemorated on the family grave in the Hebrew Cemetery in Marfleet, Hull.

Haralasbos Augatheaus, was born in Cyprus and lived in Hull. He enlisted in Beverley and died in Greece on the 25th October 1916, serving with the 2nd South Staffordshire Regiment.

Emanuel Kariothis, from Crete, was lost in enemy action, on the Hull ship ‘Colenso’ on the 13th November 1915, aged 18.

John Calaseres, born in Greece in 1888, served on the Hull ship ‘Wolverton’ and died at sea, on the 13th March 1915.

George Gilimbis, born in Syria, lived at 5 Hull’s Place, Osborne Street. He died at sea on the steam ship, ‘Cambric’, on the 31st October 1917, aged 34. Nicholas Angelo, born in Greece, was lost on the same Hull ship, aged 38. 

Gunner, James Francis Brocklehurst, born in Vancouver, Canada, was the second son of James and Mary Brocklehurst, at 56 Plane Street, Hull. He served in the “Hull Pals” and was killed at Serre, on 13th November 1916, aged 21. Before the war he worked in the Hull Fruit Trade. A keen cricketer, he also ran for the Hull and District Harriers, based at Calvert Lane. He competed in the eight mile championship race in Hull, on 21st February 2014, in which eight of the nineteen runners, died in the war. His elder brother, William Brocklehurst, served in the East Yorkshire Heavy Artillery, in East Africa. Sergeant, Frank Clark was born at Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, in 1883. He was living at 2 Hills Place, Princess Street, Hull and working as a dock labourer. A single man sharing one room with another dock labourer and a painter. At the outbreak of war, Frank enlisted at City Hall on 8th September 1914 joining the 11th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, ‘The Tradesmen’, 2nd Hull Pals. A member of B Company, Frank was a veteran of Egypt, the Somme and Oppy Wood, but met his end when he was wounded and captured during trench raids on German positions at Fresnoy on 8th November 1917. He died of wounds behind enemy lines two days later and was buried in a joint grave in Douai Communal Cemetery, France.

Company Sergeant Major, Thomas Chapman, 12/96, was born in St. John’s, New Brunswick, USA in 1865. Thomas moved to the UK and married Maud May Wingham, in July 1902. The couple lived at 74 Francis Street, Hull and Thomas worked as a Hall Porter in a Club to make ends meet. At the time of enlistment, he was aged 49. He could have left the fight to younger men of military age. but instead queued outside Hull City Hall to join the 12th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, ‘The Sportsmen’, 3rd Hull Pals. He never saw combat. He died on 27th January 1916, having not travelled to Egypt, when the battalion shipped out before Christmas. Thomas Chapman is buried in Hull Western Cemetery; he was 50 years old. 

Frank Bertram Harvey, another American, was born in Philadelphia, USA in 1876. He lived in Bean Street, Hull, with his wife and four children. He served in the Merchant Navy, and was killed at sea on 20th February 1918, aged 42. Thomas Smith, born in the USA and boarding at 21 Osbourne Street, sank with Trawler, ‘Hildago’, on 28th August 1917, aged 29. Alfred Wolfunberg, another American sailor, living in Hull, was lost at sea, on 23rd march 1918, aged 24. 

Michael Cyril Daly, was an Australian, born in Victoria, in 1871. He lived at 11 Chapel LaWW1 Posters: Recruitment & propaganda posters from the first world warne, on Hull’s High Street and worked as a Labourer. He enlisted in Hull in 1915, giving the younger age of 38. He served as Private, 19861, in the 8th East Yorkshire Regiment. He was killed at the Somme, on 22nd July 916, aged 45.  His father ran His Majesties Hotel, at Hey Street, in Perth, Western Australia.

Cyril John Peasegood Allatt, was another Australian, born in Adelaide, 1891. He worked as a motorman in Hull. Enlisted in the “Hull Pals”, on 20/11/1914. Served with the 13th East Yorkshire regiment in Egypt and France, and died of wounds on 26/05/1916, aged 23. He left his widow Ellen and baby daughter, Vera at 8 Bright Street, Holderness Road, Hull.

Hans Van De Meir, Jans Cetal and Bastien Van Dyke, were all Dutch born sailors, living in Hull, lost in the war.

Harold Jesper Jacobson, was son the son of a Danish deep sea fisherman. He worked on Hull Fish docks and lived at Woodcock Street, Hull. He served with the 6th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and died in Iraq on 4th September 1916, aged 20. Also , Private, Kay Ditlevsen, Royal Army Medical Corps, killed in action on 17/09/1918, aged 31. Born in Copenhagen, Kobenhavn, Denmark, he enlisted in Hull and is buried in Hull Western Cemetery.

Lance Corporal, Joseph Jacobson, was Norwegian, born in Trondheim, on 27th August 1892. He lived at 5 Ethel’s Terrace, Buckingham Street, and worked on the North Eastern Railways as a Porter. He joined the 17th Northumberland Fusiliers, the “Railway Pals” Battalion, which was formed in Hull, at King George Dock in 1914. He died on 7th August, 1918, aged 26 and is buried in France.

Henry Ferguson, from Durban, South Africa, lived at 43 Holland Street. He drowned on the SS Polandia, on 10th March 1917, aged 25.

Kustav Karlson (36) of Soderby, Liljendal, Finland, Julius Larsen (52)born  Nyborg, Denmark, Henri Bosted (49) born Norway, Ernest Burkhalter (29), born Switzerland; and Alfred Westerlund (37), born Sweden, were all Hull based sailors, lost on the Hull ship ‘DIDO’, on the 26th February 1916. 

James Cuivelair (24), born in Trinidad, West Indies, was lost on the Steam Ship “North Wales” on 24th October 1916, aged 24. He lived with his wife May Cuivelair (formerly Hodgson), at 8 Clydesdale Avenue, Balfour Street, Hull.

Adam Abdul, from India, and Joe Bassey (28), Ben Caffey (22), Aubree Garner (27) and Joe Smith (27), all from Sierra Leone, served on Hull ships, and died together on the Trawler ‘Hildago’, on 28th August 1917.

David Amed, was born in Calcutta, India, in 1893. He arrived in England, with his mother, when he was 2 years old. He lodged with his Aunt at 4 Lee Smith Street, Hull, where he later worked as a dock labourer and seaman. He enlisted in Hull, on 28/04/1915 and served as Private,17592, with the 1st East Yorkshire Regiment. Previously wounded, he was killed in action, on 5th January 1916, aged 23. His army effects were returned to his sister, Ethel in Calcutta.

In addition,  many Hull casualties, included men from towns, villages and Cities in the UK, that came to Hull to live and work and died during the war. Also, not recorded on Hull memorials are Hull born men, who lived in other countries like Ireland (16), Scotland (19), Wales (17), and other cities, like London (74), Leeds (30). Manchester (13), Newcastle (9) and Durham (18) to number just a few. While the official Council records, reported that 7,000 Hull Casualties during the First World War, this website records, at least 9,500 men with a Hull connection, who died during the war. When the Hull Cenotaph was unveiled in 1924, the Lord Mayor of Hull, reported that 12,000 Hull men had died in the war. Presumably, this higher death toll, included servicemen, who succumbed to war injuries, shortly after the war ended. The War Pension Ledgers, certainly includes many ex servicemen, from Hull, who died in the early 1920’s of Wounds, Influenza, Heart Failure, Tuberculosis, disease, suicide and other war aggravated deaths. They are not included on Hull War memorials, or CWGC records, but the release of future census information, may reveal more about them.

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