Selected Biographies

Grice, Albert William – Born: Stapleford Tawney, Essex on 13.3.1878.[1]  Parents: Charles Grice of Long Melford (Farm Bailiff) and Susan Taylor [née Taylor].  Home: Little Tawney Hall, Stapleford Tawney, Essex (1881), 25 Cobbold Road, Forest Gate, Essex (1901), 24 Worcester Road, Manor Park, Essex (1911), 24 Worcester Road, East Ham, Essex (1939).  Occupation: Butcher [1898], Builder’s Carman (1901), Gravedigger (1911), General Labourer (1939).  Married: Blanche Edwards in 1898.  Service Record: Albert enlisted in 1896 as Gnr.14901 with the Royal Artillery, receiving his discharge in 1896.  Died: East Ham, Essex in 1965.[2]

Grice, Arthur John – Born: Battersea, London on 8.12.1878.[3]  Parents: John Grice of Long Melford (Boot Repairer) and Julia [née Pallister].  Family Connections: Brother to Charles Robert Golding Grice [b1895].  Home: 4 Brigade Terrace, Battersea, London (1881), 17 Lauriston Road, Hackney, London (1891), 11 Longfellow Road, Walthamstow, Essex (1901), 6 Canning Road, Walthamstow (1911), 25 Elsdon Road, Lordship Lane, Tottenham, Middlesex [1915], 103 Roseberry Avenue, Tottenham (1939), 69 High Road, Tottenham [1960].  Occupation: Bricklayer’s Labourer (1901, 1911), Builder’s Labourer (1939).  Married: Edith Emily Wilkin in 1915.  Service Record: Arthur was conscripted on 27.7.1916 as Pte.11621 with 28^th [Reserve] Battalion, Royal Fusiliers [City of London Regiment], transferring on 12.10.1916 as Pte.64184 to 5^th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps.  On 16.9.1917 he was posted to France, joining 197^th Company, MGC, being wounded on 6.10.1917 and discharged on 20.3.1919.[4]  Died: Tottenham, Middlesex on 25.11.1960.[5]

Grice, Charles Robert Golding – Born: Walthamstow, Essex on 23.7.1895.  Parents: John Grice of Long Melford (Boot Repairer) and Julia [née Pallister].  Family Connections: Brother to Arthur John Grice [b1879].  Home: 11 Longfellow Road, Walthamstow, Essex (1901), 72 Ringwood Road, Walthamstow (1911.  Occupation: Suitcase Maker [1914], Sailor [1914 to 1938].  Married: Margaret Plummer [d1934] in 1918 and Lucy Plummer in 1936.  Service Record: Charles enlisted on 15.5.1914 as Stoker N^o. K22611 with the Royal Navy, serving on the battleship HMS Africa as part of 3^rd Battle Squadron patrolling the North Sea from 13.10.1914 to 30.9.1917.  He was awarded the Royal Navy Long Service Medal in 1938.[6]  Died: London in 1969.

Grice, Charlie John – Born: Kensington, London on 27.5.1879.[7]  Parents: Charles John Grice of Long Melford (Plasterer’s Labourer) and Emily [née Loveday].  Family Connections: Brother to George Henry Grice [b1890] and Percy Grice [b1893].  Home: 16 Child Street, Earls Court, Kensington, London (1881 to 1901), 29 Plairfair Street, Hammersmith, Middlesex [1919], 6 Elmdale Street, Fulham, London (1939), 53 Winslow Road, Hammersmith [1969].  Occupation: Plasterer (1901 to 1939).  Married: Sarah Amelia Morfett in 1902.   Service Record: Charlie enlisted on 10.10.1914 as Pte.6646 of 8^th [Service] Battalion, Royal Fusiliers [City of London Regiment], being posted to France on 1.6.1915 as part of 36^th Brigade, 12^th [Eastern] Division.  He was twice wounded in action and subsequently transferred on 8.9.1917 as Pte.356894 to 337^th [Home Service] Works Company, Labour Corps, receiving his discharge in March 1919.[8]  Died: Hammersmith, Middlesex on 18.2.1969.[9]

