Isaac Garland

Isaac Garland was born on 31 July 1888 in Ramsden Heath and died, aged 29, on 23 April 1918 ‘as a direct result of enemy action’ in Zeebrugge.

His parents Philip and Thirza Garland. (Philip 1862-1922, Thurza 1867-1942 had married in Billericay in 1885.  Thurza’s maiden name was King.

The 1891 census records Isaac aged 2, living in Dowsetts Lane with his parents (aged 29 and 24 respectively), older brother George, aged 3 and younger sister Rose, aged 10 months.  His father’s occupation agricultural labourer.    Closeby lived his paternal  grandparents (George and Mary Anne) and maternal grandparents  James and Mary Ann King).

The 1901 census  records Isaac aged 12, living with his parents (aged 39 and 34 respectively) and siblings George 13,Rose 0, Arthur 9, Ernest William 8, Alice 5, William 3, Fred 2 and May Victoria 10 months.  His father’s  occupation was agricultural labourer.  Thirza’s parents James (aged 59) and Sarah A (aged 61) King still lived nearby.

The 1911 census shows his parents still living in Dowsetts Lane with their children, Arthur 19, Ernest William 18, Alice 15, William Charles 13, Fred 12, May Victoria 10, Berty Charles 7, Elijah Philip 4, and Rowland Alfred 2.  His father’s occupation is general labourer, Arthur is a cowman, Ernest William and William Charles are also general labourers.  By this time Philip and Thirza have had 14 children, 2 of whom have died.

In 1917 Isaac married Florence May Gowers in Billericay.

Isaac served in the Royal Marine Light Infantry, PO (port division), 4th Marine Battalion, his  service no. was 15128.

Sgt Isaac Garland’s body was not returned for burial and ‘location of grave unknown’ (source UK, Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves 1914-1919).

Isaac was awarded the Victory and British War medals.

He is commemorated on the 1914-1921 Memorial Register (Portsmouth Memorial Part 7) as follows:

GARLAND, Sergt, Isaac, PO/15128, R.M.L.I  4th R.M. Bn. Killed in action on raid Zeebrugge 23 April 1918. Age 29.  Son of Philip and Thurza Garland of 3, Hope Cottages, Park Rd., Ramsden Heath, Essex; husband of Florence M Garland, of 10, Cottage Grove, Whitworth Rd., Gosport, Hants.

Note:  Hope Cottages are now designated as being in Short Lane.