Selected Biographies

Borley, Alfred Claxton – Born: South Wootton, Norfolk in 1881.  Parents: Alfred Borley of Long Melford (Blacksmith) and Hannah [née Fulcher].  Family Connections: Brother to Fountain Arthur Borley [b1877], Frederick Henry Borley [b1886], Benjamin Borley [b1888], Algernon Rupert Borley [b1891], Reginald Fulcher Borley [b1895] and Charles Edmund Borley [b1897].  Home: Lynn Road, Hillington, Norfolk (1891), servant to Charlotte Dorchester at 42 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London (1901), servant to Herbert Wilson at The Manor, Ashby Folville, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire (1911), Ballarat, Victoria Australia [1915].  Occupation: Footman (1901, 1911), Gardener [1915].  Married: Mavis Phyllis Fisher in 1923.  Service Record: Alfred enlisted on 14.6.1915 as Pte.1891 with 2^nd Division Traffic Control Detachment, Australian Imperial Force.  He was posted to France on 26.3.1916 and wounded in action on 29.7.1916.  Died: Ballarat, Victoria, Australia in 1961.[1]

Borley, Algernon Rupert – Born: Hillington, Norfolk on 3.10.1881.[2]  Parents: Alfred Borley of Long Melford (Blacksmith) and Hannah [née Fulcher].  Family Connections: Brother to Fountain Arthur Borley [b1877], Alfred Claxton Borley [b1881], Frederick Henry Borley [b1886], Benjamin Borley [b1888], Reginald Fulcher Borley [b1895] and Charles Edmund Borley [b1897].  Home: Lynn Road, Hillington, Norfolk (1891 to 1911), Well Hall Cottages, Freebridge, Kings Lynn, Norfolk (1939).  Occupation: Cowman (1911 to 1939).  Married: Alice Maud Hewitt in 1921.  Service Record: Algernon enlisted in 1914 as Pte.1805 with 1/1^st Norfolk Yeomanry, being posted to Gallipoli on 10.10.1915 as part of 54^th [East Anglian] Division, and due to the nature of the terrain fought as dismounted infantry.  The Campaign ended in failure with the Expedition Force being withdrawn to Egypt in December 1915.  In February 1917 he was transferred as Pte.320160 to 12^th [Norfolk Yeomanry] Battalion, Norfolk Regiment and was posted to the Western Front as part of 230^th Brigade, 74^th [Yeomanry] Division.  Borley received his discharge in May 1919.[3]  Died: Flitcham, Norfolk on 19.8.1973.[4]

Borley, Benjamin – Born: Hillington, Norfolk on 26.7.1888.[5]  Parents: Alfred Borley of Long Melford (Blacksmith) and Hannah [née Fulcher].  Family Connections: Brother to Fountain Arthur Borley [b1877], Alfred Claxton Borley [b1881], Frederick Henry Borley [b1886], Algernon Rupert Borley [b1891], Reginald Fulcher Borley [b1895] and Charles Edmund Borley [b1897].  Home: Lynn Road, Hillington, Norfolk (1891 to 1911), Abbey Road, Freebridge, Kings Lynn, Norfolk (1939), 77 Abbey Road, Flitcham, Norfolk [1957].  Occupation: Bricklayer’s Labourer (1911) [1916], Estate Bricklayer (1939).  Married: Beatrice Emmerson in 1913.  Service Record: Benjamin served as Pte.325 with 5^th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment [Territorial] from 1908 to 1914.  In the First World War the unit was redesignated as 1/5^th Battalion, Norfolks and posted to Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on 10.8.1915 as part of 143^rd Brigade, 54^th [East Anglian] Division.  Borley together with the rest of his unit were withdrawn to Egypt in December, returning to England in April 1916. In 1918 he was transferred as Pte.555472 to 579^th [Home Service] Employment Company, Labour Corps, receiving his discharge in March 1919.[6]  Died: Kings Lynn, Norfolk on 19.8.1957.[7]

