A village with a big story
Selected Biographies
Woodgate, Albert George – Born: Wood Green, Middlesex on 23.10.1913.[1] Parents: Albert Woodgate of Long Melford, Suffolk (Milkman on Farm) and Mary Ann [née Daniels]. Home: 178 High Road, Wood Green, Middx (1921) to [1944]. Occupation: Removal Contractor (1939). Service Record: Albert enlisted as Pte.231985, later promoted to Sergeant with the Royal Army Service Corps, being posted to India, and attached to the Indian Army Ordnance Corps. Died: He died on War Service on 7.6.1942 and is buried in Delhi War Cemetery [grave ref: 4.A.5].[2]
Woodgate, Alfred – Born: Acton, Suffolk in 1867. Parents: William Woodgate (Agricultural Labourer) and Sarah [née Twitchett]. Family Connections: Brother to Frederick Woodgate [b1864], Reuben Woodgate [b1869] and Arthur Woodgate [b1876]; also, stepfather of William Langham Downey [b1896] and uncle of Frederick Woodgate [b1880]. Home: Acton Green, Acton, Suffolk (1871 to 1911). Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1881), Horseman on Farm (1901), Agricultural Labourer (1911). Married: Rose Florence Downey of Long Melford in 1895. Service Record: Alfred enlisted at Long Melford in January 1887 as Gnr.59269 with the Royal Artillery, having previously served in 3rd [Militia] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. He was posted first to Singapore from 1887 to 1890, then to Malta for two years before returning to England at the end of 1891, received his discharge from the Artillery in 1899.[3] Died: Romford, Essex in 1951.
Woodgate, Alfred – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 12.7.1903.[4] Parents: Alfred Woodgate of Acton, Suffolk (Agricultural Labourer) and Minnie [née Byham] (Horsehair Weaver). Family Connections: Nephew of James Robert Woodgate [b1876] and Rufus George Woodgate [b1881]; also, cousin of Frederick James Woodgate [b1908]. Home: 15 Bull Lane, Long Melford (1911 to 1939). Occupation: Carter [1922], Bricklayer (1939). Married: May Alice Wright in 1927. Service Record: Alfred enlisted in 23.8.1922 as Pte.529622 of 10th Hussars, Royal Tank Corps, transferring on 24.11.1939 to the Royal Engineers [7th Home Defence Battalion] Essex Regiment.[5] Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1974.
Woodgate, Arthur – Born: Acton, Suffolk in 1876. Parents: William Woodgate (Agricultural Labourer) and Sarah [née Twitchett]. Family Connections: Brother to Frederick Woodgate [b1864], Alfred Woodgate [b1867] and Reuben Woodgate [b1869]; also, uncle of Frederick Woodgate [b1880]. Home: Acton Green, Acton, Suffolk (1881 to 1891). Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1891). Service Record: Arthur enlisted in March 1896 as Pte.4298 with 3rd [Militia] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, transferring to 1st Battalion, Suffolks in 1900 and posted to South Africa during the Second Anglo-Boer War.[6] Died: He died of enteric fever while on active service at Middleburg (now known as Mpumalanga) in South Africa on 24.3.1901.
Woodgate, Charles – Born: Acton, Suffolk on 18.4.1894.[7] Parents: Samuel George Woodgate (Agricultural Labourer) and Ellen M. [née Allen]. Family Connections: Nephew of Rufus George Woodgate [b1881] and Charles Robert Woodgate [b1877], also, cousin of Jack Woodgate [b1890] and Harry Woodgate [b1897]. Home: Acton Green, Acton, Suffolk (1901), Laxfield, Suffolk (1911), 18 Lydia Road, Erith, Kent (1939). Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1911), Machinist [1914], Cement Labourer (1939). Married: Daisy Annie Welch (widow) in 1919. Service Record: William enlisted on 6.8.1914 as Pte. T1370 with the East Anglian Transport and Supply Column, Army Service Corps, later renumbered as Pte.28277 and receiving his discharge on 19.11.1915.[8]
Woodgate, Charles Robert – Born: Acton, Suffolk in 1877. Parents: Robert Woodgate (Agricultural Labourer) and Charlotte [née Woodgate]. Family Connections: Uncle of Jack Woodgate [b1890], Harry Woodgate [b1896] and William Charles Woodgate [b1894]; also, brother-in-law of Rufus George Woodgate [b1881]. Home: Heath Road Cottages, Acton, Suffolk (1881), Acton Green, Acton, Suffolk (1891 and 1901), Acton Road, Acton, Suffolk (1911), 45 High Street, Long Melford (1921). Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1891 to 1911), Agricultural Labourer for George Coe of Lodge Farm, Long Melford [1916]. Married: Lizzie Howe of Long Melford in 1907. Service Record: At the Melford Military Tribunal in May 1916 George Coe, ‘desired to retain Charles Woodgate, the only man on his farm of military age’. The panel was sympathetic and granted his exemption on the condition his situation remained unchanged. In February 1917, the panel informed Woodgate that his exemption was now conditional on him becoming a member of the Long Melford Volunteer Training Corps.[9] Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1934.
