Selected Biographies

Whittle, Albert – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 20.5.1876.[1]  Parents: Thomas Whittle (Coconut Mat Maker) and Sarah Ann [née Hurrell] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Half-brother to George Thomas Hurrell [b1873]; also, brother-in-law of William James Sandford [b1888], Frederick Stewart Codling [b1884] and Arthur Elms [b1890].  Home: Back Meadow, Smaley Lane, Long Melford (1881), Hall Yard, Hall Street, Long Melford (1891), White Hart Inn, Little St Marys, Long Melford [1915].  Occupation: Coconut Mat Maker (1891), Carman [1915].  Service Record: Albert enlisted in 1893 as Pte.3608 with 1^st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, discharged in 1894.  He was conscripted enlisted again on 11.12.1915 as Pte.23580 with 3^rd [Reserve] Battalion, Suffolks, transferring on 20.6.1916 to 10^th [Home Service] Battalion, Suffolks, then on 1.9.1916 as Pte.TR/9/4567 to 26^th Training Reserve Battalion, receiving his discharge on 23.11.1916 as being unfit for duty due to his poor eyesight.[2]

Whittle, Albert Poulter – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 4.5.1896.[3]  Parents: Robert Thomas Whittle [also recorded as Robert Poulter] [Engine Driver] and Emma Maria [née Younger].  Family Connections: Brother to Thomas Harry Whittle [b1879], George Poulter Whittle [b1885] and Charles John Poulter Whittle [b1892].  Home: Recorded as Albert Poulter living at Hall Street, Long Melford (1901 and 1911), 115 Queens Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk (1939).  Occupation: Chemist’s Errand Boy (1911), Clerk [1928], Supervising Night Telephonist at the General Post Office Telephone Exchange (1939).  Married: Daisy Hilda Thompson in 1923.  Service Record: Albert served with the Royal Engineers and was posted to France from 1915 to 1916, transferring on 6.7.1918 as Pte.5002, promoted to Corporal and issued with a new number in 1917 as Cpl.201724 in 1/4^th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.  He re-enlisted in 1928 as Gnr.778959 in the Royal Artillery.[4]  Died: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk in 1977.

Whittle, Archie William – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 20.5.1891.[5]  Parents: James Robert Whittle of Long Melford (Coconut Mat Weaver) and Emma [née Prigg] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Brother to Walter Wallace Whittle [b1895] and Percy Harold Whittle [b1898].  Home: Liston Lane, Long Melford (1901), Little St Marys, Long Melford (1911), 64 South Primrose Hill, Chelmsford, Essex [1915], Lyston, 131 Writtle Road, Chelmsford, Essex (1939) to [1963].  Occupation: Cowman on Farm (1911), Ball Cutter [1915], Window Cleaner (1939).  Married: Ella Woodcraft Sparkes in 1922.  Service Record: Archie was attested on 31.11.1915 as Dvr.124351 with the Royal Field Artillery and posted to France from 24.11.1916 and transferring to ‘C’ Battery, CX Brigade, RFA as part of 25^th Division.  He saw action at the Battles of Messines and Pilckem in June and July 1917, the latter engagement being the opening salvo of the Third Battles of Ypres.  On 21.3.1918 the Germans opened their Spring Offensive, forcing British units to make fighting withdrawals miles to the rear.  Whittle’s Battery was no exception, fighting desperate rearguard actions for days on end.  It was during the confusion of the first day that Archie received a gunshot wound to his right arm, serious enough for him to be immediately repatriated to England.  He never returned to the Western Front and in November 1918 was issued with a Silver War Badge and discharged as ‘unfit for further service’.[6]  Died: Chelmsford, Essex on 7.9.1963.[7]

