Selected Biographies

Mitchell, Arthur – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 22.8.1872.[1]  Parents: Walter Mitchell (Coconut Mat Weaver) and Susan [née Daines] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Father of George William Arthur Mitchell [b1899]; also, brother-in-law of Walter Mayes [b1876].  Home: Chapel Green, Long Melford (1881 and 1891), 30 Parkeston Road, Harwich, Essex (1901 to 1939).  Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1891), Coal Porter for the Great Eastern Railway (1901 and 1911), Quay Labourer for GER (1921), Retired Wharf Labourer (1939).  Married: Isabella Alice Alston in 1895.  Service Record: Arthur served as a Merchant Seaman during the First World War and was issued with campaign medals.[2]  Died: Thurrock, Essex in 1958.

Mitchell, Arthur – Born: Hadleigh, Suffolk in 1883. Parents: Alfred Mitchell of Long Melford (Coconut Mat Weaver) and Isabella Rebecca [née Ramplin].  Family Connections: Brother of Charles Mitchell [b1886], Ernest William Mitchell [b1889] and Isaac Frederick Mitchell [b1894].  Home: 98 Angel Street, Hadleigh, Suffolk (1891 to 1921).  Occupation: General Labourer (1901), Agricultural Labourer (1911), Coconut Mat Maker [1915], unemployed (1921).  Service Record:  Arthur was conscripted on 7.12.1915 as Pte.2748 with the Suffolk Regiment, transferring as Pte.35600 to 5^th Labour Company, Northamptonshire Regimen and being posted to the Western Front from 25.3.1917.  On 14.5.1917 he was again transferred as Pte.85539 to 143^rd Labour Company, Labour Corps, returning to England suffering from shell shock on 12.3.1918.  From here until his discharge in 1919 he served as Pte.80307 with 124^th [Protection] Company, Royal Defence Corps.[3]

Mitchell, Benjamin – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 4.5.1899.[4]  Parents: Benjamin Mitchell (Agricultural Labourer) and Harriet [née Pleasants].  Home: Bridge Street, Long Melford (1901 and 1911).  Occupation: Agricultural Labourer on Wash Farm, Alpheton, Suffolk [1917], Soldier [1917 to 1943].  Service Record: At the Melford Military Service Tribunal in June 1917, his employer Mrs Babbage applied for exemption on Benjamin’s behalf.  He was granted four months exemption from conscription but was asked to join the Long Melford Volunteer Training Corps in the interim.  She reapplied for further exemption at the December Tribunal, but this was refused.[5]  Benjamin Mitchell was conscripted as Pte.37003 with 4^th [Extra Reserve] Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, transferring to 9^th [Service] Battalion, East Surreys and posted to France as part of 72^nd Brigade, 24^th Division.[6]  Allowing time for his training Ben may not have been moved into the front line until April 1918.  If this assumption is correct then it is likely that he took part in the Final Advance in Picardy, one of the last significant actions of the Great War.  He was discharged in 1920 but re-enlisted a year later as Gnr.1049208 with the Royal Artillery, receiving his final discharge in March 1943, becoming a Chelsea Pensioner.[7]  Died: Chelsea, London in 1975.

Mitchell, Charles – Born: 1886. Parents: Alfred Mitchell of Long Melford (Coconut Mat Weaver) and Isabella Rebecca [née Ramplin].  Family Connections: Brother of Arthur Mitchell [b1883], Ernest William Mitchell [b1889] and Isaac Frederick Mitchell [b1894].   Home: Angel Street, Hadleigh, Suffolk (1891, 1901), Military Barracks in India (1911).  Occupation: General Labourer (1901), Soldier (1911).  Service Record: In 1911 Charles is recorded as serving in India as Pte.9072 with 1^st Battalion, The King’s Own [Royal Lancaster] Regiment. At the outbreak of the First World War his unit was returned to England from its base at Lebong in West Bengal and as part of 12^th Brigade, 4^th Division was posted to France, landing at Boulogne on 23.8.1914.  Within a matter of days, the Division was in action at the Battle of Le Cateau, his unit suffering horrendous casualties, losing 400 men from a two-minute burst of enemy machine fire.[8]  The onslaught continued with further battles at the Marne and the Aisne in September, and at Armentières a month later.  Died: In April and May 1915 the King’s Own fought two major engagements at the Second Battle of Ypres and it was during this phase of operations that Charles was listed as missing presumed killed in action on 23.5.1915.  He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial [panel 12] at Ypres in Belgium and Hadleigh War Memorial.[9]

