I was writing up some notes last night on a 4th Suffolk man with whom I had corresponded in the 1980s. I have already posted on this blog regarding the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Suffolk Regiment, and also the 5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Here then is a snippet from my database of 4th Battalion men.
The 4th (Territorial Force) Battalion succeeded the 1st Volunteer Battalion which could trace its origins back to July 1859 with the formation of two companies raised in Ipswich. Over the next few years, more companies were added and the battalion supplied seventy-four men (three of whom died) for service in Suffolk Regiment volunteer service companies during the Second South African War. By 1907, the 1st VB had nine companies and 826 men out of an establishment of 1048 and would increase this number over the next couple of years.
By early 1914, The 4th Suffolk Regiment was headquartered at Portman Road, Ipswich with companies A to D also based in the town. Company E was the Lowestoft company and Company F was based at Halesworth with a drill station at Saxmundham. Fremlingham was home to Company G, which had a drill hall at Woodbridge, and Company H was located at Leiston with a drill station at East Bridge. The battlalion was originally part of the Norfolk and Suffolk Infantry Brigade with the East Anglian Division.
145 Arthur Reed joined on the 2nd April 1908. He was a serving member with the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
766 Charles Button joined on the 11th February 1909
1102 Stanley London Mayhew joined on the 20th January 1910
1210 Thomas Charles Baker joined on 6th February 1911
1761 James Henry Cain joined on 23rd October 1913
1854 Harry Howard joined on 14th February 1914
1980 John Stocks joined on 3rd August 1914
2225 William Samuel John Smith joined on 1st September 1914
2327 Jack Reason joined on 5th October 1914
2730 John Henry Brown joined on the 13th November 1914
3018 Henry Williams joined the 2/4th Battalion on 14th December 1914
All of the above number/date information from surviving service records in WO 363 and WO 364 - online courtesy of Ancestry.co.uk.
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My grandfather Louis Charles Pepper was also in the 4th Battalion of the Suffolk's his service number was 1856 so must have joined up at roughly the same time as Harry Howard. From the small amount of research I have done so far the 4th Battalion fought a the 2nd Battle of Ypres in 1915, this would tie up with the family story that he was wounded at Ypres. He received an honorable discharge in May 1916. I was only 3 when my grandfather died in the early 1960's and my family never really talked about his service.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to comment, Philip.
ReplyDeletePaul, my Great Grand-Uncle, Arthur Oliver Sanderson joined the 4th Bn with Regt No. 4051. I am yet to get a firmer date but family said it was in 1915. He DOW 11 Oct 16 and is commemorate on the Thiepval Memorial. If I find a firmer date I will let you know.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the work you have shared on here as it has helped me researching both my family members and others.
Sharon