Selected Biographies

Sewell, Arthur George – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 29.11.1884.[1]  Parents: Charles Harris Sewell (Coconut Matting Manufacturer) and Charlotte [née Whittle].  Family Connections: Brother to William Charles Sewell [b1881], Maud Sewell [b1882], Edmund Sewell [b1887] and Margery Sewell [b1889]; also, brother-in-law of Ernest Ambrose [b1878] and Bertram Edward Clouting [b1880], and nephew of Robert Arthur Sewell [b1864], and cousin of Herbert Arthur Sewell [b1889], Frederick Sewell [b1893], Owen Charles Sewell [b1897] and Leonard Sewell [b1910].  Home: Hall Street, Long Melford (1891 to 1911), 10 Albert Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk [1919], Chemists Shop, Mildenhall, Suffolk (1939).  Occupation: Chemist’s Assistant (1911), Dispensing Chemist (1939).  Married: Gertrude Agnes Clouting in 1912 [see details below].  Service Record: Although no definitive military record has been found Arthur may have worked as a Red Cross volunteer during the First World War.  If this assumption is correct, then he served as an orderly from 31.8.1917 to 30.1.1919 transporting wounded at Bury Hospital.[2]  Died: Mildenhall, Suffolk on 30.9.1945.[3]

Sewell, Edmund – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 17.11.1887.[4]  Parents: Charles Harris Sewell (Coconut Matting Manufacturer) and Charlotte [née Whittle].  Family Connections: Brother to William Charles Sewell [b1881], Maud Sewell [b1882], Arthur George Sewell [b1884] and Margery Sewell [b1889]; also, brother-in-law of Ernest Ambrose [b1878], nephew of Robert Arthur Sewell [b1864], and cousin of Herbert Arthur Sewell [b1889], Frederick Sewell [b1893] and Owen Charles Sewell [b1897].  Home: Hall Street, Long Melford (1891 to 1911), Cocoa Nut House, Hall Street, Long Melford (1921), St Catherines Road, Long Melford (1939).  Occupation: Clerk and Joint Manager of his uncle George Whittle’s Coconut Matting Factory (1911 to 1921), Commercial Clerk and Rural Food Office Clerk (1939).  Service Record: Edmund was a member of the Long Melford Volunteer Training Corps in 1915. His uncle, Company Sergeant Major Robert Sewell came before the Melford Military Service Tribunal in March 1916 to ask for his nephew’s exemption from conscription.  This was initially granted for two months.  Another attempt was made by CSM Sewell, this time suggesting the substitution of Sergeant Ernest Ambrose [see elsewhere for his military details] who was a fellow clerk at Whittle’s Coconut Matting Factory and already serving at the Front.  As Sergeant Ambrose had agreed to remain when his period of service ended on 7.4.1916, the Tribunal confirmed that substitution be permitted.  Whether pressure was brought to bear on Sergeant Ambrose is unclear, he was however related by marriage, being the husband of Edmund’s elder sister Katie.  In May 1916 Robert Sewell was again before the Tribunal pleading for exemption on Edmund’s behalf.  A lot of the old ground was revisited at the end of which his certificate was renewed until the end of September.  In October the panel granted a further two months exemption, by January however the Tribunal had reconsidered its earlier decision and refused to allow any further exemption.[5]  Conscription should have followed shortly after; however, no definitive military record has been found.  Died: Long Melford, Suffolk in 1939.

