A village with a big story
Selected Biographies
Perry, Alfred Thomas – Born: Guildford, Surrey on 25.8.1892.[1] Parents: Robert James Perry of Long Melford, Suffolk (Sawyer) and Mary Ann [née Ede]. Home: 11 Pannells Terrace, Stoke, Guildford, Surrey (1901 to 1911). Occupation: Shop Porter (1911), Sailor [1911 to 1916]. Service Record: Alfred enlisted in 1911 as Stoker, later Leading Stoker No.13454 with the Royal Navy, serving on the Tribal-class destroyer HMS Amazon as part of the 6th Destroyer Flotilla covering the North Sea and English Channel.[2] Died: He was killed in action on board HMS Amazon on 27.10.1916 and is buried in St James Cemetery [grave ref: L.W.7.], Copt Hill, Dover, Kent.[3]
Perry, Edward Stephen – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 8.3.1871.[4] Parents: Stephen Perry (Sawyer) and Ann Maria [née Salter]. Family Connections: Uncle of John Stephen Perry [b1881] and Edward Thomas Perry [b1885]. Home: Smaley Lane, Long Melford (1871 and 1881), Morgan Villa, Station Road, Long Melford (1911) to [1951]. Occupation: Gardener (1911), Retired Temporary Postmen (1939). Married: Fanny Mary Rhodes in 1891. Service Record: Edward was a member of the Long Melford War Memorial Committee in 1919. Died: Sudbury, Suffolk on 24.10.1951.[5]
Perry, Edward Thomas – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 30.8.1885.[6] Parents: John Thomas Perry (Sawyer) and Eliza [née Howe] (Horsehair Weaver, latterly a Pork Butcher). Family Connections: Brother to John Stephen Perry [b1880]; also, nephew of Edward Stephen Perry [b1871] and brother-in-law of William Robert Pegg [b1882]. Home: St Catherines Road, Long Melford (1891), Hall Street, Long Melford (1901) to [1918]. Occupation: Agent’s Clerk (1901) Maltster’s and Miller’s Clerk to Frederick Branwhite and Sons [1917]. Service Record: At the Melford Military Service Tribunal in January 1917 Branwhite and Sons applied for Edward’s exemption from conscription. Conditional exemption was initially granted but was withdrawn two months later. His case was adjourned on no fewer than four occasions pending the results of a medical examination.[7] He was eventually conscripted as Pte.19335 with the Royal Army Pay Corps. Died: Edward died on 3.12.1918 of influenza at Hounslow Military Hospital during the Spanish Flu epidemic, and was buried in Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford on 10.12.1918 and commemorated on the village war memorial.[8]
Perry, George – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk 12.10.1884.[9] Parent: Adelaide Perry (Horsehair Weaver), married John Albon in 1896. Family Connections: Half-brother to Basil William Albon [b1899]; also, uncle of Leonard Arthur Perry [b1906]. Home: Chapel Green, Long Melford (1891), living with John Albon (stepfather) at St Catherines Road, Long Melford (1901 to 1911), Culmer Road, Streatham, London [1915] to (1939). Occupation: Builder’s Labourer (1901), Warehousemen [1915], General Labourer (1921 to 1939). Married: Daisy Woodward in 1914. Service Record: George was conscripted on 11.12.1915 as Pte.G3/13236 with 3rd [Reserve] Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, transferring in 1916 as Pte.201183 to ‘C’ Company 2/4th [Reserve] Battalion, The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, receiving his discharge in March 1920. Neither of his battalions served overseas.[10] Died: St James Hospital, Balham, London on 12.6.1955.[11]
Perry, John ‘Jack’ Stephen – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 16.4.1880.[12] Parents: John Thomas Perry (Sawyer) and Eliza [née Howe] (Horsehair Weaver, latterly a Pork Butcher). Family Connections: Brother to Edward Thomas Perry [b1885]; also, nephew of Edward Stephen Perry [b1871] and brother-in-law of William Robert Pegg [b1882]. Home: Smaley Lane, Long Melford (1881), St Catherines Road, Long Melford (1891), Perryville (house & shop), Hall Street, Long Melford (1901) to [1930]. Occupation: Box Maker (1901), Labourer at the London Docks (1911), Boot & Shoe Repairer employed by William Robert Pegg at Cobblers in Hall Street.[13] Sometime Bookies Runner for Mr Bell who ran the barbershop opposite Ruse the Butchers in Hall Street. Steward of the Long Melford Ex-Serviceman’s and Working Club from its opening until his death in 1930.