Roll of Honour - Suffolk

Ministry of Defence

Lest We Forget

The Royal British Legion

BUXHALL WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Keith Evans - 2010

The memorial is to be found in St Mary Church, Brettenham Road, Buxhall. It takes the form of two brass memorial tablets, dedicated 18 January 1920, hang on the wall in the aisle opposite the pulpit. The memorial plaques are made from two melted down German shell cases brought back from the Marne by Miss A. E. Hill they are mounted on wood from a walnut tree that blew down near the Church in 1915, the founders were Messrs C Richardson & Son, the memorial was constructed by Mr J Castell. The press report stated that one, inscribed ‘Buxhall Roll of Honour’, recorded the name of all who served whilst the second, inscribed ‘Roll Call’ bore the names of the fallen. The memorial was uneiled by Major-General Sir Stuart W Hare, K.C.M.G., C.B., and dedicated by Rev H Copinger-Hill, Rector of Buxhall 18 January 1920. Those who served are not listed here only those who gave their lives. The names listed here have been sorted into alphabetical order for ease of reading and research.

Extract from Bury Free Press - Saturday 24 January 1920, page 8:

BUXHALL’S FINE RECORD.
A Memorial Service.

A very large congregation assembled on Sunday tat he Parish Church for the unveiling of two memorial tablets, one inscribed the "Buxhull Roll Honour,” surmounted with the base of a large German shell case, recording the names all who served, and, below, a second “brass” bearing the title “Roll Call,” with the names of the fallen. Before service all were delighted hear the Church bells (which had been silent nearly six years) peal forth once again. Ringers came to help from Stowmarket, Rattlesden and two were of the old Buxhall quintette. The bugler the 1st Troop B.P. Scouts sounded the ’’fall in” at 2.15 p.m., when all available ex-soldiers in the parish assembled under Major H. T. Copinger-Hill, M.C., to march to church, led by the Scouts’ drum and bugle band. Drawn up at the porch, the band played the men and the Buxhull Girl Guides into church and then sounded the salute as Major-General Sir Stewart Hare. K.C.M.G., C.B . passed them in a smaller process on of Parish Councillors (Mr. J. A. Clover, chairman), sidesmen, churchwardens with their wands office, officers in uniform and the Rector (Rev. H. Copinger-Hill).

After a short evensong, a printed service was adhered to for the actual unveiling. The churchwardens and the Rector conducted the General and his officers to the chancel step, where the cord across a large Union Jack was handed to him by Mr. Clover. The flag fell gracefully to hang quite naturally from a tall staff, the General spoke, and after the Rector had read the dedicatory prayer handed the memorials over to the care of the churchwardens and the members of the Parish Council. The brasses hang on the wall in the aisle opposite the pulpit. The work on the brasses was carried out by C. Richardson and Son (London), and the woodwork Mr. J. Castell (Swan and Son, Buxhall). Miss A. E. Hill brought back the shell cases from the battlefield of the Marne for the brasswork, while the walnut wood is from a tree blown down near the church in the blizzard of March, 1915. Just before the unveiling the band played a fanfare (under Scoutmaster H. Turner), and later sounded the “Last Poet” and the “Revelle.” The crescendo the drums was much admired and talked of after service. The Rector preached a very common-sense sermon, especially appealing to the children of the parish, seated immediately in front of the memorials, to remember the day and carry on the traditions and stories of deeds, etc., connected with the names. Miss Eva Hawtin presided at the organ. The offertory, which was a very good, one, was given to the St. Dunstan’s Home for Blinded Soldiers.

After service the men. Guides and Scouts paraded on the church lawn at the back of the Rectory. After inspection of all present, the General, who took a great interest in the Guides as it was his first meeting with any of their units, presented a Meritorious Service Medal to Sergt. A. W. Gosling, late of the R.G.A., telling his hearers that the D.C.M. and M.S.M. were, not easily won and meant that the recipient was a man above the ordinary ruck. The Major in command then asked permission to speak on behalf of all present, and said how honoured the parish should be by the presence of one who had led the E. Anglian Division, in the last Crusade in Palestine. After “dismissal” the General was kept busy with introductions. Besides the officials, the following were brought to notice: Mr. R. Nunn (whose five sons served in the war, for which record he had received a letter from the King), Mrs. T Sparkes (who lost a son in Palestine), Mr. J. Castell (responsible for framing the memorials), etc. A short visit was then paid to the belfry, bell-ringing being a novelty to a Scotchman.