Sewell, Frederick – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 5.2.1893.[6]  Parents: Robert Arthur Sewell (Clerk at George Whittle’s Coconut Matting Factory) and Mary Ann [née Ambrose].  Family Connections: Brother to Herbert Arthur Sewell [b1889], Owen Charles Sewell [b1897] and Leonard Sewell [b1910]; also, cousin of William Charles Sewell [b1881], Arthur George Sewell [b1884], Maud Sewell [b1882], Edmund Sewell [b1887] and Margery Sewell [b1889, and brother-in-law of Oliver James Prigg [b1875], Arthur William Prigg [b1880] and Clement Edward Prigg [b1883].  Home: Aurora House, Hall Street, Long Melford (1901 to 1939).  Occupation: Cycle Repairer (1911), Cycle Agent and Cycle and Motor Repairer (1921), Motor Engineer and Proprietor (1939).  Married: Edith Hester Prigg in 1915.  Service Record: Although no definitive military record can be found for Frederick serving in the Regular Army during the First World War, he was a member of the Band of 5^th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, first with ‘C’ Company [Volunteers] and then with ‘D’ Company [Territorials] from 1908 to 1914 and beyond.  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1959.

Sewell, Herbert Arthur – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 9.8.1889.[7]  Parents: Robert Arthur Sewell (Clerk, later Manager of Whittle’s Coconut Matting Factory in Long Melford) [see below for military details] and Mary Ann [née Ambrose].  Family Connections: Brother to Frederick Sewell [b1893], Owen Charles Sewell [b1897] and Leonard Sewell [b1910]; also, cousin of William Charles Sewell [b1881], Arthur George Sewell [b1884], Maud Sewell [b1882], Edmund Sewell [b1887] and Margery Sewell [b1889].  Home: Hall Street, Long Melford (1891 to 1911), Bridge View, Hall Street, Long Melford (1939), 11 Carters Mead, Harlow, Essex [1958].  Occupation: Great Eastern Railway Booking Clerk (1911), Brewer’s Clerk and Air Raid Warden (1939).  Married: Ethel Carter in 1914.  Service Record: Although no definitive military record has been found, Herbert may have been conscripted as Rfn. R/43049 with 11^th [Service] Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps.  If this assumption is correct then he was posted to France from 20.6.1918 to 7.7.1918, as part of 59^th Brigade, 20^th [Light] Division.  While serving on the Western Front, Rifleman Sewell was transferred as Rfn.474631 to 12^th [County of London] Battalion [The Rangers], London Regiment from 8.7.1918 to 5.2.1919 as part of 175^th Brigade, 58^th [2/1^st London] Division.  During the closing months of the War, 12^th London saw action at the Battles of Albert, Bapaume and Épehy, and the Final Advance in Artois.[8]  Died: Harlow, Essex on 18.11.1958.[9]

Sewell, Leonard – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 30.4.1910.[10]  Parents: Robert Arthur Sewell (Clerk, later Manager of Whittle’s Coconut Matting Factory in Long Melford) [see below for military details] and Mary Ann [née Ambrose].  Family Connections: Brother to Herbert Arthur Sewell [b1889], Frederick Sewell [b1893] and Owen Charles Sewell [b1897]; also, cousin of William Charles Sewell [b1881], Arthur George Sewell [b1884], Maud Sewell [b1882], Edmund Sewell [b1887] and Margery Sewell [b1889].  Home: Walnut Tree House, Hall St, LM (1911 to 1939).  Occupation: Solicitor’s Clerk (1939).  Service Record: Leonard 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.[11]  Died: Great Cornard, Suffolk on 8.6.1985 and is buried in Holy Trinity Churchyard in Long Melford.

Sewell, Margery ‘Madge’ – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 8.4.1889.[12]  Parents: Charles Harris Sewell (Tailor and Innkeeper of the Black Lion, later Coconut Mat Manufacturer in Long Melford) and Charlotte [née Whittle].  Family Connections: Sister of William Charles Sewell [b1881], Maud Sewell [b1882], Arthur George Sewell [b1884] and Edmond Sewell [b1887]; also, niece of Robert Arthur Sewell [b1864], cousin of Herbert Arthur Sewell [b1889], Frederick Sewell [b1893] and Owen Charles Sewell [b1897], and sister-in-law of Ernest Ambrose [b1878].  Home: Hall Street, Long Melford (1891 to 1911), Cocoa Nut House, Hall Street, Long Melford (1921), St Catherines Road, Long Melford (1939), 5 Westgate Terrace, Westgate Street, Long Melford [1971].  Service Record: Madge was a Nurse with the Voluntary Aid Detachment working at the Red Cross Hospital at Belle Vue in Sudbury during the First World War.[13]  Died: Long Melford, Suffolk on 7.12.1971.[14]