Mitchell, Ernest William – Born: Hadleigh, Suffolk on 2.9.1889.[10]  Parents: Alfred Mitchell of Long Melford (Coconut Mat Weaver) and Isabella Rebecca [née Ramplin].  Family Connections: Brother of Arthur Mitchell [b1883], Charles Mitchell [b1886] and Isaac Frederick Mitchell [b1894].  Home: Angel Street, Hadleigh, Suffolk (1891 to 1901), 98 Argyle Street, Hadleigh (1911), 14 High Street, Hadleigh (1939) to [1949].  Occupation: Coconut Mat Maker (1911), General Stores Shopkeeper (1939).   Married: Bethell Emily Alcock in 1918.  Service Record: From a family portrait Ernest is shown wearing a khaki uniform with the cap badge insignia of the Suffolk Regiment.  It has not been possible to confirm with which particular battalion he served, as no definitive military records have been found.  Died: Hadleigh, Suffolk on 4.4.1949.[11]

Mitchell, George William Arthur – Born: Parkston, Harwich, Essex on 10.11.1899.[12]  Parents: Arthur Mitchell of Long Melford (Coal Porter) [see above for his military record] and Isabella Alice [née Alston].  Home: 30 Parkston Road, Harwich, Essex (1901 and 1911), 19^A Tyler Street, Harwich (1939).  Occupation: Able Bodied Seaman on Weekly Articles (1939).  Married: Florence May Lavinia Hibble.  Service Record: George served as a Deck Boy in the Merchant Navy during the First World War and was issued with campaign medals.[13]  Died: Braintree, Essex in 1968 and is buried in Dovercourt Cemetery, Harwich, Essex.

Mitchell, Henry Charles – Born: Belvedere, Kent on 29.8.1899.[14] Parents: Henry Charles Mitchell of Long Melford (Labourer) and Mary Esther [née Mason].  Family Connections: Nephew of William Thomas Mitchell [b1883].  Home: 8 Caldy Road, Erith, Kent (1901), Picardy Street, Belvedere, Kent (1911 to 1921).  Occupation: Cable Hand at Callenders Cable Works of Belvedere (1921), Engineer [1952].[15]  Married: Phoebe Bridget Lawton in 1928.  Service Record: Henry was conscripted on 3.9.1917 as Stoker No.K45815 with the Royal Navy, serving on the scout cruiser HMS Boadicea in 1918, receiving his discharge due to injury on 7.5.1919.[16]  Died: Eltham, Kent in 1966.

Mitchell, Isaac Frederick – Born: Hadleigh, Suffolk on 1.1.1894.[17] Parents: Alfred Mitchell of Long Melford (Coconut Mat Weaver) and Isabella Rebecca [née Ramplin].  Family Connections: Brother of Arthur Mitchell [b1883], Charles Mitchell [b1886] and Ernest William Mitchell [b1889].  Home: Angel Street, Hadleigh, Suffolk (1901), 98 Argyle Street, Hadleigh, Suffolk (1911), Rectory Cottage, Layham, Suffolk (1921), 18 Surrey Road, Barking, Essex (1939) to [1977].  Occupation: Coconut Mat Maker’s Labourer (1911), Mat Trimmer (1921), Foreman at a Matting and Carpet Worls (1939).  Married: Olive Rose Brown Thorpe in 1920.  Service Record: Although no definitive military record has been found, a photo of Isaac in tropical uniform suggests that he may have served with 1/5^th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. If this assumption is correct, then he would have been posted to Gallipoli in 1915 and following the unit’s evacuation to Egypt at the end of that year, taken part in the Palestine Campaign of 1917.   Died: Barking, Essex on 4.12.1977.[18]

