Selected Biographies

Eady, Albert Bertie – Born: Great Waldingfield, Suffolk on 7.3.1884.[1]  Parents: Thomas Eady (Coachman) and Ellen Eliza [nee Blunden].  Family Connections: Brother Alfred George Eady [b1874], William Thomas Eady [b1880], Harry Walter Eady [b1881]; also, brother-in-law of Robert Henry Day [b1876].  Home: Smeetham Hall Road, Bulmer, Essex (1891), Lavenham Road, Acton, Suffolk (1911), 1 Horwood Place, Lavenham, Suffolk (1939), 3 Pit Meadow, Lavenham, Suffolk [1957].  Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1911), Roadman (1939).  Married: Jessie Howe in 1908.  Service Record:  Albert enlisted in 1899 as Pte.5025 with 3^rd [Militia] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, posted to the Channel Islands from January 1901 to April 1902 and receiving his discharge in 1905.  Although no definitive military record has been found, he may have served as Pte.2877 with 5^th Battalion, Suffolks.  If this assumption is correct, then he was issued with a new number in 1917 as Pte.240785.[2]  Died: Lavenham, Suffolk on 6.5.1957.[3]

Eady, Albert David – Born: Southwark, London in 1896.  Parents: Albert Walter Eady of Long Melford (Printer’s Warehouseman) and Annie [née Mitchell].  Home: 86 Selsdon Road, Plaistow, West Ham, Essex (1901), 25 Belton Road, Forest Gate, Essex (1911), 64 Sherrard Road, Forest Gate [1915].  Occupation: Tea Merchant’s Clerk [1911].  Service Record: Albert enlisted as Pte.2868 with 1/7^th [City of London] Battalion, London Regiment, being posted to the Western Front on 18.3.1915 as part of 140^th Brigade, 47^th [2^nd London] Division.[4]  Died: Private Eady was killed in action on 5.5.1915 and is buried in Post Office Rifles Cemetery [grave ref: I.C.4], Festubert, Pas-de-Calais, France.[5]

Eady, Alfred – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk in 1862.  Parents: Walter Eady (Maltster’s Foreman) and Hannah [née Chatters].  Family Connections: Uncle of Walter Ernest Eady [b1888].  Home: Southgate Street, Long Melford (1871), Rotten Row, Long Melford (1881), Brewers Lane, Woodbridge, Suffolk (1891).  Occupation: Maltster (1891).  Service Record: Recorded as Alfred Eadie when he enlisted in 1883 as Pte.692 with 1^st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, he was posted to India from 1886 to 1891, taking part in the Hazara Campaign of 1888 before his discharge in 1895.[6]  It is not known if Alfred saw service during the First World War as no definitive record has been found.

Eady, Alfred George – Born: Acton, Suffolk on 2.3.1874.[7]  Parents: Thomas Eady (Coachman) and Ellen Eliza [née Blunden].[8]  Family Connections: Brother to William Thomas Eady [b1880], Harry Walter Eady [b1881]; Albert Bertie Eady [b1884]; also, brother-in-law of Robert Henry Day [b1876].  Home: Rectory Cottage, Great Waldingfield, Suffolk (1881), Street Cottage, Great Waldingfield (1891), 9 Cotleigh Road, Romford, Essex (1901), Chestnut Terrace, Hall Street, Long Melford (1911), 153 Warley Hill, Warley, Essex (1939).  Occupation: Gardener’s Help (1891), Railway Porter (1901), Gardener (1911).  Married: Ethel Maud Taylor in 1908.  Service Record: Although no definitive military record has been found, Alfred may have attested as Pte.202547 with the Suffolk Regiment and if this assumption is correct, he would have transferred as Pte.625953 to the Labour Corps.  The 1939 Register records Alfred as a retired RAOC labourer living close to Warley Barracks in Essex, suggesting that at some point he had enlisted with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps.[9]  Died: Brentwood, Essex in 1944.

