Selected Biographies

Bugg, Alphonas James – Born: Alpheton, Suffolk on 21.10.1898.[1]  Parents: Alfred Bugg (Agricultural Labourer) and Susannah [née Bigg] of Long Melford (Needlewoman).  Family Connections: Brother to William Bugg [b1888] and Ernest Alfred Bugg [b1892]; also, cousin of Frederick William Bugg [b1880], Sidney Charles Bugg [b1887], Herbert Bugg [b1891] and Stanley James Bugg [b1894], and uncle of Leslie William Bugg [b1920].  Home: Bridge Street, Long Melford (1901 to 1921), 220 Wroxham Road, Norwich, Norfolk (1939).  Occupation: employed at Sewell’s Cycle Works in Long Melford (1921), Constructional Engineer (1939).  Married: Edith Bridges in 1929.  Service Record: Alphonas enlisted as Pte.45790 with 11^th [Service] Battalion, Rifle Brigade [Prince Consort’s Own], as part of 59^th Brigade, 20^th [Light] Division.  This Battalion saw action during the Battles of the Somme in 1916 and the Third Battles of Ypres in 1917.[2]  Died: Acle, Norfolk in 1962.

Bugg, Ernest Alfred – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 4.11.1892.[3]  Parents: Alfred Bugg (Agricultural Labourer) and Susannah [née Bigg] of Long Melford (Needlewoman).  Family Connections: Brother to William Bugg [b1888] and Alphonas James Bugg [b1898]; also, cousin of Frederick William Bugg [b1880], Sidney Charles Bugg [b1887], Herbert Bugg [b1891] and Stanley James Bugg [b1894], and uncle of Leslie William Bugg [b1920].  Home: Bridge Street, Long Melford (1901 and 1921).  Occupation: Cowman (1911), unemployed Traction Engine Driver (1921).  Service Record: Ernest was a member of N^o.3 Platoon [Alpheton] 10^th Battalion, Suffolk Home Guard from 1942 to 1944.

Bugg, Frederick William – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 21.8.1880.[4]  Parent: Harriett Bugg (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Brother to Sidney Charles Bugg [b1896], Herbert Bugg [b1891], and Stanley James Bugg [b1894] also, cousin of William Bugg [b1888], Ernest Alfred Bugg [b1892] and Alphonas James Bugg [b1898], and brother-in-law of Sidney Arthur Newman [b1897].  Home: Bridge Street, Long Melford (1881 to 1921), 3 Council Houses, Aveley Lane, Bridge Street, Long Melford (1939) to [1949].  Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1901), Wheelwright (1911 to 1939).  Married: Ethel May Maulton in 1923.  Service Record: At the Melford Military Service Tribunal in April 1916 Frederick applied for exemption from conscription, which was refused.  He had not yet attested and was told that he would probably get only a month to clear up his business.[5]  He was eventually conscripted on 19.2.1917 as an Aircraft Mechanic in the Royal Flying Corps, transferring on 1.4.1918 as Carpenter Rigger N^o. 108776 to the Royal Air Force, being discharged in April 1920.[6]  Died: Walnut Tree Hospital, Sudbury, Suffolk on 29.6.1949.[7]

Bugg, Herbert – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 4.9.1891.[8]  Parent: Harriett Bugg (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Brother to Frederick William Bugg [b1880], Sidney Charles Bugg [b1887] and Stanley James Bugg [b1894]; also, cousin of William Bugg [b1888], Ernest Alfred Bugg [b1892] and Alphonas James Bugg [b1898], and brother-in-law of Sidney Arthur Newman [b1897].  Home: Bridge Street, Long Melford (1901), Smeetham Hall Lane, Bulmer, Essex (1911).  Occupation: Groom (1911).  Service Record: Herbert enlisted as Pte.T4/243871 with the Horse Transport section of the Army Service Corps, transferring as Pte.47238 to the Bedfordshire Regiment, then to 1/1^st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment as part of 116^th Brigade, 39^th Division.  In late March 1918 the Battalion fought a series of defensive actions during the German Spring Offensive: at the Battles of St Quentin, and at the Somme Crossings and Rosières.  In April the unit was moved into the Ypres Salient and on 25.4.1918 was bombarded by high explosive and poisonous gas shells, presaging a mass assault on the Battalion’s front line, forcing another withdrawal.[9]  Died: Herbert was killed in action on 30.4.1918 near Dickebusch Lake, three miles southwest of Ypres, and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing [panels 48 to 50 and 162a], West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.  He is also remembered on the Memorial Plaque in St Peter and St Paul Church, Alpheton, Suffolk.[10]

