Selected Biographies

Suttle, Albert – Born: Glemsford, Suffolk on 9.3.1893.[1]  Parents: David Suttle (Coconut Mat Maker) and Susan [née Slater] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Brother to Wilfred John Suttle [b1898] and David Suttle [b1905].  Home: Egremont Street, Glemsford (1901 to 1911), 3 Colne Valley Road, Haverhill, Suffolk (1921), 123 Yeading Lane, Hayes, Middlesex (1939).  Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1911), Trainee Watch and Clock Maker for the Ministry of Labour (1921), Watch and Clock Repairer (1939).  Married: Lily May Nunn in 1921.  Service Record: Albert enlisted on 26.4.1915 as Rfn.3748 with 3/12^th [County of London] Battalion, London Regiment, transferring as Rfn.471161 on 7.3.1916, posted to France and joining 1/12^th Battalion [The Rangers], under the command of 56^th (1^st London) Division’s 168^th Brigade.  On 1.7.1916 Rifleman Suttle received a shrapnel wound to his right leg at the Battle of Albert, the opening day of the Somme Offensive.  Returning to England for treatment, by 14.7.1917 he was deemed unfit for further military service and was issued with a Silver War Badge and discharged.[2]  Died: Hillingdon, Middlesex on 9.3.1970.[3]

Suttle, Alfred ‘Jacob’ – Born: Hadleigh, Suffolk on 22.7.1892.[4]  Parents: George Suttle (Coconut Mat Maker) and Jessie [née Chatters].  Family Connections: Brother to Alfred Jacob Suttle [b1892] and Frederick Suttle [b1895]; also, brother-in-law of Charles William Maskell [b1878], William Arthur Dunnett [b1882], Arthur Charles Harvey [b1883] and James Samuel Holister [b1894].  Home: 151 Angel Street, Hadleigh, Suffolk (1901 to 1921), Falcon Inn, Benton Street, Hadleigh (1939), 86 Angel Street, Hadleigh [1978].  Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1911), Bricklayer’s Labourer (1921), Inn Keeper (1939).  Married: Felicia Mary Warren in 1927.  Service Record: Jacob enlisted on the same day in 1915 as his brother Charles.  As Pte.1270 with 1/5^th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment he was posted to Gallipoli on 10.8.1915 as part of 153^rd Brigade, 54^th (East Anglian) Division.   Within hours of landing his unit, which included his brothers Charles and Fred, and his brothers-in-law Charles Maskell and William Dunnett, 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 163^rd 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 Suttle and his comrades 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 the Suffolks alone had lost 186 men either dead or wounded with a further 150 laid low by dysentery.[5]  Following the failure of the Gallipoli Campaign in December, the Suffolks were evacuated to Egypt, tasked in 1916 with guarding the Suez Canal against anticipated incursions by the Ottoman Turks.  In 1917 Jacob was issued with a new regimental number as Pte.240099, taking part in the Palestine Campaign through to the end of hostilities in 1918, receiving his discharge in August 1919.[6]  Died: Hadleigh, Suffolk on 7.12.1978.[7]

Suttle, Ambrose – Born: Glemsford, Suffolk on 5.5.1882.[8]  Parents: James Suttle (Coconut Mat Maker) and Charlotte [née Copsey].  Family Connections: Cousin of Ambrose Suttle [b1882] and John William Suttle [b1902].  Home: Egremont Street, Glemsford (1891 to 1911).  Occupation: Factory Hand (1901), Agricultural Labourer (1911).  Service Record: Ambrose was conscripted as Pte.26454 with the Suffolk Regiment, posted to France and transferring as Pte.26709 to 14^th [Service] Battalion, Hampshire Regiment as part of 116^th Brigade, 39^th Division.  His unit saw action during the Somme Offensive at the Battles of Thiepval Ridge and Ancre Heights, it was at this latter battle, which had been rumbling on since the beginning of October, that Private Suttle fell.[9]  Died: Ambrose was listed as missing presumed killed on 7.11.1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial [pier and face 7C & 7B], Picardie, France, and the village War Memorial at Glemsford.[10]