Eady, Frederick Ernest – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 24.3.1883.[10]  Parent: Rose Eady (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Half-brother to Willie Salter [b1899], Arthur Salter [b1905] and Berte Charles Salter [b1907]; also, brother-in-law of Horace Charles Salvage [b1880], Bertram Henry Salvage [b1885], Percy Frederick Salvage [b1889], William Feltham Salvage [b1901] and Ernest Albert Lambert [b1884].  Home: Cock and Bell Lane, Long Melford (1891), 7 Chapel Green, Long Melford (1911 to 1939).  Occupation: Domestic Gardener (1911), Maltster [1916], Galenical Worker for Stafford Allen and Sons, Distillers of Herbal Oils (1939).  Married: Jessie Salvage in 1910.  Service Record: Frederick was conscripted on 24.6.1916 as Dvr. T/278692 with the Army Service Corps, being mobilised on 4.12.1916 and joining 664^th [Horse Transport] Company, ASC at Park Royal in London.  By August 1917 he had been moved to 668^th [HT] Company before transferring as Pte.483786 to ‘D’ Company, 3^rd [Reserve] Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment.  He was posted to Egypt, however within weeks of landing had been diagnosed with hysteria, spending the next three months in hospital, and not returning to his unit until early April 1918.  It should be noted that Frederick was a slightly built man, and at five feet tall and a little over eight stones in weight, he barely qualified for active service at all, being categorized on enlistment as C^I.  In October 1919 he was transferred to 999^th [HT] Company, Royal Army Service Corps, returning to England in January 1920.  Shortly before leaving Egypt however, he contracted malaria suffering two further attacks in 1920.[11]  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1967.

Eady, Harry Walter – Born: Great Waldingfield, Suffolk in 1881.  Parents: Thomas Eady (Coachman) and Ellen Eliza [nee Blunden].  Family Connections: Brother Alfred George Eady [b1874], William Thomas Eady [b1880], Albert Bertie Eady [b1884]; also, brother-in-law of Robert Henry Day [b1876].  Home: Smeetham Hall Road, Bulmer, Essex (1891), Letchmore Heath, Aldenham, Hertfordshire (1901 and 1911).  Occupation: Coachman (1901 and 1911).  Married: Ellen Fowler in 1909.  Service Record: Although no definitive military record has been found, Harry may have served as Sgt.1801 with his brother William in 16^th [Service] Battalion, The Duke of Cambridge’s Own [Middlesex] Regiment.  If this assumption is correct, then he was posted to the Somme battlefront from 3.8.1916.  On 24.9.1916 he transferred in the field as Sgt.G/63003 to 2^nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers [City of London] Regiment, as part of 86^th Brigade, 29^th Division.  This latter battalion saw action at the following battles: the Transloy Ridges in 1916, the Arras Offensive and Third Ypres in 1917, and the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders in 1918.  He would have returned to England in March 1919.[12]

Eady, Herbert Charles – Born: Bulmer, Essex on 8.9.1883.[13]  Parents: George Eady (Pork Butcher) and Ellen [née Hammond], residents of Long Melford.  Home: Sudbury Road, Great Cornard, Suffolk (1891), Hall Street, Long Melford (1901), emigrated briefly to Canada [1911],[14] Cross Keys Inn, Hall Street, Long Melford [1916], 115 The Fairway, Wembley, Middlesex (1939) to [1957].  Occupation: Pork Butcher (1901), Innkeeper and Slaughterer [1916], Butcher Salesman (1939).  Married: Ada Marion Harrowell in 1912.  Service Record: At the Melford Military Service Tribunal in July 1916 Herbert applied for exemption, which was granted for two months only.  In August he took his case to the West Suffolk Appeal Tribunal in Bury St Edmunds arguing that as a Canadian citizen he held a certificate from the High Commissioner of Canada exempting him from service for three months.  The panel were not persuaded and refused his application.[15]  In the event he was conscripted until May 1917 as Pte.7103 [Aircraft Mechanic], engaged as a Cook with the Royal Flying Corps, transferring as N^o. 81349 to the Royal Air Force on 1.4.1918, receiving his discharge in April 1920.[16]  Died: Willesden, Middlesex in 1957.