Whittle, Charles John Poulter – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 23.5.1892.[8]  Parents: Robert Thomas Whittle [also recorded as Robert Poulter] [Engine Driver] and Emma Maria [née Younger].  Family Connections: Brother to Thomas Harry Whittle [b1879], George Poulter Whittle [b1885] and Albert Poulter Whittle [b1896].  Home: Recorded as John Poulter of Hall Street, Long Melford (1891 and 1911), Hall Street, Long Melford [1915], York House, Colchester Road, White Colne, Essex (1939).  Occupation: Ostler at Hotel (1911), Motor Driver [1915], Gravel Pit Manager (1939).  Married: Stella Ivy Morton in 1921.  Service Record: Charles enlisted on 12.8.1914 as Dvr.MS/3373 with 66^th [Mechanical Transport] Company of N^o. 7 Ammunition Sub Park, Army Service Corps, being posted to France from 5.10.1914 as part of VI Corps.  On 5.7.1915 he was transferred to N^o. 8 Ammunition Sub Park as part of VIII Corps.  This latter unit was stationed on the Somme during the Offensive of 1916 and at the Second Battle of Arras in 1918 among others.  Driver Whittle returned to England in March 1919, receiving his discharge a month later.[9]  Died: Colchester, Essex in 1983.

Whittle, George – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk in 1879.  Parent: Thomas Whittle.  Home: Little St Marys, Long Melford [1903].  Occupation: Fitter [1903].  Service Record: George was a member of 2^nd [Volunteer] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment in the 1890s.  He enlisted in 1896 as Gnr.2917 with the Royal Garrison Artillery, re-enlisting in 1903 as Gnr.17232 with 84^th Company, RGA and posted to South Africa in 1905.  It is not known if he saw service during the First World War as no definitive record has been found.[10]

Whittle, George Poulter – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 16.9.1885.[11]  Parents: Robert Thomas Whittle [also recorded as Robert Poulter] [Engine Driver] and Emma Maria [née Younger].  Family Connections: Brother to Thomas Harry Whittle [b1879], Charles John Poulter Whittle [b1892] and Albert Poulter Whittle [b1896].  Home: Recorded as George Poulter in Hall Street, Long Melford (1891 and 1901), Servant at 40 Grosvenor Square, London (1911), Servant at 5 Ashley Place, London [1916] to (1939), 10 Upper Berkeley Street, Mayfair, London [1953].  Occupation: Grocer’s Assistant (1901), Footman (1911), Butler Valet [1916], Butler (1939).  Married: Henrietta Cairn M^cLellan in 1912.  Service Record: George was conscripted on 12.12.1916 as Gnr.198043 with VI Reserve Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, posted to France from 17.3.1918 to 24.5.1918 with XCVI Brigade Ammunition Column, RFA as part of 21^st Division.  During his brief time at the Front the German Spring Offensive was gaining momentum, forcing his unit into a series of defensive actions from 22.3.1918 to the end of April, namely: the Battles of Bailleul, First and Second Kemmel and the Battle of Scherpenberg.  On 26.5.1918 Gunner Whittle was transferred to 4^th Reserve Brigade, receiving his discharge in January 1919.[12]  Died: Westminster, London on 23.6.1953.[13]

Whittle, Herbert Tom – Born: Liston, Essex in 1889.  Parents: Edgar Charles Whittle of Long Melford (Rural Postman) and Ellen [née Smith].  Home: Church Cottage, Liston, Essex (1891 to 1911), 18 Ingate, Beccles, Suffolk [1964].  Occupation: Brewer’s Labourer (1911).  Married: Ethel Genevieve Dade in 1934.  Service Record: Despite being diagnosed with tuberculosis in the previous year, Herbert was considered fit enough by 1915 to be enlisted into the army.  He was attested as Pte.3726 with 5^th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, and issued with a new service number as Pte.241215 in 1917.  It is not known if he served overseas.[14]  Died: Beccles, Suffolk on 18.1.1964.[15]

Whittle, Percy Harold – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 14.3.1898.[16]  Parents: James Robert Whittle of Long Melford (Coconut Mat Weaver) and Emma [née Prigg] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Brother to Archie William Whittle [b1891] and Walter Wallace Whittle [b1895].  Home: Liston Lane, Long Melford (1901), Little St Marys, Long Melford (1911), Wents Estate Post Office, Sudbury, Suffolk (1939), 6 Humphry Road, Sudbury [1973].  Married: Phoebe Marguerite Stammers in 1935.  Occupation: General Stores and Sub-Postmaster (1939).  Service Record: Percy was a member of the Long Melford Volunteer Training Corps in 1915.  He was conscripted on 6.6.1916 as Pte.19996 with the Suffolk Regiment, transferring as Pte.605453 to Prisoner of War Company, Labour Corps and being posted to France from 29.3.1917.[17]  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk on 3.10.1973.[18]