Suttle, Ambrose – Born: Glemsford, Suffolk on 27.8.1892.[11]  Parents: John Suttle (Horseman) and Ellen Maria Copsey [née Ambrose].  Family Connections: Brother to John William Suttle [b1902] and cousin of Ambrose Suttle [b1882].  Home: Egremont Street, Glemsford (1901 to 1911), 42 Friars Street, Sudbury [1916].  Occupation: Maltster [1916].  Service Record: Ambrose was conscripted on 3.3.1916 as Pte.25099 with the Suffolk Regiment, posted to France on 16.6.1916 and transferring as Private, later L/Cpl.722974 to 1/24^th [County of London] Battalion [The Queen’s], London Regiment as part of 142^nd Brigade, 47^th (2^nd London) Division.  His unit was engaged at the Battles of Flers-Courcelette and the Transloy Rides in 1916 and at Messines and Cambrai the following year.  He was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry, which may have been earned during one of these later actions.[12]  Died: Ambrose was killed on 22.8.1918 at the Second Battle of Bapaume, is buried in Bray Hill Cemetery, Bray-sur-Somme, France, and commemorated on the War Memorial in Sudbury, Suffolk.[13]

Suttle, Charles Walter – Born: Hadleigh, Suffolk on 27.7.1891.[14]  Parents: George Suttle (Coconut Mat Maker) and Jessie [née Chatters].  Family Connections: Brother to Charles Walter Suttle [b1891] and Frederick Suttle [b1895]; also, brother-in-law of Charles William Maskell [b1878], William Arthur Dunnett [b1882], Arthur Charles Harvey [b1883] and James Samuel Holister [b1894].  Home: 151 Angel Street, Hadleigh, Suffolk (1891 to 1911), 113 Angel Street, Hadleigh (1921) to [1973].  Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1911), Coconut Mat Maker for Cook and Sons (1921 to 1939).  Married: Eva A. Skinner in 1919.  Service Record: Charles enlisted on the same day in 1915 as his brother Jacob.  As Pte.1269 with 1/5^th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment he was posted to Gallipoli on 10.8.1915, seeing action on Hill 60.[15]  Following the failure of the Campaign in December, their unit was evacuated to Egypt, tasked in 1916 with guarding the Suez Canal against anticipated incursions by the Ottoman Turks.  In 1917 Charles was issued with a new regimental number as Pte.240098, taking part in the Palestine Campaign through to the end of hostilities in 1918.  He received his discharge in June 1919.[16]  Died: Hadleigh, Suffolk on 2.9.1973.[17]

Suttle, David – Born: Glemsford, Suffolk on 20.1.1905.  Parents: David Suttle (Coconut Mat Maker) and Susan [née Slater] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Brother to Albert Suttle [b1893] and Wilfred John Suttle [b1898].  Home: Egremont Street, Glemsford (1911), New Road, Glemsford (1921), Lyston Gardens, Liston, Essex (1939).  Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1921), Ploughman (1939).  Married: Louisa Doris Cant in 1928.  Service Record: David was a member of the Local Defence Volunteers in Long Melford, being part of ‘H’ Company, 10^th 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.[18]   Died: Long Melford, Suffolk in 1989.

Suttle, Frederick – Born: Hadleigh, Suffolk on 25.1.1895.[19]  Parents: George Suttle (Coconut Mat Maker) and Jessie [née Chatters].  Family Connections: Brother to Charles Walter Suttle [b1891] and Alfred Jacob Suttle [b1892]; also, brother-in-law of Charles William Maskell [b1878], William Arthur Dunnett [b1882], Arthur Charles Harvey [b1883] and James Samuel Holister [b1894].  Home: 151 Angel Street, Hadleigh, Suffolk (1901 to 1911), 29 Gallows Hill, Hadleigh (1921), 97 George Street, Hadleigh (1939).  Occupation: Wheel Boy at the Coconut Mat Factory (1911), Coconut Mat Weaver for Price and Co (1921 to 1939).  Married: Elizabeth Grace Clarke in1915.  Service Record: Fred enlisted within days of his brothers Charles and Jacob.  As Pte.1295 with 1/5^th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment he was posted to Gallipoli on 10.8.1915, seeing action on Hill 60.[20]  Following the failure of the Gallipoli Campaign in December, Suttle’s unit was evacuated to Egypt, tasked in 1916 with guarding the Suez Canal against anticipated incursions by the Ottoman Turks.  In 1917 he was issued with a new regimental number as Pte.240104, taking part in the Palestine Campaign through to the end of hostilities in 1918, receiving his discharge in April 1919.[21]  Died:  Hadleigh, Suffolk in 1973.