Eady, Jack – Born: Lavenham, Suffolk on 6.6.1892.[17]  Parents: John Eady (Railway Platelayer) and Mary Ann [née Mills].  Home: 1 Pump Square, Lavenham, Suffolk (1901), 22 Prentice Street, Lavenham (1911), The Lodge, Stratton Park, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire [1915], 51 High Street, Long Melford [1919],[18] The Clock House, Brickendonbury, Hertford, Hertfordshire (1939) to [1959].  Occupation: Groom (1911), Groom and Gardener [1915], Head Gardener (1939).  Married: Eliza M. Levitt of Long Melford in 1914.  Service Record: Jack was conscripted on 10.12.1915 as Gnr.124806 with the Royal Garrison Artillery, transferring to 15^th Company, RGA on 27.10.1916 and to 322^nd Siege Battery, RGA on 15.3.1917, being posted to France from 15.4.1917 to 14.10.1917.  In October 1917 Jack was posted to the Egyptian Expeditionary Force then on to Salonika from 9.5.1918 to 7.1.1919, where he contracted malaria.  He was issued with a Silver War Badge and discharged in May 1919.[19]  By September 1919 he had returned to Long Melford where he was once again diagnosed with malaria.[20]  Died: Hertford, Hertfordshire on 19.12.1959.[21]

Eady, Walter Ernest – Born: Wood Green, Middlesex in 1862.  Parents: Frank Eady of Long Melford (Railway Porter) and Sophia [née Cousins].  Family Connections: Nephew of Alfred Eady of Long Melford [b1862].  Home: 94 Moselle Avenue, Tottenham, Middlesex (1891, 1901), 29 Morley Avenue, Wood Green, Middlesex (1911), 134 Maryland Road, Wood Green [1915].  Occupation: Railway Clerk (1911), Clerk [1914], Insurance Clerk [1915].  Married: Thirza Amelia Bonnett in 1914.  Service Record: Walter was conscripted on enlisted 11.12.1915 as Spr.210043 of Railway Troops Depot, Royal Engineers, posted as Spr.WR/261485 to the Western Front on 10.12.1916 and discharged in February 1919.[22]  Died: Edmonton, Middlesex in 1949.

Eady, William Thomas – Born: Great Waldingfield, Suffolk in 1880.  Parents: Thomas Eady (Coachman) and Ellen Eliza [née Blunden].  Family Connections: Brother to Alfred George Eady [b1874], Harry Walter Eady [b1881], Albert Bertie Eady [b1884]; also, brother-in-law of Robert Henry Day [b1876].  Home: Rectory Cottage, Great Waldingfield (1881), Smeetham Hall Road, Bulmer, Essex (1891), Chestnut Terrace, Hall Street, Long Melford (1911).  Occupation: Maltster’s Carman (1911).  Service Record: William attested as Pte.PW/G5954 with 17^th [Service] Battalion, Duke of Cambridge’s Own [Middlesex] Regiment, transferring to 16^th [Service] Battalion, Middlesex and posted to France as part of 86^th Brigade, 29^th Division.[23]  Died: Private Eady was killed in action, probably by enemy shell fire on 17.4.1917, while digging new defences at Monchy-le-Preux, near Arras during the First Battle of the Scarpe.  He is buried in Monchy British Cemetery [grave ref: I.F.22], Monchy-le-Preux, Pas-de-Calais, France and commemorated on the Long Melford War Memorial.[24]

Related Biography

Day, Robert Henry – Born: Lavenham, Suffolk on 2.10.1876.[25]  Parents: William Day (Agricultural Labourer) and Anna [née Parker].  Family Connections: Brother-in-law of Alfred George Eady [b1874], William Thomas Eady [b1880], Harry Walter Eady [b1881] and Albert Bertie Eady [b1884].  Home: Pound Lane, Lavenham, Suffolk (1881 and 1891), lodging with Thomas Eady (Father-in-Law) at Chestnut Terrace, Hall Street, Long Melford (1911), Bradfield Combust, Suffolk [1916], 4 Hall Road, Lavenham (1939) to [1951].  Occupation: Coachman (1911) Chauffeur [1916], Gardener (1939).  Married: Agnes Rose Eady of Long Melford in 1905.  Service Record: Robert attested on 30.11.1915 but not mobilised until 22.6.1916 as Pte.6831, later Pte.290410 with 5^th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment.  Robert transferred on 1.1.1917 to 11^th Battalion, Norfolks, then as Pte.429114 to 667^th Agricultural Company, Labour Corps on 27.10.1917, receiving his discharge in April 1919.[26]  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk on 31.10.1951.[27]

