Diss Family History Group

Harry FORTIS, son of William FORTIS (c. 1843-c. 1883) and Maria WITTON (c. 1847-1909), was born on 26 December 1871 in Bressingham, Norfolk. He was baptised on 26 March 1872 in Bressingham , the ceremony was conducted by Rev. G H C BIDWELL, Rector. Harry enlisted at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk on 1 September 1887 - stated he was 18!, to join the Norfolk Regiment, service numbr 2113. He joined the Norfolk Regiment (Ser, No. 2116) on 1 November 1887. From 11 March 1889 he served in the East Indies, first serving in Wellington, moving to Rangoon on 02.03.1891, Imballa on 02.03.1894, Dagshai on 01.04.1894, Imballa on 27.10.1894, Dagshai on 27.03.1895 (including a period in hospital from 27.07.1895 to 06.08.1895 with dyspepsia), Deolali (a transit post) on 25.09.1895, leaving the East Indies on 10.10.1895 on the S.S. Victoria, and back on home soil on 20.11.1895. He was transferred on 24 November 1895 to the Army Reserve. On 13 March 1900 he joined the Corps of the Royal Reserve Regiment, attested at Norwich, and joined the Corps at Aldershot on 05.03.1900. For the Great War Harry was attested and embodied on 6 October 1914 to the 4th Bn. Norfolk Regiment. Harry was promoted on 28 November 1914 to Corporal (provisional), confirmed on 02.12.1914. He was promoted on 26 December 1914 to Sergeant. He was transferred on 28 July 1917 to the R.A.F. Wyton base in Cambridgeshire. He was transferred on 1 April 1918 to the R.A.F. He was transferred on 12 March 1919 to the R.A.F. General Reserve. He was discharged on 30 April 1920. He died on 9 March 1951 in North Lopham.10 He was buried on 14 March 1951 in North Lopham.

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Last updated: Fri, 08 May 2026
FORTIS, Stanley Lancelot
Family Historian Individual Narrative Stanley Lancelot FORTIS, son of Harry FORTIS (1871-1951) and Florence Emily FLATMAN (1878-c. 1949), was born on 10 October 1897 in South Lopham, Norfolk. He was baptised on 20 March 1898 in Bressingham, Norfolk - parents Harry and Florence. At the time of the 1901 Census, Stanley was living at Fen Street in Bressingham - 3, living with parents Harry (29, ordinary farm labourer) and Florence (23), and cousin Willie (5). On 2 Apr 1911, (the 1911 Census), he was living at Marlborough Lines in Alder..... View full FH text (See notes below) View Family Tree (See notes below)
Birth:	10.10.1897 : South Lopham, Norfolk : Reg. 1897 Q4 Guiltcross Norfolk Vol 4B Page 250
Baptism:	20.03.1898 : Bressingham, Norfolk
Marriage:	1923 to Rose Florence BAREHAM : Reg. 1923 Q4 Wayland Norfolk Vol 4B Page 659
1901 Census:	Fen Street, Bressingham, Norfolk : 3, living with parents Harry (29, ordinary farm labourer) and Florence (23), and cousin Willie (5). (RG13 Piece 1865 Folio 111 Page 15 Schedule 104)
1911 Census:	Marlborough Lines, Aldershot, Hampshire : Stanley lived in army accommodation, full name "Oudenarde Barracks Church Of England Soldier's Home", age 13, scholar, living with aunt May FORTIS (25) and her daughter Phyliss (3m). (RG14 PN6263 RD109 SD2 ED13 SN9999)
1921 Census:	North Lopham, Norfolk : 23y 8m, labourer, living with parents Harry (49y 9m, labourer working for S Worby farmer) and Florence (44y 1m), siblings Herbert (20y 0m, labourer), Doris (18y 8m), Linda (12y 8m, full time scholar), Harry (8y 3m, full time scholar), Queenie (6y 11m, full time scholar) and Jack (2y 6m), and boarder Sidney EMMS (26y 0m, labourer working for J LAND farmer). (RG15 Piece 09901 Schedule 126 RD 239 RS 2 ED 18)
1939 Reg.:	New Burn Cottage, Old Buckenham, Norfolk, Old Buckenham, Norfolk : b. 10.10.1897, farm labourer, living with wife Rose F (b. 20.12.1900, unpaid domestic duties), Ivy D (b. 13.10.1924, domestic help), Emma BAREHAM (25.07.1864, old age pensioner, mother-in-law?), and one other closed record. : Farm labourer (RG101/6591A/004/29 Letter Code: TSER)
Death:	06.03.1975 : Hargham Road, Old Buckenham, Norfolk : Reg. 1975 Q1 Wayland Norfolk Vol 10 Page 2308
Memorial:	Old Buckenham, Norfolk : Stanley Fortis. Died 6th. March 1975 aged 76 years.
Probate:	29.04.1975 at Ipswich, Suffolk : FORTIS, Stanley Lancelot of Hargham Road Old Buckenham Norfolk died 6th March 1975 Probate Ipswich 29 April. £2100. 7510233200
Military:	Stanley was attested into the military on 8th February 1916 and was placed on the Army Reserve the following day. He was mobilised on 14th March 1916 and was posted on the 16th to the 3/5th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment Territorial Force, Private 436103. Service summary: 14th Mar 1916 to 24th Oct 1916 - served on home soil; 25th Oct 1916 to 13th Mar 1917 - in France with the B.E.F.; 14th Mar 1917 to 22nd Jan 1918 - served un home soil; 23rd Jan 1918 to 19th Apr 1919 - in France with the B.E.F.; 20th Apr 1919 to 21st Nov 1919 - served on home soil. Stanley was discharged on 21st November 1919. He was on the 1919 Absent Voters List for North Lopham, Norfolk - (Spring return): 3942, Fortis, Stanley Lancelot, Gt. Common, 452107 Pte., S. 73, A.P.O. B.E.F. Stanley’s Service Record was part of the ‘Burnt Records’ and as such were badly damaged. Much of it is faint or unreadable, It was, although, quite clear that he was far from a model soldier with a great many incidents of a.w.o.l., discention, and in one case mutiny during his service.
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