Grice, George Frederick – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 6.5.1884.[10]  Parents: George Grice (Horsehair Drawer) and Harriett [née Whittle] (Horsehair Weaver).  Home: Living with his widowed mother and Susan Whittle (Grandmother) at Westgate Lane, Long Melford (1891), King William Inn, Little St Marys, Long Melford (1901), St Catherines Road, Long Melford (1911), Hall Street, Long Melford [1916].  Occupation: General Labourer (1911), Beer Retailer and Brewer [1916].[11]  Married: Maud May Simpson in 1909.  Service Record: At the Melford Military Service Tribunal in July 1916 George applied for exemption, which was granted for three months.  He returned in November were he again applied for exemption.  The Tribunal ruled that no further applications could be made and only two months grace would be given.[12]  He was conscripted as Pte.27478 with 9^th [Service] Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, posted to France as part of 71^st Brigade, 6^th Division, being wounded in 1917.[13]  Died: George was killed in action on 11.10.1918, during an attack on enemy positions that occupied high ground to the east of Bellevue Ridge.  Private Grice is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial [panel 4], Pas-de-Calais, France, and the Long Melford War Memorial.[14]

Grice, George Henry – Born: Kensington, London on 7.11.1890.[15]  Parents: Charles John Grice of Long Melford (Plasterer’s Labourer) and Emily [née Loveday].  Family Connections: Brother to Charles John Grice [b1879] and Percy Grice [b1893].  Home: 16 Child Street, Earls Court, Kensington, London (1891, 1911), 129 Earls Court Road, London [1915], 121 Blythe Road, Hammersmith, Middlesex (1939).  Occupation: Railway Porter (1911), Vulcanizer and Fitter [1914], Hospital Stoker (1939).  Married: Jennie Mary Parsons in 1915.  Service Record: George enlisted on 27.11.1914 as an Aircraft Mechanic N^o.2379 with the Royal Flying Corps, transferring on 1.4.1918 to the Royal Air Force and receiving his discharge in 1922.[16]  Died: Hillingdon, Middlesex in 1977.

Grice, Percy – Born: Kensington, London in 1893.  Parents: Charles John Grice of Long Melford (Plasterer’s Labourer) and Emily [née Loveday].  Family Connections: Brother to Charles John Grice [b1879] and George Henry Grice [b1890].  Home: 17 Child Street, Earls Court, Kensington, London (1891, 1911), 40 Chapel Yard, South Aughton, Yorkshire [1915].  Occupation: Clerk (1911), Motor Lorry Driver [1914].  Married: Elizabeth Mona Rainbow in 1914.  Service Record: Percy enlisted on 11.8.1914 as Dvr.MS/184 of 64^th [Mechanical Transport] Company, Army Service Corps, being posted to France from 14.8.1914 to 23.1.1915, later transferring to 52^nd [MT Depot] Company, ASC.  He was issued with a Silver War Badge and discharged on 12.7.1915 as ‘being no longer physically fit for War Service’.[17]

Grice, Philip Charles – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 4.7.1874.[18]  Parent: Minerva Grice (Horsehair Weaver) [married William Cadge (Bricklayer) in 1875].  Family Connections: Half-brother to William Cadge [b1878], Charles Ebenezer Cadge [b1880] and George Roy Cadge [b1887].  Home: Liston Lane, Long Melford (1881), St Marys Street/Little St Marys, Long Melford (1891) to [1947].[19]  Occupation: Bricklayer (1901) Owner of a building company [1916], Builder’s Jobmaster (1939).  Married: Maud Mary Allen in 1903.  Service Record: Philip was a member of the Long Melford Volunteer Training Corps in 1915.[20]  At the Melford Military Service Tribunal in March 1916 he requested exemption from conscription for his half-brother William who he employed as a bricklayer.  The application was made on the grounds that his business had been seriously affected since four of his six workers have already gone off to the War.[21]  See also the entry for William Cadge [b1878].  Died: Long Melford, Suffolk on 14.8.1947.[22]

Related Biographies

Cadge, Charles Ebenezer – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 5.2.1880.[23]  Parents: William Cadge (Bricklayer) and Minerva [née Grice].  Family Connections: Brother to William Cadge [b1878] and George Roy Cadge [b1887], half-brother to Philip Charles Grice [b1874]; also, cousin of William Cadge [b1885] and Arthur Cadge [b1880], and brother-in-law of Albert George Boreham [b1892], Henry Dennis Boreham [b1896] and Ernest Frank Wickens [b1893].  Home: Liston Lane, Long Melford (1881), St Marys Street, Long Melford (1891 to 1911), Swan Lane, Long Melford (1939), 2 Allotment View, Swan Lane, Long Melford [1952].  Occupation: Bricklayer (1901 to 1939), Special Constable (1939).  Married: Ellen ‘Nellie’ May Boreham in 1920.  Service Record: Charles is recorded as a member of the Melford Silver Band in 1900 and 1914.[24]  He was conscripted on 29.2.1916 as Private, later L/Cpl.166400 with 438^th [Cheshire] Field Company, Royal Engineers, part of 3^rd Division.  He was posted to France from April 1918 to January 1919 and would have been involved in the following actions between April and October 1918:  First and Second Battles of the Somme, Battle of the Lys, and the Battles of the Hindenburg Line.  He received his discharge in March 1919.[25]  Died: Long Melford, Suffolk on 13.12.1952.

