A village with a big story
Selected Biographies
Pettit, Alfred Ernest – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 6.5.1899.[1] Parents: George Walter Abraham Pettit (Shepherd) and Amelia [née Rose]. Family Connections: Brother to George William Pettit [b1893] and Arthur Pettit [b1896]. Home: Duntons Cottages, Bridge Street, Long Melford (1901), Thwaites, Great Yaxham, Suffolk (1911), Rose Cottage, Bradfield Combust, Suffolk [1919], 9 Stockland Road, Romford, Essex (1939) to [1978]. Occupation: Milkman [1918], Refuse Disposal Man (1939). Married: Greta May Scott in 1929. Service Record: Alfred was conscripted on 6.6.1917 as Rfn.324979 with 6th [Reserve] Battalion, City of London Rifles, transferring in April 1918 as Rfn.50070 to 16th [Service] Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps [Church Lads Brigade] and posted to France as part of 100th Brigade, 33rd Division. His battalion saw action at the Battles of the Hindenburg Line in September and October of 1918, returning to England in January 1919 and receiving his discharge in March 1920.[2] During the Second World War he was engaged full-time with the Air Raid Precaution Service in Romford.[3] Died: Romford, Essex on 1.8.1978.[4]
Pettit, Archibald Edwin – Born: Pentlow, Essex on 14.9.1896.[5] Parents: Alexander Edgar Pettit (Miller) and Alice [née Turner], both from Long Melford. Family Connections: Brother-in-law of Ernest Gordon Harvey [b1886]. Home: 2 Pentlow Mill Cottages, Pentlow, Essex (1901), The Mill, Pentlow (1911 to 1921), 30 Upper East Street, Sudbury, Suffolk (1939) to [1943]. Occupation: Harness Maker to John Thompson [Saddler] of Cavendish, Suffolk [1915], Saddler, Harness Maker and Proprietor in East Street, Sudbury (1921 to 1939). Married: Joyce Nellie White in 1929. Service Record: Archibald enlisted on 21.6.1915 as Spr.103756 with 74th Field Company, Royal Engineers, part of 15th [Scottish] Division, being posted to the Western Front from 23.8.1915, later transferring to 56th Field Company RE, under the command of 3rd Division. Both units saw action during the Somme Offensive of 1916. He received his discharge in March 1919, however between 1928 and 1929 he served as Pte.778791 with the Royal Artillery.[6] Died: Sudbury, Suffolk on 23.5.1943.[7]
Pettit, Arthur – Born: Boxted, Suffolk on 29.11.1896.[8] Parents: George Walter Abraham Pettit (Shepherd) and Amelia [née Rose]. Family Connections: Brother to George William Pettit [b1893] and Alfred Ernest Pettit of Long Melford [b1899]. Home: Dunton’s Cottages, Bridge Street, Long Melford (1901), Thwaites, Great Yaxham, Suffolk (1911), Rose Cottage, Cockfield, Suffolk [1914] to (1921), 46 Kelly Road, Ipswich, Suffolk (1939). Occupation: Agricultural Labourer [1914] to (1939). Service Record: Arthur enlisted on 23.9.1914 as Pte. M/1763, later Dvr. S4/111154 with 257th [Mechanical Transport] Company, 19th Divisional Supply Column, Army Service Corps. He was posted to France from July 1915 to January 1918, seeing action during the Somme Offensive of 1916. On 21.9.1917 he was transferred as Pte.42549 to 1/1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers experiencing the muddy horror of Passchendaele, then on 13.2.1918 to 3rd [Reserve] Battalion, Inniskilling’s, stationed at Oswestry in Shropshire. He was listed as a deserter on 28.6.1918, although by 29.8.1918 he was recorded as serving as Pte.645213 with 431st Agricultural Company, Labour Corps. He received his discharge in March 1919.[9] During the Second World War he was a member of the Air Raid Precaution Decontamination Squad in Ipswich.[10] Died: Ipswich, Suffolk in 1959.