Mitchell, Sidney Baden Powell – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 27.5.1900.[19]  Parents: Harry Mitchell (Carter at Ward & Sons Iron Foundry) and Emma Elizabeth [née Webb].  Family Connections: Cousin of Thomas George Mitchell [b1898]. Home: Hall Street, Long Melford (1901), Colchester Road, White Colne, Essex (1911), Camden Park Road, St Pancras, London [1929 to 1939], 11 Melbourne Way, Bush Hill Park, Enfield, Middlesex [1988].[20]  Occupation: Turner [1918 to 1932].  Married: Florence Bower in 1921.  Service Record: Sidney was conscripted on 8.7.1918 as Gnr.256569 with the Royal Artillery, his discharge date is not known.  He re-enlisted in 1932 as Gnr.1024029 in the Artillery, serving until 1940.[21]   Died: Enfield, Middlesex on 27.2.1988.[22]

Mitchell, Sidney Thomas – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 2.1.1885.[23] Parents: David Mitchell (Coconut Mat Maker) and Harriet Frances [née Beales].  Family Connections: Brother-in-law of Christian Charles Scott Amondsen [b1885].  Home: Westgate Lane, Long Melford (1891), 9 St Annes Road, Mile End, London (1901), 7 Washington Street, Bromley-by-Bow, London [1908], 18 Joseph Street, Mile End, London (1911), 18 Hill Place Street, Poplar, London (1921), Globe Wharf, Mile End Road, Stepney, London (1939), 15 Benty Road, West Drayton, Middlesex [1970].  Occupation: Dock Labourer (1901), Labourer for Durrell & Co., Packing Case Maker (1911 to 1939).  Married: Lydia Roberts in 1908.  Service Record: Although no definitive First World War record has been found, Sidney may have enlisted as Pte.17536 with 12^th (Service) Battalion (Bermondsey), East Surrey Regiment.  If this assumption is correct, then he was posted to France and attached to 2^nd Corps Reinforcement Works Battalion.[24]

Mitchell, Thomas George – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 26.3.1898.[25]  Parents: George Frederick Mitchell (Cab Driver) and Elizabeth Kate [née Salter] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Cousin of Sidney Baden Powell Mitchell [b1900].  Home: St Marys Street, Long Melford (1901), Hall Street, Long Melford (1911 to 1939).  Occupation: Bricklayer for Maidwell & Co, Builders and Decorators of Great Finborough, Suffolk (1921), General Labourer (1939).  Service Record: Although no definitive military record can be found Thomas may have enlisted in 1914 as Pte.71965 with the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment [Sherwood Foresters]. If this assumption is correct, then he was issued with a Wound Stripe in July 1918 appearing on the War Office Weekly Casualty List published on 23.7.1918.[26]  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1959.

Mitchell, William ‘Thomas’ – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 5.4.1883.[27] Parents: Thomas Henry Mitchell (Coconut Mat Weaver) and Mary Anne [née East] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Uncle of Henry Charles Mitchell [b1899].  Home: Back Lane Cottages, Back Lane, Long Melford (1891), lodging with Emma Overhill at 24 Withersfield Road, Haverhill, Suffolk (1901), lodging with Alfred Windley at Southlands Cottages, Sandon, Essex (1911).  Occupation: Bricklayer’s Labourer (1901), Gravel Getting for District Council (1911).  Service Record: Thomas enlisted in 1901 as Pte.5424 with 3^rd [Militia] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.  It is not known if he served during the First World War as no definitive record has been found.[28]