Cadge, Ernest né Grice [26] – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on.[27]  Parents: Philip Charles Cadge Grice (Builder) [see details below] and Maud Mary [née Allen].  Family Connections: Brother to Frederick George Cadge [b1912] and Stanley Horace Cadge [b1914].  Home: St Marys Street, Long Melford (1921 to 1939).  Occupation: Carpenter’s Apprentice (1939).  Married: Frances M. Clarke in 1949.  Service Record:  Ernest was a member of ‘H’ Company, 10^th Battalion, Suffolk Home Guard when it was formed in 1942, his name being recorded in the official tribute to the organization entitled The Lion Roared his Defiance, photographed in and around Long Melford in 1944.[28]  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk on 22.4.2009.

Cadge, Frederick George né Grice [29] – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 1.1.1912.[30]  Parents: Philip Charles Cadge Grice (Builder) [see details below] and Maud Mary [née Allen].  Family Connections: Brother to Stanley Horace Cadge [b1914] and Ernest Cadge [b1921].  Home: St Marys Street, Long Melford (1921 to 1939).  Occupation: Carpenter (1939).  Married: Amy Elizabeth Steward in 1952.  Service Record:  In 1939 Frederick was a member of the Air Raid Precaution Utility Squad, later being part of ‘H’ Company, 10^th Battalion, Suffolk Home Guard when it was formed in 1942, his name being recorded in the official tribute to the organization entitled The Lion Roared his Defiance, photographed in and around Long Melford in 1944.[31]  Died: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk on 28.6.200.

Cadge, George Roy – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 26.5.1887.[32]  Parents: William Cadge (Bricklayer) and Minerva [née Grice].  Family Connections: Brother to William Cadge [b1878] and Charles Ebenezer Cadge [b1880], half-brother to Philip Charles Grice [b1874]; also, cousin of William Cadge [b1885] and Arthur Cadge [b1880], and brother-in-law of Ernest Frank Wickens [b1893].  Home: St Marys Street, Long Melford (1891 to 1911), Liston House, Long Melford (1939).  Occupation: Carpenter (1901 and 1911), Carpenter and Joiner [1916] to (1939).  Married: Ada Palmer Randle in 1925.  Service Record: Between 1909 and 1913 George was a member of the Army Service Corps.  He was attested on 13.11.1916 as Spr.213128 with the Royal Engineers, transferring as Pte.57369 to 14^th [Service] Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers [Pioneers], being posted to France from 8.9.1917 to 19.6.1919 and seeing action on the Somme in 1916, and the Arras Offensive and the Third Battles of Ypres in 1917.  On 6.1.1918 he was moved again as Spr.213128 to 209^th [Norfolk] Field Company, RE, part of 34^th Division, and finally to 465^th Field Company, RE.  George was issued with a Silver War Badge and discharged in July 1919 as ‘no longer physically fit for War Service’, due to sickness.[33]  In 1922 he is recorded as a committee member of the Long Melford Ex-Service Men’s Club.  Died: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk in 1974 and buried in Long Melford Cemetery.

Cadge, Stanley Horace né Grice [34] – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 7.6.1914.[35]  Parents: Philip Charles Cadge Grice and Maud Mary [née Allen].  Family Connections: Son-in-law of William Roper [b1872] and brother-in-law of Harry Edward Roper [b1904] and Frederick Charles Roper [b1922].  Home: St Marys Street, Long Melford (1921 to 1939).  Occupation: Bricklayer (1939).  Married: Florence Labyrinth Roper in 1942.  Service Record:  Stanley was a member of ‘H’ Company, 10^th Battalion, Suffolk Home Guard when it was formed in 1942, his name being recorded in the official tribute to the organization entitled The Lion Roared his Defiance, photographed in and around Long Melford in 1944.[36]  He was also conscripted in 1942 as Gnr.115.476 with the Royal Artillery.[37]  Died: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire on 14.10.2001.[38]

