3/7764 Private

H. J. Utting

Norfolk Regiment

30th May 1915 Age 17

 

More information relating to H J Utting below

 

 

This is what started me into the research of the Barney plaque, for years I had passed this Gravestone on the way to work. One day in November 2010, I decided to stop and have a look to see, who was buried there. It came as a bit of a surprise to find that no one is buried there. This intrigued me more, so I set about researching these two, during which I visited Barney church and saw the plaque.

This is what I have found out about them. Now the centenary of the great war, is here, it has rekindled my interest in all the soldiers of that war. So remembering the plaque in Barney Church I decided that I would research them so that they can be remembered for more than a name on a wall.

 

I have also been unable to locate either grave in Croxton churchyard

 

 

Utting, Herbert James.

Private 3/7764 Norfolk Regiment 3rd Bn.

Commonwealth war dead 30th May 1915. age 17.

Son of James and Louisa Utting, of Barney, Guist, Norfolk. Born at Fulmodeston.

 

Born 13th June 1897.     Joined army 20th July 1914. died at home 30th May 1915.

 

1911 census.

Head James Utting   44 Agriculture labour born Fulmodeston

Wife Louisa nee Tuck 36 married 11yrs     born kettlestone

Son Tuck Herbert James 13 Agriculture labour born Fulmodeston

Son Albert George 10 born Croxton

(Louisa born 1874 married 1899, died 1931 aged 56)

 

1901 census.

It seems that Herbert was staying at Bodham with his uncle and aunt.

Walter Reck 38 and Eliza Reck 32. Herbert Tuck 3.

 

1891 Census. Herbert’s Mother Louisa

Surname. First names. Relationship. Sex. Age. Occupation. Where born.

Tuck James Head M 36 Agric labour Kettlestone.

Tuck Susan Wife F 37 Billingford.

Tuck Louisa Daughter F 16 Domestic Kettlestone.

Tuck John W son M 14 Agric labour kettlestone.

Tuck Henry son M 12 Agric Labour Kettlestone.

Tuck George son M 10 Scholar Kettlestone.

Tuck Albert son M 9 Scholar Kettlestone.

Tuck Isaac son M 4 Kettlestone.

 

It appears that Herbert was born out of wedlock, two years before his mother married.Sometime between 1911 and him joining the army he had changed his name to Utting.

 

This lads story is more tragic, he was training in an army camp in Walton, Felixstowe and seemed to be happy, (not sure of the date this happened but the court of inquiry was held on the 30th of may1915) he walked out of his hut with his rifle and shot himself died the next day at home. At the inquest a fellow soldier said he was in high spirits before dinner, but after receiving a letter he went quiet and did not even eat dinner. The verdict of the inquest was suicide whilst temporary insane.

 

Was Nephew of

Arthur Tuck.

Rifleman  10443

4th Btn Kings own Rifles corps.

Born 27/02/1894.   Croxton Norfolk.     Kia 10 th May 1915.

Ypres Memorial (Menin Gate) panel 51 + 53.

 

Norfolk Regiment history.

3rd (Reserve) Battalion

04.08.1914 Stationed at Norwich.

09.08.1914 Moved to Felixstowe where it remained

 

 

Herbert’s joining up form.