Woodgate, Frederick – Born: Acton, Suffolk in 1864. Parents: William Woodgate (Agricultural Labourer) and Sarah [née Twitchett]. Family Connections: Brother to Alfred Woodgate [b1867], Reuben Woodgate [b1869] and Arthur Woodgate [b1876]; also, uncle of Frederick Woodgate [b1880]. Home: Acton Green, Acton, Suffolk (1871 to 1921). Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1881), Army Reserve (1891), Agricultural Labourer (1901 to 1921). Married: Harriet Amelia Boreham in 1897. Service Record: Frederick enlisted in October 1883 as Pte.685 with the Suffolk Regiment, transferring to 2nd Battalion in 1885 and posted to the East Indies until returning to England in July 1891, receiving his discharge in 1895.[10] Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1929.
Woodgate, Frederick – Born: Acton, Suffolk on 5.9.1880.[11] Parents: Robert Charles Woodgate (Agricultural Labourer) and Elizabeth [née Byham]. Family Connections: Father to James Bailey Woodgate [b1880]; also, nephew of Frederick Woodgate [b1864], Alfred Woodgate [b1867], Reuben Woodgate [b1869] and Arthur Woodgate [b1876], and brother-in-law of James Woodgate [b1869]. Home: Acton Green Cottages, Acton, Suffolk (1881), Spond, Acton (1891), Hangmans Green, Boxford, Suffolk (1901), The Green, Acton (1911), Post Office Mews, Acton (1921), 39 Maple Road, Deptford, London (1939). Occupation: Horseman on Farm (1901 to 1921), Agricultural Labourer (1939). Married: Maria Woodgate in 1900. Service Record: Frederick enlisted at Acton, Suffolk on 15.9.1914 as Pte.14290 with 9th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, during his medical assessment however, he was found to have hammer toes and was discharged three months later as ‘not likely to become an efficient soldier’.[12] Died: Dartford, Kent in 1965.
Woodgate, Frederick ‘Ted’ – Born: Acton, Suffolk in 1883. Parents: Edmund ‘Edward’ George Woodgate (Coconut Mat Maker) and Elizabeth [née Smith]. Home: Newmans Green, Acton, Suffolk (1891 to 1911). Occupation: Stockman (1901), Agricultural Labourer (1911). Service Record: Ted enlisted in 1915 as Pte.14287 with 9th [Service] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, posted to France on 31.8.1915 as part of 71st Brigade, 24th Division and later transferring as Pte.30436 to ‘D’ Company, 9th [Service] Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. He was severely wounded and captured by the Germans on 10.7.1918 at Montigny.[13] Died: Ted died of his injuries later that day and is buried in Marfaux British Cemetery [grave ref: I.G.2.], Marne, France and remembered on the memorial plaque in All Saints Church, Acton, Suffolk.[14]
Woodgate, Frederick Eustace – Born: Winkfield, Berkshire on 17.4.1887.[15] Parents: John Woodgate (Gardener) and Elizabeth [née Gardner]. Family Connections: Cousin of James Robert Woodgate [b1876] and Rufus George Woodgate [b1881]. Home: North Street, Winkfield, Berks (1891 to 1901), 3 Gordon Cottages, Oriental Road, Sunninghill, Berks (1911), Great Hall Cottages, Dockenfield, Surrey (1921), The Lea, Stockers Lane, Woking, Surrey (1939). Occupation: Errand Boy (1901), Insurance Agent (1911) to [1915], Gardener (1921 to 1939). Married: Amy Isabel Franklin in 1911. Service Record: Frederick enlisted in 1907 as a Steward No.366136 with the Royal Navy leaving in 1909.[16] On 14.5.1915 he volunteered as Rfn,13047 with the Kings Royal Rifle Corps, being posted to France from August 1915 to June 1917 then transferring as Pte.33320 to 6th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment serving as an officer’s batman in Mesopotamia from September 1917 until his discharge in March 1919. During the Second World War he served as a Lance Corporal in the Home Guard and later as Pte.1698647 with 474 Searchlight Battery, Royal Artillery.[17] Died: Surrey in 1973.
