Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Thiepval Memorial, Picardie | ||
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.135 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 3B GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | |||
Family :
Legend courtesy of W.Bro. Rod Gibson (Suffolk)Eldest son of Joseph Snell, born Hornsey, Middlesex on 28th March 1875.
He married at St Marylebone Church, London on 9th April 1904, Ethel May (36 Warrington Road, Ipswich) born 4th May 1878, daughter of Frederick Canton, M.R.C.P.S., L.R.C.P., and had a daughter, Joyce Canton, born 21st March 1906. His widow was awarded a pension of £100 per annum and his daughter a pension of £24 per annum, both from 15th July 1916. The 1911 census shows him living with his family and two servants at 63 Anglesea Road, Ipswich
Education & Career :
Educated at Dulwich College and Guy's Hospital, London and graduated L.D.S. in 1896, and subsequently became a Dentist.
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 8th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment |
| Action : The Battles of the Somme 1916 |
The Battle of the Somme 1st July - 18th November 1916 is inevitably characterised by the appalling casualties (60,000) on the first day, July 1st 1916. Having failed to break through the German lines in force, and also failed to maximise opportunities where success was achieved, the battle became a series of attritional assaults on well defended defence in depth. The battle continued officially until 18th November 1916 costing almost 500,000 British casualties. German casualties were about the same, and French about 200,000. The Somme could not be counted a success in terms of ground gained or the cost, but it had a strategic impact as it marked the start of the decline of the German Army. Never again would it be as effective whilst the British Army, learning from its experience eventually grew stronger to become a war winning army. The German High Command recognised that it could never again fight another Somme, a view that advanced the decision to invoke unrestricted submarine warfare in an attempt to starve Britain of food and material, and in doing so accelerated the United States declaration of war thus guaranteeing the eventual outcome. 287 Brethren were killed on the Somme in 1916.
He was severely wounded in the chest, neck and arm at Loos in September 1915. He was admitted to the 3rd General Hospital at Le Treport on 18th October and evacuated to East Suffolk and Ipswich Hospital on 14th November and discharged to convalescence leave. He rejoined his regiment in February 1916, returned to France in March.
Detail :
Capt. Norris Snell, 8th Bn. East Yorkshire Regt., Killed in Action 14th July 1916. Age 41.
Commemorated: Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Ref: Pier & Face 2C.
He was killed in action at Longueval on 14th July 1916.
It is stated that he was buried at Bazentin-Le-Grand, but as his name now appears on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing, it is probable that his grave was destroyed in later fighting.
His Commanding Officer wrote "He and I were always so friendly, and he used to work so hard and cheerfully, always getting his men to do the same, that he will ever be remembered in this battalion. I am glad to say that he met his end from a bullet instantaneously at the head of his men, leading them on."
His brother Lt. Herbert Snell was also killed in action.
Probate was granted 29th September 1916 in the sum of £15,976 3s 3d.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | British Union No. 114 E.C. | Suffolk |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
7th May 1908 | 1st October 1908 | 5th November 1908 |
Initiated 1908 into British Union Lodge No. 114. Listed as a Dental Surgeon resident at Museum Street, Ipswich. Contribution Record shows that he "Died Oct. 1916."
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley