A village with a big story
Selected Biographies
Finch, Charles Ernest – Born: Sible Hedingham, Essex on 11.3.1893.[1] Parents: Walter Finch (Stockman) and Eliza [née Ellis]. Family Connections: Brother to Henry Charles Finch [b1877] and Herbert William Finch [b1879], both of Long Melford. Home: Cobbs Fen, Sible Hedingham, Essex (1901 and 1911), Lamb Lane, Halstead, Essex (1939). Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1911), Labourer in a Joinery Works [1916], General Labourer (1939). Married: May Emily White in 1928. Service Record: Charles was conscripted on 11.12.1915 as Pte.22642 with 3rd [Reserve] Battalion, Essex Regiment, transferring on 12.5.1916 as Pte.36041 to the Machine Gun Corps. He was posted to France as a Vickers Gunner from 19.11.1917 and transferred to 217th Company MGC as part of 20th [Light] Division. In the New Year Charles’s unit was amalgamated into 20th Machine Gun Battalion as ‘D’ Company and was part of the Division Reserve during the strategic withdrawal occasioned by the German Spring Offensive in March 1918. Private Finch remained in France until February 1919, transferring to the Army Reserve a month later.[2] Died: Colchester, Essex in 1982.
[1] Date of birth from the 1939 Register for Halstead, Essex, however the Death Index records the date as 11.4.1893. [2] For details of 20th MGC’s movements see War Diary [WO 95/2108/3]. 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].
Finch, George – Born: Acton, Suffolk in 1888. Parents: Robert Finch (Agricultural Labourer) & Elizabeth Ann [née Chatters]. Family Connections: Brother-in-law of Launcelot Charles Victor Andrews [b1897] and Robert George Andrews [b1899] both of Long Melford. Home: Spond, Acton, Suffolk (1891), The Green, Acton (1901, 1911). Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1911). Married: Alice Eleanor Andrews of Long Melford in 1910. Service Record: George enlisted as Pte.17923 with 9th [Service] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment and was posted to France on 31.8.1915 as part of 71st Brigade, 24th Division, seeing action at the Battle of Loos on 25 September. In 1916 his battalion came under the command of 6th Division seeing action again at the Battles of Flers-Courcelette, Morval and Le Transloy during the autumn phase of the Somme Offensive.[1] Died: By the spring of 1917 George was in front-line trenches in the Loos-Hulluch sector when on 27 April he was killed during one the enemy’s frequent bombardments. He is buried in St Patrick Cemetery, Loos, Pas de Calais [grave ref: I.K.12] and commemorated on the memorial plaque in All Saints Church, Acton, Suffolk.[2]
[1] For details of 9th Suffolk’s movements on the Western Front see Murphy, Lieutenant-Colonel C. C. R. The History of the Suffolk Regiment 1914-1927 [London: Hutchinson and Co, 1928], pp.120-26 and 194-99. For details of 9th Suffolk’s movements on the Western Front see Murphy, Lieutenant-Colonel C. C. R. The History of the Suffolk Regiment 1914-1927 [London: Hutchinson and Co, 1928], pp.120-26 and 194-99. [2] Commonwealth War Graves Commission record, British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 file [ref: 493286].
Finch, George Augustus – Born: Stratford, Essex in 1890. Parents: George Finch of Long Melford (Railway Porter) & Sarah Jane [née Ferguson]. Home: 66 Blythe Road, Stratford, Essex (1891), 32 Grace Road, Stratford (1901), 20 Shirley Road, Vicarage Lane, Stratford (1911). Occupation: Stockbroker’s Clerk (1911). Service Record: George enlisted as Pte.L/13174 with 2nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers [City of London Regiment], being posted to Gallipoli as part of 86th Brigade, 29th Division.[1] Died: Killed in action during the beach landing at Cape Helles on 25.4.1915 and commemorated in Park Farm Cemetery, Helles, Turkey.[2]
[1] Medal Roll [WO 329]. [2] British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 and Commonwealth War Grave Commission.
Finch, Henry Charles – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 6.6.1877.[1] Parents: Walter Finch (Stockman) and Eliza [née Ellis]. Family Connections: Brother to Herbert William Finch [b1879] and Charles Ernest Finch [b1893]. Home: The Green Long Melford (1881), Cobbs Fen, Sible Hedingham, Essex (1891), 97 Chesterton Road, Kensington, London (1911), 77 Chesterton Road, Kensington [1919]. Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1891), Blacksmith (1911), Rivetter [1915]. Married: Eva Alice Workman in 1902. Service Record: Henry enlisted on 14.1.1915 as Spr.63650 with 100th Field Company, Royal Engineers, transferring as Cpl.WR/296758 to 32nd [Railway Operating] Company, Royal Engineers. He was posted first to the Western Front on 9.5.1915 then to Salonika from 13.12.1915 to 14.1.1919, his main responsibility would be to transport casualties and supplies to and from the forward areas by light railway. He received his discharge in February 1919.[2] Died: Braintree, Essex in 1967.
[1] Date of birth taken from the Baptism Register 1.7.1877 for Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [2] 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].
Finch, Herbert William – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 9.2.1879.[1] Parents: Walter Finch (Stockman) and Eliza [née Ellis]. Family Connections: Brother to Henry Charles Finch [b1877] and Charles Ernest Finch [b1893]. Home: The Green, Long Melford (1881), Cobbs Fen, Sible Hedingham, Essex (1891), 160 Wharnecliffe Gardens, Marylebone, London (1901), 57 Grove Vale, East Dulwich, London (1911), 152 College Road, Crystal Palace, London (1939). Occupation: Labourer (1901 and 1911), Builder’s Foreman [1917], Bricklayer (1939). Married: Elizabeth Mary Jane Hubbard in 1906. Service Record: Herbert was conscripted on 28.2.1917 as Spr.243609, later Spr.WR/317618 with the Inland Water Transport Company, Royal Engineers. Despite the title of his unit Herbert was employed on the cross-channel service between England and France, receiving his discharge in February 1919.[2]
[1] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 21.3.1879, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [2] 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].
Finch, James – Born: Chilton, Suffolk on 28.9.1871.[1] Parents: John Finch of Long Melford (Brickmaker) and Ellen [née Bareham] (Silk Weaver). Home: Newton Road, Great Cornard, Suffolk (1881), 4 Lavenham, Road, Sudbury, Suffolk (1901), 16 Bulmer Road, Ballingdon, Sudbury (1911), 19 School Street, Sudbury (1939). Occupation: Brickyard Labourer (1891), Brickmaker (1901 and 1911), General Labourer (1939). Married: Eliza Outing in 1899. Service Record: James enlisted on 2.6.1915 as Pte.T4/108102 with the Horse Transport section of the Army Service Corps, issued with a Silver War Badge and discharged on 26.11.1918, due to sickness. James was engaged on Home Service duties only.[2]
[1] Date of birth from the 1939 Register for Sudbury, Suffolk. [2] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Service Medal and Award Rolls, First World War, Silver War Badge [WO 329] record [ref: 521380] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].
Finch, James Patrick – Born: Horringer, Suffolk on 21.3.1875.[1] Parents: James Patrick Finch (Agricultural Labourer) and Rebecca Susannah [née Campson]. Family Connections: Father of John Patrick Finch [b1894]. Home: Horringer Green, Horringer, Suffolk (1881), The Street, Horringer (1891), Rodbridge Street, Long Melford (1901), St Marys Street, Long Melford (1911), Southgate Street, Long Melford [1918] to (1939). Occupation: Blacksmith (1891 to 1939). Married: Sarah Vickers in 1894. Service Record: James was a member of the Long Melford Volunteer Training Corps from 1915.[2] Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1946.
[1] Date of birth from the 1939 Register for Long Melford. [2] For Training Corps articles see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 10.3.1915, 29.12.1915 and 27.12.1916.
Finch, John Patrick – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 13.9.1894.[1] Parents: James Patrick Finch (Blacksmith) [see above for details] and Sarah [née Vickers]. Home: Rodbridge Street, Long Melford (1901), St Marys Street, Long Melford (1911), Southgate Street, Long Melford [1918]. Occupation: Carpenter’s Apprentice (1911), working at Ward’s Iron Foundry in Hall Street [1914]. Service Record: John enlisted on 3.9.1914 as Pte.2257 with 1/5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, posted to Suvla Bay, Gallipoli from 10.8.1915 as part of 163rd Brigade, 54th [East Anglian] Division. The Battalion was evacuated on 6.12.1915 from Anzac Cove, Gallipoli to Egypt. In 1917 John took part in the invasion of Palestine, seeing action at the First, Second and Third Battles of Gaza and the capture of Jerusalem. He was transferred in April 1918 as L/Cpl.50229 to 54th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps seeing further action at the Battle of Sharon in September 1918.[2] Died: Lance Corporal Finch died from pneumonia on 7.12.1918 and is buried in Alexandria [Hadra] War Memorial Cemetery [grave ref: H.12], Alexandria, Egypt and commemorated on the Long Melford War Memorial. [3]
[1] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 21.1.1895, St Catherines Mission Church, Long Melford. [2] See the entry for Bertie John Allen [b1886] for an account of the Suffolk’s first days after stepping ashore in Gallipoli. For details of 1/5th Suffolk’s role in Gallipoli and Palestine see War Diaries [WO 95/4325 and WO 95/4658]; also see Capt. A. Fair [mc] and Capt. E. D. Wolton [compiled by] “The Suffolk Regiment”: the history of the 1/5th Battalion [London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1923], pp.13-107. 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] Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
Finch, William – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk in 1849. Parents: James Finch (Agricultural Labourer) and Mary. Home: Hall Street, Long Melford (1851), Melford Street, Long Melford (1861), Regents Park Barracks, Albany Street, London (1871), Cavalry Barracks, New Windsor, Berkshire (1881), Regents Park Barracks, Albany Street (1891). Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1861), Soldier (1871 to 1891). Service Record: Before 1871 William had volunteered as Tpr.5627 with the West Suffolk Militia. In 1871 he enlisted for a period of 21 years as Tpr.563 with 1st Life Guards, being engaged as part of Queen Victoria’s Household Cavalry. He cut an imposing figure standing over six feet and was physically suited to his ceremonial role. Before retiring he was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.[1]
[1] Chelsea Pensioners British Army Service Records 1760-1913 [WO 97].
Genealogical Tables