Woodgate, Frederick James – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 19.8.1908.[18] Parents: James Robert Woodgate of Acton, Suffolk (Agricultural Labourer) [see military details below] and Alice Isabella Potter [née Potter]. Family Connections: Nephew of Rufus George Woodgate [b1881] and cousin of Alfred Woodgate [b1903]. Home: Bull Lane, Long Melford (1911 to 1921), 2 Council House, High Street, Long Melford (1939). Occupation: Labourer [1927], Maltster’s Labourer (1939). Married: Ethel May Cook in 1940. Service Record: Frederick enlisted on 19.8.1927 as Gnr.776354 with the Royal Artillery, receiving his discharge on 18.8.1933.[19] Died: Sudbury, Suffolk 1971.
Woodgate, Harry – Born: Acton, Suffolk on 9.5.1896.[20] Parents: Harry Woodgate (Agricultural Labourer) and Ann Maria [née Howe] of Long Melford (Horsehair Weaver). Family Connections: Brother to Jack Woodgate [b1890] and nephew of Charles Robert Woodgate [b1877] and Rufus George Woodgate [b1881]; also, cousin of William Charles Woodgate [b1894], Thomas Howe [b1881] and William Edward Howe [b1892]. Home: Acton Green, Acton, Suffolk (1901 and 1911), 18 Lydia Road, Erith, Kent [1916]. Service Record: Harry was attested as Pte.23537 with 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, posted to France as part of 76th Brigade, 3rd Division.[21] Died: Private Woodgate was listed as missing presumed killed in action on 20.7.1916 at Longueval near Delville Wood when 2nd Suffolks pushed forward to relieve 1st South African Brigade that were in imminent danger of being wiped out. The South Africans managed to extricate themselves; the Suffolks however lost several hundred men from its leading companies, including Harry Woodgate. This attack was one of countless others that formed part of the wider Somme Offensive of 1916. The bravery of the Battalion did not go unrecorded at home, the special correspondent of The Times wrote the following, which was reprinted in the Suffolk and Essex Free Press: It is also now permissible to mention the gallantry of the Suffolks in the earlier operations in one of the larger woods where there has been most desperate fighting. Two companies of the Suffolks seem to have sacrificed themselves when it was necessary that the wood should be held at whatever cost, throwing themselves into it under conditions which meant practical obliteration. But they held the wood.[22] Harry is buried in London Cemetery and Extension [grave ref: 3.G.14], Longueval, Somme, France, and is commemorated on the Memorial Plaque in All Saints Church at Acton in Suffolk.[23]
Woodgate, Herbert – Born: Acton, Suffolk in 1865. Parents: James Woodgate (Agricultural Labourer) and Eliza [née Upton]. Family Connections: Father to Herbert George Woodgate [b1893] and brother of Walter William Woodgate [b1863]. Home: Newmans Green, Acton, Suffolk (1871), 30 Gregory Street, Sudbury, Suffolk (1881), Military Garrison, St Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands (1901), Royal Engineers Barracks, Brompton, Chatham, Kent (1911), 49 King Street, Gillingham, Kent (1921) to [1923]. Occupation: Soldier (1901), Army Officer’s Servant (1911), Overhaul and Repair of Torpedo’s and Paravanes in HM Dockyard Chatham (1921). Married: Christina Nunn in 1893. Service Record: Herbert enlisted in 1883 as Pte.496 with 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, posted to India from 1884 to 1890 before returning to England for his discharge in 1895. He appears to have re-enlisted as Pte.1755 with 2nd Battalion receiving his discharge from this unit in December 1907. Died: Gillingham, Kent on 3.5.1923.[24]
Woodgate, Herbert – Born: Acton, Suffolk on 7.6.1866.[25] Parent: Ann Woodgate. Family Connections: Father to Oliver Joe Woodgate [b1900]. Home: Cuckoo Tye Farm, Acton (1871), Ovens Green, Acton (1881 to 1891), 4 Milden Road, Brent Eleigh, Suffolk (1901), Park Farm Cottages, Saham Toney, Norfolk (1911 to 1921), Centre Cottage, Honingtoft, Norfolk (1939). Occupation: Agricultural Labourer [1883] to (1911). Married: Mary Jane Underwood in 1892. Service Record: Herbert enlisted in 1883 as Pte.496 with 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, having previously served in the regiment’s 3rd [Militia] Battalion. He was posted to India from 1884 to 1890 taking part in the Hazara Campaign of 1888. He received his discharge in November 1895.[26] Died: Norfolk in 1949.