Sewell, Maud – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 21.6.1882.[15]  Parents: Charles Harris Sewell (Tailor and Innkeeper of the Black Lion, later Coconut Mat Manufacturer in Long Melford) and Charlotte [née Whittle].  Family Connections: Sister of Willie Charles Sewell [b1881], Arthur George Sewell [b1884], Edmund Sewell [b1887] and Margery Sewell [b1889]; also, the niece of Robert Arthur Sewell [b1864], cousin of Herbert Arthur Sewell [b1889], Frederick Sewell [b1893], Owen Charles Sewell [b1897] and Leonard Sewell [b1910], and sister-in-law of Ernest Ambrose [b1878].  Home: Hall Street, Long Melford (1891 to 1911), Cocoanut House, Hall Street, Long Melford (1921), St Catherines Road, Long Melford (1939), 5 Westgate Terrace, Westgate Street, Long Melford [1950].  Service Record: Maud was a volunteer with the British Red Cross Society from May 1915, working as a Voluntary Nurse at the Red Cross Hospital, at Belle Vue in Sudbury, Suffolk, continuing her service after the War.[16]  Died: Long Melford, Suffolk on 22.9.1950.[17]

Sewell, Owen Charles – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 6.2.1897.[18]  Parents: Robert Arthur Sewell (Clerk, later Manager of the Coconut Matting Factory in Long Melford) [see below for military details] and Mary Ann [née Ambrose].  Family Connections: Brother to Herbert Arthur Sewell [b1889], Frederick Sewell [b1893] and Leonard Sewell [b1910]; also, cousin of William Charles Sewell [b1881], Maud Sewell [b1882], Arthur George Sewell [b1884], Edmund Sewell [b1887] and Margery Sewell [b1889].  Home: Walnut Tree House, Hall Street, Long Melford (1901 and 1911).  Service Record: Owen enlisted as Private, later Cpl.GS/27407 with 6^th Platoon, ‘B’ Company, 7^th [Extra Reserve] Battalion, Royal Fusiliers [City of London] Regiment, part of 190^th Brigade, 63^rd [Royal Naval] Division, being posted to France from 23.7.1916 and seeing action during the Somme Offensive of 1916.  The following year the Battalion was in the front line during the Battle of Cambrai, being dug in along the snow-covered Welsh Ridge on 30.12.1917, when German troops wearing white camouflage launched a surprise attack.  Enemy troops quickly gained control of the crest, which was being defended by men from ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ Companies.  The attack happened with such speed that all the officers and most of the men from ‘D’ Company were taken prisoner.  Corporal Sewell is believed to have lost his life during this action; his body however was never identified.  Nearly 300 Fusiliers were killed or captured that day, depleting its numbers to such a degree that it was temporarily formed into a composite battalion with the neighbouring unit, 1/28^th [County of London] Battalion, London Regiment also known as the Artist’s Rifles.  The Artist’s Rifles had also lost a significant number during a counterattack that it had made in the afternoon.  At least five other Melford man were defending the Ridge on that day: Ernest Ambrose [b1878], Hubert Roy Barnes [b1898], Bertie Alfred Piper [b1893], Arthur Edward Whent [b1889], and George Henry Sansum [b1892] who was in the same battalion as Sewell and whose service number GS/27387 was probably issued on the same day.  Their stories are to be found elsewhere in this Roll.[19]  Died: Owen is presumed to have lost his life during the fierce defence of Welsh Ridge on 30.12.1917.  He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme [pier and face 8c, 9a and 16a], Somme, France and on the Long Melford War Memorial.[20]

