A village with a big story
Born: Long Melford, Suffolk in 1896. Parents: Daniel Churchyard (Manager of Horsehair Factory) and Lizzie [née Ambrose]. Family Connections: Brother to John Churchyard [b1890]. Home: 3 Kemball Street, Ipswich, Suffolk (1901), 208 Foxhall Road, Ipswich (1911), 3 Felix Road, Nacton Road, Ipswich [1920]. Occupation: Apprentice Plumber (1911). Married: Elsie B. Brown in 1918. Service Record: Attested after 1915 as Pte.200073 with 1/4th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, being posted to France from 10.6.1916 as part of 98th Brigade, 33rd Division and seeing action during the Somme Offensive of 1916. Alfred was granted a commission on 29.8.1917 as Second Lieutenant, later as a Lieutenant with the Suffolk Regiment.[1]
[1] For details of 1/4th Suffolk’s movements see War Diary [WO 95/2427/2]. See also his Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. For notification of his commission see Supplement to the London Gazette 14.9.1917, p.9525.
Born: Haverhill, Suffolk in 1896. Parents: Harry Churchyard of Long Melford (Hotel Proprietor) and Kate Bircher [née Whewell] (Music Teacher). Family Connections: Cousin of John Churchyard [b1890] and Alfred Denis Churchyard [b1896]. Home: 91 Patterson Road, Norwich, Norfolk (1901), 78 Military Road, Colchester, Essex (1911). Service Record: Donald enlisted on 2.9.1914 as Rfn.Z/1744 with 4th Battalion, Rifle Brigade. On 18.2.1915 he was posted to the Western Front as part of 80th Brigade, 27th Division seeing action at the Battle of St Eloi on 14/15 March.[1] Died: of wounds on 20.3.1915 and buried in Voormezeele Cemetery [grave ref: II.D.10], Ypres, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.[2]
[1] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Medal Roll [WO 329] and Medal Index Card [WO 372]. [2] Commonwealth War Grave Commission and British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929.
Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 1.10.1899. Parents: James Churchyard (Gardener) and Catherine Jane [née Raitt]. Family Connections: Brother to Frederick James Churchyard [b1895]. Home: Garden Cottage, Melford Hall, The Green, Long Melford (1901), Common Road, Chelsworth, Suffolk (1911), 21 Greenway, Pinner, Middlesex [1975]. Service Record: Attested on 28.8.1917 as Boy Sailor No. L10613 with the Royal Navy, being discharged in February 1919. Died: Pinner, Middlesex on 18.8.1975.[1]
[1] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 14.12.1899, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. See also his Royal Navy Registers of Seaman’s Services [ADM 188/1009]. Date of death from the National Probate Calendar.
Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 28.4.1895. Parents: James Churchyard (Gardener) and Catherine Jane [née Raitt]. Family Connections: Brother to Ernest George Churchyard [b1899]. Home: Garden Cottage, Melford Hall, Long Melford (1901), Common Road, Chelsworth, Suffolk (1911). Occupation: Under Gamekeeper (1911). Service Record: Although no definitive military record has been found, Frederick may have attested as Gnr.340264 with the Essex and Suffolk Royal Garrison Artillery.[1]
[1] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 7.7.1895, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. See also his Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].
Born: Palgrave, Suffolk in 1807. Parents: John Churchyard and Ann [née Fowler]. Home: Hall Street, Long Melford (1841) to [1878]. Occupation: Cabinet Maker [1826 to 1836], Horsehair Seating Manufacturer [1839][1] to (1861), retired Horsehair Manufacturer (1871). Other Records: In 1845 Churchyard was a member of the Provisional Committee of the Essex and Suffolk Railway, proposing to build a line from Thetford to Maldon.[2] Died: Long Melford, Suffolk on 25.3.1878.[3]
[1] Pigott’s Directory for Suffolk 1839. [2] Bury and Norwich Post 12.2.1845. [3] National Probate Calendar.
Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 19.5.1890. Parents: Daniel Churchyard (Manager of Horsehair Factory) and Lizzie [née Ambrose]. Family Connections: Brother to Alfred Denis Churchyard [b1896]. Home: St Marys Street, Long Melford (1891), 3 Kemball Street, Ipswich, Suffolk (1901), 208 Foxhall Road, Ipswich (1911), 56 Cavendish Street, Ipswich [1918]. Occupation: Miller (1911). Married: Annabel Daisy King in 1915. Service Record: Attested after 1915 as Cpl.2450 with 1/4th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, transferring as Cpl.325014 to 1/8th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, then to 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwicks. His last transfer was as Cpl.227059 to 2nd Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales’s [Royal Berkshire] Regiment, as part of 25th Brigade, 8th Division. John saw action during the German Spring Offensive of 1918. Died: John was killed in action on 27.4.1918, during the retaking of Villers-Bretonneux east of Amiens, is buried in Adelaide Cemetery [grave ref: II.N.18], Villers-Bretonneux, France and commemorated on the Ipswich War Memorial.[1]
[1] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 19.6.1890, St Catherines Mission Church, Long Melford. For details of 2nd Royal Berkshire’s movements see War Diary [WO 95/1729/1]. See also his Commonwealth War Graves Commission record, British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 file [ref: 709541], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].
Born: Ipswich, Suffolk on 16.9.1900.[1] Parents: Robert Cattermole Hall (Baker) and Adelaide Maud [née Kemp]. Family Connections: Brother-in-law John Churchyard [b1890] and Alfred Denis Churchyard [b1896]. Home: East Soham, Suffolk (1901), 103 Derby Road, Ipswich, Suffolk (1911), 208 Foxhall Rd, Ipswich (1939), 70 Heath Lane, Ipswich [1971]. Occupation: Engine Fitter, previously an Insurance Agent (1939). Marriage: Doris Lizzie Churchyard of Long Melford in 1932. Service Record: Harold enlisted on 24.5.1918 as Pte.188518 with the Royal Air Force, receiving his discharge on 5.9.1918. Died: Ipswich, Suffolk on 14.3.1971.[2]