Borley, Charles – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 14.8.1887.[8]  Parents: William Borley (Coconut Mat Weaver) and Mary Ann [née Salter] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Brother to Henry William Borley [b1879] and Edgar Robert Borley [b1884]; also, brother-in-law of George Alfred Deal [b1884].  Home: St Marys St/Little St Marys, Long Melford (1891 and 1901), Croft Fields, Bures St Mary, Suffolk (1911), 5 Church Mede, Frogmore, St Albans, Hertfordshire (1939).  Occupation: Errand Boy (1901), Road Man (1911), Public Works Contractor’s Labourer (1939).  Married: Olive Mabel Stokes in 1917.  Service Record: Charles attested in 1910 as Pte.1079 with ‘D’ Company, 5^th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment [Territorial], being discharged in 1913.  He was recalled to 1/5^th Battalion, Suffolks on 9.3.1914 and posted from 10.8.1915 to Suvla Bay, Gallipoli as part of 163^rd Brigade, 54^th [East Anglian] Division.  Within hours of landing his unit was moved forward into frontline trenches on the south face of a steep and rocky hill called Karakol Dagh.  At dawn two days later the Suffolks and the three other untested battalions of 163^rd Brigade were ordered to secure the heights to the east.  Advancing nearly a mile through a hail of Turkish artillery and machine gun fire, by the end of the day the enemy had been held at bay and a secure forward defence line established.  When Bertie and the other Melford men were finally relieved by fresh troops after three gruelling days, they were found in a sorry state, having baked under the searing heat they had run desperately short of drinking water and been plagued by swarms of flies attracted by the dead and dying around them. When the Roll was called it was found the Suffolks alone had lost 186 men either dead or wounded with a further 150 laid low by dysentery.[9]  His unit was evacuated on 6.12.1915 from Anzac Cove to Egypt where it fought in the Palestine Campaign in 1917, Charles however was returned to England and discharged in March 1916 having completed his term of engagement.[10]  Died: St Albans, Hertfordshire in 1946.

Borley, Charles Edmund – Born: Hillington, Norfolk in 1897.  Parents: Alfred Borley of Long Melford (Blacksmith) and Hannah [née Fulcher].  Family Connections: Brother to Fountain Arthur Borley [b1877], Alfred Claxton Borley [b1881], Frederick Henry Borley [b1886], Benjamin Borley [b1888], Algernon Rupert Borley [b1891] and Reginald Fulcher Borley [b1895].  Home: Lynn Road, Hillington, Norfolk (1901, 1911).  Married: Kathleen Mabel Hill in 1930.  Service Record: Although no definitive military record has been found, Charles may have served as Dvr.85434 with the Royal Engineers during the Great War.  Died: Fakenham, Norfolk in 1954.

Borley, Edgar Robert – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 5.3.1884.[11]  Parents: William Borley (Coconut Mat Weaver) and Mary Ann [née Salter] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Brother to Henry William Borley [b1879] and Charles Borley [b1887]; also, brother-in-law of George Alfred Deal [b1884].  Home: St Marys Street, Long Melford (1891) Suffolk Regimental Barracks, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk (1901), 18 Short Street, Sheerness, Kent (1911).  Occupation: Soldier (1901 to 1911).  Married: Maud Agnes Powell in 1910.  Service Record: From 1901 to 1911 Edgar served as a Private in the Suffolk Regiment.  In the First World War he was attested as Gnr.21978 with 182^nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery and was posted to France from 4.9.1915 as part of XXII Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery.[12]  Died: Gunner Borley died of wounds on 4.10.1917 at N^o. 54 General Hospital in Wimereux and is buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery [grave ref: VI.C.2A], Pas-de-Calais, France.[13]

Borley, Fountain Arthur – Born: Gaywood, Norfolk on 15.9.1877.  Parents: Alfred Borley of Long Melford (Blacksmith) and Hannah [née Fulcher].  Family Connections: Brother to Alfred Claxton Borley [b1881], Frederick Henry Borley [b1886], Benjamin Borley [b1888], Algernon Rupert Borley [b1891], Reginald Fulcher Borley [b1895] and Charles Edmund Borley [b1897].  Home: South Wootton, Norfolk (1881), Lynn Road, Hillington, Norfolk (1891), Stanhope, Kings Lynn, Norfolk [1916].  Occupation: House Boy (1891), Motor Driver [1916].  Married: Alice West in 1904.  Service Record: Fountain served as a Leading Signalman in the Royal Navy from 1892 to 1900.  He re-enlisted on 23.6.1916 as Petty Officer Aircraftsman N^o. F17667 in the Royal Naval Air Service, transferring on 1.4.1918 as Flight Sergeant N^o.217667 to the Royal Air Force, receiving his discharge in 1920.[14]  Died: Brentford, Middlesex in 1934.

Borley, Frederick Henry – Born: South Wootton, Norfolk in 1886.  Parents: Alfred Borley of Long Melford (Blacksmith) and Hannah [née Fulcher].  Family Connections: Brother to Fountain Arthur Borley [b1877], Alfred Claxton Borley [b1881], Benjamin Borley [b1888], Algernon Rupert Borley [b1891], Reginald Fulcher Borley [b1895] and Charles Edmund Borley [b1897].  Home: Lynn Road, Hillington, Norfolk (1891, 1901), 41 Rutland Gate, Knightsbridge, London [1926].  Occupation: Gardener (1901).  Married: Flora White in 1916.  Service Record: Although no definitive military record has been found, Frederick was possibly conscripted after 1915 as Pte.40721 with 9^th [Service] Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, later transferred to 1^st Battalion, Norfolks.  Both units saw action on the Western Front during the First World War.[15]  Died: Knightsbridge, London on 25.2.1926.[16]

Borley, Henry William – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk in 1879.  Parents: William Borley (Coconut Mat Weaver) and Mary Ann [née Salter] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Brother to Edgar Robert Borley [b1884] and Charles Borley [b1887]; also, brother-in-law of George Alfred Deal [b1884].   Home: Back Lane Cottages, Back Lane, Long Melford (1881), St Marys Street/Little St Marys, Long Melford (1891, 1901), recorded as William Borley lodging with Emma Piper at St Marys Street, Long Melford (1911).  Occupation: Coconut Mat Maker (1901, 1911).  Service Record: No definitive military record found.