Cadge, William – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 20.2.1878.[39]  Parents: William Cadge (Bricklayer) and Minerva [née Grice].  Family Connections: Brother to Charles Ebenezer Cadge [b1880] and George Roy Cadge [b1887], half-brother to Philip Charles Grice [b1874]; also, cousin of William Cadge [b1885] and Arthur Cadge [b1880], and brother-in-law to Ernest Frank Wickens [b1893].  Home: Liston Lane, Long Melford (1881), St Marys Street/Little St Marys, Long Melford (1891) to [1963].  Occupation: Telegram Messenger (1891), Bricklayer (1901 and 1911), Retired Bricklayer (1939).  Service Record: At the Melford Military Service Tribunal in March 1916 his half-brother Philip, who was also his employer, requested exemption for William on the grounds that his business has been seriously affected since four of his six workers have already gone off to the War.  The Tribunal adjourned without making a decision.  In May William’s case was reviewed when he was granted conditional exemption for one month.  Notwithstanding his brother’s pleas at earlier sessions, by the time of his next hearing in August 1917 William had relocated to Wivenhoe, some twenty miles away, where his new employer Barrell Brothers made a third request for exemption, which was refused.  His move to Wivenhoe may only have been temporary for in March 1918 his half-brother was again applying for his exemption before the Melford Tribunal, where a certificate for absolute exemption was finally granted.[40]  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk on 21.1.1963.[41]

Notes – [1] 1939 Register. [2] Chelsea Hospital British Army Service Record.  [3] Date of birth taken from the 1939 Register. [4] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Medal Roll [WO 329], and Medal Index Card [WO 372]. [5] National Probate Calendar.  [6] Royal Navy Registers of Seaman’s Services [ADM 188/912] and Royal Navy Medal and Award Rolls [ADM 171/202].  [7] 1939 Register. [8] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Medal Roll [WO 329], and Medal Index Card [WO 372].  [9] National Probate Calendar.  [10] Baptism Register 6.7.1884, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [11] Occupation and address are taken from Kelly’s Directory for Suffolk 1916. [12] For the Tribunal’s rulings see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 26.7.1916 and 29.11.1916. [13] For notification of his wounding see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 19.9.1917.  For details of 9^th Norfolk’s movements see War Diary [WO 95/1623/1-4].  See also his Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [14] Commonwealth War Graves Commission record, British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 file [ref: 796493].  [15] 1939 Register. [16] Royal Air Force Airman’s Records [AIR 79].  [17] Soldiers’ Documents and Pension Claims, First World War [WO 364], Medal Roll [WO 329], Medal Index Card [WO 372], and Silver War Badge [ref: 18045].  [18] Baptism Register 6.9.1874, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [19] Recorded on the UK Census as Phil(l)ip Cadge in 1881, 1891 and 1901, and as Philip Charles Cadge Grice in 1911. [20] Recorded as Philip Cadge in the Training Corps article see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 10.3.1915.  [21] For the Tribunal’s ruling see SEFP 15.3.1916. [22] Recorded as Philip Charles Cadge on the Death Index and in the National Probate Calendar, which also records his date of death.  [23] Baptism Register 4.4.1880, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford.  [24] My thanks to Tim Seppings of Sudbury for showing Charles’s connection to the Melford Silver Band.  [25] For details of 438^th Field Company’s movements see War Diary [WO 95/1403/3].  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].  [26] Name recorded on the Birth Register as Ernest Cadge Grice; all later official documents refer to him as Ernest Cadge.  [27] 1939 Register and Death Index.  [28] Published by Marten & Son, Ltd., of Market Hill, Sudbury, Suffolk in 1946.  [29] Name recorded on the Birth Register as Frederick G. C. Grice; all later official documents refer to him as Frederick George Cadge.  [30] 1939 Register.  [31] Marten & Son op. cit. [32] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 7.8.1887, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford.  [33] See also his Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Service Medal and Award Rolls, First World War, Silver War Badge [WO 329] record [ref: B252230], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [34] Name recorded on the Birth Register as Stanley H. C. Grice; all later official documents refer to him as Stanley Horace Cadge.  [35] 1939 Register and Death Index.  [36] Marten & Son op. cit.  [37] Royal Artillery Attestations 1883-1942.  [38] National Probate Calendar.  [39] Baptism Register 7.4.1878, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford.  [40] For the Tribunal’s rulings see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 15.3.1916, 10.5.1916, 1.8.1917 and 27.3.1918.  [41] Date of death from the National Probate Calendar.