Pettit, David William – Born: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1892. Parents: Robert Pettit (Millwright) and Anna [née Baldwin]. Home: 26 Station Road, Sudbury, Suffolk (1901), Hill View House, Clarence Road, Sudbury (1911). Occupation: Auctioneer’s Clerk (1911). Service Record: David was a member of 5th Battalion [Territorials], Suffolk Regiment, moving in September 1914 as Sgt.2450 to ‘D’ Company, 1/5th Battalion. Suffolks. On 10.8.1915 his unit was posted to Gallipoli, as part of 153rd Brigade, 54th [East Anglian] Division. Within hours of landing his unit was moved forward into frontline trenches on the south face of a steep and rocky hill called Karakol Dagh. At dawn two days later the Suffolks and the three other untested battalions of 163rd Brigade were ordered to secure the heights to the east. Advancing nearly a mile through a hail of Turkish artillery and machine gun fire, by the end of the day the enemy had been held at bay and a secure forward defence line established. When David and the other Melford and Sudbury men were finally relieved by fresh troops after three gruelling days, they were found in a sorry state, having baked under the searing heat they had run desperately short of drinking water and been plagued by swarms of flies attracted by the dead and dying around them. When the Roll was called it was found that his unit alone had lost 186 men either dead or wounded with a further 150 laid low by dysentery.[11] Died: Sergeant Pettit died of his wounds on 8.10.1915 while in a front-line position called Norfolk Trench; he is buried in Alexandria [Chatby] Military and War Memorial Cemetery [grave ref: D.96], Alexandria, Egypt and commemorated on the War Memorial in Sudbury, Suffolk.[12]
Pettit, Edna ‘Molly’ – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 11.6.1919.[13] Parents: Frederick James Pettit (Bricklayer’s Labourer) [see below for military record] and Jessie [née Wheeler]. Family Connections: Niece of George John Pettit [b1868] and cousin of Leonard William Pettit [1908]. Home: Back Lane, Long Melford (1921), 2 Chestnut Terrace, Hall Street, Long Melford (1939). Occupation: Factory Hand (1939). Married: Andrew B. Morton in 1948. Service Record: Edna was a Voluntary Aid Detachment Nurse during the Second World War.[14]
Pettitt, Frederick James – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 17.7.1883.[15] Parents: George Pettitt (Bricklayer) and Letitia [née Ponder]. Family Connections: Brother to George John Pettitt [b1868] and Harry Pettit [b1877]; also, uncle of Leonard William Pettit [b1908]. Home: Station Road, Long Melford (1891 to 1901), Chestnut Terrace, Hall Street, Long Melford (1911), Back Lane, Long Melford (1921), 2 Chestnut Terrace, Hall Street, Long Melford (1939). Occupation: Shop Boy (1901), Bricklayer’s Labourer (1911 to 1939). Married: Jessie Wheeler in 1918. Service Record: Frederick was conscripted on 10.12.1915 as Pte.4878 with 5th [Reserve] Battalion, The Duke of Cambridge’s Own [Middlesex] Regiment, transferring on 19.6.1916 as Pte.60560 to 9th [Service] Battalion, Royal Fusiliers [City of London] Regiment and posted to France from 6.10.1916 as part of 36th Brigade, 12th [Eastern] Division. This battalion saw action during the Battles of the Somme in 1916 and the Arras Offensive in the following year. He returned to England at the end of November 1917, transferring to the Grenadier Guards as Gdmn.32438 from April 1918; first to 5th [Reserve] Battalion, then on 22.9.1918 to 4th Battalion, stationed with the General Headquarters Reserve on the Western Front. A month later he had been moved once more, this time to 2nd Battalion, Grenadiers, as part of 1st Guards Brigade, Guards Division. Only a week after joining his new unit, it was to fight its last action of the War at the Battle of the Sambre. Following the Armistice, it was ordered to cross the Rhine and take up station at Cologne. Guardsman Pettitt returned to England in February 1919, receiving his discharge in March 1920.[16] Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1967.
Pettitt, George John – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 24.1.1868.[17] Parents: George Pettitt (Bricklayer) and Letitia [née Ponder]. Family Connections: Brother to Harry Pettit [b1877] and Frederick James Pettitt [b1885]; also, father-n-law of Bertie James Jacobs [b1899], uncle of Leonard William Pettit [b1908], and brother-in-law of Harry Albert Gridley [b1871], Daniel Gridley [b1884], William Charles Gridley [b1887] and Archie Stephen Gridley [b1890]. Home: Hall Street, Long Melford (1871), Station Road, Long Melford (1881), Westgate Street, Long Melford (1901 and 1939). Occupation: Grocer’s Shop Boy (1881), Railway Navvy (1901), Maltster’s Labourer (1911), Bricklayer’s Labourer (1921), retired Scaffolder (1939). Married: Emma Gridley in 1897. Service Record: George enlisted in 1887 as Pte.2008 with 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, serving in Egypt and India before his discharge in 1899. It is not known if he saw service during the First World War as no extant record has been found.[18] Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1950.