Sewell, Robert Arthur – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk in 1864.  Parents: Charles Sewell of Preston St Mary, Suffolk (Master Tailor & Hatter, latterly Innkeeper of The Black Lion in Long Melford) and Susannah [née Lee].  Family Connections: Father to Herbert Arthur Sewell [b1889], Frederick Sewell [b1893], Owen Charles Sewell [b1897] and Leonard Sewell [b1910]; also, uncle of Willie Charles Sewell [b1881], Maud Sewell [b1882], Arthur George Sewell [b1884], Edmond Sewell [b1887] and Margery Sewell [b1889], brother-in-law of George Ambrose [b1873], Ralph Ambrose [b1874], James Ambrose [b1878] and Ernest Harold Ambrose [b1884].  Home: Black Lion Inn, The Green, Long Melford (1871 and 1881), Hall Street, Long Melford (1891 to 1911), Walnut Tree House, Hall Street, Long Melford [1916] to (1921).  Occupation: Manager of Whittle’s Coconut Matting Factory (1921).  Married: Mary Ann Ambrose in 1887.  Service Record: Robert was a member of ‘D’ Company, 2^nd [Volunteer] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment from 1885 to 1908, transferring as C/Sgt.9 to 5^th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment [Territorial].  When his battalion was mobilised on 5.8.1914 he transferred to 2/5^th Battalion, Suffolks, rising to the rank of Company Quartermaster Sergeant on 30.1.1915.  Upon the death of his brother Charles Harris Sewell in March 1915,[21] Robert was sent home on temporary leave to run the family matting business.  He was issued with a Silver War Badge and discharged from his regiment on 6.4.1916 becoming a member of the Long Melford Volunteer Training Corps.[22]  Died: Long Melford, Suffolk in 1936.

Sewell, William ‘Willie’ Charles – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 14.6.1881.[23]  Parents: Charles Harris Sewell (Coconut Matting Manufacturer) and Charlotte [née Whittle].  Family Connections: Brother to Maud Sewell [b1882], Arthur George Sewell [b1884], Edmund Sewell [b1887] and Margery Sewell [b1889]; also, brother-in-law of Ernest Ambrose [b1878], nephew of Robert Arthur Sewell [b1864], and cousin of Herbert Arthur Sewell [b1889], Frederick Sewell [b1893], Owen Charles Sewell [b1897] and Leonard Sewell [b1910].  Home: Black Lion Inn, The Green, Long Melford (1871 and 1881), Hall Street, Long Melford (1891 and 1901).  Occupation: Manufacturer’s Clerk at his father’s Coconut Matting Factory (1901) to [1916], Civil Servant [1950].  Married: Doris Green in 1933.  Service Record: In 1902 Willie was a member of Cycle Company, 2^nd [Volunteer] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.  He attested on 29.2.1915 as Pte.201591 with 1/5^th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, was posted to India for two years, then to Mesopotamia from 1.10.1918 to 19.9.1919, as part of 55^th Indian Brigade, 18^th Indian Division.  He received his discharge in November 1919.[24]  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1959.