[14] Service Record: Around the turn of the century John was a bugler in ‘C’ Company 2nd [Volunteer] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. At the Melford Military Service Tribunal in 1916 Jack Perry claimed he was medically unfit and had been declared so by a local doctor. The case was adjourned for him to go to the Suffolk Regiment’s Depot in Bury St Edmunds for further examination, whence he was classified as Bii and passed as fit. It was later reported in the local press that at the subsequent Tribunal Perry ‘could only hear questions when they were shouted at him by Mr Crossfield, seated alongside him’.[15] Despite his almost total lack of hearing, he was conscripted on 28.2.1916 as Pte.35068 with 9th [Service] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment and posted to France as part of 71st Brigade, 6th Division. While serving on the Western Front he was transferred to 2nd Battalion, Suffolks, at that time part of 76th Brigade, 3rd Division. Both Suffolk battalions saw action during the Somme Offensive of 1916. Private Perry was severely wounded in 1918, possibly during an assault on an enemy trench, losing part of his right arm. Jack attributed his survival to the swift action of a German soldier who applied a tourniquet to his shattered arm.[16] He was issued with a Silver War Badge and discharged in March 1919.[17] Died: Long Melford, Suffolk on 23.9.1930.[18]
Perry, Leonard Arthur – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 18.2.1906.[19] Parents: Alfred James Perry (Stillsman for Stafford Allen & Son) and Emma [née Turner]. Family Connections: Nephew of George Perry [b1884]. Home: Little St Marys, Long Melford (1911), St Catherines Road, Long Melford (1921). Occupation: Coconut Mat Finisher for George Whittle & Son (1921). Married: Norah H. Marsh in 1929. Service Record: During the Second World War Leonard was a member of the Local Defence Volunteers in Long Melford, being part of ‘H’ Company, 10th Battalion, Suffolk Home Guard when it was formed in August 1942. His name is recorded in the official tribute to the organization entitled The Lion Roared his Defiance, photographed in and around Long Melford in 1944.[20]
Perry, Maurice – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk in 1879. Parents: Maurice Perry (Sawyer) and Eliza [née Mills]. Family Connections: Brother to William Perry [b1881] and brother-in-law of Ronatto Riamo [b1891]. Home: 3 Hospital Yard, Sudbury, Suffolk (1891), 3 Laundry Gardens, Cross Street, Sudbury (1901), Cross Street, Sudbury (1911 to 1921), County Lunatic Asylum, St Audrys Hospital, Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk (1939). Occupation: Bricklayer’s Labourer (1901 and 1911), Coal Merchant’s Labourer [1915], Builder’s Labourer (1939). Married: Margaret Good [née Welham] in 1921. Service Record: Maurice was conscripted in 1916 as Pte.26609 with 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, part of 76th Brigade, 3rd Division. He was posted to France from 26.11.1916, receiving a gunshot wound to his neck on 11.4.1917, during his unit’s unsuccessful assault on the village of Guémappe, near Arras. Upon his recovery, in October 1917 he re-joined his battalion, being wounded for a second time on 23.4.1918, receiving gunshot wounds to his head and buttocks, while stationed near the village of Wancourt. This was a period of great turmoil all along the British front line as the Germans launched their Spring Offensive at St Quentin, forcing the Suffolks and dozens of other units to make a series of fighting withdrawals. Maurice returned to England for further treatment on 15.5.1918, not re-joining his unit in France until 8.9.1918. A lot had changed in his absence, rather than being on the back foot 2nd Suffolks were part of a general advance, which on 27.9.1918 saw Maurice and his comrades cross the Canal-du-Nord and seize the village of Flesquières, capturing a large number of prisoners and matériel. In the six weeks leading up to the Armistice in November, two further actions were fought at the Second Battle of Le Cateau and the Battle of Selle, before the Suffolks were moved to the relative safety of the Divisional reserve. Private Perry did not see England again until May, receiving his discharge in July 1919.[21] Died: St Audrys Hospital, Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk in 1943.