Woodgate, Herbert George – Born: Sudbury, Suffolk on 3.8.1893.[27] Parents: Herbert Woodgate [see above for military details] and Christiana [née Nunn]. Family Connections: Nephew of Walter William Woodgate [b1863]. Home: Military Barracks, St Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands (1901), 35 Medcalfe Road, Enfield Lock, Middlesex (1911), 49 King Street, Gillingham, Kent (1921), 27 Elizabeth Street, Westminster (1939). Occupation: Boy Soldier (1911), Clothier and Tailor’s Dealer (1939). Married: Violet Julia Wright in 1928. Service Record: Herbert is recorded as a Boy Soldier No. A1260 with the Army Ordnance Corps in 1911. He served during the First World War as Staff Sergeant No.7578735 attached to 2nd Battalion, Nigeria Regiment. Although his Service Record has not survived, other evidence shows he was posted to the Cameroons from 1914 to 1916 as part of the West African Frontier Force before transferring to East Africa until 1918.[28] Died: Rochford, Essex in 1962.
Woodgate, Jack – Born: Acton, Suffolk in 1890. Parents: Harry Woodgate (Agricultural Labourer) and Ann Maria [née Howe] of Long Melford (Horsehair Weaver). Family Connections: Brother to Harry Woodgate [b1896] and nephew of Charles Robert Woodgate [b1877] and Rufus George Woodgate [b1881]; also, cousin of William Charles Woodgate [b1894], Thomas Howe [b1881] and William Edward Howe [b1892]. Home: Spond, Acton, Suffolk (1891), living with Robert Woodgate (grandfather) at Acton Green, Acton, Suffolk (1901 and 1911). Occupation: Horseman on Farm (1911). Service Record: Jack enlisted as Pte.14288 with 9th [Service] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment being posted to France from 31.8.1915 as part of 71st Brigade, 24th Division. In early August 1916 the Battalion was transferred from the Ypres Salient to the Somme Front. On 13.9.1916 9th Suffolks took part in a large-scale assault on the German stronghold known as the Quadrilateral, one of many such actions during the Somme Offensive of that year. Several attempts were made by the Suffolks to reach the objective across 400 yards of open ground; all were met with such a concentration of fire from the enemy positions that any progress proved impossible. Over 200 men were either killed or wounded in the first hour.[29] Died: Private Woodgate was listed as missing presumed killed in the action on 13.9.1916, is buried in Guillemont Road Cemetery [grave ref: X.H.10], Somme, France, and commemorated on the Memorial Plaque in All Saints Church at Acton in Suffolk.[30]
Woodgate, James – Born: Acton, Suffolk on 2.10.1869.[31] Parents: John Woodgate (Agricultural Labourer) and Louisa [née Hollop] of Preston St Mary, Suffolk. Family Connections: Nephew to Johnson William Woodgate [b1840] and brother-in-law of Frederick Woodgate [b1880]. Home: Acton Green, Acton, Suffolk (1871 to 1891), 45 East Street, Sudbury (1921 to 1939). Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1881 to 1891), Horseman for Allen and Boggis Coal Contractor (1921), Agricultural Labourer (1939). Married: Annie Violet Simpson in 1900. Service Record: James was a member of 3rd [Militia] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment before enlisting in December 1893 as Pte.3810 with 2nd Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, posted to South Africa in May 1896 where he was part of the Matabeleland Field Force, seeing action in Rhodesia, returning to England in 1897 and receiving his discharge two years later ‘having been found medically unfit for further service’.[32] Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1952.