Pettit, George William – Born: Boxted, Suffolk in 1893. Parents: George Walter Abraham Pettit (Shepherd) and Amelia [née Rose]. Family Connections: Brother to Arthur Pettit [b1896] and Alfred Ernest Pettit of Long Melford [b1899]. Home: Dunton’s Cottages, Long Melford (1901), Thwaites, Great Yaxham, Suffolk (1911), emigrated to Australia, living in Northcote, Bourke, Victoria [1919]. Occupation: Stockman on Farm (1911), Labourer [1916]. Married: Ivy Coral Carnell in 1920. Service Record: George enlisted on 31.1.1916 as Pte.5174 with 5th Battalion, 16th Rifles, Australian Imperial Force, posted to France from 15.8.1916 and transferred to 59th Australian Infantry Battalion as part of 15th Australian Brigade, 5th Australian Division. He received a shrapnel wound to his right foot on 18.8.1916 during the Battle of the Somme, and a gunshot wound to his groin on 2.9.1918 during the Second Battle of Bapaume. He returned to Australia in May 1919. Died: Victoria, Australia in 1976.[19]
Pettitt, Harry – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 26.4.1877.[20] Parents: George Pettitt (Bricklayer) and Letitia [née Ponder]. Family Connections: Brother to George John Pettit [b1868] and Frederick James Pettitt [b1885]; also, uncle of Leonard William Pettit [b1908]. Home: Station Road, Long Melford (1881 to 1901), Military Barracks in Egypt (1911). Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1891), Bricklayer (1901), Soldier (1911). Service Record: Harry enlisted in 1906 as Pte.7118 with 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment serving in Egypt in 1911. He transferred to 2nd Battalion, Suffolks and was posted to France from 15.8.1914, as part of 8th Brigade, 3rd Division. The Battalion was involved in the first action of the war when it met the full force of the German Army at the hill-top town of Mons in Belgium on 23.8.1914. Greatly outnumbered the British Expeditionary Force made a strategic withdrawal, fighting a rearguard action three days later at Le Cateau. The subsequent battle slowed down the enemy advance, allowing the bulk of the Allied army time to regroup further south. The Suffolks were in the thick of the action losing over 700 men killed, wounded, or taken prisoner.[21] Died: Private Pettitt was listed as missing presumed killed in action during the firestorm of 26.8.1914 and is commemorated on the La Ferté-sous-Jouarre Memorial, Seine-et-Marne, France, and on the Long Melford War Memorial.[22]
Pettit, Leonard William – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 15.2.1908.[23] Parents: Thomas George Pettit and Ada Ellen [née Crisell]. Family Connections: Nephew of George John Pettit [b1868], Harry Pettit [b1877] and Frederick James Pettit [b1885]; also, cousin of Edna Molly Pettit [b1919], and brother-in-law of Maurice Bertram Raymond [b1899]. Home: Station Road, Long Melford (1911 to 1921), The Green, Long Melford (1939). Occupation: Chauffeur (1939). Married: Dorothy Sarah Mason in 1939. Service Record: In 1939 Leonard is recorded as an Air Raid Precaution Section Leader and a member of the Red Cross. During the Second World War he 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.[24] Died: Boston, Lincolnshire on 5.11.1966.