Suttle, John William – Born: Glemsford, Suffolk on 28.8.1902.[22]  Parents: John Suttle (Horseman) and Ellen Maria Copsey [née Ambrose].  Family Connections: Brother to Ambrose Suttle [b1892] and cousin of Ambrose Suttle [b1882].  Home: 42 Friars Street, Sudbury (1911), 32 St Lawrence Avenue, Luton, Bedfordshire (1939) to [1973].  Occupation: Waiter [1920], Royal Navy Officer’s Steward (1921), Chemical Process Worker (1939).  Married: Mabel Emma Roper in 1929.  Service Record: John enlisted in June 1920 as L13351 with the Royal Navy, leaving the service in June 1925.[23]  Died: Luton, Bedfordshire on 10.2.1973.[24]

Suttle, Wilfred John – Born: Glemsford, Suffolk in 1898.  Parents: David Suttle (Coconut Mat Maker) and Susan [née Slater] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Brother to Albert Suttle [b1893] and David Suttle [b1905].  Home: Egremont Street, Glemsford (1911), New Road, Glemsford (1921).  Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1911), Stockman [1915], unemployed (1921).  Married: Ada Brown in 1924.  Service Record: Wilfred was conscripted on 11.12.1915 as Gnr.156828 with 44^th Reserve Battery, Royal Field Artillery.  Posted on 23.1.1917 to Salonika with 67^th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery as part of 10^th [Irish] Division, he returned to England in August 1919, receiving his discharge in three months later.[25]  Died: Essex in 1933.[26]

Related Biographies

Dunnett, William Arthur – Born: Woodbridge, Suffolk in 1882.  Parents: John William Dunnett (Blacksmith) and Julia [née Smy].  Family Connections: Brother-in-law of Charles Walter Suttle [b1891], Alfred Jacob Suttle [b1892] and Frederick Suttle [b1895].  Home: Theatre Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk (1891 to 1901), 87 Angel Street, Hadleigh, Suffolk (1911).  Occupation: Blacksmith (1911).  Married: Florence Kate Suttle of Glemsford, Suffolk in 1906.  Service Record: William enlisted as Pte.2221 with 1/5^th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, being posted to Gallipoli on 10.8.1915.[27]  Died: Private Dunnett was listed as missing presumed dead on 21.8.1915 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial at Çanakkale in Turkey and the War Memorial in Hadleigh, Suffolk.[28]

Harvey, Arthur Charles – Born: Hadleigh, Suffolk on 18.2.1883.[29]  Parents: Walter Harvey (Coconut Mat Maker) and Eliza [née Seager].  Family Connections: Brother-in-law of Charles Walter Suttle [b1891], Alfred Jacob Suttle [b1892] and Frederick Suttle [b1895].  Home: Benton Street, Hadleigh, Suffolk (1891), 78 Angel Street, Hadleigh (1911 to 1939).  Occupation: Straw Presser (1911), Builder’s Labourer (1921 to 1939).  Married: Margaret Suttle in 1908.  Service Record: Arthur was a member of 3^rd [Militia] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment before 1900.  In that year he enlisted as Pte. S/16891 with the Army Service Corps, obtaining his discharge in 1912.[30]  It is not known if he saw service during the First Word War as no definitive record has been found.   Died: Hadleigh, Suffolk in 1974.