Woodgate, James Bailey – Born: Acton, Suffolk on 7.9.1896.[33] Parents: Frederick Woodgate (Horseman on Farm) [see military details above] and Maria [née Woodgate]. Family Connections: Nephew to Frederick Woodgate [b1864], Alfred Woodgate [b1867], Reuben Woodgate [b1869] and Arthur Woodgate [b1876]. Home: Hangmans Green, Boxford, Suffolk (1901), Acton Green, Acton, Suffolk (1911), Post Office Row, Acton [1919], London County Mental Hospital, Dartford Heath, Dartford, Kent (1921), 4 Walton Road, Sidcup, Kent [1922], 39 Maple Road, Dartford (1939). Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1911), Indoor Servant [1914], Male Nurse at Bexley Mental Hospital [1919] to (1939). Married: Edith Abigail Potter [d1932] in 1921 and Stella Arnold in 1933. Service Record: James enlisted on 10.10.1914 as Gnr.47891 with 13th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He was posted first to the Western Front from 2.6.1915 to 4.11.1915 then transferred to 190th Heavy Battery and sent to Salonica from 25.11.1915 to 18.2.1919, receiving his discharge shortly after returning to England. In common with many of his compatriots he contracted malaria while serving in the Salonika Campaign.[34] Died: Gravesend, Kent in 1985.
Woodgate, James Robert – Born: Acton, Suffolk on 20.6.1876.[35] Parents: Charles Woodgate of Long Melford (Agricultural Labourer) and Harriett Anne [née Simpson]. Family Connections: Father to Frederick James Woodgate [b1908] and brother of Rufus George Woodgate [b1881]; also, uncle of Alfred Woodgate [b1903], cousin of Frederick Eustace Woodgate [b1887], and brother-in-law of Arthur Robert Potter [b1873]. Home: Acton Green Cottages, Acton, Suffolk (1881), Post Office Row, Acton (1891), Bull Lane, Long Melford (1901 and 1921), 2 Council Houses, High Street, Long Melford (1939). Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1901 to 1921), Incapacitated (1939). Married: Alice Isabella Potter of Long Melford in 1899. Service Record: James enlisted in April 1915 as Pte.16002 with 8th [Service] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, being posted to France from 25.7.1915 as part of 53rd Brigade, 18th [Eastern] Division. The Battalion fought in several major battles during the Somme Offensive of 1916; at Albert, Bezentin and Delville Wood. James Woodgate was later transferred as Pte.644767 to the Labour Corps and discharged in April 1919.[36] Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1960.
Woodgate, Johnson William – Born: Acton, Suffolk in 1840. Parents: William Woodgate (Agricultural Labourer) and Maria [née Baily]. Family Connections: Uncle to James Woodgate [b1869]. Home: Lavenham Road, Acton, Suffolk (1841), High Tree Cottage, Acton (1851). Married: Bridget Mooney in 1867. Service Record: Johnson enlisted in 1859 as Pte.266 with 31st [Huntingdonshire] Regiment of Foot; over the course of his career being posted to China where he saw action during the Second Opium War and the Taiping Rebellion between 1859 and 1864, then eight years on garrison duty on Malta and Gibraltar before his final posting to Ireland. He received his discharge in November 1877, due to ‘general debility, the result of old age and long service especially in tropical climes’. He was only 37 years of age on leaving the Army.[37] Died: Kilkenny, Ireland in 1914.