Pettitt, Dr William Brackenridge [LRCP, MRCS] – Born: Wortley, Yorkshire in 1864. Parents: John Pettitt (Clerk in Holy Orders) and Margaret Jane [née Brackenridge]. Home: Green Hill, Wortley (1871), Spring Hill Academy, Whitby, Yorkshire (1881), Bradford Infirmary and Dispensary, Westgate, Bradford, Yorkshire (1891), The Elms, Little St Marys, Long Melford (1901) to [1918]. Occupation: Surgeon (1891), Physician and Surgeon (1901 and 1911).[25] Service Record: Dr Pettitt was a member of the Long Melford Volunteer Training Corps in 1915. In December of that year, he acted as a canvasser in the village recruiting drive and in October 1916 became the area chairman of the Suffolk Prisoners of War Relief Committee.[26] Died: Sudbury, Suffolk on 15.1.1918.[27]
Related Biographies
Harvey, Ernest Gordon – Born: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk on 2.4.1886.[28] Parents: Frederick George Harvey (Locomotive Engine Driver) and Louisa Jane [née Todd]. Family Connections: Brother-in-law of Archibald Edwin Pettit [b1896]. Home: 16 Short Brackland, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk [1886], 73 St Andrews Street, Bury St Edmunds (1891), 29 King Street, Sudbury, Suffolk (1901) to [1915], The Mill, Pentlow, Essex (1921), 30 Suffolk Road, Sudbury (1939). Occupation: Coconut Mat Maker (1901), Iron Moulder (1911), Insurance Agent for the Pearl Life Assurance Co. Ltd. [1915] to (1939). Married: Clara Hazel Pettit of Pentlow, Essex in 1915. Service Record: Ernest enlisted on 25.2.1915 as Pte. S/4/064753 with 133 Divisional Supply Company, Army Service Corps, posted to France from 19.9.1915 to 5.6.1919 as part of 26th Division, later to 6th [Line of Communication] Company with the rank of Corporal. He received his discharge in July 1919.[29] Died: Sudbury, Suffolk on 23.6.1966.
Jacobs, Bertie James – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 2.6.1899.[30] Parent: Minnie Jacobs. Family Connections: Son-in-law of George John Pettit [b1868] and nephew of Ernest Jacobs [b1878]. Home: Living with Henry and Sarah Jacobs (grandparents) at Cuckoo Tye Farm, Long Melford (1901), Kewland Hall, Henley, Ipswich, Suffolk (1911), Westgate Street, Long Melford (1921 to 1939). Occupation: Farm Labourer for the Flax Reduction Co of Glemsford (1921), Maltster’s Labourer (1939). Married: Edith Elsie Pettitt in 1920. Service Record: Bertie was conscripted on 20.2.1918 as Stoker No. K49565 with the Royal Navy, serving on the destroyer HMS Star from 25.5.1918 to 7.10.1918 on anti-submarine and counter-mining patrols off the river Humber. On 29.9.1918 his ship depth-charged and sank the German submarine UB-115. He continued his service after the War and was discharged in January 1920. Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1981.[31]
Mott, John Burton – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 30.7.1882.[32] Parents: Walter Edward Mott (Agricultural Labourer) and Ellen Ann [née Younger] (Horsehair Weaver). Family Connections: Father to Cyril John Mott [b1923]; also, brother of Sidney Mott [b1886] and uncle of George Stanley Mott [b1913]. Home: Bridge Street, Long Melford (1891 to 1921), School Meadow, Alpheton, Suffolk [1925], Bridge Street, Long Melford (1939).[33] Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1911), Horsekeeper for Mr Fisher of Bridge Street [1916], Agricultural Labourer for Mr Wilson of Rowhedge Farm (1921). Married: Elizabeth Jessie Pettitt in 1905. Service Record: John enlisted in 1902 as Pte.5683 with 3rd [Militia] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, purchasing his discharge the following year. At the Melford Military Service Tribunal in May 1916 his employer applied for his exemption, which was granted on the condition his situation remained unchanged. This does not appear to have been revoked and no definitive First World War record has been found. Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1944.[34]
Raymond, Maurice Bertram – Born: Bulmer, Essex on 26.9.1899.[35] Parents: James George Raymond (Agricultural Labourer) and Alice Maria [née King]. Family Connections: Brother-in-law of Leonard William Pettit of Long Melford [b1908]. Home: Kitchen Hill, Bulmer, Essex (1901 to 1921), 3 Constable Road, Sudbury (1939). Occupation: Baker [1917], Agricultural Labourer (1921), Engine Driver (1939). Married: Louisa Freda Pettit of Long Melford in 1926. Service Record: Maurice was conscripted on 1.2.1917 as Pte.6069 with 4th Battalion, Essex Regiment, transferring briefly as Pte. G49965 to 18th [Service] Battalion, Essex Regiment in August 1918, before moving as Pte.37123 to 11th [Service] Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment [1st South Devon] in September. By the month’s end he had been posted with his latest unit to Murmansk in North Russia as part of 236th Brigade, in an attempt by the Allies to support the White Russian struggle against the Bolshevik Red Army. Private Raymond was returned to England in the following January, his health much affected by the gruelling weather conditions. He was given the medical grade of B3 and discharged in March 1920.[36] Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1964.[37]