The officers present were: Col. Harrison Topham. D.S.O., late C.R.E. Cambridge, the Major in command, Lt. A. E. Davies, late Surrey Regt., and Capt. Moncrieff, with Lt. F. Burton, late R.N., in mufti.

The Scouts were looked after at tea their comrades in the Guides. The smart appearance of these latter (under Mrs. Copinger-Hll, Capt., and Miss A. Nunn, Patrol Leader) was much commented on.

One noticed sad hearts here and there—an official who mourned a favourite son. an old bell-ringer with two sons gone, another old lady whose grandson’s end was quite unknown. Yet all showed signs of pride in the sacrifice that they and others throughout the country had been called upon to make. The Roll Honour shows: M.C. and bar, M.C., O.B.E., M.M. (2), D.C.M. and M.S.M. (2), besides two commissions won and names bearing N.C.O. rank. The Roll Call was proportionately heavy: Archibald Bertie Alexander (1st Suffolks), Victor John Clarke (W. Yorks.), Albert Folkard (2nd Welsh Regt.), William Girt (R. Scots Fusiliers), Frederick Uriah Gladwell (Northumberland Fusiliers), James Hurrell (3rd Suffolks), Albert Leeks 7th Suffolks, Robert George Mirrington (Suffolks), Cecil William Sawyer (K.O. Shropshire L.I.). George Harold Smith (Lc-Cpl., Suffolks) and his brother William John (Signaller, M.G.C.), Frederick Ladson Steggles (Australian L. Horse), George Arthur Turner (9th Bedfords), Walter Jeremiah Williams (R.A.F.).

Buxhall © (WMR-4717)

IN
COMMEMORATION
OF THE
GREAT WAR
1914-1919

PARISH OF BUXHALL
ROLL OF HONOUR

Names of those served (not included here)

BUXHALL ROLL CALL
"THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE"