Woodgate, Oliver Joe – Born: Brent Eleigh, Suffolk on 24.9.1900.[38] Parents: Herbert Woodgate of Acton, Suffolk (Agricultural Labourer) [see above for military details] and Mary Jane [née Underwood]. Home: 4 Milden Road, Brent Eleigh, Suffolk (1901), Park Farm Cottages, Saham Toney, Norfolk (1911 to 1921), Centre Cottage, Honingtoft, Mitford, Norfolk (1939). Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1921 to 1939). Married: Bertha Hunter in 1921. Service Record: Oliver enlisted at Norwich in July 1919 as Pte.206678 with the Royal Army Medical Corps for a period of 7 years, he was however discharged only being found on medical examination to be blind in one eye.[39] Died: East Dereham, Norfolk in 1995.
Woodgate, Reuben – Born: Acton, Suffolk in 1869. Parents: William Woodgate (Agricultural Labourer) and Sarah [née Twitchett]. Family Connections: Brother to Frederick Woodgate [b1864], Alfred Woodgate [b1867] and Arthur Woodgate [b1876]; also, uncle of Frederick Woodgate [b1880]. Home: Acton Green, Acton, Suffolk (1871 to 1911). Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1881 to 1911). Service Record: Reuben enlisted in May 1898 as Pte.1789 with 3rd [Militia] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.[40] Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1914.
Woodgate, Rufus George – Born: Acton, Suffolk on 25.3.1881.[41] Parents: Charles Woodgate of Long Melford (Agricultural Labourer) and Harriett Anne [née Simpson]. Family Connections: Brother to James Robert Woodgate [b1876]; also, uncle of Frederick James Woodgate [b1908] and Alfred Woodgate [b1903], and brother-in-law of Charles Robert Woodgate [b1877]. Home: Acton Green Cottages, Acton, Suffolk (1881), Post Office Row, Acton (1891), Acton Green, Acton (1901), Folly Road, Great Waldingfield, Suffolk (1911 to 1921), Joes Road, Great Cornard, Suffolk (1939), 2 Hillside Cottages, Great Bentley, Essex [1951]. Occupation: Horseman on Farm (1901), Cowman on Farm (1911 to 1939). Married: Charlotte Woodgate in 1900. Service Record: Rufus enlisted as Pte.14463 with 9th [Service] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, posted to France from 31.8.1915 as part of 71st Brigade, 24th Division before moving to 6th Division later in the year. He was later transferred as Pte.41626 to 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, as part of 24th Brigade, 8th Division, both battalions seeing action during the Somme Offensive of 1916.[42] Died: St Osyth, Essex on 22.3.1951.[43]
Woodgate, Sydney William – Born: Acton, Suffolk on 12.6.1893.[44] Parents: William Henry Woodgate (Agricultural Labourer) and Ellen [née Bean]. Home: Newmans Green, Acton (1901 to 1911), High St, Acton (1939). Occupation: Under Gardener (1911), Tractor Driver (1939). Married: Lily Rose Bean in 1930. Service Record: Sydney enlisted on 8.9.1914 as Pte.14336 with 9th [Service] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, receiving his discharge only a month later.[45] Died: Walnut Tree Hospital, Sudbury, Suffolk on 15.4.1987.[46]
Woodgate, Walter William – Born: Acton, Suffolk in 1863. Parents: James Woodgate (Agricultural Labourer) and Eliza [née Upton]. Family Connections: Brother to Herbert Woodgate [b1865] and uncle of Herbert George Woodgate [b1893]. Home: Newmans Green, Acton, Suffolk (1871), 30 Gregory Street, Sudbury (1881), 1 Playles Yard, Cross Street, Sudbury (1891), Military Barracks, St Peter Port, Guernsey (1901). Occupation: Stone Breaker (1881), Agricultural Labourer (1891). Service Record: Walter is recorded as a Private with 3rd [Militia] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment in 1901. Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1912.