Notes – [1] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 29.6.1899, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. Death Index records his date of birth as 6.5.1899, whereas the 1939 Register for Romford, Essex records the year as 1889 [sic]. [2] For details of 16th King’s Royal Rifle Corps movements see War Diary [WO 95/2430/3]. See also his Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363] and Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329]. [3] 1939 Register. [4] Date of death from the National Probate Calendar. [5] 1939 Register. [6] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Medal Roll [WO 329], and Medal Index Card [WO 372]. [7] National Probate Calendar. [8] 1939 Register. [9] For details of 257th [MT] Company’s movements see War Diary [WO 95/892/1] and for 1/1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers see War Diaries [WO 95/2305/2 and WO 95/2510/1]. The medical report within Arthur’s Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363] gives an alternative enlistment date of 23.9.1914. See also his Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [10] 1939 Register. [11] For details of Sergeant Pettit’s time at the front see Capt. A. Fair and Capt. E. D. Wolton “The Suffolk Regiment”: the history of the 1/5th Battalion [London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1923], also his Medal Roll [WO 329]. [12] Commonwealth War Grave Commission record and British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 [ref: 195986]. [13] & [14] 1939 Register. [15] Date of birth from the Baptism Register of 29.9.1883 for Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford, however the 1939 Register records Frederick’s birthdate as 23.7.1885. [16] For details of 9th Royal Fusiliers movements see War Diary [WO 95/1857/2]. For Frederick’s final posting see 2nd Grenadiers War Diary [WO 95/1215/1] and for a forensic analysis on the Battle of the Sambre see the doctoral thesis by John Derek Clayton at the University of Birmingham – http://etheses.bham.ac.uk /6799/9/Clayton16PhD.pdf. 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]. [17] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 3.4.1870, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [18] Chelsea Hospital British Army Service Record [WO 97] up to 1899. [19] For his military record see National Archives of Australia [ref: B2455]. [20] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 7.7.1878, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [21] For details of the action see 2nd Suffolk’s War Diary [WO 95/1424/1] and Murphy, Lieutenant-Colonel C. C. R. The History of the Suffolk Regiment 1914-1927 [London: Hutchinson and Co, 1928], pp.31-38. See also his Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [22] Commonwealth War Graves Commission record and British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 file [ref: 417944]. [23] 1939 Register. [24] Published by Marten & Son, Ltd., of Market Hill, Sudbury, Suffolk in 1946. [25] Occupation taken from Kelly’s Directory for Suffolk 1916. [26] For Training Corps articles see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 10.3.1915 and 29.12.1915. Long Melford Parish Council Minute Book [Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk Record Office ref: EG501/1/3] and for Suffolk Prisoners of War Relief Committee see SEFP 4.10.1916. [27] Date of death from the National Probate Calendar. [28] 1939 Register. [29] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Medal Roll [WO 329], and Medal Index Card [WO 372]. [30] 1939 Register for Long Melford and confirmed by his Royal Navy Registers of Seaman’s Services [ADM 188/965]. [31] Royal Navy Registers of Seaman’s Services [ADM 188/965]; the Death Index records his birth year as 1898. See also his Medal and Award Rolls [ADM 171/106]. My thanks to Alan Simmonds of Sudbury for bringing these records to my attention. [32] Date of birth from the Baptism Register 3.8.1884, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [33] Recorded as Moat in 1891, and Mott in 1921 and 1939. [34] Recorded as John Moat [sic] on the UK Census for 1891. For the Tribunal’s ruling see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 10.5.1916. See also his Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363]. [35] 1939 Register. [36] Soldiers’ Documents and Pension Claims, First World War [WO 364] and Medal Roll [WO 329]. [37] Image courtesy of dibertz of Ipswich.
Genealogical Tables