Mitchell, William Ewart – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 20.4.1892.[29]  Parents: George Mitchell (Coconut Mat Maker) and Susannah [née Bowers] (Horsehair Weaver).  Home: Swan Cottage, Swan Lane, Long Melford [1892] to (1911), Ivy Cottage, Wattisham, Suffolk (1939).  Occupation: Carpenter (1911), Wheelwright [1916], Carpenter (1939).  Service Record: William was conscripted on 19.2.1916 as Dvr.124322 with 56^th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, transferring as a Wheeler to 17^th Divisional Ammunition Column, posted to France from 28.5.1916 and seeing action during the Somme Offensive of 1916, and at the Battles of Arras and Third Ypres in the following year.  He received his discharge in September 1919.[30]  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1965.

Related Biographies

Amondsen, Christian Charles Scott – Born: Bow, London on 17.4.1885.[31]  Parents: Frederick August Amond Emil Amondsen of Copenhagen, Denmark (Mariner) and Maria [née Scott].  Family Connections: Brother-in-law of Sidney Thomas Mitchell [b1883].  Home: 2 Cannon Terrace, Goodson Road, Deptford, London (1891), 58 Wellington Road, Bromley-by-Bow, London (1901), 53 Turner Street, Stepney, London [1904], Joseph Street, Bow, London (1911) to [1914].[32]  Occupation: Railway Porter (1901), Town Carman (1911) to [1915].  Married: Laura Mitchell of Long Melford in 1904.  Service Record: Christian enlisted on 1.7.1915 as Dvr.T4/108278 with 163^rd [Horse Transport] Company, Army Service Corps and posted to France on 5.3.1916.[33]  Died: Harefield Hospital, Uxbridge, Middlesex on 19.4.1964.[34]

Mayes, Walter – Born: Kedington, Suffolk on 30.7.1876.[35]  Parents: George Mayes of Sturmer, Essex (Agricultural Labourer) and Deborah [née Orris].  Family Connections: Brother-in-law of Arthur Mitchell of Long Melford [b1872].  Home: The Street, Sturmer, Essex (1881 to 1891), lodging with Sarah West (widow) on Chapel Green, Long Melford (1901), 9 Rotten Row, Long Melford (1911), 5 Chapel Green, Long Melford (1921 to 1938).  Occupation: Groom (1911), Head Groom at Melford Place in Long Melford [1916], Lorry Driver (1939).  Married: Alice Mitchell of Long Melford in 1903.  Service Record: At the Melford Military Service Tribunal in October 1916 his employer Charles Westropp of Melford Place applied for his exemption from conscription, which was granted up to February 1917 on the condition that he join the Long Melford Volunteer Training Corps in the meantime.  In June 1917 Westropp was again before the Tribunal pleading for a change in the status of Walter Mayes exemption, which the panel left at conditional.  The matter had still not been resolved by the following April when the results of an appeal by the military representative to have Mayes’s certificate for conditional exemption overturned.  The judgement of the West Suffolk Appeals Tribunal was that the certificate should be revoked unless a voucher to the contrary was granted by the Agricultural Committee.  This seems a rather curious rider to add as Charles Westropp had made the application in the first instance, the party involved was his head groom, and Westropp himself had been the chairman of the Agricultural Committee since its inception.  Whether Walter was conscripted or not is unknown as no definitive military record has been found.  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1958.[36]

Otley, Elijah – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk in 1824. Parents: William Otley (transported to Van Dieman’s Land in 1825) and Maria [née Bird].  Family Connections: Father to Charles Otley Mitchell [b1865].  Home: The Green, Long Melford (1841).  Occupation: Soldier [1842 to 1862], Agricultural Labourer (1841).  Married: partner of Matilda Palmer née Mitchell.  Service Record: Elijah enlisted in 1842 as Pte.3248 with 94^th Regiment of Foot, being posted to India, and in 1854 transferring to 43^rd Foot (Monmouthshire Light Infantry), until his discharge through medical disability in 1862. Both units took part in suppressing the Indian Mutiny between 1857 and 1859.[37]  Died: Long Melford on 6.7.1867.[38]