Related Biographies

Ambrose, Ernest – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 17.1.1878.[25]  Parents: John Ambrose (Foreman in Coconut Matting Factory) and Hannah [née Hubbard] (Laundress).  Family Connections: Brother to George Ambrose [b1879] and John Ambrose [b1882]; also, brother-in-law of William Charles Sewell [b1881], Maud Sewell [b1882], Arthur George Sewell [b1884], Edmund Sewell [b1887], Margery Sewell [b1889] and Bernard Esmond Thomas [b1889].  Home: The Green, Long Melford (1881), Church Walk/Row, Long Melford (1891 and 1901), 5 Westgate Terrace, Long Melford (1911 to 1939), 58^A Friar Street, Sudbury, Suffolk [1975].  Occupation: Clerk at Whittle’s Coconut Matting Factory in Long Melford (1901 and 1911), Photographic Supplies Dealer [1937], Estate Agent (1939); also, the author of Melford Memories [1972].  Married: Katie Sewell Whittle in 1909 [d1948] and Emily Rebecca Andrews in 1950.  Service Record: Ernest joined ‘D’ Company, 2^nd [Volunteer] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment in 1895, transferring in 1908 as Sgt.139 to 5^th Battalion, Suffolks [Territorial].  He served during the First World War as Company Quartermaster Sergeant N^o. 139 initially with 3/5^th Battalion, Suffolks, transferring on 1.9.1916 to 4^th [Reserve] Battalion, Suffolks and later moving to 1/1^st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment.  Ernest Ambrose was posted to France from 2.11.1917 transferring shortly after as CQMS.205898 to 4^th [Extra Reserve] Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, as part of 190^th Brigade, 63^rd [Royal Naval] Division at that time billeted in the town of Poperinghe near Ypres.  The Battalion did not move close to the battle zone until 16.12.1917 when it occupied support trenches on Highland Ridge, holding ground won in the previous month, during the Battle of Cambrai.  The actual front-line ran along the crest of Welsh Ridge, a parallel feature a mile further east; even at this distance, three men had been killed and ten wounded in their ten days on duty.  By Christmas a cold snap had taken hold of the battlefield, lasting to the end of the month, with six inches of snow falling on Boxing Day alone.  At 6:30 on the morning of 30.12.1917 the Germans pounded the Division’s position on the snow-covered crest of Welsh Ridge with a short burst of well-aimed artillery fire, over-running the trench as soon as the barrage lifted.  The Machine Gun Company of 190^th Brigade was already manning the reverse slope of the Ridge as Ernest’s unit was hastily moved up to strengthen the line and halt any further German advance.  At least five other Melford men were involved in the defence of Welsh Ridge: Hubert Roy Barnes [b1898], Bertie Alfred Piper [b1893], George Henry Sansum [b1892], Owen Charles Sewell [b1897] and Arthur Edward Whent [b1889].  Their stories are to be found elsewhere in this Roll.[26]   In March 1918 Ambrose’s medical status was reclassified as Bi, moving him from front-line combat to a series of units in the rear echelons.  He was transferred initially as CQMS.596326 to 951^st [Area Employment] Company, Labour Corps, transferring on 20.5.1918 to N^o. 2 Company, 17^th Garrison Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment.  During Ernest’s three months with this unit, it was mainly engaged in digging and repairing trenches interspersed with intense periods of training.  By the end of August, he had been moved yet again this time as CQMS.616148 to 187^th [Prisoner of War] Company, Labour Corps.  He remained in France until February 1919 receiving his discharge a week or later.  By the terms of his engagement however, he could have been discharged as early as April 1916.  His decision to stay on was as a personal favour to his wife’s brother Edmond Sewell [b1887], by acting as his substitute when Sewell received his notice of conscription in March 1916.[27]  We can never know if any pressure was brought to bear on Ernest Ambrose to act as Edmond’s substitute, although it should be noted that when the application was brought before the Melford Military Tribunal for consideration, it was Robert Sewell, Ernest’s boss at the Matting Factory, who took on the role of advocate for his nephew Edmond.  Died: Long Melford, Suffolk on 5.5.1975.[28]

Clouting, Gertrude Agnes – Born: Little Glemham, Suffolk in 1883.  Parents: Mark Clouting (Gardener) and Elizabeth Alice [née Cornish].  Family Connections: Sister to Bertram Edward Clouting [b1880]; also, sister-in-law of William Charles Sewell [b1881], Maud Sewell [b1882], Edmund Sewell [b1887] and Margery Sewell [b1889].  Home: Brook Street, Yoxford, Suffolk, (1891), 9 Long Row, Leiston, Suffolk (1901), Ipswich Nurses’ Home, 7 Lower Street, Ipswich, Suffolk [1907], The Green, Long Melford (1911).  Occupation: Certified Midwife and District Nurse (1911).  Married: Arthur George Sewell in 1912 [see above for details].  Service Record: Gertrude qualified as a Midwife in 1907.[29]  She enlisted on 1.1.1914 serving throughout the First World War as a Voluntary Aid Detachment Nurse until her discharge in December 1920.[30]  Died: Mildenhall, Suffolk in 1934.