Bugg, James – Born: Hawstead, Suffolk in 1841.  Parents: John Bugg (Agricultural Labourer) and Maria [née Long] (Needlewoman).  Family Connections: Uncle of John Bugg [b1874] and William Bugg [b1885].  Home: Pinford End, Hawstead, Suffolk, (1851 to 1891), Church Road, Whepstead, Suffolk (1901), Union Workhouse, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk (1911).  Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1851 to 1911).  Service Record: James enlisted with 97th Regiment of Foot in 1860, which until 1867 was stationed in India.[11]  Died: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk in 1917. 

Bugg, John – Born: Lawshall, Suffolk in 1874.  Parents: John Bugg (Coachman) and Susan [née Moss] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Brother to William Bugg [b1885] and nephew of James Bugg [b1841].  Home: Post Office Row, Lawshall, Suffolk (1881 to 1891), 24 Chapter Mansions, Frederick Street, Westminster, London (1911 to 1921).  Occupation: Stable Boy (1891), Groom [1892], House Porter (1911).  Married: Annie Alethea Crick in 1904.  Service Record: John enlisted in 1892 as Gnr.94545 with the Royal Artillery, posted to Egypt from 1894 to 1897 and again from 1900 to 1903, latterly serving with the Royal Garrison Artillery before receiving his discharge in 1904.[12]  Died: St George Hanover Square, Westminster in 1928.

Bugg, Leslie William – Born: Mount Bures, Essex in 1920.  Parents: William Bugg of Long Melford [Horsekeeper on Farm] [see details below] and Daisy [née Keeble].  Family Connections: Nephew of Ernest Alfred Bugg [b1892] and Alphonas James Bugg [b1898].  Home: Valley Green, Bures Hamlet, Essex (1921). Service Record: Leslie enlisted with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve as No.1247330, joining Bomber Command and rising to the rank of Sergeant Pilot.  Died: He was killed when his plane crashed during a night cross-country exercise while stationed at 81 Operational Training Unit at Tilstock in Shropshire on 14.7.1943. He is buried with his parents in St Etheldreda Churchyard at White Notley in Essex.[13]

Bugg, Sidney Charles – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 10.12.1887.  Parent: Harriett Bugg (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Brother to Frederick William Bugg [b1880], Herbert Bugg [b1891] and Stanley James Bugg [b1893]; also, cousin of William Bugg [b1888], Ernest Alfred Bugg [b1892] and Alphonas James Bugg [b1898], and brother-in-law of Sidney Arthur Newman [b1897].  Home: Bridge Street, Long Melford (1901 and 1921).  Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1901), Horseman on Ford Hall Farm, Long Melford (1911) to (1939).  Married: May Emma Gill [d1948] in 1908 and Marion Parker Andrews in 1951.  Service Record: At the Melford Military Service Tribunal in May 1916, Sidney’s employer Thomas Fisher of Long Melford, applied for his exemption from conscription, which was granted conditionally.[14]  It is not known if Bugg’s certificate of exemption remained valid until the end of hostilities, however no definitive military record has been found to suggest otherwise.  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1965.