Whittle, Thomas Harry – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 29.8.1879.[19]  Parents: Robert Thomas Whittle [also recorded as Robert Poulter] [Engine Driver] and Emma Maria [née Younger].  Family Connections: Brother to George Poulter Whittle [b1885], Charles John Poulter Whittle [b1892] and Albert Poulter Whittle [b1896].  Home: Smaley Lane, Long Melford (1881), recorded as Harry Poulter at Hall Street, Long Melford (1891), 103 Bicklow Road, Hammersmith, Middlesex [1908], 83 Bowker Street, Newton Heath, Manchester [1914], 7 Pearl Street, Rochdale Road, Manchester [1916].  Occupation: Labourer [1914].  Married: Minnie Isabella Bricknell in 1908 and Ann Margaret Blackman [widow] in 1914.  Service Record: Before the First World War Thomas was a member of 3^rd [Militia] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.  He attested on 15.9.1914 as Pte.3/9878 with 9^th [Service] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, transferring to 2^nd Suffolks and posted to France from 11.11.1914 to 27.4.1915 as part of 8^th Brigade, 3^rd Division.  On 28.4.1915 Thomas was transferred to 10^th [Reserve] Battalion, Suffolks based in Colchester, being discharged on 8.7.1916 as ‘no longer physically fit for War Service’ due to chronic myalgia.[20]

Whittle, Walter Wallace – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 4.12.1895.[21]  Parents: James Robert Whittle of Long Melford (Coconut Mat Weaver) and Emma [née Prigg] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Brother to Archie William Whittle [b1891] and Percy Harold Whittle [b1898].  Home: Liston Lane, Long Melford (1901), Little St Marys, Long Melford (1911), 108 Upper Bridge Road, Chelmsford, Essex (1939), 10 Widford Close, Chelmsford [1983].  Occupation: Ploughman and Milker for C. H. Westropp of Melford Place (1901) to [1917], Window Cleaner (1939).  Married: Margaret Edwards in 1929.  Service Record: At the Melford Military Service Tribunal in May 1916 Walter’s employer Charles Westropp applied for his exemption.  He argued that it was difficult to get men for this class of work, but said he had some women being taught milking.  The outcome is not recorded, however in October exemption was refused.  In March 1917 a further application was made by Westropp but was then withdrawn.  Walter was conscripted as Pte.202713 with 4^th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.  It is not recorded if he served overseas, however this is highly likely as 1/4^th Suffolks was stationed near Ypres in Belgium from September 1917 as part of 98^th Brigade, 33^rd Division; the 2/4^th and 3/4^th Battalions had either been disbanded or amalgamated with other units by this time.  If the assumption that Walter was posted to 1/4^th Suffolks is correct, then he would have seen action during the Third Battles of Ypres in September 1917 and at the Battle of the Lys in the following April.[22]  Died: Chelmsford, Essex on 17.7.1983.[23]

Whittle, Will – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk 26.9.1894.[24]  Parents: Albert Whittle (Tailor) and Emma Amelia [née Mitchell] (Horsehair Weaver).  Home: Westgate Street/Lane, Long Melford (1901 to 1939).  Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1911 to 1939).  Married: Alice Maud Butcher in 1920.  Service Record: Although no definitive military record has been found, Will is mentioned in a letter home from Hayward George Miller Bixby [b1897] as being ‘further back on guard’, suggesting he is serving on the Western Front and may even be a member of Bixby’s own unit, 1^st Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps.[25]  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1962.

Related Biographies

Ambrose, Ernest – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 17.1.1878.[26]  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], Edmond 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.[27]   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.[28]  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.[29]