Parmenter, Sydney Thomas – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 7.7.1884.[39]  Parent: Sarah Ann Parmenter [married John Allen in 1885].  Family Connections: Half-brother to Bertie John Allen [b1886], William Cornelius Allen [b1891], Jack John Allen [b1893] and Henry Allen [b1899]; also, brother-in-law of Arthur Mitchell [b1868].  Home: The Green, Long Melford (1891), Little St Marys, Long Melford (1901).  Occupation: Coconut Mat Labourer (1901).  Married: Emma Mitchell in 1919.  Service Record: Although no definitive military record has been found, Sydney may have attested as Pte.3/5661 with the Suffolk Regiment.  If this assumption is correct then he was posted to France from 30.8.1914 to reinforce the Regiment’s decimated 2^nd Battalion, which had only days earlier lost three-quarters of its men at the Battle of Le Cateau.  The Battalion, which was part of 3^rd Division, went on to see action throughout the War: at the Marne, the Aisne, and First Ypres in 1914, the Somme in 1916, Arras and Polygon Wood in 1917, and in 1918 St Quentin, Bapaume, Wancourt, Estaires, Hazebrouck, Béthune, Canal du Nord and the Second Battle of Le Cateau.[40]  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1958. 

Notes – [1] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 15.9.1872, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [2] Board of Trade Maritime Record [BT 351/1/98225]. [3] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Medal Roll [WO 329], and Medal Index Card [WO 372]. [4] Date of birth from Death Index. [5] For the Tribunal’s rulings see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 27.6.1917 and 5.12.1917. [6] For details of 9^th East Surrey’s movements see War Diary [WO 95/2215/1]. [7] Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329], Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372], and RA Attestation Record [ref: 1049208]. [8] For more information see the battalion War Diary [WO 95/1506].  See also his Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329], Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [9] British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 and Commonwealth War Grave Commission.  Photograph courtesy of Tom Salmon. [10] 1939 Register. [11] Date of death from the National Probate Calendar.  Photograph courtesy of Tom Salmon. [12] Date of birth is taken from George’s Board of Trade Record. [13] BOTRS [BT 350/17/94/179476], see also his BTMR [BT 351/1/98297]. [14] Date of birth from RN Record. [15] see National Probate Calendar entry of his father. [16] RN Record [ADM 188/958] & RN Medal Roll. [17] 1939 Register. [18] Date of death from the National Probate Calendar.  Photograph courtesy of Tom Salmon. [19] Date of birth from Death Index. [20] Addresses taken from the Electoral Rolls for St Pancras. [21] RA Attestation Record. [22] Date of death from the National Probate Calendar. [23] 1939 Register. [24] Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [25] Date of birth taken from Baptism Register for St Catherines Mission Church, Long Melford on 26.5.1898.  1939 Register however records his birth date as 25.3.1897. [26] Medal Roll [WO 329] and Medal Index Card [WO 372]. [27] Date of birth from the Baptism Register for Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford on 3.6.1883. [28] Militia Service Records 1806-1915 [WO 96]. [29] Date of birth from Admission Register 26.4.1897, St Catherines Infants School, Long Melford. [30] 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]. [31] Date of birth from Baptism Register 3.7.1885 for St Anne, Limehouse, London. [32] Electoral Roll. [33] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Medal Roll [WO 329], and Medal Index Card [WO 372]. [34] National Probate Calendar. [35] Date of birth from the 1939 Register for Long Melford. [36] For the Tribunal’s rulings see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 25.10.1916, 6.6.1917 and 24.4.1918. [37] Royal Hospital, Chelsea: Regimental Registers of Pensioners, 1713-1882 [WO 97/1523].  He was issued with the Indian Mutiny Medal. [38] National Probate Calendar. [39] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 7.9.1884, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [40] For details of 2^nd Suffolk’s movements see War Diaries [WO 95/1424/1 and WO 95/1437/1].  See also his Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].