ALEXANDER	Archibald Bertie	Private 55268, 8th Bn. N. Staffs. Regt., 56th Bde., 9th Div., formerly 59419 Stafford Cyclist Regt. Born at Gt. Blakenham. Son of Harry & Ellen Alexander. In 1911 the family were living in Buxhall. Died of sickness 4th Dec. 1918, aged 19. (Admitted to No. 24 General Hospital, Etaples in the early hours of 4th December, said he had been gassed about a month previously. Died at 7.15 a.m. Cause of death ‘Nephritis’). Buried Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Grave ref. XLVII. A. 18.
ANDERSON	Archibald James	Sergeant 23117, 153rd Siege Bty., 9th (Mobile) Bde., Royal Garrison Artillery, 4th Army. Born Calcutta. Son of William & Sarah Anderson, his father being a Sgt. Major, RGA. Archibald left a widow and child. In 1911 he was serving as a Gunner with the 96th Coy., R.G.A. Died of wounds Fri. 30th Aug. 1918, aged 26. Buried St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Seine-Maritime, Rouen. Grave ref. R. II. G. 15.
CLARKE	Victor John	Private 46512, ‘A’ Coy., 4 Platoon, 1/5th Bn. W. Yorks. Regt., 146th Bde., 49th Div., formerly 172636, Royal Field Artillery. Born Buxhall. Son of John & Amelia Clarke of Manor Farm, Henham. Husband of Winifred and father of Nora, of Spring Cottage, Buxhall. Missing presumed killed 25th April 1918, Age 22. Battle of Mount Kemmel (his Bn. was in Front Line trenches astride the Vierstraat Road on the outskirts of Wytcheate. The Germans broke through the French on their right capturing Mount Kemmel and much of the Front Line). Remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing, Panels 44 and 162.
FOLKARD	Albert	Private 4281, 2nd Bn. Welsh Regt., 3rd Bde., 1st Div. Born Rattlesden. Nephew of Mrs. Eliza Dykes of Fenn Street, Buxhall. In 1911 he was a Private serving with the 1st Bn. Welch Regiment in Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt. Killed in action 14th Sept. 1914, aged 38. 1st Battle of the Aisne, 12th to 15th September. (On 14th Sept. his Bn. was in action near the village of Vendresse about 1 mile south of the Chemin des Dames). Remembered at La Ferté-sous-Jouarre Memorial.
GIRT	William	Private 59349, 11th Bn. Royal Scots. Fusiliers, 178th Bde., 59th Div., formerly 1590 and 240185 5th Suffolk Regt. Born Bildeston. Son of Mrs. Girt of Buxhall. In 1911 he was a 27 years old unmarried Salvation Army Officer living at 34, High Street, Brentford. Killed in action 30th Sept. 1918, aged 35. (On 28th September 59th Div., part of II Corps. entered the phase known as ‘Advance to Victory’, Passchendaele Ridge was taken on the 29th, William was killed the following day as the attack continued. He was originally buried in Lestrem Communal Cemetery Extension, Row B, Grave 5. After the war he was brought from that cemetery to his final resting-place). Buried Y Farm Military Cemetery, Bois-Grenier. Grave ref. L4.
GLADWELL	Frederick Uriah	Private 17/570, 17th Bn. (N.E.R. Pioneers), Northumberland Fusiliers. GHQ Railway Construction Troops. Born Rattlesden. Son of James Edward & Sarah Anna Gladwell, native of Rattlesden. In 1911 the family were living at Red Brick Cottage, Buxhall. Died Sunday 29th July 1917, aged 25. Buried Gwalia Cemetery, Ypres. Grave ref. I.G.1.
HURRELL	James	Private 3/8706, 1st Bn. Suffolk Regt., 84th Bde., 28th Div. Born Rattlesden. Son of Robert & Sarah Hurrell. In 1911 James was a farm labourer boarding with the Ford family at Noah’s Ark Farm, Buxhall. Killed in action Sat. 24th April 1915, aged 24. 2nd Battle of Ypres. (2 days after the first German Gas attack his Bn. filled a gap on the left of the Canadians near St. Julien. It was the Suffolk’s first experience of gas. In 4 days the 1st Suffolk’s suffered 400 casualties). Remembered at the Menin Gate, Ypres. Panel 21.
LEEKS	Albert	Private 24552, 7th Bn. Suffolk Regt., 35th Bde., 12th Div. Born Buxhall. Son of Susannah Leeks. In 1911 Albert and his widowed mother were living near the Mill, Buxhall. Killed in action 12th Oct. 1916, age 32. Battles of the Somme (Transloy). (See George Harold Smith). Remembered at the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 1c and 2a.
MERRINGTON (sic)	Robert George	Private 18521, 1st Bn. Suffolk Regt., 84th Bde., 28th Div. Born Buxhall. George R. E. Mirrington was the son of Emma Mirrington. In 1911 George and his mother lived in Buxhall. Died of malaria 27th Aug. 1916, aged 26. Salonika. (1st Suffolk’s landed in Salonika on 29th Nov. 1915, by mid 1916 they were operating in a malarial hotspot, the Struma valley). Buried Lahana Military Cemetery, Greece. Grave reference II.B.9.