Holister, James Samuel – Born: Islington, London on 21.7.1894.[31]  Parents: James Oliver Holister (French Polisher) and Emily [née Hambrook].  Family Connections: Brother-in-law of Charles Walter Suttle [b1891], Alfred Jacob Suttle [b1892] and Frederick Suttle [b1895].  Home: 46 Whistler Street, Drayton Park, Holloway, London (1901 to 1911), 40 Bride Street, Islington, London (1921), 4 Weston Green, Dagenham, Essex [1930 ER], 2 Spencer Road, Horsey, Middlesex (1939).  Occupation: Pianoforte Polisher (1911), French Polisher (1921 to 1939).  Married: Lorna Grace Suttle in 1920.  Service Record: James enlisted as Gnr.318164 with 1/1^st London Brigade [Heavy Battery], Royal Garrison Artillery, being later renumbered as Gnr.961836.  This unit was posted to France from March 1916.  In 1920 he re-enlisted as Farrier Staff Sergeant N^o.1662375 with the Royal Field Artillery Territorial Force, leaving 1928.[32]  During the Second World War he was a member of Hornsey N^o.2 Section of the Auxiliary Fire Service.[33]  Died: Gipping, Suffolk in 1979.

Maskell, Charles William – Born: Hadleigh, Suffolk on 24.2.1878.[34]  Parents: John Maskell (Maltster’s Labourer) and Eliza Emma [née Seager].  Family Connections: Brother-in-law of Charles Walter Suttle [b1891], Alfred Jacob Suttle [b1892] and Frederick Suttle [b1895].  Home: Angel Street, Hadleigh, Suffolk (1881 to 1921), 61 Aldham Road, Hadleigh, Suffolk (1939).  Occupation: Coconut Mat Maker for Cook and Sons (1901 to 1939).  Married: Susannah Suttle in 1899.  Service Record: Charles enlisted in 1915 as Pte.1552 with 1/5^th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, being posted to Gallipoli on 10.8.1915.[35] Following the failure of the Campaign in December, Maskell’s unit was evacuated to Egypt, tasked in 1916 with guarding the Suez Canal against anticipated incursions by the Ottoman Turks.  In 1917 Charles was issued with a new regimental number as Pte.240179, taking part in the Palestine Campaign through to the end of hostilities in 1918.[36]  Died: Hadleigh, Suffolk on 6.10.1950.[37]

Notes – [1] 1939 Register.  [2] WO 329 – Silver War Badge [ref: 212778], Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 [ref: 11/M/137321] and Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329].  [3] I am grateful to Rose Sillett for sharing this image.  [4] 1939 Register.  [5] For details of 1/5^th Suffolks movements see their War Diary [WO 95/4325] and Capt. A. Fair and Capt. E. D. Wolton “The Suffolk Regiment”: the history of the 1/5^th Battalion [London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1923].  [6] Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [7] National Probate Calendar.  I am grateful to christor31 for sharing this image.  [8] Baptism Register of 8.10.1882 for St Marys Church, Glemsford.  [9] Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329], Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372], and Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923.  [10] Commonwealth War Grave Commission record and British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 [ref:394498].  [11] Baptism Register of 15.2.1893 for St Marys Church, Glemsford.  [12] For notice of his Military Medal see Supplement to The London Gazette, 13.3.1918.  See also his Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363] and Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923.  [13] Commonwealth War Grave Commission record and British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 [ref:775235].  [14] 1939 Register.  [15] For an account of his first traumatic week in Gallipoli see his brother Jacob’s entry above.  [16] Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [17] National Probate Calendar.  [18] Published by Marten & Son, Ltd., of Market Hill, Sudbury, Suffolk in 1946.  [19] 1939 Register.  [20] For an account of his first traumatic week in Gallipoli see his brother Jacob’s entry above.  [21] Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [22] Date of birth from his RN Record and the 1939 Register.  [23] Royal Navy Registers of Seaman’s Services [ADM 188/1014].  [24] National Probate Calendar.  [25] 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] I am grateful to Rose Sillett for sharing this image.  [27] For an account of William’s traumatic first week in Gallipoli see his brother-in-law Jacob’s entry above.  [28] Commonwealth War Grave Commission record and British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 [ref: 327098].  [29] 1939 Register.  [30] Chelsea Hospital British Army Service Record [WO 97].  [31] 1939 Register.  [32] Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372] and Royal Artillery attestations 1883-1942.  [33] 1939 Register.  [34] 1939 Register.  [35] For an account of Maskell’s traumatic first week in Gallipoli see his brother-in-law Jacob’s entry above.  [36] Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [37] I am grateful to christor31 for sharing this image.