Perry, Percy – Born: Haverhill, Suffolk in 1892. Parents: Frederick Perry of Long Melford (Coconut Mat Maker) and Mary Ann [née Boggis] (Horsehair Drawer). Family Connections: Brother to William Ewart Perry [b1889]. Home: 12 Primrose Hill, Haverhill, Suffolk (1901 to 1911). Occupation: Horsehair Drawer (1911). Service Record: Percy enlisted as Pte.16669 with 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, posted to the Western Front from 1.4.1915 as part of 84th Brigade, 28th Division. During his brief time in the front line his unit saw action at Gravenstafel and St Julien, opening salvos of the Second Battle of Ypres.[22] Died: It was on the opening day of the latter battle on 24.4.1915 near Frezenberg, north of Ypres that Private Perry was killed in action. Although he has no known grave, he is commemorated both on the Menin Gate Memorial [panel 21], Ypres, Belgium and the War Memorial at Haverhill.[23]
Perry, William – Born: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1881. Parents: Maurice Perry (Sawyer) and Eliza [née Mills]. Family Connections: Brother to Maurice Perry of Long Melford [b1879]. Home: 3 Hospital Yard, Sudbury (1891), 3 Laundry Gardens, Cross Street, Sudbury (1901), 42 Cross Street, Sudbury (1911). Occupation: Bricklayer’s Labourer (1901), Brickmaker (1911). Service Record: William was conscripted as Pte.5139 with 4th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, posted to France and transferring as Pte.201951 to 1/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment as part of 35th Brigade, 12th [Eastern] Division from May 1918.[24] Died: Private Perry died of wounds on 17.7.1918 at Péronne and is buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery [grave ref: VII.C.19], Tincourt, Somme, France.[25]
Perry, William Ewart – Born: Haverhill, Suffolk in 1889. Parents: Frederick Perry of Long Melford (Coconut Mat Maker) and Mary Ann [née Boggis] (Horsehair Drawer). Family Connections: Brother to Percy Perry [b1892]. Home: 12 Primrose Hill, Haverhill, Suffolk (1891 to 1901), 352 Oxford Street, London (1911), 99 Alexandra Road, Horsey, Middlesex [1912], 33 Dagmar Road, Wood Green, Middlesex [1919]. Occupation: Shop Porter (1911), Tram Conductor [1912], Bricklayer [1915]. Married: Ethel Margaret Cook in 1912. Service Record: William enlisted on 22.5.1915 as Spr.100024 with 226th Field Company, Royal Engineers, being posted to the France as part of 34th Division from 3.7.1916, transferring to 208th Field Company before his discharged in 1919. Both companies saw action at the Somme in 1916 and during the Arras Offensive the following year.[26]
Related Biographies
Albon, Basil William – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 11.4.1899.[27] Parents: John Albon (Bricklayer’s Carman) and Adelaide [née Perry]. Family Connections: Half-brother to George Perry [b1886]. Home: St Catherines Road, Long Melford (1901 and 1911). Service Record: Basil was a member of the Long Melford Volunteer Training Corps in 1916.[28] He was conscripted as Pte.38165 of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, transferring as Pte.G/25861 with 10th [Service] Battalion [Battersea], The Queen’s [Royal West Surrey] Regiment, posted to France as part of 124th Brigade, 41st Division. In early April 1918 the Battalion moved into the Passchendaele sector of the front line, however by 16.4.1918 it had been forced to retire to Ypres due to pressure from advancing German troops. In the following days Basil’s unit came under repeated bombardment from mustard gas shells, killing and wounding thirty men.[29] Died: Basil died of his wounds on 22.4.1918, is buried in Haringhe [Bandaghem] Military Cemetery [grave ref: III.E.34], Poperinghe, Belgium and commemorated on the Long Melford War Memorial.[30]
Pegg, William Robert – Born: Great Waldingfield, Suffolk on 2.7.1882.[31] Parents: Peter Pegg (Groom) and Sarah Ann [née Cutcher] (Grocer). Family Connections: Brother to Harry Frederick Pegg of Long Melford [b1888]; also, brother-in-law of John Perry [b1881] and Edward Thomas Perry [b1885]. Home: St Catherines Road, Long Melford (1891 and 1901), Hall Street, Long Melford (1911) to [1958]. Occupation: Boot and Shoemaker for Francis Rice of Friars Street in Sudbury (1901 to 1911), Boot Repairer (1921 to 1939). Married: Ellen Perry of Long Melford in 1908. Service Record: Before 1914 William was a member of 5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment [Territorial] and a member of the Melford Silver Band.[32] At the Melford Military Service Tribunal in July 1916 he applied for exemption, which was granted on the condition he joined the Long Melford Volunteer Training Corps.[33] It is not known if Pegg’s certificate remained valid until the end of hostilities, however no definitive military record has been found to suggest otherwise. Died: Long Melford, Suffolk on 7.11.1958.[34]
Piamo, Ronatto – Born: Calabria, Italy on 12.4.1891.[35] Family Connections: Brother-in-law of Maurice Perry [b1879] and William Perry [b1881]. Home: Cross Street, Sudbury [1915] to (1939). Occupation: Traction Engine Driver [1915], Lorry Driver (1939). Married: Rose Lilian Perry in 1911. Service Record: Ronatto was conscripted on 24.6.1916 as Pte. M/378984 with 615 [Mechanical Transport] Local Auxiliary Company, Army Service Corps stationed in Dublin. He was issued with a Silver War Medal and discharged on 11.7.1918 as ‘no longer physically fit for War Service’ due to sickness.[36] Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1948. Image courtesy of Trevor Mitchell. Died:
Reeve, Horace Edgar – Born: Sudbury, Suffolk on 23.10.1899.[37] Parents: Herbert Reeve of Foxhall, Suffolk (Inspector of Police) and Harriet [née Rutherford]. Home: Queens Road, Sudbury, Suffolk (1901), Police Station, King Street, Sudbury (1911), Police Station, Lowestoft, Suffolk (1921), Police Station House, Mildenhall, Suffolk (1939), The Railway Tavern, Stoke-by-Clare, Suffolk [1956]. Occupation: Clerk [1917], Police Constable (1921), Police Sergeant (1939), Publican [1956]. Married: Doris Colley Perry of Long Melford in 1822. Service Record: Horace was conscripted on 29.11.1917 as Pte.557176 with 16th [County of London] Battalion [Queen’s Westminster Rifles], London Regiment, being transferred as Gdn.24031 to the Coldstream Guards on 18.4.1918 and joining the 3rd Battalion in France in late November of that year. He received his discharge in 1919.[38] Died: Stoke-by-Clare, Suffolk on 29.9.1956.[39]
Notes – [1] Date of birth taken from Alfred’s RN Record. [2] Royal Navy Registers of Seaman’s Services [ADM 188/893/13454]. [3] Commonwealth War Graves Commission record. [4] Date of birth from Baptism Register 2.4.1871, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [5] National Probate Calendar. [6] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 4.10.1885, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [7] For the Tribunal’s rulings see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 10.1.1917, 28.3.1917, 25.4.1917, 6.6.1917, 27.6.1917, 1.8.1917 and 12.9.1917. The author has seen a contemporary photograph showing Edward to be of a frail disposition requiring the aid of a walking stick to stand. [8] Commonwealth War Graves Commission record and British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 file [ref: 809212]. Burial Register 10.12.1918, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [9] 1939 Register. [10] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363]. [11] Date of death from the National Probate Calendar. Image courtesy of Robert Greenaway. [12] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 6.6.1880, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [13] Kelly’s Directory of 1916. [14] For information of his service to the Long Melford Ex-Service and Working Men’s Social Club see his obituary [publication and date unknown] held by the Long Melford Heritage Centre. [15] For the Tribunal’s rulings see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 29.3.1916, 5.4.1916 and 10.5.1916. [16] My thanks to Mike Brett of Long Melford for re-telling the story, oft told by John Perry himself, of his unlikely saviour on the battlefield. [17] For details of 9th Suffolk’s movements see War Diary [WO 95/1625/1] and for 2nd Suffolk’s see War Diary [WO 95/1437/1]. See also his Service Medal and Award Rolls, First World War, Silver War Badge [WO 329] record [ref: B220993], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [18] Date of death from the National Probate Calendar. [19] Date of birth from the Admission Register of 2.10.1908 for St Catherines Infants’ School, Long Melford. [20] Published by Marten & Son, Ltd., of Market Hill, Sudbury, Suffolk in 1946. [21] For details of 2nd Suffolk’s movements see War Diary [WO 95/1437/1], and for the actions where Perry received his injuries, and for his final days at the Front see Murphy, Lieutenant-Colonel C. C. R. The History of the Suffolk Regiment 1914-1927 [London: Hutchinson and Co, 1928], pp.220, 262-64 and 290-93. 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]. [22] For details of the during this period see Lieutenant-Colonel C. C. R. Murphy, The History of the Suffolk Regiment 1914-1927 [London: Hutchinson and Co, 1928] pp.66-68. See also his Medal Roll [WO 329]. [23] Commonwealth War Grave Commission record. [24] For details of 1/4th Suffolk’s movements see War Diary [WO 95/2427/2] and for 1/1st Cambridgeshire’s see War Diary [WO 95/1850/2]. See also his Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [25] Commonwealth War Graves Commission record and British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 file [ref: 921335]. [26] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Medal Roll [WO 329], and Medal Index Card [WO 372]. [27] Date of birth from Admission Register 1.4.1902, St Catherines Infants School, Long Melford. [28] For Training Corps article see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 27.12.1916. [29] For details of 10th Royal West Surrey’s movements in 1918 see War Diary [The National Archive – WO 95/2643/2]. See also his Medal Roll [WO 329] and Medal Index Card [WO 372]. [30] Commonwealth War Grave Commission record. [31] 1939 Register for Long Melford. [32] The assumption regarding William’s military career is based on a photograph showing him as a member of the Long Melford Silver Band in 1914, bearing the Suffolk Regiment cap badge. My thanks to the Band’s archivist Timothy Sepping of Sudbury for his help in identifying the Band’s members. [33] For the Tribunal’s ruling see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 26.7.1916. [34] National Probate Calendar. [35] 1939 Register. [36] Soldiers’ Documents and Pension Claims, First World War [WO 364], Silver War Badge [ref: 520577] and Medal Index Card [WO 372]. [37] 1939 Register. [38] First World War Pension Claims [WO 364]. [39] National Probate Calendar.
Genealogical Tables