SAWYER	Cecil William	Private 20772, 1st Bn. King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, 16th Bde., 6th Div., formerly 33561, Suffolk Regiment. Born Buxhall. Son of John & Emma Maria Sawyer of Buxhall. In 1911 he was living with his parents and siblings at the Post Office, Buxhall. Died as a prisoner of war 14th May 1918. Age 22. (Although shown as 1st Bn. KSLI most of the transferred Suffolk Regiment men died with the 5th Bn., which in the reorganisation of early 1918, was disbanded. Cecil was probably in the only Coy. to be absorbed by the 1st Bn. and possibly taken prisoner some time around 21-23rd March). Buried Braine-Le-Comte Communal Cemetery. Grave ref. I.B.4.
SMITH	George Harold	Corporal 12208, ‘C’ Coy. 7th Bn. Suffolk Regt., 35th Bde., 12th Div. Born Buxhall. Son of William & Eliza Smith of 5 Council Cottages, Buxhall; brother of Wilfred John Smith who also died (see below). In 1911 the family were living near the Church in Buxhall. Killed in action 11th Oct. 1916, aged 21. Battles of the Somme (Transloy). (7th Bn. suffered more than 500 casualties during its attack on Bayonet Trench and Luisenhof Farm). Remembered at the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 1c and 2a.
SMITH	Wilfred John	Private 31022, 12th Battalion, Suffolk Regt., 121st Bde., 40th Div. or 43rd Bde., 14th Div. from 17th June 1918. Died as a Prisoner of War in Schneidemuhl Camp, East Prussia, 10th December 1918. Aged 25. Born Buxhall, Suffolk, enlisted Stowmarket. Son of William and Eliza Smith, of 5 Council Cottages, Buxhall; brother of George Harold Smith who also fell (see above); husband of Annie Vivian Smith with one son, Arthur, sadly Arthur became an orphan when his mother died in 1916 and his father 1918. Buried in BERLIN SOUTH-WESTERN CEMETERY, Brandenburg, Germany. Plot II. Row B. Grave 9.
STEGGLES	Frederick Ladson	Trooper 2829, 7th Australian Light Horse Regt. Born Rattlesden. Son of Ellen Jane Sparkes (nee Steggles) of Mill Cottage, Buxhall. In 1901 Frederick and his family were living at Cottage, Road to Howe Water, Buxhall. By 1916 he had immigrated to Australia. Killed in action 25th Sept. 1918, aged 27. Battle of Amman (Frederick was the only fatality in an attack by the 7th Australian Light Horse). Buried Damascus Commonwealth War Cemetery, Grave/Memorial reference C.49.
TURNER	George Arthur	Private 26615, 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regt., 89th Bde., 30th Div. Born Wattisfield. Son of Daniel & Elizabeth Turner of Buxhall. In 1911 the family were living at Valley Farm, Buxhall. Died of wounds 24th Dec. 1916, aged 27. Buried Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty. Grave ref. IV.E.8.
WILLIAMS	Walter Jeremiah	Private 3rd Class 294980, No. 2 Stores Depot, Royal Air Force. Born Buxhall. Son of Thomas & Louisa Williams, husband of Lillian Williams of Ashley Villa, Childer Rd., Stowmarket. He left a widow and son. In 1911 he was a Stationer and Newsagent living with his family at 6 Stratford Road, Kensington. Died of pneumonia Fri. 4th Oct. 1918, aged 38. (At the end of the war No. 2 Stores Depot, RAF was located in Regents Park, London). Buried in Buxhall St. Mary Churchyard, close to the South gate.
Not on Roll of Honour but with Buxhall connections.
EUSTON	Wilfred James	Private 32848 2nd Bn. South Lancashire. Regt. (Prince of Wales’s Volunteers), 75th Bde., 25th Div., formerly Private 33182, ‘A’ Coy., 1st Bn., Gloucs. Regt. Born Buxhall. Son of George & Kate Euston, of High Rd., Gt. Finborough. In 1911 the family were living at Hadleigh Road, Buxhall. Missing presumed killed 11th April 1918, aged 21. Battles of the Lys (it’s known that 2 Coy’s. of 2nd Bn. were in the Front Line on the morning of 11th when the enemy launched 3 attacks on Romarin, S.W. of Ploegsteert. Later that day the Front Line was pulled back to save being overrun). Remembered at the Ploegsteert Memorial, Panels 6 and 7.
WILLIAMS	Walter Leslie	Private 59497, 6th Bn. Northamptonshire. Regt., 54th Bde., 18th Div. Born Buxhall. The son of Harry & Rose Ellen Williams. In 1911 the family were living at Pye Hatch, Buxhall. Died Sunday 29th Sept. 1918, aged 19. Battle of Epehy (arriving in France around mid September this was almost certainly his first action, his Bn. was close to Ronssoy Wood supporting an American attack). Remembered at the Vis-En-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, Panel 7.

R.I.P.

Last updated: 19 July, 2021

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