Notes – [1] 1939 Register.  [2] British Red Cross Society Volunteers 1914-1918.  [3] National Probate Calendar.  [4] Baptism Register 8.2.1888, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford, Suffolk. [5] For Training Corps article see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 10.3.1915.  For the Tribunal’s rulings see SEFP 8.3.1916, 15.3.1916, 10.5.1916, 4.10.1916 and 10.1.1917.  [6] 1939 Register.  [7] Baptism Register 17.10.1889, St Catherines Mission Church, Long Melford, Suffolk. [8] The choice of this record is based on a photograph in the possession of Ian Sandham of Long Melford, showing Herbert in uniform wearing the cap badge of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps; I am grateful to Mr Sandham for bringing this photograph to my attention.  See also his Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  For details of 11^th KRRC and 12^th London’s movements on the Western Front see War Diaries [WO 95/2115/2] and [WO 95/3009/8]. [9] National Probate Calendar.  [10] 1939 Register.  [11] Published by Marten & Son, Ltd., of Market Hill, Sudbury, Suffolk in 1946.  [12] Baptism Register 19.7.1889, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [13] My thanks to Anne Grimshaw of Sudbury for the information on Madge’s role during the Great War.  [14] National Probate Calendar.  [15] Baptism Register 24.8.1882, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [16] British Red Cross Record Card. [17] National Probate Calendar.  [18] Baptism Register 17.3.1897, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford, Suffolk. [19] For details of 7^th Royal Fusiliers movements on the Western Front and particulars of the action on Welsh Ridge see War Diary [WO 95/3119/1].  The particulars of Owen’s platoon and company are taken from a record held by the International Committee of the Red Cross, and although there is a reference number [A32643] indicating a ledger page, no such entry appears to exist.  Also see his Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  For an impression of the conditions on the day of the assault see John Nash’s painting Over the Top at the Imperial War Museum in London.  [20] See also his Commonwealth War Graves Commission record, British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 file [ref: 839094] [records his unit as 2^nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, which is at variance with the accepted CWGC record]. [21] Charles Sewell died in Long Melford, Suffolk on 8.3.1915, see his entry in the National Probate Calendar.  [22] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Service Medal and Award Rolls, First World War, Silver War Badge [WO 329] record [ref: 165960] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  For Training Corps article see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 27.12.1916.  [23] Baptism Register 16.7.1881, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford, Suffolk.  [24] For details of 1/5^th East Surreys movements see War Diary [WO 95/5229/6-8].  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] all in the name of William Sewell.  [25] Date of birth from Baptism Register 7.4.1878, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford.  [26] For details of 4^th Bedford’s and 17^th Worcester’s movements see War Diaries [TNA – WO 95/3118/2] and [TNA – WO 95/2601/4].  For an impression of the conditions on the day of the assault on Welsh Ridge see John Nash’s painting Over the Top at the Imperial War Museum in London.  [27] For a first-hand account see Ernest Ambrose Melford Memories: Recollections of 94 Years [Long Melford Historical and Archaeological Society, reprinted 2013] pp.118-20.  See also his Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Medal Roll [WO 329], and Medal Index Card [WO 372].  [28] National Probate Calendar.  [29] The Midwives Roll 1910.  [30] [WO 399/7454] Military Nurses 1856-1994.  See also ‘The Late Mrs A.G. Sewell’ Newmarket Journal and Free Press 6.10.1934.