Related Biography
Downey, William Langham – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 7.5.1896.[47] Parents: Rose Florence Downey (Horsehair Weaver) and Thomas Langham (Hardware Salesman). Family Connections: Stepson of Alfred Woodgate [b1867]. Home: Recorded as William Langham Woodgate in Swan Lane, Long Melford (1901), Girling Villa, Girling Street, Sudbury, Suffolk (1911), Gladwin Villas, Suffolk Road, Sudbury [1915], recorded as William Lorraine Downey at 9 Mount Place, Sudbury and at 4 Edwards Road, Belvedere, Kent [1919]. Occupation: Porter [1915]. Married: Kathleen Harriett Reynolds in 1917. Service Record: William enlisted on 29.6.1915 as AB. Z/2443 with the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve. On 25.10.1915 he was posted to 7th [Hood] Battalion, with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, transferring on 25.9.1916 to 8th [Anson] Battalion as part of 63rd Royal Navy Division in France.[48] During his time on the Western Front, he received a shrapnel wound to back of his right knee, the issuing of a Silver War Badge and his early discharge on 27.5.1917 was due however to epileptic episodes. Notwithstanding his recent discharge, he re-enlisted in May 1919 as Pte.696627 with ‘H’ Company, London District Labour Corps, being discharged as ‘no longer physically fit’ five months later.[49] Died: Braintree, Essex in 1975.
Notes – [1] 1939 Register. [2] Commonwealth War Graves Commission. [3] Chelsea Hospital British Army Service Record [WO 97]. [4] 1939 Register. [5] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363]. [6] [Wo 96] – Militia Service Records 1806-1915. [7] 1939 Register. [8] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363]. [9] For details of the Tribunal rulings see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 17.5.1916 and 28.2.1917. [10] Chelsea Hospital British Army Service Record [WO 97]. [11] 1939 Register. [12] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363]. [13] 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 [ref: 11/Pp/6122/D/22]. Also see his POW record on the International Committee of the Red Cross website [ref: PA.33991]. [14] Commonwealth War Grave Commission record and British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 [ref: 820980]. [15] 1939 Register. [16] Royal Navy Registers of Seaman’s Services [ADM 188/559]. [17] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923, Royal Artillery Tracer Cards, 1939-1948. [18] 1939 Register. [19] Royal Artillery Tracer Cards, 1939-1948. [20] Date of birth from Admission Register 18.9.1899, Acton Primary School, Acton, Suffolk. [21] Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [22] For more detail of the action see 2nd Suffolk’s War Diary [WO 95/1437/1] and Murphy, Lieutenant-Colonel C. C. R. The History of the Suffolk Regiment 1914-1927 [London: Hutchinson and Co, 1928], pp.182-84. For the reprinted Times article, The Clearing of Delville. Suffolks’ Sacrifice, see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 2.8.1916. [23] British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 file [ref: 557218] and Commonwealth War Graves Commission record. [24] National Probate Calendar. Image courtesy of Mark Field. [25] 1939 Register. [26] [Wo 97] – Chelsea Pensioners British Army Service Records 1760-1913. [27] 1939 Register. [28] Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329]. [29] For details of this and other actions of 1916 see 9th Suffolk’s War Diary [WO 95/1625/1] and Murphy, Lieutenant-Colonel C. C. R. The History of the Suffolk Regiment 1914-1927 [London: Hutchinson and Co, 1928], pp.194-96. See also Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [30] British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 file [ref: 557270] and Commonwealth War Graves Commission record. [31] 1939 Register. [32] [Wo 97] – Chelsea Pensioners British Army Service Records 1760-1913. [33] 1939 Register. [34] Soldiers’ Documents and Pension Claims, First World War [WO 364], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329], and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [35] 1939 Register. [36] Recorded as a Soldier at the baptism of his son see Baptism Register 4.4.1915, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. For details of 8th Suffolk’s movements see War Diary [WO 95/2039/1] and Murphy, Lieutenant-Colonel C. C. R. The History of the Suffolk Regiment 1914-1927 [London: Hutchinson and Co, 1928], pp.165-72. See also his Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [37] Chelsea Hospital Record [WO 116/114/54215]. [38] 1939 Register. [39] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363]. [40] [Wo 96] – Militia Service Records 1806-1915. [41] 1939 Register. [42] For details of 9th Suffolk’s and 2nd Northamptonshire’s movements in 1916 see War Diaries [WO 95/1625/1] and [WO 95/1722/1]. See also his Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [43] National Probate Calendar. [44] 1939 Register. [45] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363]. [46] National Probate Calendar. [47] Date of birth from his RN Record. [48] For details of Anson Battalion’s movements in France see War Diary [WO 95/3111/1]. [49] Royal Navy Service Record [ADM 339/1/10664] and Royal Navy Medal and Award Rolls [ADM 171/31793].
Genealogical Tables