Bugg, Stanley James – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 27.4.1894.[15]  Parent: Harriett Bugg (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Brother to Frederick William Bugg [b1880], Sidney Charles Bugg [b1887] and Herbert Bugg [b1891]; also, cousin of William Bugg [b1888], Ernest Alfred Bugg [b1892] and Alphonas James Bugg [b1898], and brother-in-law of Sidney Arthur Newman [b1897].  Home: Bridge Street, Long Melford (1901 to 1921), 3 Council Houses, High Street, Long Melford (1939).  Occupation: Apprentice Blacksmith (1911), Ploughman at Ford Hall, Long Melford [1916], Agricultural Labourer (1921), Stockman (1939).  Married: Daisy Ellen Eady in 1925.  Service Record: At the Melford Military Service Tribunal in June 1916 Stanley was granted exemption until the end of September.  At the Tribunal in October 1916 Stanley’s employer Charles Pick of Ford Hall, Long Melford applied for a further period of exemption, which was refused.[16]  Although no definitive military record has been found, Stanley may have been conscripted as Pte.58653 with 7^th [Service] Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, as part of 73^rd Brigade, 24^th Division.  If this assumption is correct then he saw action on the Western Front at the Somme in 1916, and during the Third Battles of Ypres in 1917, being discharged in March 1919.[17]  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1948.

Bugg, William – Born: Lawshall, Suffolk on 20.5.1885.[18]  Parents: John Bugg (Coachman) and Susan [née Moss] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Brother to William Bugg [b1885] and nephew of James Bugg [b1841].  Home: Post Office Row, Lawshall, Suffolk (1891), West Lodge, Bradfield St George, Suffolk (1911), Bulmer Street, Bulmer, Essex [1919] to (1921), Albert Place, Coggeshall, Essex (1939).  Occupation: Groom [1915], Painter (1921), Gardener (1939).  Married: Maud Letitia Dodd in 1912.  Service Record: William was conscripted on 18.5.1916 as Pte.TT01276 with Army Veterinary Corps.  In April 1918 he went before a medical board and was re-graded as B^II and considered fit only for Home Service due to his defective vision.  He received his discharge in 1919.[19]  Died: Colchester, Essex on 14.8.1970. 

Bugg, William – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 12.2.1888.[20]  Parents: Alfred Bugg (Agricultural Labourer) and Susannah [née Bigg] of Long Melford (Needlewoman).  Family Connections: Father to Leslie William Bugg [b1920]; also, brother to Ernest Alfred Bugg [b1892] and Alphonas James Bugg [b1898], and cousin of Frederick William Bugg [b1880], Sidney Charles Bugg [b1887], Herbert Bugg [b1891] and Stanley James Bugg [b1894].  Home: Bridge Street, Long Melford (1901 to 1911), Valley Green, Bures Hamlet, Essex (1921), 11 The Chase, Chipping Hill, Witham, Essex (1939).  Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1901 and 1911), Horsekeeper on a Farm [1915] to (1939).  Married: Daisy Keeble in 1915.  Service Record: William enlisted on 28.5.1915 as Dvr.T4/109615 with 109^th [Horse Transport] Company, Army Service Corps, being posted with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force to Salonika from 11.11.1915 to 17.2.1919, as part of 10^th [Irish] Division.  Driver Bugg was discharged in April 1919.[21]  Died: Braintree, Essex on 20.11.1941.[22]

Notes – [1] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 4.12.1898, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [2] For details of 11^th Rifle Brigade’s movements see War Diary [WO 95/2166/2-6].  See also his Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [3] Date of birth taken from the Baptism Register of 4.12.1892 for Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [4] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 5.10.1880, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [5] For the Tribunal’s ruling see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 5.4.1916. [6] Air Member for Personnel and predecessors: Airman’s Records [AIR 79/796]. [7] Date of death from the National Probate Calendar.  [8] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 3.4.1892, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [9] For details of 1/1^st Hertfordshire’s movements see War Diary [WO 95/2637/1].  See also his Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [10] Commonwealth War Graves Commission record and British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 file [ref: 715582].  [11] [WO 25/542B] – Regimental Registers of Service, 1756-1900.  [12] [Wo 97] – Chelsea Pensioners British Army Service Records 1760-1913.  [13] Commonwealth War Graves Commission record funeral notice in the Chelmsford Chronicle 23.7.1943.  [14] For the Tribunal’s ruling see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 17.5.1916.  [15] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 5.5.1895, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [16] For the Tribunal’s rulings see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 7.6.1916 and 11.10.1916. [17] For details of 7^th Northants movements see War Diary [WO 95/2218/2].  See also his proposed Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [18] 1939 Register.  [19] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363].  [20] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 1.4.1888, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [21] 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]. [22] Date of death from the burial register for St Etheldreda Church, White Notley, Essex.