Borley, Reginald Fulcher – Born: Hillington, Norfolk on 29.6.1895.[17]  Parents: Alfred Borley of Long Melford (Blacksmith) and Hannah [née Fulcher].  Family Connections: Brother to Fountain Arthur Borley [b1877], Alfred Claxton Borley [b1881], Frederick Henry Borley [b1886], Benjamin Borley [b1888], Algernon Rupert Borley [b1891] and Charles Edmund Borley [b1897].  Home: Lynn Road, Hillington, Norfolk (1901, 1911), 17 Hillington Road, Freebridge, Kings Lynn, Norfolk (1939) to [1969].  Occupation: House Boy (1911), Gardener (1939).  Married: Alice Lavinia Kent in 1923.  Service Record: Reginald enlisted as Pte.10829 with 4^th Battalion, later transferred to 6^th [Service] Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own [Yorkshire Regiment] [‘Green Howards’].  On 14.7.1915 he was posted to Gallipoli as part of 32^nd Brigade, 11^th (Northern) Division.  His battalion went on to serve in France in 1916 and in Northern Russia at Murmansk in 1918.  He received his discharge in March 1919.[18]  Died: Freebridge, Kings Lynn, Norfolk on 29.8.1969.[19]

Related Biography

Deal, George Alfred – Born: Foxearth, Essex on 24.1.1884.[20]  Parents: Perry Deal (Horsekeeper on Farm) and Kate Julia [née Chatters].  Family Connections: Brother to Arthur Deal [b1885], Frederick Deal [b1887] and Ernest William Deal [b1893]; also, brother-in-law to Henry William Borley [b1879], Charles Borley [b1887] and Edgar Robert Borley [b1884].  Home: Military Barracks, St Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands (1901), Liston Lane, Long Melford [1907] to (1939).  Occupation: Bricklayer’s Labourer [1907], Agricultural Labourer (1911 to 1939).  Married: Ellen Borley of Long Melford in 1906.  Service Record: In 1900 George is recorded as Pte.5151 with 3^rd [Militia] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, renewing his engagement for another four years in 1907.  After leaving the Suffolks he enlisted in 1/1^st Divisional Supply Column, Army Service Corps before attesting on 23.9.1914 as Dvr.1764, later Dvr.S4/111130 with 257^th [Mechanical Transport] Company, ASC, part of 19^th Divisional Supply Column.  He was posted to France from 15.7.1915, seeing action during the Somme Offensive of 1916, the Third Battles of Ypres in 1917, and the First Battles of the Somme and the Battles of the Lys in 1918.  In 1919 he transferred to 625^th [MT] Company, ASC and was posted to the Army of Occupation on the Rhine, being discharged in March 1920.[21]

Notes – [1] For his Australian Service Record [National Archives of Australia ref: B2455]. [2] Date of birth from the 1939 Register for Kings Lynn, Norfolk. [3] Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [4] Date of death taken from the National Probate Calendar. [5] Date of birth taken from the 1939 Register for Kings Lynn, Norfolk. [6] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329], and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [7] Date of death from the National Probate Calendar. [8] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 16.9.1887, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [9] For details of the Battalion’s role in Gallipoli see War Diary [WO 95/4325] and Capt. A. Fair [mc] and Capt. E. D. Wolton [compiled by] “The Suffolk Regiment”: the history of the 1/5^th Battalion [London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1923], pp.13-37. [10] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329], and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [11] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 12.4.1884, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [12] For details of 182^nd Battery’s deployment see War Diary [WO 95/389/1].  See also his Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [13] Commonwealth War Graves Commission record and British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 file [ref: 578479]. [14] Royal Navy Registers of Seaman’s Services [ADM 188/595] and Air Member for Personnel and predecessors: Airman’s Records [AIR 79/1959]. [15] Medal Roll [WO 329] and Medal Index Card [WO 372]. [16] Date of death taken from the National Probate Calendar. [17] Date of birth taken from the 1939 Register for Kings Lynn, Norfolk. [18] Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [19] Date of death from the National Probate Calendar. [20] Approximate year of birth of 1882 is implied by his multiple Army Service Records, however the 1939 Register records 24.1.1884, where his name is also given as Alfred George. [21] For details of 257^th Company’s movements see War Diary [WO 95/892/1-2].  See also his Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].