Sandford, William James – Born: Belchamp Walter, Essex on 24.12.1888.[30]  Parents: William Sandford and Mary Ann [née Deal].  Family Connections: Brother-in-law of Albert Whittle [b1876].  Home: 2 Croft Cottages, Belchamp Walter, Essex (1891, 1901), Fern Lodge, Belchamp Walter (1911), 45 Lower Anchor Street, Chelmsford, Essex [1915], near the White Hart Inn, Little St Marys, Long Melford [1918], 16 Nursery Road, Chelmsford, Essex (1939), Hinton Wood, Moor Hall Lane, Danbury, Essex [1981].  Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1911), Driver for the Anglo-American Oil Company [1915], Electrical Engineer’s Progress Chaser (1939).  Married: Charlotte Whittle of Long Melford in 1915.  Service Record: William was conscripted on 10.12.1915 as Pte.18315 with 11^th [Service] Battalion, The Queen’s Own [Royal West Kent] Regiment, being posted to France from 6.9.1916 as part of 122^nd Brigade, 41^st Division.  During the September 11^th Royal West Kent’s saw action at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette and in October at the Battle of Transloy Ridge; both important phases of the Somme Offensive of 1916.  On 7.6.1917, the opening day of the Battle of Messines, Private Sandford received a gunshot wound to the forehead probably from hostile machine-gun fire as the Battalion left its start position at ‘Dammstrasse’ trench.  The injury led to the loss of his right eye.  On 4.10.1918 he was transferred as L/Cpl.160615 to 587^th [Home Service] Employment Company, Labour Corps, being issued with Silver War Badge and discharged in February 1919, due to the effect of wounds received.[31]  Died: Danbury, Essex on 23.7.1981.[32]

Notes – [1] Baptism Register 25.12.1876, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford.  [2] Chelsea Hospital British Army Service Record [WO 97] up to 1894 and Soldiers’ Documents and Pension Claims, First World War [WO 364].  [3] Baptism Register 6.9.1896, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [4] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329], Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372], and Royal Artillery Attestation Record.  [5] Baptism Register 4.10.1891, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [6] For details of 110^th Brigade’s movements see War Diary [WO 95/2233/3].  See also his Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Service Medal and Award Rolls, First World War, Silver War Badge [WO 329] record [ref: B41916], 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.  [8] 1939 Register for Halstead Rural District, Essex, and Death Index. [9] For details of N^o. 7 and N^o. 8 Ammunition Sub Park’s movements see War Diaries [WO 95/802/1-2] and [WO 95/833/3-6].  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].  [10] See his Chelsea Hospital British Army Service Record [WO 97] up to 1905.  [11] Baptism Register 6.12.1885, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [12] For details of the unit’s deployment in the Spring of 1918, see 21^st Division: Commander of the Royal Artillery’s War Diary [WO 95/2138/4].  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]. [13] National Probate Calendar.  [14] Herbert contracted tuberculosis on 5.11.1913 and 14.3.1914 see Tuberculosis Register of Notification from Medical Practitioners, Long Melford [Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk Record Office ref: EF501/4/23].  See also his Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [15] National Probate Calendar.  [16] Date of birth from Admission Register 10.9.1901, St Catherines Infants School, Long Melford.  The Death Index however gives his date of birth as 14.3.1899. [17] For Training Corps article see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 10.3.1915.  My thanks to Aubrey Whittle for bringing his father’s record 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]. [18] National Probate Calendar.  [19] Baptism Register 5.9.1880, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [20] For details of 2^nd Suffolk’s movements see 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.42-44 and 56-60.  Also see 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].  [21] Baptism Register 13.2.1896, St Catherines Mission Church, Long Melford. [22] For the Tribunal’s proceedings see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 17.5.1016, 25.10.1916 and 28.3.1917.  For details of 1/4^th Suffolk’s movements see War Diary [WO 95/2427/2] and Murphy, Lieutenant-Colonel C. C. R. The History of the Suffolk Regiment 1914-1927 [London: Hutchinson and Co, 1928], pp.225-32.  Also see his Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [23] National Probate Calendar.  [24] Baptism Register 17.4.1895, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford, however the birth date on the 1939 Register is recorded as 28.9.1894. [25] For evidence of a possible military career see article ‘From the Front’ Long Melford Parish Magazine, September 1916.  [26] Date of birth from Baptism Register 7.4.1878, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [27] 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.  [28] 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].  [29] National Probate Calendar.  [30] 1939 Register for Chelmsford, Essex, and Death Index. [31] For details of 11^th Royal West Kent’s movements around the time of William’s wounding see War Diary [WO 95/2634/4].  See also his Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Service Medal and Award Rolls, First World War, Silver War Badge [WO 329] record [ref: B186983], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [32] National Probate Calendar.