Lambert, Ernest Albert – Born: Lavenham, Suffolk in 1884. Parents: Charles Samuel Lambert (Blacksmith) and Annie Mitchell residents of Long Melford.  Family Connections: Brother to Charles Samuel Lambert [b1882], Alonzo Philip Lambert [b1888], Sidney Thomas Lambert [b1892], Rupert Harry Lambert [b1897] and Reginald Victor Lambert [b1898]; also, brother-in-law of Frederick Ernest Eady [b1882]. Home: Water Street, Lavenham, Suffolk (1891), 2 Market Place, Lavenham (1901), 6 Star Cottages, St Catherines Road, Long Melford (1911), 1 Plough Lane, Sudbury, Suffolk [1915], Rose Cottage, Church Lane, Great Holland, Essex [1919]. Occupation: Horsehair Weaver (1901 and 1911), Chauffeur [1915]. Service Record: Ernest enlisted on 10.9.1914 as Pte.1972 with the Mechanical Transport section of the East Anglian Divisional Supply Column, Army Supply Corps, transferring on 17.2.1915 as Dvr.M2/035377 to 258^th [Mechanical Transport] Company, ASC, being posted to France from 16.7.1915 to May 1919 as part of 17^th [Northern] Division. During his time on the Western Front Ernest would have seen action at the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive and Third Battle of Ypres in 1917, and the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Artois of 1918.[28] Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1929.

Notes – [1] Date of birth from the 1939 Register for Cosford Rural District, Suffolk. [2] Militia Service Record to 1905, and his possible Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [3] Date of death from the National Probate Calendar.  [4] For details see War Diary [WO 95/2730/1], Medal Roll [WO 329]. and Medal Index Card [WO 372].  [5] Commonwealth War Grave Commission record, British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929.  [6] Chelsea Hospital British Army Service Record [WO 97] up to 1895.  [7] Date of birth from the 1939 Register for Brentwood, Essex.  Baptism.  [8] Register 12.4.1874, All Saints Church, Acton, Suffolk records his mother’s name as Caroline. [9] Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [10] Date of birth from the 1939 Register for Long Melford. [11] 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].  [12] See his possible Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [13] Birth and Baptism records are in the name of Charles Herbert Eady all other references are found under Herbert Charles Eady.  Date of birth from the 1939 Register for Wembley Middlesex.  [14] For emigration to Canada see Passenger List for SS Dominion 31.8.1911.  [15] For the Tribunal’s rulings see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 26.7.1916 and 16.8.1916.  [16] See also his Air Member for Personnel and predecessors: Airman’s Records [AIR 79/738].  [17] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 3.7.1892, Church of St Peter and St Paul, Lavenham, Suffolk and the 1939 Register for Hertford Rural District.  His Service Record however records his birth date as 10.6.1892.  [18] Address taken from the Electoral Roll.  [19] Service Medal and Award Rolls, First World War, Silver War Badge [WO 329] record [ref: B214004], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [20] See the Infectious Diseases Register of Medical Certificates Received for 5.9.1919 [Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk Record Office ref: EF501/4/20].  This document also lists other men who appear in this Nominal Roll and were diagnosed with malaria shortly after returning home, namely: William Charles Boar [b1877], George William Cook [b1897], Ernest George Deeks [b1883], Ernest Hume [b1882], Arthur James Mills [b1879] and James Nice [b1878].  [21]  Date of death from the National Probate Calendar.  [22] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Medal Roll [WO 329] and Medal Index Card [WO 372].  [23] For details 16^th Middlesex’s movements see War Diary [WO 95/2302/2].  Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [24] See also his Commonwealth War Graves Commission record and British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 file [ref: 506620].  [25] Date of birth from the 1939 Register for Cosford Rural District, Suffolk.  [26] See also his Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363].  [27] Date of death from the National Probate Calendar.  [28] https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/. 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].